How do I play my cards...

[Texex]

So, I'm in the market for a Breitling. 4K retail, probably 3K going Grey. I could probably get a 10% discount from either of the 2 ADs i have relationships with so I can spend $3600 or save $600 going Grey. I am on the "list" for 2 SS Rolex at each AD. Question #1, do you think I get $600 bank for my buck if I spend more with my AD? Question #2, do I just go in, buy the Breitling, and remind my AD I'm interested in XYZ SS Rolex or how do I go about it? I have very moderate spend history with each AD. AD #1 in 10 years I've spent 20K on non Rolex watches and it has yielded me an Explorer II, Pepsi, and a Hulk. AD #2 I've spent 7K in non Rolex over the last 10 years yielding me the Batman and a white Daytona. So I've done well for my spend history but it's been Crickets since Fall of 2020. Any advice would be appreciated. On a side note my SA gets a nice bottle of bourbon for each SS Rolex I get and I drop by quarterly to remind them of my interest.

thanks

[Easy E]

Which two watches are you “on the list” for? That may be a factor. To me, $500-$600 is about my break point on a secondary piece. Meaning for that amount of a difference I would stick with my AD. However, I am currently pretty sour on the whole “relationship” nonsense.

[Easy E]

If your two SS pieces are a ND sub And DJ41, stick with your AD, if it’s a Daytona and a Kermit, move on and go grey.

[afmars]

I always just put the spend with my AD and that goes a long way in my experience.

I’ve found the thing that works is being viewed by the AD as a nice person who is not just a Rolex customer. YMMV.

[KY..]

I think you have done plenty with the AD’s to justify getting another Rolex from them…
It depends on timing more than anything to me at this point…

[Texex]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Which two watches are you “on the list” for? That may be a factor. To me, $500-$600 is about my break point on a secondary piece. Meaning for that amount of a difference I would stick with my AD. However, I am currently pretty sour on the whole “relationship” nonsense.

1st AD, A no date Sub and a CHNR, 2nd AD a Blue SkyD (Which I was just told I'm next but we'll see) and a Turquoise 41mm OP which seemed easy when I asked November of last year, now it seem like it's a never watch.

[ks58]

Go with either AD. But the 2nd AD 'asks' are way tougher to come by in general. It's up to you.

[SS Oyster]

Don’t buy a Breitling is my advise.


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[Polar Bear]

If you think you'll love the Breitling and hold onto it for a while, pony up the cash with the AD
Assuming you can afford the AD premium, buy price doesnt really matter until it becomes time to sell it
If you keep it for 5+ years, i doubt the extra $600 you paid will matter much

There is nothing wrong with supporting a local business either

[Andad]

I’m not sure that a Breitling purchase would push an AD’s button these days?

It would mean zip in OZ.

If I can’t source at retail as a genuine buyer then I won’t buy into the card game.

[rkny]

Lol you are waaayyy overthinking this. Do you actually think there’s a dedicated employee at your AD whose sole job is tallying your spending and awarding you frequent flyer points? Spend less brain power on counting cards and more on being undeniable, via familiarity, friendliness, etc.

[Harry-57]

My AD is realistic about it if they want the sale. They match or get very close the grey market price for some brands, some of the time. I'll end up spending a little bit more but my AD will get the business and my spend tally goes up. It doesn't always happen. For the equivalent of an further $600 saving after AD discount on a $4k watch I'd go grey.

Where you would draw the line is up to you and will depend on a number of factors which apply only to you.

[Tim Plains]

What about the old fashion way? Go to the AD, chat with your contact, ask to see that Breitling, chat some more, inquire where you sit with the Rolex, decide what to do or try again at AD #2.

[dannyp]

Why not start by contacting both ADs about the Breitling to see if 1) they have it and 2) what they'll do in terms of price?

If one has and one doesn't, or they come in at different prices, then use that to guide your decision.

I'd never go spend a bunch of money I wouldn't otherwise just to juice spend history. But I'm always a proponent of spending where a relationship exists, all else being (relatively) equal.

[GB-man]

For 600 I would just buy at whichever AD you think is more inclined to deliver down the road.

[Tricolore66]

They don’t appeal to me either. I personally wouldn’t want my AD to see me wearing a watch I didn’t buy from them while hoping they allocate me a watch.

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Don’t buy a Breitling is my advise.


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[77T]

I’ll apologize up front, I didn’t track past the Breitling question.

Keeping with the card game analogy, it’s like me bringing a single $100 chip to the $1000 minimum bet table.

In other words, the ante is 10x insufficient (and that’s per AD).


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[~JJ]

Originally Posted by GB-man

For 600 I would just buy at whichever AD you think is more inclined to deliver down the road.

^ I agree with this

[Cobar65]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Don’t buy a Breitling is my advise.


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X2


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