Do Rolex waitlist restrict you?
Just a little observation from my watch journey in 2023 in that I didn't buy a single watch all year. I did create a post later in the year with a few options of what I could buy but I never pulled the trigger.....the reason being because of a stupid waitlisted watch.
I for one am now deciding whether to take my name off the list for an Explorer II because overall, I feel it's restricting me. By always having the money ready to go, its both a hindrance and an annoyance because I know I can never spend it on what I actually want. Yes I'd love to own the Explorer II but I think if it means I can't enjoy this weird hobby as easily then, to hell with it.
Does anyone else feel like this?
2024 will be a case of buying what I want and buying from the heart, not from the brain.
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
I’m feeling the same way about Rolex. Explorer I has always been my grail but I’m growing tired of the waiting game. I could walk into several other ADs and buy what I want, so why wait for Rolex?
If you don't want the Rolex, buy something else. It's not going anywhere. To me, the wait-list is just not the big deal that people make it out to be. It’s free and no harm to wait if your enjoyment of watches isn't focused on one watch.
Unless you put down a non refundable deposit, there's nothing to stop you from simply declining the opportunity when the time comes. Keeping your money set aside for a specific watch may be a blessing in disguise though. It seems that may people end up buying other watches when they can't get the watch they really want, only to regret any "placeholder" purchases. You have to decide how much you really like the Explorer compared to the watches that you might otherwise have bought.
For most ADs, there really is no list, so it should not stop you from doing anything. Perhaps they call you one day but more likely than not, they are not going to unless you have a history at the dealer.
If it is a situation where you are keeping money freed up and that money is burning a hole in your pocket, perhaps simply invest it for the time being. Lastly, if you have your savings squared aware and are just simply looking to get something, move on and get something else.
If you don't want the Rolex, buy something else. It's not going anywhere. To me, the wait-list is just not the big deal that people make it out to be. It’s free and no harm to wait if your enjoyment of watches isn't focused on one watch.
The issue is that its not "free".
While it costs you nothing financially to be on the list, if it exists, it costs you time spent waiting on a watch you have no certainty you'll receive. And in a lot of ADs it'll cost you a purchase history to even be on the list, if it exists, which is literally not free by definition.
That said, I do agree that if the OP isn't sure they want the Rolex if they have to wait for it and would rather use the funds other places in the short term, they should go elsewhere.
It is literally free. The time issue is one of patience or lack of. If you want it bad enough and time is an issue, buy grey or pre-owned. The difference in paying retail and grey would be less than the "time" spent waiting if that is so valuable. I waited a short while on one Rolex. It cost me nothing to be patient. Again, if he isn't sure, wait-list isn't the only issue.
Go on the list and if you are ever called and no longer interested you don’t buy it or better yet you buy it and flip it and make yourself a few dollars.
Since my access to Rolex has been restricted, I have bought Glashutte Original, a couple of Cartier, Longines, Chanel (for my wife) and traded towards Blancpain and Bulgari.
If I don’t have access when I’m ready to buy again, I’ll look at Zenith, Chopard, VC or Glashutte again. There’s lots of watches I want. If Rolex won’t take my money, someone else will.
Yea. It’s a bummer.
It's a dilemma. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't 😮💨
I understand your situation. I too mused over it during my 8 month wait for my Air King last year. Even wrote up a post about it here.
For me, it comes down to 2 factors. How likely do you assess your chance with the AD to be, and if you buy any other watches instead, will you still feel the need for the Exp II?
On the first point, do you have any purchase history with the AD? Are you keeping in contact? Do you know anyone that's purchased a Rolex from them? All of these things should increase your chance of getting the watch you want.
On the second point, will any other watches just be a placeholder? Would you want those pieces even if you already had the Exp II? I knew that I wanted the Bamford GMT and the Vario 1918 (that I bought whilst waiting for my Air king) to go alongside the Air King. It didn't feel like they were just being bought because I couldn't have the AK straight away.
Tough choice, I hope you work it out.