If you own a Rolex, how did you buy it?
We’re all aware that there’s no shortage of Rolexes out there (if heard they make up to one million watches a year). But they’re also among the hardest to buy through ordinary retail channels. For those of you who own one, how did you buy it?
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Aaron
Interested in all things watches!
New York, NY, USA
Member since
Last active: 2 min ago
7.25” / 18.42 cm
I bought 3 of my Rolexes new from my local AD. They were purchased in 2018 and 2019, when they were easier to obtain than they are today. I bought my Cellini Prince pre-owned from a trusted friend in the local watch community. I have to admit that the proliferation of fakes would make me nervous about purchasing from the grey market or used market unless I had complete faith in the seller.
I didn't think I'd ever buy one. While I knew there are millions of them. And there is no shortage either I thought I'd never grab one at retail. I won't buy any watch over retail. So I thought I'd go on with my watch collection without one. However, I was fortunate enough to grab one on vacation at a Rolex AD. Now I'm hoping it might happen again. But if doesn't there are plenty of other cool watches to buy.
I got mine used at reputable jeweler.
I got my GMT Master II with black ceramic about 8 years ago. Much easier to buy back then. Demand is now much higher and supply is not matching it. Really hard to buy from ADs now…
Visited the AD for the first time in well over a year. Within 3 weeks he offered me the watch.
Don’t know if it made a difference but we had a really cool chat and sat for almost an hour just kicking it. Didn’t talk watches for long just life in general and we seemed to get on well.
I purchased from a family member. Above list price, but a lot less than the going price on the grey market.
With my credit card.
2018 I bought the BLNR as a new customer from WoS. I was told 3 years, it took 5 months.
2021 I bought my wife a 31mm OP Candy Pink, from a different WoS. Took 6 months, but was now an existing customer.
2022 I bought the Explorer 1, from the seem WoS as the OP. Initially took 2 weeks but I turned it down, then got the next call 4-5 months later.
I bought 3 of my Rolexes new from my local AD. They were purchased in 2018 and 2019, when they were easier to obtain than they are today. I bought my Cellini Prince pre-owned from a trusted friend in the local watch community. I have to admit that the proliferation of fakes would make me nervous about purchasing from the grey market or used market unless I had complete faith in the seller.
Me too. Got my DJ41 in 2019 for my 40th birthday. 2 years later, could only get one if you spent $15K or more before they’d call you. Garbage.
I voted D but I am not sure I fall into your poll. I bought mine second hand from an AD in 1991. I could have any version of Rolex I wanted. They had at least 100 pre-owned Rolex in the case 🤣
I got brand new box and papers paul Newman real diamonds day date just with panda bracelet from Turkey came with a real gucci man bag 🙄🤣👌
Me too. Got my DJ41 in 2019 for my 40th birthday. 2 years later, could only get one if you spent $15K or more before they’d call you. Garbage.
That blue dial on the DJ is gorgeous.
I agree that the current situation with ADs is ridiculous, but it appears that it's likely going to start getting easier to obtain pieces like the DJ and OP again. I'd still like to get a Daytona, and the green dial DJ, but I'm not willing to go through any hoops or play any games to get one. My AD has basically told me that there is no chance for the Daytona, but it's just a matter of time to be able to get the DJ.
I have 2 Vintage ones Cellini online....oyster from a Vintage watch shop...
Found on a dead body 😂
Found on a dead body 😂
#winning 😂
Other
Had to build my “Rolex”
Well at the end of the day it’s also about getting watches you love and will wear. You’ve got some nice watches in your collection. I saved up for my Rolex and have worn the hell out of it. But I have limited resources as well-like most of us and see the appeal in spreading the available money to get a few for the collection. In the last couple of years I’ve only been getting watches at a much lower price point. Tissot, Helm, Marloe. Like these watches as much as my Rolex.
Congratulations George , if you have gotten your Rolex, good for you mate 🙂 yes agree totally 💯
Yup, same year they discontinued my model, 16710. I think they’re both the 50th anniversary because of the green GMT hand. They commemorated the 50th of the Submariner with the green bezel (now known as the Kermit) a few years earlier.
