My AD Visit

[Eric-London]

Went over to my AD in London yesterday to pick up a couple of spare links I asked for.

Full disclosure, I'm not looking for anything from the Rolex brand at the moment but thought I'd take a look at the large multiple Rolex display cases to see what was available in-store.

Nothing!

No sports Rolex of any kind, steel, two tone, precious metal or unobtanium.

Datejusts? No 41mm of any kind. Not even any 39mm pieces. I think I saw one two tone 36mm with diamonds.

There was however plenty of Datejust and Oyster Perpetual 31mm

Plus lots of empty slots which almost outnumbered actual watches.

This brings me to the few you-tubers I watched yesterday who were adamant that dealers have recently been flooded by vast stocks of desirable Rolex models.

Given my experience I'd say these guys are living in cuckoo land.

Sure, If you walk in with £50k to spend, I'm sure one or two sports pieces will magically appear from under the counter but for the vast majority of folks, these are still unavailable unless you're prepared to play the waiting game.

[Luke@TRF]

you have your answer in the East side mate. plenty SS here, esp YMs, shit load of it

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by Luke@TRF

you have your answer in the East side mate. plenty SS here, esp YMs, shit load of it

lol

[brandrea]

That’s a bummer.

Anecdotally, I’d say that our ADs have quite a bit of stock compared to what you’re seeing in your area.

[AK797]

I had the same when I went into town recently after a few months away and there were no DJ41s at all, I was in Harrods and it felt a like a closing down everything must go sale, people scavenging for a last DJ41 amongst the almost empty displays, and this in the most prestigious store of all. As there was nothing to even browse I had a chat with a few of the salespeople, and we had a good laugh at the situation and they found they knew me off TRF as that is now read by everyone, and by the end I could feel they would offer me some stuff out the back if I wanted... no income tax, no VAT, no money back, no guarantee....

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Went over to my AD in London yesterday to pick up a couple of spare links I asked for.

Full disclosure, I'm not looking for anything from the Rolex brand at the moment but thought I'd take a look at the large multiple Rolex display cases to see what was available in-store.

Nothing!

No sports Rolex of any kind, steel, two tone, precious metal or unobtanium.

Datejusts? No 41mm of any kind. Not even any 39mm pieces. I think I saw one two tone 36mm with diamonds.

There was however plenty of Datejust and Oyster Perpetual 31mm

Plus lots of empty slots which almost outnumbered actual watches.

This brings me to the few you-tubers I watched yesterday who were adamant that dealers have recently been flooded by vast stocks of desirable Rolex models.

Given my experience I'd say these guys are living in cuckoo land.

Sure, If you walk in with £50k to spend, I'm sure one or two sports pieces will magically appear from under the counter but for the vast majority of folks, these are still unavailable unless you're prepared to play the waiting game.

I will imagine not even £50k will get you a Blro in WOS at Canary Wharf or Westfield,,,,over £100k in one hit should get you one but a Daytona 500C?????
Then God only knows what you have to spend to kop one of those,,,,

[Rori]

It’s the same in the Middle East but here at least the Boutiques have all models on display. These are not for sale but for the client to see, try and get the feel of the pieces.
I never dealt with ADs, find dealing with a Rolex Boutique more interesting.

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Went over to my AD in London yesterday to pick up a couple of spare links I asked for.

Full disclosure, I'm not looking for anything from the Rolex brand at the moment but thought I'd take a look at the large multiple Rolex display cases to see what was available in-store.

Nothing!

No sports Rolex of any kind, steel, two tone, precious metal or unobtanium.

Datejusts? No 41mm of any kind. Not even any 39mm pieces. I think I saw one two tone 36mm with diamonds.

There was however plenty of Datejust and Oyster Perpetual 31mm

Plus lots of empty slots which almost outnumbered actual watches.

This brings me to the few you-tubers I watched yesterday who were adamant that dealers have recently been flooded by vast stocks of desirable Rolex models.

Given my experience I'd say these guys are living in cuckoo land.

Sure, If you walk in with £50k to spend, I'm sure one or two sports pieces will magically appear from under the counter but for the vast majority of folks, these are still unavailable unless you're prepared to play the waiting game.

[037]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

This brings me to the few you-tubers I watched yesterday who were adamant that dealers have recently been flooded by vast stocks of desirable Rolex models.

