5712/1A incoming

[Ubiquitous1984]

I bought a 5146R last September from my AD, on the basis that a) I wanted a rose gold watch that would compliment when I wore non-black belts/shoes b) this purchase would lead to me being put on the fabled "list" for one of the sports watches. After careful consideration (which is always difficult when you can't actually try on the watch that you want to buy!) I put my name down for the 5712, as I wanted a nautilus but I'm also a big fan of complications, so this watch ticked all my boxes.

I was advised that the waiting time would be 2-4 years, but this didn't matter to me as I was in no rush. The way I saw it it gave me more time to enjoy my 5146R (which is a beautiful watch).

Out of the blue my AD contacted me last week to say that they had a 5712 available for me! The lockdown had worked in my favour as the person who was ahead of me on the 'list' declined it due to being out of the country (at least that is what I was told!)

I arranged to meet with the AD at there store for a 'click and collect' transfer, as allowed under current UK guidelines. I had already picked up a Rolex from another of the Group's AD's during our 2nd lockdown, so I was used to the strange handover procedure. And this was no different! When I arrived at the store the shutters were all down and no stock was on display. I phoned my contact (who is a credit to the business, if you're reading this!) and had to meet him in the communal foyer for their building (not inside the store) for the handover (I had previously shared sizing details and made payment before visiting, and my contact had dealt with all the admin, so the time-consuming aspects had already been taken care of).

And there it was! In a slightly grotty foyer with a 4ft Christmas tree looking over us, I saw the 5712 for the first time! As soon as I saw it I knew I had made the right choice. I've obviously viewed it online hundreds of time, but this was my firsts "eyes on", and it didn't disappoint. It had been sized perfectly from the information I had been provided, and I was surprised by just how light and comfortable the watch felt on my wrist (I love my 5146R but it's obviously not a sports watch and I do find that the clasp sometimes digs into my wrist).

And that was pretty much it, we had a bit of socially distanced small talk, I told him what I would like to get my hands on next, and I was soon on my way back to the car!

If it was the first 'luxury' watch that I had bought then part of me would be disappointed by the experience. But it's not, and as I said to the rep, it's now a fun story that I can look back on in the future about the day I got one of my dream watches in the middle of COVID-19.

Anyway, obligatory wrist shot below. It really is a thing of beauty and it's incredibly comfortable on the wrist. A pleasure to wear it and an honour to own one.