I own three Rolexes.
My first, a Oysterdate Precision 6694, and second, an Oyster Perpetual Date 15223 were purchased from eBay. My third, an Oyster Perpetual Date 1501, was given to me by my father as he no longer uses it.
I also don't consider buying older, worn watches from a non-authorized dealer is going "grey market". They're pre-owned watches purchased from a jeweler or watch store.
Inherited from my grandfather
Apple sold 53 million in 2022. They better pick up the pace. ;)
I got brand new box and papers paul Newman real diamonds day date just with panda bracelet from Turkey came with a real gucci man bag 🙄🤣👌
Did it have "Reel Roleks" stamped on the back? That's the mark of quality!
Did it have "Reel Roleks" stamped on the back? That's the mark of quality!
Nope real ones have,in my house made hand made by hans wilsdorf in China on them,no sticker because hans collects them 😮
Sorry my friend can't help it sometimes,bet I'm making everyone paranoid everyone will be checking if there dials are real 🙄🤣
In early January of this year, I put my name "on the list" for an Explorer ref 124270 with the local jewelry store chain that is the only Rolex AD in the area. Got "the call" in May, less than four months later.
I'd had my eye on the Explorer for years, and the 2021 release of the 36mm version rekindled my interest (was not a fan of the old 39mm...or new 40mm version for that matter). In 2021 though the waitlist for any new Rolex was, by all accounts, years long; and I refused to pay grey market asking prices. However, by late 2022 I started seeing reports on WC that waitlists for certain Rolex models had fallen to single digit months.
So in January of this year, I made the ~ hour long drive to my local AD to finally go on the list - nothing ventured, nothing gained! Asked the sales rep if they had an exhibition model Explorer...they did not, even though they had several other exhibition models. Tried on a 36mm OP exhibition model instead. Asked if I could be put on the list for an Explorer, sales rep took down my name and info. He made no promises and offered no prediction on how long it might take - and I didn't ask for any. But, I did do a few things to let them know I was a serious buyer. The store is in a tourist area, so I made sure they understood I was a local, albeit not just around the corner. I mentioned the Tudor BB58 on my wrist was purchased in their store about a year and a half earlier (back when the Rolex display cases were all empty!). Browsed a few other brands and talked watches with the sales rep, and mentioned one or two that I would like to add to my collection at some point, either after I get an Explorer, or in about a year or so if it looks like an Explorer isn't going to happen. So, they knew: I was a watch enthusiast/collector...with a history of spending money on the kinds of watches they sell, including buying a watch from their store...and I'm not a flipper.
I wasn't told I needed to buy or make another purchase to be eligible for the watch I wanted, and I never asked or offered to do so. I was polite, pleasant, made a request, not a demand, and thanked the sales rep for his time (about 30 minutes tops). I never called or went back to smooze, never went back to see if they finally had an Explorer exhibition model, or made another purchase. A few months later, a different sale rep called saying they had the watch I was interested in. Got the call late on a Thursday afternoon, asked if they could hold the watch for me till Saturday morning, which they did. Was at the store Saturday morning the minute the opened!
Ironically enough, a month later I finally got the Baltic MR01 delivered...a watch I'd purchased months before being put on the wait list for a Rolex!
This is refreshing to read, somebody that understands the situation and has done exactly what was needed without criticising an AD for "playing games" when clearly they're not.
Congrats on the Exp!
bought 4 of my Rolexes new from an AD. I bought my first rolex in 2013, so things were different then. I will never pay more than the MSRP for a Rolex.
All three from an AD. 3 different ones in fact.
The only shortage is at AD's for MSRP. 😉
Bought my first, a Datejust, in 2006 from an AD. Fast forward 8 years and I received a Submariner "Hulk" for my wedding anniversary. I got my wife a natural yellow diamond engagement set so we're "even".
Both of those were simply walk in and buy one out of the case or search company inventory. Then the shortages began. Still been able to secure a few since at the AD we have established a relationship with for about a decade. Yup had to wait a long time, change models or dial color desired, but in the end, success.c
Got mine at an AD 40 years ago in Hong Kong, published the story here a while back. The company is still there and still selling Rolex.