I live in Cyprus and there is one AD. They sell watches to foreign Russian and Israeli tourists but not to locals. If Rolex really cared they would have done something years ago. I have an Omega AD who gives me huge discounts on all watches they can provide. I have reached the point of not wanting a Rolex even if I could get one .Why some idiots beg Rolex to take their money is beyond me life is short guys.

I am not in the market for a Rolex. However, I do not like the way Rolex does business. I would just buy an Omega if I wanted to buy a luxury steel sports watch.

Spot on advice Marc. My stepson purchased a BB58 from a family owned AD. He mentioned the Cermit was his grail. They told him he could have one in 3 months if he wanted. He went back in about 3 weeks to buy another Tudor and they surprised him with a Cermit. I told him he just hit the lottery......needless to say he is on cloud nine...

The situation you described with bad ADs is very real. At one point the only ceramic meteorite Daytonas on Chrono24 were being listed by a single grey market dealer. Now, I am certain that they didn’t get these watches from flippers only, but most likely got a few of these as part of a larger inventory from an authorised retailer

Amazing video! I got a Datejust a couple of months back from an AD in Sweden and are working on getting another from the same AD. I got inspired from your video to keep up visiting and nagging the staff in the shop for a GMT and one day maybe I’ll get a Daytona. Thank you have a great day! /Sebastian

That's pretty much the best advice I've heard. We've found a wonderful family owned AD, and they tell it how it is. Honest people, doing honest business.

Great advice Mark. I always say treat your AD like your best friend. Get to know them and treat them like a person and not a sales rep. It goes a long way.

Excellent advice, Marc. It is all about building relationships and being sincere. My experience, having never purchased a Rolex at an AD until this year, was that the two family-owned ADs in my town were not able to get me a Rolex. However, the corporate-owned AD has been able to get me two Rolexes since October.

So happy for you Mark in getting the long waited panda. Congratulations!! I love your suggestion where you find your good ONE AD store. Not 4 or 5 stores. And start buying to develop a relationship with the store. Trust me it works.

Like it or not, I think this is really solid advice on how to deal with a "good" AD. I am fortunate that I took this approach starting 4 years ago and now have a good relationship with an AD where I can get one desirable Rolex each year. I still have to be patient, but at least I am getting something...

One of the best videos regarding buying with a good ad.

the problem is less Rolex, and more the Rolex AD's... and their lack of using proper wait lists... their wait list is a "how much did you buy of my shit stock list".. I have purchased a Patek 5711/1R and a Submariner 116618LB from one dealer in the Bay Area before the world went nuts (back in 2018) and the other day when I went to look for a Root Bear 126715 he told me "no can do" .. and not as in I don't have one now, but as in "I can't put you on any list"..

Marc, great video. I'm new to your channel and was looking at creating a relationship with a above board AD. Thanks for the tips and I'll be using them to find a good AD and building that relationship. I have many watches I'd like to add to my collection from a variety of brands. I also subscribed and I'm glad to see someone from the midwest talking about this!

Great vid, Marc, thanks. Small family owned ADs are harder to find, because Rolex decided to drop them.

Great episode. I’m really lucky to have a local family owned AD that’s been in business nice about 1850. Lovely people. They treat you like family; totally honest about what they can and can’t get you etc. glad you made this one and congrats 🙌🏻🙌🏻🐼

This is probably one of your best videos. Your advice is 100% true. Yes, the current market is ridiculous and we shouldn’t have to kiss anyones @$$ to spend our hard earning money, but it’s about a relationship with the AD. They have to protect the brand to continue operating their business. They don’t know a random person walking in and asking for a Pepsi. If you stay persistent in building your relationship with the AD and show that you are a true enthusiast, you will get the watch you want eventually. I was hoping you’d provide us with the privilege of showing off your new Daytona a bit more! Christmas came early for you Marc, but you earned it and deserve it. Happy Holidays and thank you.

I’d rather buy an Omega than grovel at a Rolex AD. I have a couple of Rolex watches that I bought back when they actually had watches to sell. I refuse to be a part of this current folly. Groveling for these watches just exacerbates the situation and reinforces bad market behavior. The whole Rolex situation is just silly. Besides, Omega and other brands arguably make better watches than Rolex.

My AD stop selling me watch since the pandemic :( I bought over 20 watches from them since 2015. (mix and match Rolex and Tudor) Now, whenever I call and ask if I can get a watch, they will reply me with the same answer. "impossible" "too many customers and not enough productions". PS I have never sold any of my watches yet.

