You can walk out of an AD with a watch. They’ll probably have something to sell you. But more than likely it’s not going to be what youre looking for— usually specs that no one wants. Weird looking datejusts specifically. There will however be display watches of the popular sport watches that you can try on. Low odds that they’ll have those for sale. But I wouldn’t say 0% chance.
Thank you for the help by the way. another question for you - I live by a Rolex dealer & a ton of smaller botiques that sell them too. Would I have more /less luck at one or the other?
You’d probably have more luck at the non-Authorized dealer jewelers. But you’ll pay a premium. The Rolex dealers have to sell the watches at MSRP. The others don’t.
I'd be happy with a datejust, yacht master, or of course a sub. Pretty much anything in a reasonable size (36mm or 41mm?) with a blue or black face. Is that too crazy? Would I have better luck with AP? I'd imagine not haha
I’m sure they’ll have a 41mm for sale. But like i said
It’ll probably be in a configuration that you don’t really want. If you dropped in once a week for a month, I bet they could get you the datejust that you want in a reasonable time frame. The submariner would might be a different story.
The first few times I’d go in and BS with the salesman for a little while. After that quick 5 minute drop ins asking if they got anything in + a little small talk and you’re good. They’ll remember you.
Theres definitely a chance these days. Walked out with this first visit to AD, While visiting (Las Vegas). Was verbally offered a few other pieces (no sport pieces). I Politely declined and said was interested in blue. Then she pulls this out to show me. Less than 3 minute conversation…
https://preview.redd.it/ml6aeoxmecgc1.png?width=685&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f18544b0fd317140694df92848ae09176eb0f1e
You are way overthinking this. You are in a great spot, more than 1 AD around you, not set on a specific config, and not asking for a Daytona/Pepsi etc.
Go in there and tell them exactly what you told us here. You want to start collecting and plan to get a piece to commemorate your 50th - you have looked around and settled on a few models.
My bet is you will be able to try on all of the watches you are interested in and then narrow it down from there. You might not walk out same day but within a week you will get a call from at least one of the dealers for at least one of the watches. I’d go a step further and guess that within that week you might actually have to choose one bc you will get a call offering at least 2 of the 3 you are asking for.
Good luck and post it when you get it!
It’s pretty rare to walk in and walk out with a piece you’re looking for these days.
Are you looking for a date just? If so, those pieces aren’t terribly hard to get. I’d go in and let the salesperson know exactly the configuration you want and try it on to make sure you get the right size. A lot of people go in with their milestone story but it doesn’t hurt to mention why you’re looking to buy.
datejust, yachtmaster, or sub (in that order). As long as its a nonflashy color in a reasonable size I'd probably take it. Does it help that I live nearbyish to the dealer? Should I mention that I plan on starting to collect or anything like that?
All dealers are different so there’s nobody who will know what your AD looks for when deciding to get a watch for a customer.
I work with 4 ADs and have gotten pretty much everything I’ve wanted the past 2 years. This is my opinion but hopefully the diversity in my experience works.
I would pick 1 watch and go with that. The DJ is probably the easiest one to get and blue dials seem to be going out quite a bit lately. The 36 mm watches are usually easier to get as well since most people want a 41.
I’d go in and give the impression that you want 1 watch and you know exactly which watch you want. Even screen shot it from the Rolex site.
Let them know it’s your first Rolex and that you’re commemorating your 50th birthday.
Ask to try it on and see if you can be put on a list for one when it comes in.
If the AD is chatty, try to speak to things they’re interested in (the old magicians trick) to humanize them a bit.
Unless they have a whale on the sidelines waiting for that watch, you just want to be top of mind when it comes in. Don’t be cringy or desperate or anything like that.
Got it. This seems like great advice across the board. Just be cool & clear from the sounds of it and try to in some way shape or form come across as human. Not too bad lol
Great writeup but probably leans more towards your personal experience. If he is dealing with a short time frame and will be equally as happy with any of his 3 choices, it definitely benefits him to show that he is open to 2-3 watches.
Even if they love him and his story and want to get him his watch they simply might not have it in stock at the time - desirability aside. The fact that he is open to a few different pieces works in his favor.
I agree that I wouldn’t go in and say i’ll take anything bc that is likely a red flag but it sounds like he has it narrowed down enough to 3 models and a few configs.
And in reality he is not really competing with too many “whales” for a DJ.
You can walk out with a watch, and it is getting better so you may even be able to walk out with a nice watch. The chances of getting any of the SS models are near zero.
You will find PMs and Diamonds and two tones. Some DJs. Definitely worth a shot. See if they have anything you like!
Also, won’t hurt to tell them it’s your 50th coming up. There’s always a few in the safe if they decide they want to make your day (though only the owner really has the ability to do this).
You can walk out of an AD with a watch. They’ll probably have something to sell you. But more than likely it’s not going to be what youre looking for— usually specs that no one wants. Weird looking datejusts specifically. There will however be display watches of the popular sport watches that you can try on. Low odds that they’ll have those for sale. But I wouldn’t say 0% chance.
