How to get a first rolex ?

Depends on the Rolex.  You'll be waiting years for a Daytona/GMT.  Submariners are possible within a year.  Lots of Datejusts and OPs seem to be hitting the market without significant waits these days.

I'd walk into a couple of dealers and ask. Talk to them about your birthday.  For the more available models it's all about convincing people that you're not going to turn around and flip them.

Good luck!

Avoid the AD.  Buy vintage and select from available watches.

Makes much sense, will talk to a couple of dealers in my city and let them know of my plan and that I won't flip it.

Thank you so much

from Chrono 24?

I got very lucky, so take what I'm about to tell you with a grain of salt.  

After my AD wasn't coming through, in May of 2021 I branched out to ADs in other states within an 8 hour drive. I visited six or seven different ADs in two states.  I went into these places, talked watches and made my requests. Occasionally I called or texted just to make sure they knew I was serious, but my initial contact was in person.

From when I requested these watches, it took me:

-Six weeks to get my first Rolex, a z-blue Milgauss.  

-Two months to get my Batman on jubilee (from a different AD)

-Four months to get my Polar Exp II (from the same AD I got the Milgauss).

I was pleasant, didn't act entitled, and since I like traveling and talking watches, never felt like I was really doing anything I didn't enjoy while pursuing the watches I wanted.  I also have only ever bought those watches from those places.

So, I mean, maybe some legwork might help.

I’m glad all that work paid of for you. That said, it just rubs me wrong that a person with the means and intention to buy has to work that hard. And to be clear, I’m a fan of a lot of what Rolex does, I just think this business model they’ve got going is sort of demeaning to their customers. 

I don't disagree and if these were necessities instead of luxury goods, it would really bother me. The demand is just so high, artificially so as the market the last couple years has been flooded with flippers, that there is just no way to sell their watches to everyone who wants one.

Not to say there aren't some shady ADs doing some bad things out there, and some getting caught doing so, but overall I just think the demand highly outweighs the supply.  It's really the ADs, not Rolex themselves, that are more of a problem IMO.

I have mixed emotions about Chrono 24.  They are perhaps the largest forum for putting together the most buyers and sellers.  But that is all they do.  They don't vet sellers or buyers. I have had good luck 2 out of three times with them.  The time attempted to buy a watch from an unscrupulous dealer from Spain who was offering a watch he did not have and for some reason could not get.  I got my money back and had to fight over the exchange rates differences.  I complained to Chrono24 and they did not care that a buyer of two watches was upset with a dealer who had over $250,000.00 of items listed for sale.

Some other advice might be to build a time machine and start requesting the Rolex you want for your b-day six months ago (and if it came in early, still call it a bday present).😉

Or look to some other brands.  Plenty of nice watches out there.  I say that cause you haven't mentioned a specific watch.  If you had, I wouldn't recommend going for anything but that.  You just said Rolex, so plenty of other quality brands out there with great watches.  I'd go Omega Seamaster 300M myself.  Great watch.

I'm with you, and think it's great you were able to get what you were lookiing for without selling your soul.  In the end some legwork to get several watches you want is a great trade.  Well, also thousand of dollars, but whatever.

I see this from two sides.  On the side of Rolex and the ADs, this system works well for them.  It's like keeping a line of people in front of the club, it actually creates more business.  On the other hand, there's me.  I'm real into watches and at a point in my life where I've got the ability to buy some expensive stuff.  People like me spent years working hard, imagining what rewards they might eventually gain.  So it's disappointing to get here and find that you can't get some of those things you thought you'd reward yourself with.  In that regard, I don't at all appreciate the way Rolex does business.  I'm not mad, it's business, but I won't buy their products either.  I choose not to be treated that way.  But it's a shame.

As an aside, people usually pipe up about how Omega and other companies make better watches, but that's not the point.  These are aspirational items.  Substituting a watch with better statistics doesn't do the job.  If you've spent decades picturing yourself with a GMT Master on your wrist, nothing Omega makes will satisfy you.

Best to build the AD relationship and keep in contact. Occasionally calling, texting and stopping by. 

I purchase both of my rolexes from  bulang and sons,  This is a family owned company out of Netherlands.

Just visit several AD's and make a good impression. If they like you then you will get your watch. 

don't put yourself thru the aggravation.  just go grey market & you'll be fine.

If you're going to an AD, just show that you are an enthusiast. When they realize that, it's much easier for them to go out of the "seller" mode, and rather talk watches. 

If all else fails, nothing wrong with going gray market. Datejust can be had around retail now, so not to worry. 

^^This.