Given my experience I'd say these guys are living in cuckoo land.

They're living in fantasy land regardless. They have no more insight than anyone here. Heck, you have more insight than they do.

[Arcticsub]

I don't recall reading that dealers have been 'flooded' with desirable watches, but I am reading that there are signs that sd43 and blnr models are becoming more available.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by Arcticsub

I don't recall reading that dealers have been 'flooded' with desirable watches, but I am reading that there are signs that sd43 and blnr models are becoming more available.

Without naming names some you-tubers have been suggesting the Rolex 'bubble' has burst, stocks are becoming available and we are about to experience a big influx of sports watches.

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Went over to my AD in London yesterday to pick up a couple of spare links I asked for.

Full disclosure, I'm not looking for anything from the Rolex brand at the moment but thought I'd take a look at the large multiple Rolex display cases to see what was available in-store.

Nothing!

No sports Rolex of any kind, steel, two tone, precious metal or unobtanium.

Datejusts? No 41mm of any kind. Not even any 39mm pieces. I think I saw one two tone 36mm with diamonds.

There was however plenty of Datejust and Oyster Perpetual 31mm

Plus lots of empty slots which almost outnumbered actual watches.

This brings me to the few you-tubers I watched yesterday who were adamant that dealers have recently been flooded by vast stocks of desirable Rolex models.

Given my experience I'd say these guys are living in cuckoo land.

Sure, If you walk in with £50k to spend, I'm sure one or two sports pieces will magically appear from under the counter but for the vast majority of folks, these are still unavailable unless you're prepared to play the waiting game.

So true, my friend!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IR201]

I will say that I got a call for a SD43 only a month or so after asking for it, with no purchase history from the particular AD (but a lot of store pop ins and contact prior). Not sure if that means SD43s are flooding the market though...

I think there are two ways to get a SS from an AD and this forum only tends to talk about one of them. The first is to spend a lot of $ (talked about), but the second is to have a (preferably true) story that convinces the AD you will cherish the watch, are a collector, the watch will be for something special, are not going to flip it, etc. I think ADs want to (1) make money and (2) ensure their pieces go to a good home. I'm sure there are sales to greys etc. which fall under 1, but I bet there is still a lot of (2) going on.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by 037

They're living in fantasy land regardless. They have no more insight than anyone here. Heck, you have more insight than they do.

Completely agree. I think most of us on here know more than these guys.

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Completely agree. I think most of us on here know more than these guys.

A lot of YouTube banter on Rolex is click bait. Very seldom is it good or informative content. These days it’s the bubble bursting (TRF and YouTube alike). My already small list of followed channels is getting smaller.

I tend to follow the same path as yourself. Hit the streets and see what’s going on with my AD(s) and gauge for myself how stock/inventory is looking.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Without naming names some you-tubers have been suggesting the Rolex 'bubble' has burst, stocks are becoming available and we are about to experience a big influx of sports watches.

Take it all with a pinch of salt

[wilsonpepper]

Shanghai and Beijing China = Rolex stores with empty display cases. Shanghai (IFC Mall) had 1 18k YG Day Date with diamonds, but 90% of the display cases empty.

Same at 2 stores in Beijing !

[seavers]

I managed to get a Rolex Explorer from Watches of Switzerland in Regent Street a couple of weeks ago. It was my first trip to that dealer, but I am on their waitlist in their Goldsmiths outlets.

The watch was a “cancelled order that day” and not on display. They were unaware of my wait list situation when they offered it to me. I checked on that after I had completed the transaction.

Of course, there were no other sports models on display or available!

I think a combination of being dressed well (for a meeting), having some knowledge of the desired piece, the piece not being one that requires a long wait and right place right time aligned.

Either that or Rolex Explorers are becoming easier to get hold of.

Either way I am one happy customer!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Crazy Lugs]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Without naming names some you-tubers have been suggesting the Rolex 'bubble' has burst, stocks are becoming available and we are about to experience a big influx of sports watches.

Hogwash, of course...but your boy Adrian is paid by number of views, and he lives for quid...so this is what we get.

Me? I prefer the awkwardness and honesty of Austin Daniels. Always good for a chuckle after a long day at the office.

[1SG MTB]

Originally Posted by IR201

I will say that I got a call for a SD43 only a month or so after asking for it, with no purchase history from the particular AD (but a lot of store pop ins and contact prior). Not sure if that means SD43s are flooding the market though...