Great Video !! Advice is spot on. I stay in Dubai - the market here is beyond insane - so dont stand a chance for anything of the super hot models. But I was persistant with the AD and the first watch i got was a SD43 from them after 10/11 months wait.

Great video, Marc! You answered a lot of questions and you seem to really know the industry. Congratulations on your latest watch👍

Been watching your videos for quite some time, took your advice with one AD In March 2022 told him I wanted a GMT lefty Sprite told him I will never sale it and wanting to build my collection and I’m not looking to start small with a datejust or sub . He said he will put me on there list. I stopped in every 2 months or so to chit chat make sure he remembered my face. I am very happy to say I got the call last week and picked up my beautiful GMT sprite on oyster with zero purchase history. I went back a week later wearing my watch, gave him a $400 gift card to a very nice steak house to show my appreciation. I asked for a titanium YM42 and panda Daytona next , I asked if those are ridiculous request he said no just give him some time, I kinda believe him now. Thanks for the videos oh incase you was wondering I’m right handed and I’m wearing my lefty on my left hand 😅

First world problems forum

Information is valuable, Insight is priceless! ---- Thanks for the insight, Marc!

just found your channel. Im also from the Chicago suburbs. Looking to get in to Rolex. glad to see someone local.

Great video & congratulations on the 🐼! You are bang on right in regards to a family AD. I have developed a friendship with the SA and owner of my AD. Purchased a 41mm Sub last year. Attended AD social functions, met the owner. Shared drinks & laughs. A few pieces of jewelry for my daughters and significant other. Messaged the owner last week in regards to a Rootbeer and/or Daytona. He replied that I WILL get one, but please be patient. I live in a tiny area with a tiny AD and their Rolex allocation is quite small.

I agree 100% with the family owned ADs, yea they’re smaller but your chances of getting the models you want, if you strike a good relationship with them, become much higher. I know from experience, plus they’re much nicer in my opinion

Dude nice vid. And congrats that you get the watch this year. I think from January we are getting new prices. I think it's going to be tough 15-20 % more then now.

Thanks for this video, I I missed it when you posted!

I bought my Explorer 1 and Submariner back in 2007. Just walked in my AD and bought them unfortunately those days are gone. They are beautiful watches but not worth the years of waiting, secondary market prices and all the motions you have to go through today. Like I said great watches but not worth the heart ache of getting 1 today. I would go for a Omega or Zenith if you're going spend that amount on Rolex go vintage or a Zenith Daytona since they aren't made anymore

Congrats on the Daytona chief! I very recently got my first Rolex (Deep sea) and have been enjoying your vids. Im also in the Chicago area.

Wow! Most informative piece by far on KZfaq. 👌🏻

Here in Singapore we are getting tons of new and unworn pieces on the grey market coming from small family owned ADs

This is pretty much what I did starting back in December and last week I got my cermit! In my case I’d say it also helped to deal with a Rolex boutique vs a multi-brand AD.

Congratulations on the Panda!! Stunning piece Mark!

Great watch great video, thanks Mark.

I think before Rolex turned an eye to flippers because there's a good chance those ADs that were selling to flippers is also bundling up other non desirable Rolexs. But now that every watch sells, ADs aren't bundling with Rolexs but other brands. So Rolex will start to crack down cause they gain nothing from these shady ADs bundling with other brands.

Your probably correct the manufacturer has favorites or more correct the regional rep has favorites and more and better inventory goes to them and lax rules its a personal thing like same university they graduated from or generations of frendships some type of mutual connection that gives them the edge. Almost all manufacturers use reps and that how it goes. Sometimes even the wholesale costs are negotiated and the favorites get bigger discounts. Now the trick is to become the AD's favorite!. You gave excellent advice on that.

Private sellers hide the numbers too to not get blacklisted by ADs. I’m by no means a „intermediary“ but I’d always hide the number.

Marc do you think that buying the same Rolex from 2 different AD’s raises any eyebrows? For example you want a BLRO for yourself and another family member. Since Rolex has the database of all purchases do you think they would contact the AD’s and alert them to this?

I need to find these good ADs

God damn it. I get a panda Daytona from an AD the same day Marc does? Supply is through the roof now! :P

Wow. Congrats on the Daytona Marc. Where have you been? We missed you. Your videos are so interesting

I have a great AD just be sincere honest and personable. Yessss i wear my Different Rolex ever time i visit just to say hello. You are absolutely correct but it works. It doesn't hurt to Tip i have ever time in a card thanking for customer service and that i appreciate you finding me this watch.

