Rolex Availability in UK? Heathrow?

[jimmpsi]

I know there's been some older posts about this, but wondering how things are looking now. I'll be going to London in mid-june and was eyeing up some pieces. Namely, the Milgauss in blue, BLNR, and the LN. How are stock of these in area AD's and in Heathrow (terminal 3). Given the exchange rate and VAT, I think it would be worth my trying to pick one of these up.

[ssetem]

you might see the milgauss, but unlikely on others, watches of switzerland dont supply much SS Sport stock to heathrow

[WatchOut4It]

I can confirm ssetem's assessment as I was just in London last week. I visited 15 Rolex ADs, including the one in LHR terminal 3, and the pickings were slim. Plenty of DD and PM models, but not a single stainless steel Sub, Explorer or GMT II to be found. You're better off finding a TD and just buying in the states.

[ssetem]

i seen milgaus, explorers, black gmt in central ADs, you can still get tax off

[SC11]

Originally Posted by jimmpsi

I know there's been some older posts about this, but wondering how things are looking now. I'll be going to London in mid-june and was eyeing up some pieces. Namely, the Milgauss in blue, BLNR, and the LN. How are stock of these in area AD's and in Heathrow (terminal 3). Given the exchange rate and VAT, I think it would be worth my trying to pick one of these up.

Milgauss and I'm assuming 116710LN should be easy enough to locate in or around London, the BLNR highly unlikely unless you enquire with a few AD's in advance it's been noted on a UK forum the typical BLNR wait is a few months (out of London)

As for the airport they don't hold a waiting list so it's first come first served and they have had all the popular models including the Daytona but it's all based on luck as most of the decent stock gets snapped up straight away.

[jimmpsi]

Thanks for the info. I'll just hop around and see if I can get lucky with availability (and exchange rate). If not, I'll just pick up from one of the trusted sellers here.

[AK797]

Milgauss should be no problem in London, at Heathrow is pure timing and luck, the GMTc will need luck too.

[freebo]

T4 one had a SubC no-date when I was in a week ago, I'd just got my BLNR and was window shopping for a ladies DJ for my wife.

I know it will be gone now, but was surprised that they had it in stock.

[md2010]

will be in London end of May first weeks on June . Love to know the update. Looking to get BLNR or nothing.

[freebo]

Originally Posted by md2010

will be in London end of May first weeks on June . Love to know the update. Looking to get BLNR or nothing.

That might be tough, I started emailing 9 months before my trip and was very lucky to get one at a regional AD.

Virtually no chance at heathrow, best bet is to start emailing London AD's now, explain when you'll be there and that you're good to go.

Another option is your stop-over airport, I tried mine (Abhu Dhabi) but they wanted 100% up front & couldn't supply for 6 weeks.

[coleburns]

it's down to luck but you will hardly find a desirable SS. I was flying from terminal 5 in April and they literally just received a delivery for SS Sub and GMTIIC (all black bezel) which was crazy.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by md2010

will be in London end of May first weeks on June . Love to know the update. Looking to get BLNR or nothing.

No real chance, even if they had one they won't sell to a foreigner.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by AK797

No real chance, even if they had one they won't sell to a foreigner.

X2, locals struggle to get them and often ADs are stuffy about selling to non locals.

Always worth a try of course.

[AS1]

Originally Posted by AK797

No real chance, even if they had one they won't sell to a foreigner.

Tough indeed, I had to tone down my Leicester accent when I lived in London

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by AK797

No real chance, even if they had one they won't sell to a foreigner.

Even at an airport retailer?

[Joe narvey]

If flying long haul try London Heathrow T2 to Zurich that way you get UK VAT off plus duty free shopping in Zurich which has a good selection of watch brands albeit limited number of Rolex sports watches.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Even at an airport retailer?

I thought this as well...but I'm not an airport shopper. So I'll go with the experts.

Just amazed at the "scarcity" in the UK

[AM4R]

I picked up my BLNR from heathrow last Oct. It's possible...good luck!

I was super lucky mind...

[Wildy]

Looking for SS Rolex in UK airports is like shopping in North Korea, nothing worth buying unless you are extremely lucky.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by AS1

Tough indeed, I had to tone down my Leicester accent when I lived in London

And just when I was perfecting my Mandarin with a touch of Russian Oligopoly accent now I'm back to going thru the shires.

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Even at an airport retailer?

Here is probably OK but almost zero chance of finding one, but one could arrive the hour you are there, can't be more than 2/3 BLNRs in a year.

[JasonKrick]

Was in Heathrow last week. Terminal 5. No SS sports models. Lots of DJ's and DD's. and one WG Daytona...I think.

I didn't realize that SS sports were that popular in the U.K. I was sitting near three guys and they all had on Rolex SS sports models on. I thought nothing of it. Especially with my DSSD blue.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Wildy

like shopping in North Korea, nothing worth buying unless you are extremely lucky.

Would still make for interesting conversation I reckon...

[md2010]

Originally Posted by AK797

No real chance, even if they had one they won't sell to a foreigner.

wow that's a shame - Brits could really use some of the foreign money to boost the economy !

[AK797]

Originally Posted by md2010

wow that's a shame - Brits could really use some of the foreign money to boost the economy !

Yeah that ship has sailed, after Brexit the whole world came for a summer party and cleared us out!

[schnitzerphilip]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Even at an airport retailer?

Last November I was in the Rolex dealer at Heathrow and was admiring a Tudor Black Bay 36 which I was this close to buying, it was no secret I was an American heading back to the States.

Unless Rolex rules don't apply to Tudor...

[md2010]

^^ the information that I have gathered that Rolex stores at the airport only sells to passengers with international passport.

[freebo]

Originally Posted by md2010

^^ the information that I have gathered that Rolex stores at the airport only sells to passengers with international passport.

I think that's incorrect. More that they only sell PM Rolexes as they almost never have SS ones, and when they do they're gone in seconds.

Source: Australian who visited them last week. They actually said "if you want an SS model you need to go one of our non-airport stores.

[md2010]

Originally Posted by freebo

I think that's incorrect. More that they only sell PM Rolexes as they almost never have SS ones, and when they do they're gone in seconds.

Source: Australian who visited them last week. They actually said "if you want an SS model you need to go one of our non-airport stores.

Will try my luck next week when I will be in Heathrow. Going via HK - if no luck on BLNR will try in HK.

[R1150rsa]

I passed through Heathrow last week, and just on a fluke I found a Explorer II (Black face) on display - I picked it up immediately. I passed through Heathrow two more time or the course on a week and there had been no new SS watches available. Apparently, they go out as quickly as they come in. It was my lucky day!

[Ewellblue]

I'm a contractor and work at both T5 & T4. T5 has never had any SS models when I pop in. T4 on the other hand has always had a few, last time I was there they had a Sub date, GMT LN, explorer, yauht master and a seadweller. I'm back at T4 next month so will report back as soon as I can!!