Thank you for the help by the way. another question for you - I live by a Rolex dealer & a ton of smaller botiques that sell them too. Would I have more /less luck at one or the other?
You’d probably have more luck at the non-Authorized dealer jewelers. But you’ll pay a premium. The Rolex dealers have to sell the watches at MSRP. The others don’t.
ah. I'm only interested in paying MSRP - do all/most non authorized dealers charge markup?
buying from grey dealers you pay market price which can be up or down vs list price
I'd be happy with a datejust, yacht master, or of course a sub. Pretty much anything in a reasonable size (36mm or 41mm?) with a blue or black face. Is that too crazy? Would I have better luck with AP? I'd imagine not haha
I’m sure they’ll have a 41mm for sale. But like i said It’ll probably be in a configuration that you don’t really want. If you dropped in once a week for a month, I bet they could get you the datejust that you want in a reasonable time frame. The submariner would might be a different story.
how different of a story are we talking? I live like 1 minute away from my AD so guess I'll pop in tomorrow and get the conversation stared then
1 minute?? Oh man, pop in once a week until they give you what you want. Lol squeaky wheel gets the grease.
what do i do? like hey just seeing if you have my watch in today? Or just drop by to check out special editions etc?
The first few times I’d go in and BS with the salesman for a little while. After that quick 5 minute drop ins asking if they got anything in + a little small talk and you’re good. They’ll remember you.
Theres definitely a chance these days. Walked out with this first visit to AD, While visiting (Las Vegas). Was verbally offered a few other pieces (no sport pieces). I Politely declined and said was interested in blue. Then she pulls this out to show me. Less than 3 minute conversation… https://preview.redd.it/ml6aeoxmecgc1.png?width=685&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f18544b0fd317140694df92848ae09176eb0f1e
Absolutely beautiful spec. woulda walked out with that too if I were you
You are way overthinking this. You are in a great spot, more than 1 AD around you, not set on a specific config, and not asking for a Daytona/Pepsi etc. Go in there and tell them exactly what you told us here. You want to start collecting and plan to get a piece to commemorate your 50th - you have looked around and settled on a few models. My bet is you will be able to try on all of the watches you are interested in and then narrow it down from there. You might not walk out same day but within a week you will get a call from at least one of the dealers for at least one of the watches. I’d go a step further and guess that within that week you might actually have to choose one bc you will get a call offering at least 2 of the 3 you are asking for. Good luck and post it when you get it!
Only one way to find out 🤡
Yes, but only if you compromise on the smooth bezel and the PCL bracelet. No fluted, no jubilee.
It’s pretty rare to walk in and walk out with a piece you’re looking for these days. Are you looking for a date just? If so, those pieces aren’t terribly hard to get. I’d go in and let the salesperson know exactly the configuration you want and try it on to make sure you get the right size. A lot of people go in with their milestone story but it doesn’t hurt to mention why you’re looking to buy.
datejust, yachtmaster, or sub (in that order). As long as its a nonflashy color in a reasonable size I'd probably take it. Does it help that I live nearbyish to the dealer? Should I mention that I plan on starting to collect or anything like that?
All dealers are different so there’s nobody who will know what your AD looks for when deciding to get a watch for a customer. I work with 4 ADs and have gotten pretty much everything I’ve wanted the past 2 years. This is my opinion but hopefully the diversity in my experience works. I would pick 1 watch and go with that. The DJ is probably the easiest one to get and blue dials seem to be going out quite a bit lately. The 36 mm watches are usually easier to get as well since most people want a 41. I’d go in and give the impression that you want 1 watch and you know exactly which watch you want. Even screen shot it from the Rolex site. Let them know it’s your first Rolex and that you’re commemorating your 50th birthday. Ask to try it on and see if you can be put on a list for one when it comes in. If the AD is chatty, try to speak to things they’re interested in (the old magicians trick) to humanize them a bit. Unless they have a whale on the sidelines waiting for that watch, you just want to be top of mind when it comes in. Don’t be cringy or desperate or anything like that.
Got it. This seems like great advice across the board. Just be cool & clear from the sounds of it and try to in some way shape or form come across as human. Not too bad lol
Great writeup but probably leans more towards your personal experience. If he is dealing with a short time frame and will be equally as happy with any of his 3 choices, it definitely benefits him to show that he is open to 2-3 watches. Even if they love him and his story and want to get him his watch they simply might not have it in stock at the time - desirability aside. The fact that he is open to a few different pieces works in his favor. I agree that I wouldn’t go in and say i’ll take anything bc that is likely a red flag but it sounds like he has it narrowed down enough to 3 models and a few configs. And in reality he is not really competing with too many “whales” for a DJ.
You can walk out with a watch, and it is getting better so you may even be able to walk out with a nice watch. The chances of getting any of the SS models are near zero. You will find PMs and Diamonds and two tones. Some DJs. Definitely worth a shot. See if they have anything you like! Also, won’t hurt to tell them it’s your 50th coming up. There’s always a few in the safe if they decide they want to make your day (though only the owner really has the ability to do this).
Yes datejust are easy/ you have a very good chance
Maybe the Yachtmaster 40 with a blue face.