My first Rolex and AD experience

[Shmoopy]

Hi all,

New member here, just wanted to share my enthusiasm about my first Rolex, and an AD experience in getting it. Not a story of persistence, more them having 1 of 2 things I was looking for.

I am a dual-citizen, currently living in the States. I've gone into my local ADs a couple times to familiarize myself with the brand. Everyone was super nice and professional, but I gathered that it would be a while before I'd be able to purchase a stainless SD with black dial, with no previous purchase history.

On a recent trip out of the country, I walked into an AD that I have passed dozens of times over the years, but never entered. I walked in, more or less to confirm a few things like amount of VAT refunded so I could calculate duty and use tax etc etc and ended up having an hour-long conversation with the nice lady.

She was from the area and had lived there many years. I tested her on this and asked if she remembered so-an-so's business, and she instantly lit up. We reminisced over the area and also discussed a couple things related to my profession.

After an hour of gabbing, I told her I was looking for a SD with black face, I didn't care which bracelet. It wasn't a blanket list of all the stainless models, which I think she found refreshing. I told her that I was also looking for something a bit more classic and discreet, as I sometimes meet with older gen clients who might find a SD to be a bit gauche. She asked what I had in mind, and I said that I really liked everose models, but that the bracelet was a bit too much for my taste.

She told me that she had a watch that may interest me, but had not put it out yet, and to hang on and she would bring it out. I instantly fell in love with it: a DD36 in everose, rhodium (i think?) dial and alligator strap. #118135

I ended up purchasing it after asking a few questions about changing dial to brown if I ever wanted to, adding bracelet, servicing there vs US etc etc. As I was getting ready to leave, I received a call from a relative who was just down the street. I told them to come meet me in the store, they ended up taking their DJ off their wrist to get serviced, after I introduced her to the person assisting me.

I noticed that the store also sold Cartier, and I asked her if she could possibly advise me on trying to get an extra link for an old Santos that has tremendous sentimental value. She told me to bring in the watch when I return in December (I am picking up another strap for the DD36) and she would do her best to help.

The person who was assisting me ended up being the store manager. I mentioned that my wife would probably be jealous of my purchase, and to expect her with me in December. She laughed and pulled me aside, and without being prompted said that she would offer me the next stainless SD blackface they received.

Could she be blowing smoke? Perhaps. But, it is my experience that certain Europeans tend not to offer you things unless they mean it. Even if she never comes through, I am very happy with it.

I appreciate all the info I have absorbed from this forum recently, and look forward to contributing! It will be interesting to see if she comes through with the SD... I get it, I could go gray, but I guess my everlasting refusal to pay a "market correction" or whatever else they call it for a car has translated to watches, at least for now...

[Cigars&Watches]

Sounds like you had the perfect experience. Enjoy the watch and sounds like the other one will pan out as well. I dont think most managers would straight up tell you you’ll get the next model that comes I. and not come through… There was no reason for her saying that. She only had to say “I’ll see why I can do”…

[173rdabn]

Handsome watch and a great experience. It's a little something called SERVICE and seems to have been forgotten at most ADs these days.

[Wahlberg]

They still had a new 118135? Thought it was discontinued?

By SD you mean Skydweller? I thought you meant a Sea-Dweller.

[TomCarter]

It sounds like you've made a genuine connection with a solid person and it wasn't based solely on what they can do for you or vise versa. Congratulations on your new watch!

[vh2k]

Cyclops magnification looks off to me. Aftermarket crystal?

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

They still had a new 118135? Thought it was discontinued?

By SD you mean Skydweller? I thought you meant a Sea-Dweller.

I thought it was interesting that they had this discontinued watch, but I didn’t ask about the history behind them still having it. . I did make sure that the warranty card was cool and serial were all kosher though, ha.

I did mean Sky-Dweller by SD 😎

Originally Posted by vh2k

Cyclops magnification looks off to me. Aftermarket crystal?

I did take the photo at a strange angle holding up something in background to minimize glare. I certainly hope there are no aftermarket parts, but will definitely look into it.

[214270Explorer]

From your post it seems you came across to them as a true enthusiast and definitely not a potential flipper.
It is very likely that you left them with an extremely good impression.
That should be a huge benefit to you.
And I do not think the sales gal was blowing smoke, either. (Just the impression I got from her reaction to you.) If you "had made it to the ignore list," she most likely would not have taken you aside, nor even mentioned anything about 'seeing what she could do' for you.

[joli160]

Beautiful watch, huge congrats. You will get the SD

Originally Posted by vh2k

Cyclops magnification looks off to me. Aftermarket crystal?

No, not so long ago a lot of watches were issued with a smaller magnification of 2x instead of 2.5x. This might be one of them but can be the viewing angle as well. Nothing aftermarket about it and not an issue really.
RSC’s are known to have changed these crystals on request if one felt the need

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

They still had a new 118135? Thought it was discontinued?

Old inventory .

[BillA]

You helped them out by getting rid of some old stock and a 36mm that most men don’t want anymore since Rolex now making 40/41mm mens pieces.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by BillA

You helped them out by getting rid of some old stock and a 36mm that most men don’t want anymore since Rolex now making 40/41mm mens pieces.

Also not a 36 women wants .My wife loved the YG green dial /green alligator.Was already discontinued when we inquired .

[Benzsiam]

Congrats on your good luck and good timepiece!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Ferrari308]

Congrats!!

Well done!!!



PDG

[Jpccarguy]

I think that’s a great look- discreet, elegant, no one but other Rolex cognoscenti know it’s WG. Great look with the strap.

[Choo Yao Chuen]

Nice. Congrats.

[brandrea]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum

[Steph-paul]

Congratulations nice looking watch.

[OrangeSport]

Great watch and what sounds like a great experience

Nice one!

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by BillA

You helped them out by getting rid of some old stock and a 36mm that most men don’t want anymore since Rolex now making 40/41mm mens pieces.

I was actually thinking about this, and how the second watch I purchase from them may be similar in the sense that I don’t think it’s a fast-selling watch. (My wife is interested in a couple DJs that I don’t think sell like crazy. But then again in this current climate, who knows)

Maybe that buys me some more goodwill, or maybe they just see a mark 😆

[Tanalasta]

That’s a beautiful piece. And not one often seen. Win win scenario. You’ll never know about the SD until you “get the call” but the Sales manager hooked a potential long term customer and sold a PM watch; and you left happier.

Hype about the 40 aside, the 36 is classic and imho wears better on many.

If it was sold new from an AD it should not have aftermarket parts and you can be reassured. I wouldn’t question it. Looks ok to me


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