I think there are two ways to get a SS from an AD and this forum only tends to talk about one of them. The first is to spend a lot of $ (talked about), but the second is to have a (preferably true) story that convinces the AD you will cherish the watch, are a collector, the watch will be for something special, are not going to flip it, etc. I think ADs want to (1) make money and (2) ensure their pieces go to a good home. I'm sure there are sales to greys etc. which fall under 1, but I bet there is still a lot of (2) going on.

Agree 100%. I fall in category #2 (although the more I hang around this forum the more danger I’m in of falling into category #1!), my AD relationship started long before I bought my first new Rolex when I was just a tag along with my wife while she shopped in their jewelry cases. Over the course of 2-3 years we talked watches, family history (with watches woven in), Houston sports, oh, and watches, too! The manager came to know about my passion for watches and appreciated mine have a good home. Looking back, this is why I got a SS SubC with 2 month wait, TT CHNR offered out of the safe, and BLRO with 2 week wait.

[Lawlex]

Actually, there's a strong possibility that AD received all SS models and just hide them in the safe

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

Completely agree. I think most of us on here know more than these guys.

I'm happy to admit that I know roughly the square root of FA.

And I'm equally happy to bet that I know more than most of these idiots.

That's always been my problem. No imagination.

The last visit I paid to my AD, to admire their new bespoke Rolex section, they had less stock than I've ever seen. The Rolex buyer was busy - he was being berated at length by a Swedish gentleman, visiting my UK AD on the off chance that he could get a Daytona, because surely the situation can't be as bad in other countries. Yeah. Right.

I asked the head of department if she thought their recent £250K investment in their in-store Rolex boutique would curry them any favour. She said she was initially optimistic but reality has quickly reestablished itself.

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by 10klakes

A lot of YouTube banter on Rolex is click bait. Very seldom is it good or informative content. These days it’s the bubble bursting (TRF and YouTube alike). My already small list of followed channels is getting smaller.

I tend to follow the same path as yourself. Hit the streets and see what’s going on with my AD(s) and gauge for myself how stock/inventory is looking.

I wish the youtube bubble would burst and do us all a favour

[10klakes]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

I wish the youtube bubble would burst and do us all a favour

Literally laughed out loud at this comment. Cheers-

[mg Barcelona]

Slim pickings in Barcelona. Although I did see a YM40 Blue dial show up in the window of an AD the other day.. Apart from that nada de nada.

[hallidc]

Stock has dwindled down to the point where my AD installed new Rolex displays that house 50% less watches then the old displays. I don't even bother going in to window shop anymore.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

I wish the youtube bubble would burst and do us all a favour

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by 10klakes

Literally laughed out loud at this comment. Cheers-

[Bigblu10]

Bad news for the upcoming holiday shopping season for Rolex buyers. Same situation as last year this time.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by Crazy Lugs

Hogwash, of course...but your boy Adrian is paid by number of views, and he lives for quid...so this is what we get.

Me? I prefer the awkwardness and honesty of Austin Daniels. Always good for a chuckle after a long day at the office.

Exactly.
And he's somewhat retracted his BS since.

Whilst used market prices for Rolex sports/professional watches have softened a little (depending on location/dealer etc), this doesn't prove much.

Its a quiet time in the watch retail market at the moment.

This is probably due to a number of factors, possible looming recession, Hong Kong problems and also the fact that Rolex aftermarket prices were crazy to begin with.

Having said all that, anyone who thinks we're going to suddenly start seeing tons of sought after Rolex sports pieces in AD's shop windows is delusional.

Rolex have learned to play the game very well over the last few years. Their business model is not going to change. Sell less (sports) watches, make more money.

A few brands aside (Richard Mille, a few Patek models and some AP's), when you see how toxic the rest of the watch market has become, you begin to realise just how well Rolex has done.

Think Panerai, IWC, JLC and many more. Don't even mention TK Max favourites, Breitling & Tag Heuer.

Rolex is rock solid by comparison.

[Adirondoc]

Local NY AD also only had slim pickings. Plenty for the ladies. No ss sports. Asked about a dj41, ss, blue dial. Good luck with that one, they said. How about a cellini?Went gray but paid $2k over list.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk