Well this isn’t easy!

[Lump]

Hello. I’d love to be posting a pic of my shiny new Sub around about this time but I can’t even find a dealer who is able to sell me one. I live in London and every AD I’ve approached doesn’t even have a waiting list. Is this normal? It’s the black Sub I’m after.

[Petroc Tremaine]

Just wait for the new one at Baselworld.

[whattimeyougot]

You should be able to get on a wait list however if you have zero purchasing history they may turn you away given the current market. It’s their way of telling you nicely they have preferred customers they’ll sell that Submariner to. These customers have already likely spent 5 or 6 digit amounts with them in the past.

Welcome to the game!


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[Lump]

Ah, although I’m Not a complete Rolex noob having purchased a couple before from Hyde Park. (Sea Dweller 4000 and Explorer 2) Mentioning so didn’t seem to help though.

[Brew]

Not to worry, you can't post pics yet anyway.

Good luck with your search!

[Montes]

You could always find a used one?

[Lump]

Originally Posted by Montes

You could always find a used one?

Maybe. I’d prefer a new one.

[SkyJuice]

Try the greys or forum sales thread?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Lump

Hello. I’d love to be posting a pic of my shiny new Sub around about this time but I can’t even find a dealer who is able to sell me one. I live in London and every AD I’ve approached doesn’t even have a waiting list. Is this normal? It’s the black Sub I’m after.

keep at it. avoid the big two London chains and stop by frequently. Try on other stuff and talk to them. It works. 99% of people ask once, leave and they never hear from them again.

If they see you are interested in watches that means you will buy other watches later or they can assume that. I contend most Rolex purchasers are not even into watches at all. Most of them also are not collectors. Its the only luxury watch they will ever buy and what good is it for an AD to sell an easy to move watch to someone who won't be back?

[Lump]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

keep at it. avoid the big two London chains and stop by frequently. Try on other stuff and talk to them. It works. 99% of people ask once, leave and they never hear from them again

Yes. Okay. I understand that there’s a game to be played here.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Lump

Yes. Okay. I understand that there’s a game to be played here.

its not a game. Its a business. They want to sell watches to people with potential. If they have 2 watches and 25 customers they need to find some way to sell it to the people who will have the best chance of being a repeat customer. They absolutely size up customers. Most people here do similar things in their own business if they have more people trying to buy than available stock.

[Lump]

I am a third time repeat customer. Three times in five years.

[harvey]

Originally Posted by Lump

I am a third time repeat customer. Three times in five years.

Sadly buying twice in five years so far makes you a ‘new customer’.

I’ve bought three times in two years...even this tempers my expectations.

[Lump]

I’ll try patience and charm.

[Tha Baron]

Originally Posted by Petroc Tremaine

Just wait for the new one at Baselworld.

....That will be even harder to get

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum and good luck in your quest

[avega357]

Originally Posted by Lump

Hello. I’d love to be posting a pic of my shiny new Sub around about this time but I can’t even find a dealer who is able to sell me one. I live in London and every AD I’ve approached doesn’t even have a waiting list. Is this normal? It’s the black Sub I’m after.

Go grey


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[Daveclock]

Originally Posted by Lump

I’ll try patience and charm.

Good luck with that!

Don't go Grey either - is just supports that chain/route.

Good Luck in your quest/journey it is one I am on too!

[Dean88]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

Good luck with that!

Don't go Grey either - is just supports that chain/route.

Good Luck in your quest/journey it is one I am on too!

Grey for a pre loved sub, not a BNIB

[Dsmith1974]

You can get a new one (new with tags) from lots of Grey dealers in London. Try the WatchClub near the Burlington Arcade. You’ll pay a few grand more, but you won’t have to wait and it’ll still be worth what you paid for it (if not more) down the road.

[MTBer]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

its not a game. Its a business.

I’d say it’s most certainly a game for those who just want a single watch, lack the means and/or desire to build a six figure purchase history, and don’t feel comfortable being disingenuous with the sales staff by presenting themselves as a potential repeat customer to ‘trick’ them into letting you buy what you want.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by Lump

Hello. I’d love to be posting a pic of my shiny new Sub around about this time but I can’t even find a dealer who is able to sell me one. I live in London and every AD I’ve approached doesn’t even have a waiting list. Is this normal? It’s the black Sub I’m after.

This is a very unique problem. Thanks for checking in here. If you want a new sub many are available from trusted sellers on this forum.

[Zuger]

If you want one brand new, either pay premium or get on the list with AD or find someone who knows someone. If you want one pre-owned, just monitor the classified like a hawk. The black sub shows up rather frequently and can be had for about MSRP. Enjoy the hunt. It’s half the fun.

[YGRLX]

Story of the town.

[Boaters]

Trusted sellers like DavidSW Will fix you up

[Lump]

Thanks for the comments and wisdoms! I think I’ll wait to see what Baselworld changes in the Sub first then try to get one of the new ones if of course we don’t have to wait longer for the steel variant.
Trusted sellers, I’m happy to be contacted if you have a new one gathering dust.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

its not a game. Its a business. They want to sell watches to people with potential. If they have 2 watches and 25 customers they need to find some way to sell it to the people who will have the best chance of being a repeat customer. They absolutely size up customers. Most people here do similar things in their own business if they have more people trying to buy than available stock.

Tyler is right. Sometimes we are too hard on the ADs. They do their best but they’re stuck with low supply and lots of angry people wanting hard to get watches. Trust me, if they could sell one to everyone they would.

That being said, a local relationship goes a long way. So keep at it and stick to the ADs in your neighborhood. Let them know you’re local and are looking for a long-term relationship.


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[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by Lump

Hello. I’d love to be posting a pic of my shiny new Sub around about this time but I can’t even find a dealer who is able to sell me one. I live in London and every AD I’ve approached doesn’t even have a waiting list. Is this normal? It’s the black Sub I’m after.

Might be ever harder to find after a no-deal Brexit?