Rake's Progress

[Low_fell]

I thought I'd give an update on my quest to obtain my first Rolex.
The watch of my dreams is the 36mm Perpetual silver dial.

So in the current climate in the UK all the shops are closed so i took to the web to make enquiries. I started off with the UK's biggest chain of AD's. I got a relatively quick response forwarding my enquiry to the branch local to me. The response I got was that "Unfortunately due to high demand the model you are interested in is unavailable and we can add you to a register of interest"

I was offered more expensive Rolex alternatives. Whilst they very nice. They are not the one I have my heart set on.


I then had a brainwave to expand my search across the whole of the UK, not just my local area and I am currently awaiting responses.

I have just received my first response from a different dealer and it goes like this "Unfortunately due to high demand the model you are interested in is unavailable and we can add you to a register of interest"

Again I was offered more expensive Rolex alternatives. Whilst they very nice. They are not the one I have my heart set on.


Mmmm! Is there a pattern emerging here?
I'm just hoping one of the enquiries I make come up with a different answer once I've worked my way through the UK. I'll keep you posted.

[WalterE]

Fingers crossed! :-)

[Cigars&Watches]

You’re competing against others who are willing to buy “other” pieces to get that in demand watch not to mention all their previous customers they have to keep happy. Good luck tho!!

Curious to know what other pieces they offered you?

[brandrea]

Good luck OP

[Bryan81]

I think just about every other piece will be more expensive than the 36mm OP. So, I’m not sure they’re trying to upsell you, just offering you whatever else they actually have in stock.


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[trippinjimmy]

You should be able to grab a silver 36mm from a ts with minimal markup. They’ll actually earn your business too. I’d go that route.


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[brucethemanlee]

Best of luck. I’m not trying to dissuade you from trying to get your dream watch but you need to realize )or maybe u do) that ADs get loads of these emails everyday and large ADs get hundreds of requests a day for SS models

I know places are in lockdown but you need to get face to face

[Low_fell]

Today is hopefully the day! I'm on my way to AD as I type who may or may not have the watch I've dreamed about since I was 18.

Watch this space. Fingers crossed.

[Number3]

Good luck. Hoping for a great outcome.

[Oxfordian]

Good luck on your hunt for the watch, hope it all works out for you.

[bp1000]

People use to do this for nautilus and ROs and occasionally find a dealer who could supply

Now it’s OPs. How times have changed

[Master_Grogu]

Originally Posted by bp1000

People use to do this for nautilus and ROs and occasionally find a dealer who could supply

Now it’s OPs. How times have changed

Soon, simply basking at a Rolex logo will be a privilege and peasants will have to divert their gaze.

[Cambo]

Patience! It will come. Out of curiosity, what more expensive models were you offered?

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by Low_fell

Today is hopefully the day! I'm on my way to AD as I type who may or may not have the watch I've dreamed about since I was 18.

Watch this space. Fingers crossed.

First interview. I hope you’ve prepared. Good luck.

[Low_fell]

I'm actually in gents!I'm as thrilled as a five year old on Xmas day in 1975 presented with a "Talking Action Man". I'll do a full tale in the morning.

[madgpol]

[Low_fell]

Ok, the story begins when I tried the local AD in this area & was advised that I would need to wait & "Register my interest" . Thought there has to be a better way than this. So I went on to the Rolex website and looked at map of the UK and I was looking for a place where there would be a few AD's close together.
The only place I could see that was London, so I immediately started firing off emails and advising them what I was after and asking availability. They all said I would need to make an appointment for when the stores opened after Covid lockdown just to register my interest.

So, I looked at the map and made three appointments based on geographical location. one for 11am one for 1130 which i new was pushing it and one for 1345. My aim was to try and cut through the small talk and just ask them if they either had or didn't have the watch I wanted and then move on to the next one if they didn't.

The day before I was due to go I got a call from my first appointment telling me that they actually had a watch for me to look at.

I'm naturally cynical so i thought until it's on my wrist I won't be counting any chickens.
Anyway. appointment one I turned up and the did indeed have a watch for me, so whilst he went off to get it, I quickly cancelled my other two appointments on my phone.

I asked if I could try on the 34mm as well to for comparison and I just thought it looked more feminine , so in the end I got the 36mm OP in silver dial with gold accents and hands and I'm absolutely thrilled with it. It was a very straight forward transaction and I couldn't fault the people in the AD. I'll get some shots soon to post up. Job done, I can now relax!

[nigelUK]

Proper pleased for you ! well done

... and I like the silver dial alot

[Jack T]

Wow, that’s great. There’s hope! Enjoy the watch.

[Boaters]

Awesome story big congratulations.

[N_Architect]

I had the silver dial OP 116000 (back in 2013) and it was one of the best timepieces that have gone through my wrist. Congratulations and always wear in good health.

[Low_fell]

I'm no David Bailey, but here you go. It just looks brilliant when it catches the sunlight. Amazing in my humble opinion.

[nigelUK]

David Bailey !

[DoctorsOrders]

Keep pushing OP! Persistence will pay off!!

[Cigars&Watches]

Congrats!! Glad it worked out for you. Looks great!

[thenewrick]

This is the best Rolex release of the past 15 years. This is the one people will still wear and pass down long after the colored bezel and meteorite dial platinums all become blase

[Benzsiam]

Big congratulations!

It’s always good to hear a happy ending story.