Never thought I'd share such an incoming

[capital]

Warning: very long post that I'm sharing to hopefully convey the experience I lived.

Long time no see on the forum. I've been busy with many projects and kind of stepped out of the watch game for a couple of years. I got a call for a SD43 a few months ago (which I happily fetched), and it put me a bit back on track watches-wise.

This week, I was having a business meeting close to an AD I have visited 3 times since 2019 and with whom I have no purchase history. After my meeting, I thought "let's go in for 5 minutes and see if they still have my name somewhere on a list for a batman".

After meeting the SA, whom I didn't know, he informed me the SA I had met before had left, and my interest that was registered 4 years ago was lost among 3000 other names in the list. He clearly stated that since I have no history, I would not be able to get it.

I was disappointed, but told him I understood.

I was planning on leaving at that moment, when the following took place (this is a much shorter version than the reality, our conversation lasted for 30 minutes):
SA: is there any other watch you'd be interested in?
Me: I do not dare to let you know because I know these are impossible to get
SA: ahah, we never know
Me: My grail watches are the platinum daytona baguette and the GMT meteorite
SA: very hard to get indeed, they're rare. Why do you like the GMT?
Me: I love the GMT complication, I often travel, and it's my favorite Rolex model. I'm wearing my GMT LN right now for a reason
SA: True, you were also on the list for the GMT Batman for 4 years
Me: right
SA: what about the meteorite?
Me: I have seen it only once in my life. It's an amazing watch. The meteorite dial is mesmerizing.
SA: I might have a meteorite DD if you'd like to see it's dial.
Me: with pleasure!

SA comes back with a watch on his tray, dial facing towards him such that I can't see the dial
SA: Do you know the price of the GMT meteorite?
Me: 70k€ I believe? (I warned you I had been out of the watch game for a long time...)
SA: Not quite, 42k€.
Me: ok.
SA: you need to know that we ask our customers to pay within 7 days when we call them to offer them a watch. Is it something that could work for you?
Me: yes, I believe so.

SA picks up the watch and shows it to me. It's a meteorite GMT.

Me: oh wow, I didn't expect that.
SA: it's a very special watch. Do you want to take it in your hand?
Me: I'd be very upset if it was allocated to me and a stranger would pick it up. I'll pass on the offer.
SA: in fact, it's not allocated.
Me: then I'm very happy to look at it.

2 minutes of absolute silence as I look at the astonishing dial while holding it in my hand.

Me: I love so much the fact that this watch contains a piece of extraterrestrial material.
SA: why is that?
Me: I've been passionate about the universe since I was a kid. I'm an aerospace engineer. Space is my passion.
SA: very interesting
Me: so, is this a demo model ?
SA: we can say that.
Me: I haven't seen it in the displays
SA: it was not on the display.
Me: I don't get it?
SA: we only show it on rare occasions
Me: thanks for showing me, this is amazing.
SA: would you like to try it on?
Me: hell yeah!

Another 2 minutes of silence as I admire the beast around my wrist.
SA leaves for a phone call. He then comes back

Me: may I take a photo of the watch?
SA: sure.
Me: thanks!
SA: so, let's say you'd get a call this year for example, would you be able to confirm and pay it within a week?
Me: yes, I still believe so
SA: you have to be aware that we actively fight against the grey market. Before purchasing such a watch, our customers need to sign terms and conditions prohibiting them to sell it for speculative reasons.
Me: makes sense.
SA: would you be fine with that?
Me: yes
SA: Ok, I'm going to see if I can note your interest down and will be back shortly

SA leaves with the watch. I'm waiting for him for 5 minutes. He then comes back with his tray. The watch is gone, but there's something hidden behind a cloth.

SA: I've called the manager. I've told him about you, about your passion for space, your passion for GMTs, and the fact that you've been on a waitlist for 4 years and that you came back a few times to say hello.
Me: ok

SA stares at me intensely. He then removes the cloth from his tray. The GMT meteorite is shining in front of me.
SA: we received the watch 1 week ago. You're the first person to see it. If you want it, it's yours.

I remember staring at him in disbelief. I have no idea how long it lasted, but I was shocked.
Me: let's go.

This is the story of me becoming the proud owner of my grail watch by complete luck.
The photo below is the one I took when I had it on my wrist ignoring it would be mine 10 minutes later.

[Flood]

Amazing! Excellent story! Congratulations! Wear it in good health! ����

[quartzcrisis]

"let's go" haha. Love it. Congrats on a beautiful piece!

[IR201]

Oh man I'm so happy for you! Been looking to get one myself (I'd have to go grey though for sure). BIG CONGRATS!!!!

[DavidUK]

€42,000 !!!

You really were sucked in by the Rolex brand machine.

Wear it in good wealth.

[cydesai]

That is spectacular! What a story, congrats!!

Yeahhh... LET'S GO!

[Oldfellow]

Congratulations on a magnificent GMT.
Love to hear stories like this, thanks for sharing.

[cdm765]

Didn’t read a GD word of that post, but holy crap that watch is sexy!

[igy22]

Awesome pick up man. I love the story as well. May you wear it in good health!

[capital]

Thanks everyone.
LET'S GOOO

[MJZRolex]

What a great story. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your special Rolex.

[Mystro]

Unbelievable score. Now what did the paper you have to sign regarding not selling state??
Is it not sell in a years time, etc….

[enjoythemusic]

Wow, a truly wonderful AD experience

images.jpeg

[jjnd08]

Incredible; congrats!

[Chiboy]

That really is a great story! Glad it worked out for you. And a beautiful watch. I think the meteorite looks best on a GMT where it doesn't get broken up by subdials. Enjoy it!

[codecow]

I expected this thread wouldn’t deliver but I WAS WRONG!

[capital]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Unbelievable score. Now what did the paper you have to sign regarding not selling state??
Is it not sell in a years time, etc….

It states the following: "The purchaser declares himself to be the final non-professional buyer of the product. Any resale of the product for speculative or commercial purposes outside the circuit of authorized dealers is forbidden under penalty of prosecution."

[GradyPhilpott]

Congratulations.

For those wondering how to build a relationship with an AD, this post is a very good example.

[Nodzex]

Great story, wear it in good health and post more pics here and there!

[HL65]

Congratulations and welcome to the club! What an awesome watch which you will love for years to come! Enjoy it in good health…Cheers,

[worldofoyster]

love your story, congrats and wear it in good health

[Ontime]

Great story, congrats...

[Pop Art Suzy]

What a great story. You lucked out there. Right place, at the right time. Way to go!

[amphr1]

Wow amazing

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

[MarioB83]

Damn, That’s absolutely insane. Epic congratulations to you.
Can you say at least the country where this did happen?

[onetwo127]

What's the chances of that happening at an AD in the US. Great post and congrats!

[thenewguy2023]

Great story. I doubt if I will ever part with that kinda dough for a watch. But good for you. Wear it in good health!

[RCorsa]

Great story. Congrats!!

[Pboned]

Awesome story and it's a stunner!

Congrats!!

[kwingy]

Told the story well and big congrats on your grail!!! Looks fantastic.