I would say it's not impossible based on my recent experience. Fair warning though, I have a purchase history with the AD who got me my 1st Rolex last April 2022.
I got into "serious" watches last June 2021 when I purchased my Grand Seiko Diver. After a few months, I decided to get a Tudor BB58 Blue and wanted to get it from an AD. Searched around and found a local one in my area. Spoke to the SA and got me the BB58 blue in bracelet last September 2021. At the same time, I was also wanting to get the Tudor GMT but they didn't have one in store. I had to wait for them to get one on a bracelet and it finally landed at the end of November.
While we were finalizing the transaction on the GMT, he mentioned to let him know if I ever want a different watch brand in the future. I casually mentioned to him that I may want to try a Rolex in the future, and he quietly asked which model I was interested in. I said either a Submariner Date or no Date would likely be my first choice. He winked and said "I'll see what I can do".
Since then, I visited that AD a couple of times just to hang out and check out other watches, and each time before I leave the store, he tells me to be patient and he is working on my requested Rolex. After about 3 months, he finally texted me and asked if I knew someone who wants this, and proceeds to send me a photo of a Submariner 41 Date. Drove straight there on a Friday with 2 hour traffic and got my first Rolex.
All in all, I think it really helps to develop a relationship with the AD and an SA. Purchase history definitely speeds things up.
I went in on this without even thinking that I wanted a Rolex, so I just count my blessings :)
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