Just bought a certified preowned date just with diamond bezel from our local jeweler..my wife loves it the 26mm fits her wrist perfectly..and this is why I own five Omegas..I just bought em, no games, no wait lists.

Is it okay to register with two separate ADs for the same Rolex? I'm on the list with WOS at Mall of America. Should I register with my local AD as well or is this a big no no?

Hey Marc ~ I like the art on your wall

Excellent advice Mark!

that was very helpful thank you.

Great video and excellent information

Put speed on 2X to get through twice as fast.

Marc an AD that is very trustworthy just told me that Rolex told him that the present supply glut is due to them updating their factories and that supply will increase again in the next 2 years. They ste either expanding to meet demand or putting out a lot of new models

So what do you suggest if I already bought 6 rolex in the last 10 years with the same AD that is to be small and now is part of a huge enterprise? I have been on the list, or so the SA tells me, for the last 3 years.

GOOD AD's should keep the warranty cards for 3 years in their vaults....that's how you suppress the grey Market BS.

So I went to a watch store near me and they are not authorized dealer for Rolex,they have some rolex model at their display cases,I ask them is the were pre-owned?they're answer was their brand new but the price for the new rolex explorer was 6k about retail price,plus they told me that they can get any rolex model with in a week direct from a Rolex AD that they have,which it turns to be recently bought buy Bucherer company 😬,now it makes total sense everything you are saying 🤔

A big brand used to buy "new" watches from grey market dealers ... Now, they don't have resellers ... They also didn't make a million watches a year ...

Love the video and the info. I 100% agree @Rolex should intervene in the gray market. I am not a fan of watch Flippers. They drive up prices and reduce supply for actual watch collectors like me who enjoys wearing them and never sells a watch when added to my collection. There are a few I want to acquire and have great difficulty getting because of people who buy simply to profit off of.

That was very interesting. Yes, I think it needs to start with something small, although these days an OP turquoise is difficult. A Submariner is part of the next tier already. But as you say, it takes time and needs building a relationship

Many ADs in the UK now don’t accept anything via a phone call or email, you have to come in. They’re also keeping it regional, so you have to live close by.

maybe in the US. Here in Asia they sell most stocks out the backdoor and not really hiding that. All the independent dealers have brand new stock with warranty cards less than a week old. And they are not really hiding serial numbers or the fact that they just bought it from an AD. Rolex knows this but they won't do anything about it.

Rolex could very easily quash this behavior, just follow the recipe Porsche and Ford use for super cars: no flip contracts. You sign a contract prohibiting resale for 2 years or the watch goes to someone else. Rolex knows this, they have no desire to kill off their status.

Marc - Love the show! I'm from Kenosha and am a huge watch enthusiast. I am on the waiting list for two pieces up here in Wisconsin but as a new customer....doubt I'll ever "get the call" with the way the market it. Would love to travel down by you to check out the collection! All of your pieces are superb! I'm a Rolex nerd....not so much into other timepieces. If you'd ever entertain having a viewer come down and just talk watches and talked about the AD game, would love to hear from you! I have a 16622 that I bought off the grey market and am hoping to get the call someday. God bless and keep up the awesome channel

Completely true. I know an AD family jewelry and my family is customer there for many years I mostly buy omega and I get the chance to get 3 Rolex retail price. And I still have them.

Congrats, good fit in your collection ! Waves my Newman-grade 1966 Heuer 3646. 2021-2022 pieces feel like aliens to me 😁

This video is 100 percent true. Most ADs are good and are looking to sell to good customers. The entitlement mentality is strong within the members of our hobby. They don't like to face realities. It's crazy

simplest thing would be for Rolex to either decrease the money they put in publicity, or just have msrp be higher. I mean seriously, Porsche has the same issue with reseller...

Agree...many bad AD here in malaysia....all doing hanky panky bussiness

My AD hold back the paperwork and accessories for 1 year to stop flippers....

8:08 You turned into a cartoon character for a second there. ;) BTW, how do you know that Rolex isn't already doing that?

How most "bad ADs" operate is to coerce people into buying a heap of other stuff in order to get the desired watch. I heard a story recently on the collector's grapevine about a certain AD here in the UK who phoned a guy to say they were getting a certain 'hot watch' which he was on the list for and that he _might_ be able to buy it. When he asked them what "might" means, they said something like "well, it'll be Christmas soon, if you were getting yourself a nice new watch, I expect you'd be getting a lot of jewellery for your wife too, wouldn't you?" They literally said that! (Apparently he told them to p+ss off. But a lot of people out there would take the deal.)

Does this happen also at Rolex stores? Like Rolex corporate.

