Rolex & ADs

From experience, it would be difficult to join the waitlist if you don't already have a purchase history 😕

The truth is there is really no waitlist. The AD just puts your name on a list that is local to the AD and if you have been a regular customer they might call you depending on what gets allocated to the AD. There are many ADs that sell these watches to themselves and off load them on to secondary market. There are other better choices than a Rolex TBH. 

Just bought an Explorer I at MSRP after about 9 months on the “registry of interest” at MSRP, with no purchase history. 

I joined a waiting list in 2021 with no purchase history for an explorer. 14 months later I got a call from the AD 

Wow, that’s amazing! Was it in the US?

Right, I’m glad I asked! I thought chances were zero!

Was that it the US?

In europe

Buy used or better yet, forget Rolex all together.  There are so many better brands you can buy without the bullshit.  

Yes, through the Mayor’s run Rolex boutique, part of Watches of Switzerland. 

As others have mentioned it depends on the AD, but I was able to get an explorer after only 5 months with the only purchase history being a ~$800 ring for my wife. I had been texting with my salesman every 3 weeks or so and stopped by when I was in the area and just chatted watches with him. It really is about showing that you genuinely want to wear the watch and not just flip it for a quick buck. 

That being said, Rolex is a non-profit organization and has no shareholders controlling its interests, and all the profit they make is donated to charities. If they scrap the current sales model and go direct to consumer the brand will do great long term. 

It took me just shy of 2 years from the time I was on the list to the time I was called.

I suggest the following:

1. first time you walk in ask to be put on the list.  look around lots
2. walk in many more times and occasionally actually buy something.  for me it was a hamilton and a tudor.  If you can afford a rolex you can afford a nice backup watch.
3. every time you walk in there dont forget to mention that you want a rolex and hows that list coming along, anyway? ask about the list.  
4. Eventually win. in my case, the AD told me directly she contacted me ahead of others and was happy to see me get the watch instead of the others on the list.  were on a first name basis now.  I have 3 watches and her kid got a free university education.
5. Get back on the list.  

Did you also have to play the flute ?

on one leg!

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 :)

This will sound crazy to some people. It depends on the relationship established. My purchase history, was an explorer 1 and a Datejust for my wife. I asked for a Pepsi GMT, I received it last Christmas after waiting 6 months. Yesterday I requested a Kermit, my AD told me to “give him 3 months and I’ll get it for you“. Most people with a poor history with their AD will say I’m full of it. But I have my watches and get to enjoy them.

AD's want to sell as many watches as they can. 

I had no purchase history.  The salesperson asked if I wanted to put my info down on an explorer 1.  Granted not the hottest model.  Got a call 3 weeks later to pick it up.  (no purchase history other than a battery change).  Great service and maybe I'll put my name down for another model in the future.  

My local AD wouldn’t put me on the list without a purchase history.  Then I remembered I had recently bought a Breitling at one of their other branches, so I sent an explanatory email and they added me to the list.  Got the call for a no-date sub in about 4mos.

Live your life.... Try here and there, perhaps you'll get lucky 🙏

Not impossible. I bought my explorer in March with no purchase history. I walked in the year before to build some rapport. I told my salesman what I wanted and when I wanted to take delivery of it because I wanted to wear it for my wedding. Then after my wedding that I would come back to have the case back engraved. The rest of the interaction we talked shop, everything from our favorite watches to what is happening in the industry. Then he called back in March for me to pick up my watch. Simplest/smoothest interactions with this AD and they will have my business for the foreseeable future. So my answer to your question is it’s all about the AD

Good luck and post wrist shots!

A lot has changed in the past couple years. I work at an upscale hotel and I talk watches with some of my guests every now and then most of my guests either purchased years ago or have friends in the industry although I did have one guest tell me that the sub was his dream and he waited 3 years for it. Aside from popping in periodically and texting his ad ever now and again he just waited and got the call. But again that was just before the pandemic and the crazy demand.