I was in our local AD (no purchase history) to register my interest for a Rolex. Did so and said “While waiting, I’m thinking of picking up a neo-vintage Datejust.” She gave me the “Don’t buy gray market pieces, they’re potentially lemons, yada yada.” When she finished, I looked her square in the eye and said “Well, that’s why I’m here, to buy from you. But you have nothing to sell me. So am I just supposed to wait?” She got really flush and embarrassed and reluctantly said “Yeah, I see what you mean.”

Thank you for the video & I agree with your thoughts/suggestions. If you’re looking for a one & done Rolex, then I’d suggest just buying it from the grey market depending on the model. I go to a small family owned AD and I bought a Tudor BB58 because I really like the watch but it also shows I’m serious. I’m only 28 years old so I have time to build up relationships & visit every 3-4 weeks. Also take the time to email or text them, and it doesn’t always have to be about watches. If you really want to start a Rolex collection, you have to put in the effort to build & maintain a relationship. My AD told me they received the most Rolex watches in 2021 out of any prior year. I gave them my 3 watch list: Batgirl, YM 40 blue, & Milgauss. Believe it or not, I was told that the Batgirl would be the easiest to get and should arrive within 8 months. I’d also love to add a Cermit Submariner but I’d need to acquire the other watches first. The traditional black Sub is just too plain for me, although it’s an iconic piece, I already own a beautiful Omega SMP 300m black ceramic with wave dial. Good luck on your next acquisitions!

Hey Chris. Just found your channel. Great stuff. Just binged on a few of your videos.

Great vid Chris. I've contacted almost all European AD's and after many disappointments I've successfully established some good contacts. Luckily I've bought all my Rolex and AP watches at the AD's for retail without side business or previous buying history, but it took patience some positiveness and consistency.

This is probably the most concise video on this subject.

I’m tired of waiting it’s been 3 years! I live in NYC and Miami FL, I gave up and bought my entire collection at the gray market, I’m done with Rolex. When ever they’ll call I be sure to pick it up, but so far no call from 5 ADs 🤦🏻‍♂️.

Luv Luv that bluesy

Sounds like a great plan, specially if you want the watch asap and have the means to the extra funds.

I bought all my Rolex in 2019 before it got super crazy. I’m on the list (expressed interest whatever) for a polar explorer and a Batman but no calls yet. I feel that no modern Rolex at gray market prices is worth the money so if I don’t get the “call “ I’m moving on 😎.

I agree with your suggestion, Chris!! If only I had done that back in 2019 when the difference between MRSP and Gray was only between 1000€ and 1,500€ for a Rootbeer, but I waited and waited until the release of the new Submariner to get on a list... And see where I am now... still waiting 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Cheers Chris!! Interesting idea ... if it is a one watch or maybe up to two or three watch collection - having the watch could make sense!!! Lots of us in the watch fam have a few other choices to see us through!!! But if anyone has been doing this, the prices have gone crazy so i am sure they have enjoyed their choice!! Does feel the market is super high, I could not consider grey market for most hype watches at the moment!! Cheers as ever mate 🍻

Personally I think anyway who pays grey market prices is crazy, went to local AD to try on a sub and sd43 and to be honest was not blown away with quality considering what you can get from GS and Omega at lower prices. Ofcourse for people looking at value retention and making money then yep get one at retail.

But if you buy from the grey, wear the watch for 6 months or a year, don’t you become attached to that particular watch? Screw the AD’s.

Im in NYC. Waited for seadweller 43 red writing- 4days, polar explorer 2 new model 1week, James cameron deepsea 1week… now im on the waitlist for the rootbeer two tone, hope I get the call soon🙏🏼( always reward lotalty, stay on one AD… and every year take a picture or video that you have all the pieces they sold you. You have a shot. Goodluck for the hunt

Be easier if Rolex would let you pre-order whatever watch you want & you’ll receive it eventually thus killing the gray market pricing.

My AD has been pretty nice to me recently - was allocated a Submariner 124060 in Oct 2021 after a 4 month wait and was also offered a Tudor Pelagos FXD. Love both watches and definitely keepers. Built my relationship with the AD over the last 5 years. First purchased a Tudor Black Bay Bronze in 2017 and an Omega Speedmaster in 2020. Just expressed interest with my AD on the Pepsi GMT - hopefully they can come through for me again. No way would I purchase over list on the grey market.

Nice vid. With the luxury timepiece climate, I think going grey is a valid option for those folks hunting their one and done "grail". All the ass kissing and stupid games, buying items you don't want, not even guaranteeing you said piece. Buy your grail from grey, enjoy it, and walk away from the stupid games. I'm so fortunate to have bought mine in 2019, early 2020. I almost turned down a 114060 5 months after the Bluesy. $7900 well spent, in hindsight. I've kicked around a blue skydweller on jubilee. Just seems too dressy for my lifestyle, love the movement though. The Bluesy is perfect with with brushed stainless.

Getting very close. Been waiting on an SD43 for 14 months now. And have watch spend history with the AD. I see on the Rolex forums quite a few SD43 incomings, from ADs, with people with less spend history than me. Each check in, basically get told the same, that they get very little shipped in. I'll give it a couple more months, then either go a different direction, or try a different AD.

I was reading in one of my aviation magazines. I'm to blame just as much as other readers. The author said. "Joy is not getting what you want but appreciating what you have" after wearing a GMT for 55 yrs. Had many different types of Rolexs over the years. My DD yellow gold in mint condition. My new oyster less than a year and a half old. I'm waiting for my AD to let me know when a new GMT comes in or the sub., Why do I want a new Rolex? Can't I be happy with what I own now? Seems like I want something newer. How can I not be content with a DD 36 mm, the GMT and the oyster. Come on wayne. Can't you be happy with what you have. Is it the chase or owning a new watch? Am I the only one out there that may never be happy? Like all of us that want our AD to call and say you just fell into the sugar bowl. For me, if it happens it happens.

I don't recommend buying other watch brands from your Rolex AD to just build a purchase history. Best to avoid Rolex ADs altogether and buy from a grey market dealer. How do you know if this Rolex AD is still around in a year's time, is he going to loose his license? What happens if Rolex takes over the retail business in-house, moving away from ADs to boutiques?

Buy a gold one from the AD and be done with the brand. Too many fake steel Rolex watches, and slimy grey dealers who won’t make sure the watch they’re selling is genuine or not stolen. The gold models are holding decent value so it’s not like in the old days when you lost $10k walking out the store.

I have another thought. We should not buy watch from grey martkets, if you do so, eventually you sponsor those flippers, bcos when you buy from grey markets meaning you buy from those flippers and so they will continue go back to their AD to get new watches, and consequently the AD will not have any leftover pieces for those sincerely waiting for a piece from the AD. And it's on and on. Hence, just be patient and sit back and there should have an opporrunity later to get from the AD. 😊

I was at a local Rolex AD today and it looks bleak. 4000 names on “The List”

Just can’t see paying some of these crazy prices 50k for a panda there’s so much more out there for that price!

You’re not 100% sure if it’s real unless it’s a recent model

Phirst

If we love Rolex, never buy from Grey Market.............else, this will never end and we will never get a Rolex from AD