I want to buy a new Rolex and I find out I cannot?

August 20, 2024, 11:20 PM

226mk25

I grew sick of the Rolex games. I wanted an explorer 2, 16570 (discontinued in 2011). I prefer smaller watches (under 41mm) and a very modest not noticeable watch. I went to the used market (chrono24) and found exactly what I wanted without an issue. A local grey market retailer had the same watch I wanted but about 2k over what I paid, and mine came with papers. Couldn’t be happier with going grey market. I’m a one watch guy having finally settled on the explorer 2, with minimal hassle.

August 20, 2024, 11:35 PM

well1147

Gray is the way to go, I purchased a sea dweller deep sea 44 mm.
Great watch transaction was flawless,Had it looked at cleaned oiled
a few parts replaced ( 745.00) I should last me for the rest of my days.
It’s the submariner on steroids.

August 21, 2024, 07:44 AM

daikyu

Do you know our very own David Truong is a Rolex dealer?

Quite a few years ago I purchased my used Submariner date from him with box and papers. I got a screaming good deal.

August 21, 2024, 08:44 AM

ElToro

quote:
Originally posted by daikyu:
Do you know our very own David Truong is a Rolex dealer?

Quite a few years ago I purchased my used Submariner date from him with box and papers. I got a screaming good deal.

I don’t think David is a authorised dealer for Rolex. But he does deal in 2nd hand on occasion. And I believe he has contacts in the wholesale watch community. Definitely reach out to him to ask him about brokering a deal if you are ok with pre worn. Both my Rolex I picked up previously loved.

August 21, 2024, 03:03 PM

arfmel

quote:
Fakes are trash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE1-0j6fIjc

August 21, 2024, 06:47 PM

MelissaDallas

To tell you how much things have changed in forty-odd years, from age sixteen through nineteen I worked for Skillern’s Drug, which was owned by Zales. I got a 20% discount at Zales. My uncle lusted for a Rolex. He came and picked me up, handed me a huge wad of cash and took me to the mall. He pointed out which one he wanted and nobody said a word about a seventeen year old girl paying cash for a Rolex. I got a substantial tip for helping him out…

August 21, 2024, 07:32 PM

Voshterkoff

So when do prices top out? Not to be insulting, but Rolex doesn’t make a single watch that I like. I really find it hard to believe that a company that makes two watch styles will have unlimited demand.

August 21, 2024, 09:01 PM

ElToro

quote:
Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
So when do prices top out? Not to be insulting, but Rolex doesn’t make a single watch that I like. I really find it hard to believe that a company that makes two watch styles will have unlimited demand.

If you take in a lot of the timepiece dedicated YouTube channels the prices seem to have topped off maybe. A year ago and if economy gets worse will trend further down. Still watching up from 8-10 years ago bud down from 2020-2021.(used, depends on model) Rolex makes a million watches a year. They are not rare. Like say a Richard Mille or even a Patek or Vacheron or AP. But you could earn your phd in marketing from studying them. Their marketing and brand recognition is worldwide off the charts great. Helps that they are structured as a non profit trust and have no public filings and no shareholders to answer to.

August 22, 2024, 10:45 AM

tacfoley

quote:
Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
quote:
Originally posted by smschulz:
Why not just buy a display model, if you can?

Display models are not for sale.

The problem is that these AD are just SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO rich that they can let a guy with $10-15K in his pocket come in to buy a Rolex and walk out again with his money safely in his pocket.

Their loss.

August 22, 2024, 10:54 AM

Rick Lee

Those ADs are making plenty of money. If they're not selling stuff out the back door to the grey dealers, they already have a list of buyers for every desirable model they get allocated. The only variable is whether they "suggest" to a buyer that he buy a bunch of other stuff before he's allowed to buy that Pepsi GMT or they just call the best customer and let him buy it. Either way, the AD is getting paid for picking up the phone and little more. I work in real sales and would love to have a list of laydown buyers to call anytime I could fulfill their orders.

August 22, 2024, 12:35 PM

Angus the Kid

The key is finding an AD who will work with you.

The first AD I visited just blew me off unless I bought of bunch of other stuff in their shop. It was never said but strongly implied. I also don't look like their usual customer. I was wearing jeans and a Columbia shirt. I imagine most of their clientele have a sweater tied around their neck.

Second AD was complete opposite. Very down to earth and informative. Luckily I wanted a DateJust. Rolex's most sold watch and apparently the only one that can be ordered from the AD.

I ordered it, put down 50% deposit, and received the watch in about six weeks. Pretty easy.

Some watches are near impossible to get unless you're a very established customer. An unknown Joe could not walk in and buy a Daytona.

For years I wanted a Sub but as I get older, the DJ is more my liking.

I'm looking at buying an Omega next but I really wanted the Rolex first. My wallet needs time to recover...

August 22, 2024, 03:07 PM

Edmond

quote:
Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
I'm looking at buying an Omega next but I really wanted the Rolex first. My wallet needs time to recover...

I wonder if Omega dealer experience are the same.

August 22, 2024, 03:32 PM

Georgeair

Omega won't even be remotely the same. In a good way. Hell, you can buy direct from them online if you want to pay full retail. I have two Planet Oceans, one holding for a gift for son. Great watches, more accurate than anything else I own.

August 22, 2024, 03:34 PM

Angus the Kid

quote:
Originally posted by Edmond:
I wonder if Omega dealer experience are the same.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8o9...?si=kQgEOGxeQmKZfHI-

August 22, 2024, 04:34 PM

6guns

Speaking of Omega and I don't mean to go off topic, but does anyone own one of their Swatch "planet" watches?

August 23, 2024, 03:59 PM

Kranky

quote:
Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
So when do prices top out? Not to be insulting, but Rolex doesn’t make a single watch that I like. I really find it hard to believe that a company that makes two watch styles will have unlimited demand.

Feb 2022 is when the Rolex Price Index seems to have topped out.

Buy the dip!

--K

https://watchcharts.com/watches/brand_index/rolex

August 23, 2024, 04:22 PM

Z06

My current watch I bought in 2015 • Omega Seamaster 300M - $2,968.64 delivered

2024 Omega Seamaster Diver 300M • $5,900.00 • (factory website)

August 23, 2024, 09:54 PM

xd45man

Are we playing this now?

August 23, 2024, 10:12 PM

sigmonkey

August 24, 2024, 08:38 AM

tacfoley

Oh, the joys of living in a downtrodden and poor economy. Our local Rolex dealer in Chester, Boodle And Dunthorne, not only has a fine selection in the window, but also inside in show cases, where they are ALL for sale. They are also dealers for Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and a couple of other distinguished brands.

Next door but one is a Panerai dealership - they, too will sell you anything that is on display, be it in the window or indoors.