Reality of buying a APRO in the present day?

[mquarter]

What's the reality of buying an APRO in the present day? I'd be a first time buyer. Is it as bad as the Rolex scene with AD / grey games etc?

I know they're obviously in hot demand. But say I get on the waitlist, would I genuinely get offered to buy it eventually? I'm not in a rush, I don't mind waiting.

[HMHM]

Difficult….. but not as impossible as getting a Daytona.

[macrowatch]

Think the days of RO or even ROC as first watch are done. Need at least code to get a shot. Scene has changed quickly since 2019.

Good luck and hope you are abl to enjoy the watch soon!

[nsarkas]

difficult - but chances are higher at an AP house imo

[watchloversg]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Think the days of RO or even ROC as first watch are done. Need at least code to get a shot. Scene has changed quickly since 2019.

Good luck and hope you are abl to enjoy the watch soon!

Not true here in Singapore

A friend got a 26331st 3 mths Ago no history. 2 mths waiting list after deposit.

Another got a 15202st early this year. No prior
Purchase either.

I think they do want to open up their base clientele instead of always pushing watches to the top.

It’s got much more to do with who the person is.

In this case, one was a rich lady who owned multiple Pateks. The other ROC was to an Insurance Agent. I think they wanted to open the markets.

The key though is that both were from boutiques, never ADs

They can decide to give you an RO with no history.

[dawalsh]

I got one (15450) without waiting in Vegas boutique last year. Maybe because it wasn’t that hot of a model. They promised another one RO chronograph next year. They also got my wife one after 6 months wait. It’s possible. I’m lucky to find the SA that is really nice though.

[NB614]

I have found it significantly easier to obtain SS Rolex models in comparison to AP. The white Daytona, Pepsi GMT, Blue Skydweller, and Starbucks/Cermit Sub were all much easier in my opinion. However, I have a 10+ year relationship with my Rolex AD vs the 1 1/2 year with AP boutique.

I would say the difficulty of obtaining a RO depends on the one you are looking for. Factors such as size, material, complication, and dial color may increase difficulty.

On my second boutique visit and prior to any purchases, I was offered a 15450ST in any color or a 26315OR.

Around 3 months after my first purchase and my 4th or so boutique visit, I was asked if I would be interested in a 15500ST or 26331ST. However, I could NOT get allocated one with a blue dial yet. I ultimately decided that I would wait for a blue dial 15500 and collect other pieces in the meantime.

A year into my journey and I've got two awesome ROOs (26470OR black dial and 15720ST khaki) but I'm still fighting for a blue dial RO!

This is a game of patience, loyalty, luck, and probably spend history too. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

[TunaTuna]

Originally Posted by NB614

I have found it significantly easier to obtain SS Rolex models in comparison to AP. The white Daytona, Pepsi GMT, Blue Skydweller, and Starbucks/Cermit Sub were all much easier in my opinion. However, I have a 10+ year relationship with my Rolex AD vs the 1 1/2 year with AP boutique.

I would say the difficulty of obtaining a RO depends on the one you are looking for. Factors such as size, material, complication, and dial color may increase difficulty.

On my second boutique visit and prior to any purchases, I was offered a 15450ST in any color or a 26315OR.

Around 3 months after my first purchase and my 4th or so boutique visit, I was asked if I would be interested in a 15500ST or 26331ST. However, I could NOT get allocated one with a blue dial yet. I ultimately decided that I would wait for a blue dial 15500 and collect other pieces in the meantime.

A year into my journey and I've got two awesome ROOs (26470OR black dial and 15720ST khaki) but I'm still fighting for a blue dial RO!

This is a game of patience, loyalty, luck, and probably spend history too. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

You have a history with both brands thats why it seems so easy for you. The question was about new buyers

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by NB614

I have found it significantly easier to obtain SS Rolex models in comparison to AP. The white Daytona, Pepsi GMT, Blue Skydweller, and Starbucks/Cermit Sub were all much easier in my opinion. However, I have a 10+ year relationship with my Rolex AD vs the 1 1/2 year with AP boutique.

I would say the difficulty of obtaining a RO depends on the one you are looking for. Factors such as size, material, complication, and dial color may increase difficulty.

On my second boutique visit and prior to any purchases, I was offered a 15450ST in any color or a 26315OR.

Around 3 months after my first purchase and my 4th or so boutique visit, I was asked if I would be interested in a 15500ST or 26331ST. However, I could NOT get allocated one with a blue dial yet. I ultimately decided that I would wait for a blue dial 15500 and collect other pieces in the meantime.

A year into my journey and I've got two awesome ROOs (26470OR black dial and 15720ST khaki) but I'm still fighting for a blue dial RO!

This is a game of patience, loyalty, luck, and probably spend history too. I hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

Royal Oak (non 15202) as a first purchase is very hard, but not impossible. White dial Daytona as a first purchase? Lol no. Daytona is much harder to source.

[brkn]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Think the days of RO or even ROC as first watch are done. Need at least code to get a shot. Scene has changed quickly since 2019.

Good luck and hope you are abl to enjoy the watch soon!

incorrect. you do not need a code to get a RO in a year. just need to find the right boutique.