Goldsmiths Rolex AD - What can I expect? Thoughts / Tips

They lost me with having to book an appointment to talk about getting a watch....

Most likely you’ll be offered watches with some precious metals. Two-tones etc. those are the ones that don’t sell as easily so most ADs have stock. For your explorer or OP you may have to wait a few weeks but I’m sure you’ll get one soon enough. Anything more in demand (Sub/GMT etc) you’ll probably be told a long wait time.

Exactly this! When I saw their automated response 6 months ago I ditched the idea as it p*ssed me off. Now I hear they’re a bit more attainable I thought I’d try again 🤷🏼‍♂️

Said on another post earlier that I was basically sneered at when I had the cheek to enter one of their stores a few years ago. I'll spend it elsewhere then thanks 🤣

Just a sit down & chat. They may have watches to try on that might be similar (size wise / style) you may get offered a drink, coffee/ water. They’ll talk to you about what you want & plans (to determine if you’ll be a flipper etc). Then they’ll say they’ll add your interest and could be some time. Although providing not a tiffany or pink or green OP (green becoming harder) I’d expect a call within 6m - 1yr. Possibly sooner. The Explorer I’m not sure how long. If a local AD worth showing your face now and again.

Now all the above is annoying & a strange game to play for a watch, but if you are serious about wanting a good watch (like Apple a strong 8/10 accepts the board) and want to pay RRP you do have to play along.

Unfortunately if you want a Rolex, get a Rolex as nothing will compare. Yes there are better watches (I’m not suggesting there isn’t).

Enjoy the experience, take it for what it is (many will cut their nose to spite their face with the games Rolex play, I also expect a far few would take a Rolex at retail if they could get one asap). Also if they have other brands to try on enjoy that.

I have been to WoS Rolex appointments twice, as a "companion" rather than for myself. The experience was virtually identical each time.

They will "check you out". That definitely includes previous purchases with their store but typically also WoS in general, they may do that while you are there or before. If you are a new client, the vetting process also often includes checking the postcode where you live, the more expensive the neighbourhood the more interesting you are I would imagine. They may also ask about what other watches you have.

It's a between a job interview and getting to know your girldfriends parents, at least in my experience but disguised as chat between "watch lovers".

It wasn't exactly a very welcoming or luxurious experience and definitely not something you'd expect when you are about to spend loads of money. Some people have an issue with that. Personally, I get it. They know how much their watches are "worth" and they treat you "accordingly". They could do a better job, yes, but I haven't experience anything downright disrespectful.

Of course, your experience may be different, hopefully excellent, but either way good luck 😉

Thanks for that insight. I love the analogy of a job interview / girlfriends parents 😃 I’m terrified! 🤪

Good luck.

I'd see it as a negotiation where both you and the AD are trying to work out a mutually acceptable compromise. Even though the power dynamics still seem skewed in favour of the AD, the market is softening which should work in your favour in the medium to long term if you're willing to be patient.

As it's round one, I'd offer some general information about your position and intentions provided they do the same.

Plus you could just see it as a way of starting a relationship which you can revisit if market dynamics favour you more in 12-24 months times.

I'd also have appointments with a range of ADs to try and work out more about the market and any differences between them which you can potentially bring up when negotiating with them.

I've never had the "interview" experience and I've bought multiple. First don't go in expecting anything. Be patient. Second, be prepared to buy if you have the opportunity. Beforehand, know exactly what you like and would buy, if offered something on the spot. Then, try on everything you can. I doubt it's anything as dramatic as many make it seem.

Hopefully your appointment is with a good sales assistant!

Wear an interesting watch, hopefully sparks some conversation

Be polite and nice, don't be rude or an asshole acting like you are entitled to a Rolex.

Talk about your watch hobby, I assume if you are on here you like watches. It would be good to put across your interest in watches, so you're not a flipper but someone with a passion for watches.

Talk about your watch collection, grail pieces etc etc

Perhaps make up some reason why you really want the model you are after

Ideally have an undestanding of Rolex line up, would be useful to know the technicalities.

Take their business card then drop them an email few days later

It's basically like a job interview, and you kinda want to stand out from the crowd. It's not a wait list, as opposed to a client list and when a watch model comes in, they will look on the list and call someone, so good to leave an impression.

Good luck!

Let us know how it goes!

