What was the Rolex buying experience / market in the early 2000s?

[ROLEX MAN]

Put my name down for a S/S Daytona in 2000
Got it 1 year later from Bucherer Switzerland.

It did help that my wife is Swiss and I kept in touch with the AD!

[Stratos]

In Greece, until 2016/17 you get 20-25% off on all SS refs(except Daytona), and 30-35% off on PMs and ladies watches.

I still remember multiple Hulks sitting in ADs and everyone passing on them.

[grimps]

I walked into my local AD around 2009 and asked to see the new ceramic GMT , they never had one in stock but asked me if I’d like go have a look at the steel Daytona , I said yes and they then asked me which colour dial .
I walked out with the black dial steel Daytona as my first ever Rolex .

I’m pretty sure this wouldn’t happen these days

[skribble5]

Wow. The experience from just a few years ago is so different to what is happening right now. The game playing right now is so tedious


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[Flint]

In UK ( Newcastle ) twice when looking in window at Rolex models , the sales assistant came out of shop and asked what model I was interested in !

[Vetracer]

In 2001, I rocked up in David Morris a boutique located in Selfridges department store in London. I wasn't looking for a watch that day but in the cabinet, there were an array of watches available. I narrowed my selection down to buying a Submariner 16610 and a GMT Master II 16713. Daytonas were hard to get then too.

I can't believe that was 23 years ago already.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

Walk in and get whatever you wanted (except daytona), discount without asking.

[Steph-paul]

Interesting post, thank you.
In 2002, after a financial success, I bought my first Rolex-a new GMT-in Cambridge MA, and still have it. At that time, there were plenty of models available for purchase, no games at all, and I even got a discount!
I would never have imagined how things could change.

[Chuckwagon]

Got my Sub in 2010. Went to AD intending to get a JLC (I am more into dress watches) but the sales assistant was desperate to sell me a Rolex instead. Had most of the SS sports models apart from Daytona. Tried on the sub, sub date, Exp2 (polar and black), millgauss green glass, GMT2c. Ended with the sub as he gave me a discount on it.

[LockUSMC]

i worked at a pawn shop around the turn of the millennium. We would frequently purchase fair grade submariners for around $1,000 - 1,500 and sell them for $2,000. Even at $2,000 it was common for them to gather dust.

[BroncoOne]

It was a pretty normal experience and you might even be able to negotiate a small discount of certain watches. The only scarcity was if there was a new watch released, or re-release of a previously discontinued model. Everything else was pretty much available.

[Litflynt912]

First AD purchase on big island in 2012. All models on display except for Daytonas
Fell in love with the blue face air king. Offered a beer and had it shipped back home tax free.

Those were the days

[waterman1]

Drastically different. 2005. Walked into AD and tried on a submariner and sea dweller. Slept on the decision for a few days. Went back and purchased the sea dweller for around $3900 if I recall correctly…maybe $4300 after taxes. Straightforward. No games.

[enjoythemusic]

It was glorious, and seems we had more time as our AD was into horology too. It was more... personal and passionate for / towards horology. Not just because it now has a Tiffany blue dial.

Reeeeeeeally do miss those days. To be fair, today we have expsessions in horology i'd never dreamed possible, or at least procurable. even given today's small batches from independents. The industry has never been healthier than it is today (well, except for the 1800s give or take). The precision has never been more consistent, on average, as well.

Am sure, over time, supply and demand will find a balance.

jmho