Walk in…did I get lucky?

[Cucurucho]

Disclaimer: this thread is in no way intended as a flex, I genuinely value the opinion of those better informed than me.

Hello RF! New around here, decided to register to share something odd that happened to me a few days ago hoping to get your takes. I’ve been interested in watches for the past 10 years and have slowly (and humbly) built up a small collection, but by no means consider myself an expert or an avid collector.

I’m far from wealthy so a few years back (like many) I made a deal with myself to only purchase new watches when linked to important life or career events. With my first son’s birth coming up in a few months I decided to consider seeking an Explorer I, a watch I fell in love with many years ago and pretty much my ‘grail’ watch if we exclude brands I’ll probably never be able to afford. After the recent downsize to 36mm I thought it was worth trying on something this size before deciding whether to go for the new model or the previous 39mm one.

I walked into a Rolex boutique in my home country (Spain) for the first time expecting them to not even have a display unit for me to try on, but hoping I could try on a different 36mm Rolex to see how I liked the size. To my surprise, they had an Explorer I on display and I was able to try it on, and immediately loved it. Being familiar with all the horror stories surrounding availability of steel Rolex, I threw a long shot and asked the lady what it would take (or how long it would take) if I wanted to buy one, making clear I was not in a hurry. She took my contact details, made no promises and said she’d have to make a few calls but ‘as you know the situation is difficult’.

We walked out of the boutique and to my surprise, my phone rang 30min later: the lady was calling to offer me the watch id just tried on, right there & then.

I weigh this against all that I’ve recently read about Rolex and don’t know what to make of it…did I get incredibly lucky? Or is the Explorer I a much easier find vs the average steel sports Rolex? Maybe availability is improving overall?

Any insight into what happened is much appreciated :)

[EndlessEight]

Consider yourself lucky and enjoy it.

[aboutadog]

What happened was you were in the right place at the right time. Congrats!

[Malum]

If you got a watch you wanted , you got lucky .

[douglasf13]

Congrats. Great watch.

p.s. it’s just an “Explorer,” rather than “Explorer I,” fwiw.

[brucethemanlee]

yes, but i think availability is improving for some less in demand models

btw ... .congrats

[kieselguhr]

Congratulations

No idea about the luck question. The world works in mysterious ways.

[amanbra]

You're lucky but not crazy lucky if that makes sense, it's the easiest sports to get and the watch my current AD started me off with.

congrats, great watch

[shaunylw]

If you’re going to walk in and get a sport Rolex, that’s a pretty likely option. It’s the smallest in the line, and many find it too small. It’s an awesome watch, congrats on the pickup!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rolexjackson]

Awesome pick up! Congratulations!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Blanch]

Congratulations. Life sometimes tends to work out when we least expect it.

[amphr1]

Lucky

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk

[norcalctr]

Congrats! Great story!

[TswaneNguni]

Thanks for sharing .

[Seddyspaghetti]

“It’s happening” congrats.

[Ringhio]

Enjoy

[Carguy87]

Congrats man!! Who cares if you were “lucky” or not you walked in and got the watch you’ve lusted after the same day. I don’t care if it’s a “hot piece” or an “easy to get” model that’s a win in my book! Wear it in the best of health!

[rambo99]

congratulations!

[mathewdale]

Congrats.

[Moondoggy]

Congrats.

The days of me walking in and getting lucky are long gone.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by aboutadog

What happened was you were in the right place at the right time. Congrats!

Exactly that nothing more.

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

“It’s happening” congrats.

No swearing!!

[WalterE]

¡Enhorabuena!
For your future fatherhood and a really classic and beautiful watch. I love the Explorer!

[1995akcoop]

Luck would have been a Daytona! Enjoy and congratulations


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BLNR Nairobi]

Congratulations. Amazing watch. Really happy for you and may you enjoy it.

[Reikolexguy]

Congratulations! That is a great story. Enjoy the watch in good health!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Congrats. Great watch.

p.s. it’s just an “Explorer,” rather than “Explorer I,” fwiw.

For the record, it's Explorer I in some Rolex literature. This owner's manual for example

[HogwldFLTR]

Congratulations on a great score and a great watch! Enjoy it for many years to come!

[alphadweller]

Congratulations! Yes, I think there certainly was a fair amount of luck, good for you and wear it in good health.

[rmlovett1]

Right place, right time….big congratulations!