What model are you after? Assuming it’s something relatively common, make appointments at as many ADs as feasible and start the conversations. Be honest, be yourself, and let them know you understand the situation and are ready to wait. But also tell them when your birthday is, and that you would love to celebrate it with your new Rolex. Hopefully you really hit it off with at least one of the sales peopl. From there, stop in from time-to-time so they know you’re serious. Ask to speak with the same rep. Dress decently, wear a nice watch from your collection. If you’re in the market for anything else they may sell consider buying it from them to establish a small purchase history. Don’t buy anything you don’t want; again, be yourself, but demonstrate that you’re serious about becoming their customer.

Good luck!

edit: don’t pay too much attention to the naysayers on other parts of the internet - there is indeed hope for us mortals! And I should know, I was able to buy a 36mm Explorer last year doing exactly what I suggested above.

Congrats @Jimmer ! Not to get too personal but what States?  I've been "on the list" for 3+ years at 2 ADs (but in LA where I bought 2 non-Rolex watches (not enough apparently) and NY so probably not the best places to get lucky). Depending on the State, I'd love to try the lottery other places as well.

Anyway, I have a good relationship with my local AD and we talk watches all the time (which is always a plus). Even if I never get the Rolex there, I've learned about and tried on many other watches and more than pleasantly killed a lot of time while my wife shops (feel like a kid in the late 70s getting dropped off at the arcade in the mall while the parents take care of errands).   

Is the 3+ years for Daytona or GMT-Master II?

The car dealership may not have a particular model or color today, but they’ve got something. This isn’t Rolex saying they don’t have a Daytona for me without a wait. They literally won’t sell me anything today. Not at all the same thing. 

GMT.  Daytona is unobtanium. With my experience, maybe they both are. 😜

In Nevada and Montana.

Won't or can't? I think rightly or wrongly when it comes to Rolex most people don't care if there is a difference. I'm not defending ADs but the reality of the Rolex availability situation is complex. And true, they aren't the same. It's an analogy. One obvious difference is one (Audi for example) usually doesn't have a waitlist for nearly every model while the other (Rolex) does. There are of course many differences, but analogies can only go so far.

Walk into an official AD

explain why you want to purchase

wait patiently and call every 4 months to politely explain you are still interested

…worked for me after 1 year of waiting for an explorer

These are good points, I'd add a few more thoughts.

• Don't buy the watch, buy the dealer. Build a relationship. My local AD knows me and we've built a friendship. I'm not saying do that in a few months but you can lay the foundations. 
• Go into your AD multiple times. Talk to them about watches, what you like about them and what this purchase would mean to you. Is it marking a milestone personally or professionally? Show that you like and care about watches.
• Make it clear you're not going to flip the watch. Dealers hate this and can get in trouble with Rolex.
• Be kind, friendly and polite. This can go a long way.

If it looks like you can't get it new from the AD in time, there's always the pre-owned market. You'll pay as much if not more but they are available. 

And at least the staff will take you seriously! That will be a first in my experience?

It really depends how specific you are about what kind of Rolex watch you want. If you are not picky, there are tons of Rolexes on the secondhand market everywhere. Vintage Air Kings, Datejusts, etc., can be had from 3-6k, depending on the model and the condition. If you want one of the more popular models (e.g. sports models like the Sub, Explorer, Explorer 2, etc.) you either need to pay over retail on the second hand market, or put your name down for a new one at the AD. So, I would say, think about the model you want, and how much you are willing to spend. Those two considerations might point you towards a specific direction.

Rolex - meh.   Sorry will give a different opinion here. 

Would suggest trying on some other brands as well while you wait. 

IMHO, these days a Rolex is  bought primarily to impress others not out of amy love of watches. 

Unless you have a history with an AD they will not sell to new customer. However I have a New & Unworn Yachtmaster II 44mm, Steel and gold, Box and Paper and Rolex warranty.Also have a 2015 18k Day Date, Gold with box and papers.

If you really interested pay get in contact.

Agreed! I think the best way is to just be honest, talk watches since you’re on WatchCrunch and are obviously a watch nerd like the rest of us! One AD I visited invited me to their local horological society meetup! That would have definitely helped!

I'm a member of the Horological Society of Utah along with the sales associate at my local AD and Bruce Williams.  Still haven't gotten a requested Rolex from them.   At this point, I've stopped trying to get one from them.  Just too many people ahead of me.  

Edit:  I keep saying I'm a member, but I've only been to a couple of meetups.  I really still need to join I just never end up doing it.  I think what stops me is they always have meetings an hour or so away from where I live and they go for 3, 4 hours. Then I have to drive home and try and get sleep before getting up at 430 to get ready for work.  Wouldn't have been a problem when I was younger but I have a hard enough time sleeping without being amped up from talking about and seeing a bunch of nice and interesting watches.