Incoming First Rolex!!

[stap]

Hi All, picked up my SD43 from the AD this week! I’ll describe my journey below for those interested. I know how much anticipation and angst can be involved in acquiring a piece from an AD, especially for first-timers like me; hopefully it will be instructive to those in a similar situation. If you don’t need that, no need to read more, scroll down for pictures!

I have called 5 ADs and visited 3 of those in person. All with the goal of finding one watch, an SD43. My local, from whom I’ve purchased an SMP 300, told me a 3-5 year wait. Another, a few hours away, said possibly by the end of 2022. A third AD, a day’s drive from where I live, I spoke to in October and the SA told me all their watches were allocated for this year, but next year it was wide open, and she doesn’t get many requests for this model. She told me the usual, “Stop in and see us if you’re ever in town.”

I followed up with a nice thank you note and continued the hunt at a few other AD’s. Was offered a TT 43 by one, which I turned down. Fast forward to last week, I was going to be passing through AD number three’s city and called up the SA, reminded her who I was and what I was after. Right away she thanked me for sending her a thank you note and said that it was a sweet gesture. We set up a time to visit a few days later.

I pull into the store and had to wait about 20 minutes for another customer. SA and I met, chatted for a bit about the state of the Rolex market, etc. I was getting no good vibes about my chances. At all. She didn’t even try to sell me anything else. I could tell it was time to wrap things up and continue on with my journey. I thanked her very much for her time, said goodbye, and as I was walking out the door she said, “I’ll be in touch soon.“ Wait. What? I get out to my truck and I can’t decide if I’m reading too much into it, or if she just sent me a clear message that I passed the test. I try not to get too excited, but you know how it goes…

The next morning, after I’d left town, my phone rings, and I see it’s her. I just smiled, answered, said hello and she said, “I have a Sea Dweller for you!” I said thank you and I’ll see you tomorrow.

This is just one man’s opinion based on my experience, but here’s what I learned:

They always have watches in the safe. Every AD I visited in person brought something out from the back, although they were “reserved for someone else.”

Zero in on one watch and ask for only that. Shop around and don’t be afraid to check other cities and states. Admit you are not a local, but you really love this watch, and can’t find it anywhere.

Follow up with a note, something that makes you stand out from the 20 other people who called them on a given day. Set up a time to meet them in person. I have no doubt that I would not have gotten this watch had I not stopped in and met with her face to face.

To those still on the hunt, good luck!!

[Kyle3130]

Very nice, congrats!

[Laszlo]

Beautiful!!

[m j b]

Congrats. I disagree with the "they all have some in the safe" comment. There may be one or two that are pre-sold and haven't been picked-up yet, and sometimes a sale will fall through so what was pre-sold may become available if you get lucky. Which is what it sounds like for you.

[Carondelet]

Congratulations! Looks great!

[Pw92676]

Enjoy!

[Bxtek]

A huge congrats! Very nice score for a first Rolex! Thanks for sharing your story. I'm also a first timer and have never bought new from an AD before. I'm currently on the hunt myself. I have encountered the no good vibes feeling a number of times from different AD's.

I've also heard that they always have watches in the safe. I suspect in a number of cases, that this is true! I recently visited an AD wearing my vintage DJ, talking to the SA about the market in which he also mentioned that he had absolutely nothing in inventory. Another guy walked in with a blue Sky-D on his wrist and also started talking to the same SA. The SA also told him he had absolutely nothing in stock. All 3 of us were standing there casually talking about watches and the current crazy market.

I eventually said goodbye and left the 2 talking while I browsed the other brands of watches at the other end of the store. I went back to the Rolex area to get a second look at an exhibition piece they had in the case and I saw the guy with the Sky-D in the private delivery office buying something. I looked over there and I could see they had the plastic coffin open and they obviously had a watch out. However, they gave me that "look" and kinda hid the watch when I got closer to try and see what it was. It just goes to show that they saw that guy with the Sky-D as a heavy hitter, and me with my vintage DJ was not! That was proof to me that those watches DO come out for the right people! Lol.

[VK1984]

Congrats! What a stunning piece with the red text. Always love to see pics of it on the wrist if those (such as yourself) who can pull it off.

Looks fab!

[wchbos]

Congratulations! Always good to hear that there is hope.

[HJZS2K]

Congrats mate. Great choice and good story. It would've been nice if they just offered it to you at the end of the conversation before you drove away again, but I guess they had to keep up with the hard to get facade.

[brandrea]

Congratulations on a great reference

I believe in random things like thank you notes, bringing coffee, a kind word etc etc. It applies to almost every personal and business interaction. Well done

[Gerry62]

congrats ! Bravo

[Beto737]

Congratulations

[stap]

Originally Posted by HJZS2K

Congrats mate. Great choice and good story. It would've been nice if they just offered it to you at the end of the conversation before you drove away again, but I guess they had to keep up with the hard to get facade.

Thank you! I don’t disagree. I’ve wondered if the owners/managers aren’t checking you out while you’re there too. Wait to see what you’re like, maybe do a little vetting. Speculation, of course, but every AD I spoke with seems to take something like flipping extremely seriously. Wouldn’t be surprised if they were doing their due diligence.

[brkn]

great watch. congrats. waiting for a sub date myself. this one would be my choice if I wasn't so set on the sub date. fingers crossed.

[Wobbly]

Congratulations

[S7gpt]

congrats

[cjhurni]

Congrats brother! Great story and nice to hear some decency still exists!

[sss205]

Congrats! Looks beautiful.

[10XRolex]

Very well done. It fits you well.

[GVAZQUEZ]

Congratulations!!! Enjoy it very nice watch to start off, especially being anniversary piece.

[Brownb2110]

Congrats…it’s an incredible piece. It was my first Rolex as well and I’m still blown away each time I put it on. Enjoy it!

[just1time]

Congrats on the watch. Man oh man...Sounds like one is applying for a job dealing with these ADs...you have to stand out etc etc...lol

[Peter Toronto]

Enjoy. It was my first Rolex as well.


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[swexlin]

Congrats to you. One of a number of incoming SD43s we've seen on here recently.

This is the very piece I've been waiting on a year now...my AD is a local, smaller chain with two local locations. I've bought two watches from him just this year (DJ41 Wimbledon, which a was a surprise offering) and a Tudor BB Chrono, which he was able to get for me after a few weeks wait.

No such luck on the SD43. I stop in every once in a while to chit chat, and each time, he says he's trying, or other people ahead of me.

I believe in the new year, I'm going to expand my search a little out of my local area, like you did. Can't hurt.

[azs.77]

Congratulations.


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[noshame]

Originally Posted by HJZS2K

Congrats mate. Great choice and good story. It would've been nice if they just offered it to you at the end of the conversation before you drove away again, but I guess they had to keep up with the hard to get facade.

I was thinking the same thing. OP said that this AD was a days drive away! In the end, it all worked out. Congrats to an awesome watch!

[soflonative]

Congrats, looks great!

[Jackie Daytona]

Very nice. Great 1st Rolex! Congrats!

[MangBr25]

amazing piece, enjoy