Travelling through Dubai

[andic]

Hi all,

I have been a long time reader of these pages and I am on the hunt for my first Rolex. Either a WG sub black dial/blue bezel or the WG GMT Pepsi.
I tried the WG sub a couple of weeks ago in my nearest AD (Hefei, China) and nearly went for it. But I would like to see the GMT before deciding. I am traveling back to the UK for a holiday via Dubai, and I get the impression it is a good place for rolex shopping - is that true? What are the chances of seeing both pieces side by side either in the city or the airport? Or indeed in the UK I guess....

any relevant advice or views?

[tommm]

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The chances of seeing one, let alone both, is absolutely zero.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum and good luck in your travels and watch hunting

[Ollie1982]

You should at least get to see the models you want as most airport ADs will have a reasonable selection of exhibition only models for you to try.

You may get lucky and one may be available, I wouldn’t count on it though.


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[Monolith]

Dont want to bring the bad news but chances are really close to zero in this case. You might find some ladies models and maybe some not so hot models for sale like two tone DJ 36 but thats it. But good luck with the hunt anyway!

[Sandpit]

You’ve probably got a better chance in the UK at the moment.

[messikens]

Zero chance in Dubai airport. You're as smart as a bajillion rich travelers going through Dubai every single day...

Your best chance is UK, either retailers or potentially with an upcharge for a grey dealer

[fsprow]

Was there last week. Great to walk through the big mall and window shop, but no chance of purchasing from an AD a Rolex, AP or Patek. Numerous resellers elsewhere in Dubai but no bargains. Love the city and visit often.

[andic]

Thanks all, I looked up some older threads after posting so I was kind of prepared for the "bad news".

Kind of kicking myself now for not getting that Sub, maybe it will still be there when I get back to China at the end of September .... yeah right :(

[Will866]

The white gold sub is supposed to be available under list price on secondary market.

[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by Will866

The white gold sub is supposed to be available under list price on secondary market.

Quite significantly under. A quick scan of Chrono 24 and the OP could buy an unworn white gold Sub for less than £30k. Retail is £35,300

[Bigsoftee]

I live and travel frequently from DXB airport. On my last departure end of June, there was a DD40 RG with baguette markers for sale. So maybe there is a slim hope on the sub, GMT I would say zero.

[WatchMySix]

Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai there's like 12/13 Rolex ADs. When I was last in Abu Dhabi I saw tons of different models for sale. Also, it's "ha-ram" (forbidden) in Islamic culture to wear gold. So if you ask the AD about all gold pieces you might get lucky.


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[JDA0779]

Dubai Deira has plenty grey dealers and u can get any PM metal u want.

[bondibeach]

Just try your luck. Many rolex stores there.

[simon101]

Originally Posted by messikens

Zero chance in Dubai airport. You're as smart as a bajillion rich travelers going through Dubai every single day...

Your best chance is UK, either retailers or potentially with an upcharge for a grey dealer

UK, really? Our economy may be wrecked, but plenty of people with money buying all Rolex availability. Yes you can go grey like everywhere else in the world, but at retail it’s also the same as everywhere- nothing to buy!

[Roddypeepa]

Uk?

Been a mess Rolex wise for more than 5 years, still is.

Grey dealers dearer than average.London ADs can’t cope with walk ins, rest of country sparse dealer-wise and a list as long as your arm for anything steel.


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[BlueMo]

Thursday August 10th, 2023 - DXB
For display: 126610LN - 126300 jubilee ( motif blue - slate) - 126621 ( brown dial)- GMT Rootbeer
For sale: Two DJ 41 (rose gold, one of them has diamond markers), and a ‘Lady just’.

[Stupot]

Duplicate

[Stupot]

Things have changed a lot recently in the UK.

White gold Blue bezel Sub and Blue face GMT are under retail watches. There was a new Sub sitting in the window of Goldsmiths Newcastle for a while. Priced up at list, available and ready to go.

Meteorite GMT still difficult to get.

Both of those watches are very rare so the chances of an AD having them in at the same time would be fairly unlikely. Best advice I could give if you are wanting to see both together would be to visit a large grey dealer, probably your best bet.

If you decide it’s the Sub or blue dial GMT you prefer you should be able to save yourself some money.

[watchmaestro]

When I last went to a AD in Dubai, I was told not to even look towards the steel models. :cry:

[Halifax Daytona UK]

The blueberry is available below retail price at most grey dealers.

[TudorDXB]

Originally Posted by watchmaestro

When I last went to a AD in Dubai, I was told not to even look towards the steel models. :cry:

That’s because you are a grey market dealer and seddiqi know who you are.

https://watchmaestro.com/


I got 3 steel models last year and was even offered a bluesy and a two tone GRNR both of which i passed on.

Saying that, they will not offer any SS models to walk ins.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by WatchMySix

Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai there's like 12/13 Rolex ADs. When I was last in Abu Dhabi I saw tons of different models for sale. Also, it's "ha-ram" (forbidden) in Islamic culture to wear gold. So if you ask the AD about all gold pieces you might get lucky.


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Never heard of the Dubai Gold Souk?

I've never seen so much gold (of all colours) for sale anywhere else.

[WatchMySix]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Never heard of the Dubai Gold Souk?

I've never seen so much gold (of all colours) for sale anywhere else.

I have, I also know hypocrisy runs wild in us all.


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[knighty88]

If you simply want to see both side by side, go to Hatton Garden in London and see the second hand / grey dealers. That will give you the chance to experience both - from there you can vote with your wallet and by from wherever best for you.