When you randomly walk into your Rolex AD and he offers to show you a watch that’s “not for sale”
So I have a relationship, translate that to purchase experience, with my Rolex AD. I popped in just to say hello. He asked me if I wanted to see one of the new Rolex GMTs that wasn’t for sale. I said sure, I saw the watch during watches and wonders coverage of course so was curious. He brought it out, I tried it on, and I simply asked so this is not for sale? He said let me check, he came back and told me it is now. What was I to do?
45 comments
Sort by
Jim Muisenga
Midwest collector. Breguet, Omega, Vacheron, Rolex, and some odds and ends
Member since
Last active: 1 week ago
7.10” / 18.03 cm
Congratulations
Congratulations
Thank you!
I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never been into a Rolex shop but is that how it normally works. I would never walk into a car dealership just to say hi and then walk out with a new car.
I hope the rotator cuff injury you sustained pulling out your wallet heals quickly!
Had a similar experience at my AD recently (check my post titled “Am I an Idiot?”). Personally, I wasn’t ready to pull the trigger on something that I didn’t necessarily want or need. Whatever decision you made (assume you bought it) I hope you’re comfortable with it and don’t regret it. If you bought it, congrats on a beautiful piece!
Congratulations!
Incredible piece - congrats
Damn I hate it when that happens !! Lol
Congrats!! 🥂
Nice!
Wow, never seen that, beautiful watch! Yeah, what’s a guy to do?!
Strange way your AD operates. I like that color combo more than any other Rolex GMT. Nice find. I hope it serves you well!
I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never been into a Rolex shop but is that how it normally works. I would never walk into a car dealership just to say hi and then walk out with a new car.
The reason is that the "wait list" is BS. It's simply favoritism and hope they remember you when the new allocation arrives. Most is determined by the sales manager, but ADs can argue on your behalf.
The reason is that the "wait list" is BS. It's simply favoritism and hope they remember you when the new allocation arrives. Most is determined by the sales manager, but ADs can argue on your behalf.
So it’s like a high school popularity contest? Seems like the sales model is flipped on its head. I guess that’s what happens for items with high demand. The first time buyer has no chance at getting allocated a watch.
Hearing from collectors at my local California watch gatherings that sooner than expected calls from Rolex AD's are going out even to those with scant buying history. First it was Explorers and OP's and now select Subs. Going down to my nearest AD tomorrow to see what's what for myself. Might have to blow money I'm saving for a Bulgari.
Only your pocket book can answer that question and if you really really really desire the watch or is the Brand influencing your fomo ? If you really had this down on your list of watches you really want and can afford it , I say grab that sucker !
I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never been into a Rolex shop but is that how it normally works. I would never walk into a car dealership just to say hi and then walk out with a new car.
That is true for me too. 😂😂😂
Wait list aren’t BS! But I’m curious, how you been in to your local A.D? Have you started a relationship? Do you have a buying history? Have you purchased things other than watches?
All these things are factors. Not just coming in and say I want to be put on the list for the hottest steel sports watch Rolex makes.
I have to agree with @ckim4watches . My AD told me very openly that there is no wait list. You register your interest and he gives it to whoever wants it most.
Maybe different ADs operate differently, or perhaps they find it easier/less awkward to tell customers it's a waiting list rather than a favouritism list. 🤷
I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never been into a Rolex shop but is that how it normally works. I would never walk into a car dealership just to say hi and then walk out with a new car.
Image walking into a dealership and no cars on display have an engine. Now imagine that having to request one of these cars with an engine, only to receive at an unknown time (that means coming up with 10-30k off the cuff between 3 months to 2 years with no deadline). And spend as little as 20 minutes with it, without a test drive to decide you want to spend that money. Only caveat is if you turn down this car the odds of you getting a call for any other car at the dealer ship goes from a possibility to zero. Then ask yourself if I really wanted the sports model but was only offered the sedan would you buy the sedan to drive for a short while? Then sell that sedan in a year not only to recoup the funds spent but to finance the purchase for the sports model you got a call for a year later only by maintaining the relationship with the dealer. This is the difference sometimes of someone wearing a Daytona or complaining about why they can’t get a Daytona.
At least you can be sure that you can sell it at a higher price later.
Congratulations on a beautiful timepiece.
Image walking into a dealership and no cars on display have an engine. Now imagine that having to request one of these cars with an engine, only to receive at an unknown time (that means coming up with 10-30k off the cuff between 3 months to 2 years with no deadline). And spend as little as 20 minutes with it, without a test drive to decide you want to spend that money. Only caveat is if you turn down this car the odds of you getting a call for any other car at the dealer ship goes from a possibility to zero. Then ask yourself if I really wanted the sports model but was only offered the sedan would you buy the sedan to drive for a short while? Then sell that sedan in a year not only to recoup the funds spent but to finance the purchase for the sports model you got a call for a year later only by maintaining the relationship with the dealer. This is the difference sometimes of someone wearing a Daytona or complaining about why they can’t get a Daytona.
Thanks for the analogy but that sounds so shady to me
I'm hoping that you bought this immediately😍😍😍
Congratulations! Did you get free swag like I did (Rolex hat and books)?
Yes, my wife hit a Rolex makeup bag and I got jewellers gloves and a polishing cloth.
Congratulations on a beautiful timepiece.
Thank you!
I did indeed.
Interesting analogy. Thanks for the knowledge. True that money doesn’t buy class. There’s always another restaurant…or in this case, another watch brand that’s just as good.
Congrats, well done! Looks awesome! 🥳
I have to agree with @ckim4watches . My AD told me very openly that there is no wait list. You register your interest and he gives it to whoever wants it most.
Maybe different ADs operate differently, or perhaps they find it easier/less awkward to tell customers it's a waiting list rather than a favouritism list. 🤷
So here’s where most people get this wrong. The registry is the waitlist. The list doesn’t always go in order. If there’s a guys who spends $250,000 with the AD a year, of course he gets his watch first. A guy like me who might spend $10,000 has to wait longer. That’s no secret! But the list is real.
I’m genuinely curious as I’ve never been into a Rolex shop but is that how it normally works. I would never walk into a car dealership just to say hi and then walk out with a new car.
Oh my...I have...!! LOL