Great advice. Thx Marc

Mazel tov Marc in acquiring the Panda at retail. For me, the Daytona is the holy grail of watches. Hope to purchase the Daytona someday, perhaps with the black dial.

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. 😊

Thanks, appreciate the video. Honestly though, Rolex knows exactly what is happening with the gray market. If they control their ADs as they supposedly do, there is no way they could not be complicit. And can you blame them? Limited supply drives up demand and brand exclusivity.

Thank you for the analysis

I know for an absolutely 100% fact Rolex reps personally contact any watches sold by Aurum group (the biggest chain AD in the UK and maybe even Europe) if serial numbers come up on the grey market. Yes, Rolex do check. Not only is that customer blacklisted but the employee can be fired for gross misconduct. That has happened but not in every case

Wow! Small world! I actually talked with Brian a couple of weeks ago about a Rolex, very professional and gave me a Rolex catalog. I just got into watches recently and unfortunately fell for the 41 perpetual oyster in turquoise, I've given Brian my info, but I know it's never going to happen even though I'm trying to be positive.

I will never buy a rolex product mainly because i don't like their business practices and not a company i want to be associated with. Begging for a watch from store is insane.

I just got my Rolex from the AD at retail but first I had to establish a relationship with the AD which was me buying a Tudor black bay 58 the week prior

That is spot on. 10/10. Thanks Marc!

If Rolex really wanted to stop the craziness, all they have to do is create a real Rolex waitlist. So simple. They choose not to, which allows AD's to do whatever they want. I've tried now for 3 yrs to buy even lower demand models from an AD, purchased $10k in other watches. Haven't been offered 1..but every time I visit they make it clear the path to Rolex is buying jewelry I have no interest in.

I just won’t go to an AD at all when I get around to Rolex. Not gonna play those games. If my money can’t talk at one place it’ll talk elsewhere.

Congrats Marc! Wear in good health! 😊

Marc, l refer to your vlog about 5 years ago "l hated my Rolex Daytona"(white face as well) and sold it!! Bit of a turnaround eh? Iol

Yes it’s right👍

Love the HDR!

Seeing in my area, Bucherer and Watches of Switzerland, buying up these small family owned AD's for their territorial rites.

Mark, congrats on your Panda. Wear it well and happy belated Hanukkah.

In life !!! It’s all in who you know 🤷🏽‍♂️!

getting a Rolex at retail is the discounted price now lol

I have no idea wtf an AD is but it seems to me that if you want to buy a watch, you go to a jewelry store or the jewelry section at your local Walmart. Also, Rolex is very, very highly overrated. They make ugly watches at astronomical prices. I would suggest you try their lower (much fucking lower) priced subsidiary, Timex. Same quality (if not better) at realistic prices, and a huge selection. The only AD I know is Al Davidson, and he doesn't even wear a watch anymore

5:18 *$13,150

What's the noise in the background?

It's not so much about bad AD's or good AD's since this really comes from Rolex(as is said,the brown stuff rolls down from the top).I have nothing against those honorable AD's trying to make as living. Problem is,they're caught up in a system created by the company, and they're either going to have to lower their standards or get out of Rolex and sell another brand other than Rolex. Rolex,IMHO,is more about selling an image than a workhorse watch. Take away the watch and what do you have? Would I want to spend $13k on an image? I don't think so.

And when they start peeling of the stickers you grab your money and walk out. You don’t get the watch you wanted but you become a legend.

Diamond cellar in Nashville treated me so rudely that my wife nudge me and said it was time to go. After we left she said buy Gray market and save your dignity.. Fast forward to now and my watch broker got me a deal on a Tudor palagos and a no date sub together. I spent way way less than the “ getting to know us” cost of the AD and I’m happy. He checks in on me time to time to see how I’m doing and if I need anything. End of the day I’ll pay more for good customer service.

All AD's should have their AD status revoked. These watches should only be available from Rolex themselves. However, Rolex benefits from the current arrangement, so nothing will change in a hurry.

I think they're all in on it at this point. Speaking from a point of frustration. However, perfect example. You'll see grey market dealers with 7 Pandas. HOW?

How do I know the AD I choose is one of the good ADs or bad ADs?

interesting, when I bought my 1016 in 1973, I walked in looking like a bum/with no money, asked how much the watch was, I knew exactly to the penny....was given the price, I said ok.... reached in my pocket and pulled out the exact amount...in cash, all wrinkled bills and change...you should have seen the look on the fellows face, and change of attitude.......The store was very nice in the future to me......still have the 1016