I’ve found Goldsmiths to be really friendly and willing to chat about all sorts of watches. Show them you’re an enthusiast, and that you’ve done your research on exactly the models you’re looking for. Talk about the rest of your collection and why those models are particularly special for you to own. Expect to wait a year but you may get a call in 3 months.. fingers crossed! Let us know how it goes!

Things are changing. Go in and tell them you want to try on the watches you want. You will then be able to know exactly what you want. If they will not add you to the list then you have 3 options

1 play their game and buy a watch you don’t want to become a good customer

2 leave and go to the Omega, grand seiko or any other comparable brand

3 buy the watch you want on the grey market. You will find that an Explorer 1 is not hard to find unused, box and papers for not that much over

My advise to you is to make sure to wear a pair of crocs to the appointment. Just be genuine and a good personable person that seems passionate about the watch you want. Tell them a thing or two that will make them remeber you when the watch comes in. When a watch comes in differnt sales associates will get a shot at selling the watch and it’s kind of like a first come first serve they will each reach out to the person they had on their mind and see who gets there first. Some watches only come once in a blue moon like this Starbucks or a certain color OP. If you wanted any colored OP your chances might be better than a specific color. I also own an OP 41 and it’s an absolutely beautiful and amazing watch but you can’t go wrong with an explorer either. Wear a cool watch that you can talk to them about when your their to show your passion and enthusiasm. If they offer you a datejust or something else for now it’s not the end of the world wearing a cool watch you could sell in a year for probably full value retention but don’t buy anything you don’t want and be aware if that happens it might be a year for the next watch. A lot of ADs only will sell you one Rolex a year.

Any more questions let me know

Expect to pay more than any watch is worth..

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. I’m definitely ready to play the long game and be patient.

Thanks for that. I’ll be patient 😀

Top stuff thanks for that.

Now to think of an interesting watch to wear 😀

Thanks for that. Yeah, I hear things may be changing. I won’t do option 1 - I can see me doing option 2 😀

3 is always an option indeed 🤔

This is useful info - thanks. I’ll get thinking about what watch to wear. Hopefully I get a decent sales assistant!

Nice work getting your Starbucks. A beauty.

Ps crocs for the win 🐊

I’ve bought a few watches from goldsmiths in Bristol and they have always been a pleasure to deal with. Before Covid I rang them and they had a blue datejust I wanted and they put it aside for me. I went in and was somewhat underwhelmed and the salesman seeing this offered me a number of different watches first being an aqua tera. I bought the AT and it was absolutely the right choice I felt they were putting my needs first and the sale second. And every time I’ve bought from them the same thing hope you have the same experience .it worked for them too if I’m buying a watch and they sell it I’m going to buy it from them. Had a fault with the AT walked into the shop and they just replaced it no problems at all. I find them to be a good place to deal with.

I put my name down for an oyster perpetual when they were hard to get and they told me it would be a long time

I assumed they were just humouring me when I heard the story’s of other ADs doing this to just get rid of you. I was buying a grand seiko last year and when the lady put in my details into the system she offered me the OP I had requested. So it seems if they take your details you do go on the list and they will get round to you eventually even when they were hard to get. I’d be surprised in this market if you have to wait long. Give them your first and second choices and stick to them. I didn’t get the OP as the money I had for it I had just spent on the GS and I no longer wanted a Rolex.

You've already got loads of decent advice here. I'd just say that you should try not to overthink it. The situation will play out however it does, and if you're fretting trying to remember all the different Dos and Don'ts then you risk not coming across as the watch enthusiast you are.

I wrote up a post about what happened after I registered my interest for the Air King here

Oh, and do please report back and tell us how it went!

Great post thank you

🤔

Update:

Thanks all for your tips and guidance on this.

The main points I picked out were: be patient, be yourself and don’t overthink it. Well I had my appointment tonight and it went great.

The sales guy, Tim, was friendly, non-pretentious and welcoming.

We got straight to it. The explorer was my interest, either the 40mm or 36mm. He said that those models aren’t in stock and that people were waiting for them, but he had no doubts and was confident that I would get the call - he didn’t give a time scale. He said I might struggle with a more desirable model but the explorer stood a very good chance.

No questions about my profession, my spend with the store, nothing about guaging what I earn, or what my collection is like. All in all a positive experience.

Now to play the waiting game and ponder whether I will actually get a call. Or whether I go for the Omega Seamaster 300 before the price increases! 🤔

Awesome, glad your experience was positive.