New Member in Florida - Looking for first Rolex

[thenewrick]

Howdy all.

I've become interested in watch collecting in the past year and I'm ready to buy my first luxury watch.

I'm trying to buy a new Rolex but my closest AD is 3 hours away and of course has virtually no stock available for me.

I'm just doing my best to try and get on wait lists and continuing to learn. I know my chances are virtually 0 but you can't win if you don't play right?

[dbacr]

Wow, kinda surprised no AD in Tallahassee. Take a long weekend to Destin and make friends. You should try a few on as well.

[Psmith]

Welcome

[HL65]

Welcome

[Urosfan]

Welcome


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[thenewrick]

We had an AD for years but lost it recently. I'm not entirely sure why. Tallahassee has been growing consistently and I know there's a strong demand here.

I've been able to try a few on while on a business trip to Miami. I can't remember much from that experience other than solid platinum Presidents are heavy. :)

I'm going to Destin tomorrow to meet the AD there and try and get myself on a list for a handful of models. Then fingers crossed they think of me when the time comes.

My short term goal (5 or so years) is to start a two watch collection; an everyday Rolex sports model and a dress watch. I plan to keep them forever and never sell/flip anything I buy and pass them on to the next generation.

If I could pick anything I'd like the new Submariner green bezel with a jubilee bracelet because I like the idea of a more comfortable, breathable, bracelet. But I'm sure I'd be happy with the new larger oyster bracelet as well.

I think the new OP 41 in silver is pretty nice too. I have a feeling that's the only model I'll have a chance at purchasing so I'm trying to have realistic expectations.

[Audemars Piguet]

Welcome

[GWL2]

Welcome


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[KBM]

Welcome to TRF and good luck on the hunt!

[thenewrick]

I went to the AD today and tried on some models.

I showed interested in the steel Submariner no-date/green bezel, the GMT Master II Pepsi and Batgirl, and an Oyster Perpetual 41 silver dial.

Now I just wait. I wonder how long it'll take!

[rfs]

Welcome to the forum!

[JayHantz]

Welcome to the forums. It has been awhile since I lived in the Panhandle so I don't know the SS situation there, but I suspect that it's like everywhere else. Good luck with the hunt and let us know when you get the call!

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

[thenewrick]

I think when Dothan and Tallahassee lost their AD's it created a huge vacuum for this entire 300 square mile area. I have a feeling there's massive demand and long lists.

My internal ETA is 6 months for the OP 41 Silver dial and 2 years for a sports model.

I'm also saving up for a dress watch. I'm leaning towards a JLC Master Ultra Thin Moonphase but I'm years away from that purchase. Plenty of time to research and see what's out there.

I actually like Cellini's but I wish they were a little more affordable.

[HogwldFLTR]

You might try DavidSW or some of the other Florida based grey dealer/Trusted Sellers. Welcome!!!

[thenewrick]

I'm trying hard to not buy Grey Market. I like the idea of being the first owner and going through officially approved channels.

I also want me name on all the original paperwork and receipt. I think I read that maybe they weren't writing original owners names on, "Papers" anymore but I'm unsure on that.

I want the watch to be only mine forever essentially. I don't want to support the Grey Market if I can help it.

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

I'm trying hard to not buy Grey Market. I like the idea of being the first owner and going through officially approved channels.

I also want me name on all the original paperwork and receipt. I think I read that maybe they weren't writing original owners names on, "Papers" anymore but I'm unsure on that.

I want the watch to be only mine forever essentially. I don't want to support the Grey Market if I can help it.

Welcome to TRF.

The buyer name and AD name have been removed from the latest version of the warranty card. I think the watch resellers are more unofficially approved than we think.



I hope you can find an OP 41 and S/S watch in your time frame.

[42itus]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

I'm trying hard to not buy Grey Market. I like the idea of being the first owner and going through officially approved channels.

I also want me name on all the original paperwork and receipt. I think I read that maybe they weren't writing original owners names on, "Papers" anymore but I'm unsure on that.

I want the watch to be only mine forever essentially. I don't want to support the Grey Market if I can help it.

I see your point but the other side is that you can enjoy it right now if you go to the grey market.
You make it sound like the grey market is a bad thing. I think the grey market is good because it allows people to get what they want without waiting or playing the AD game. Grey market is great if you’re looking for brands that resell for less than retail.

And with names not being written on cards anymore you can buy grey and essentially still be the first owner.


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[thenewrick]

I guess I'm more of a purist and romanticist.

I'm also not a speculator/investor/flipper so I'm not really as concerned about resale value as much as just getting an authentic, first-owner type of experience.

I also don't want to pay Grey Market prices of course!

I think the only way I would want to buy a used/unworn watch was if it was from a personal friend type of situation.

The idea of the Grey Market just feels a bit icky to me. But, I'm a newcomer and don't really fit the typical Rolex meta. I know for most folks it's about getting the best and getting good deals and showing off and flipping for profits but none of that is really my thing. It's all good, to each their own!

[Allanmodel]

Welcome to TRF~~

[Bruce_Wayne]

Welcome! I was born and raised in Tallahasee, my family is still there. I hardly recognize it just from the last 7yrs. I didn't even know there was an AD there ever...

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[thenewrick]

Right on. I'm a native here, 37 years old. I went to local jewelers asking about used Rolex inventory and met a salesmen at one of the stores who told me the history of Rolex in Tallahassee. I'm not sure how they lost their AD status but it probably wasn't a good story to tell.

We have one primary watch repair shop and when I went there he had a few older Datejusts and wore a yellow gold blue dial Submariner.

I used to visit Destin in the late 80's because my grandparents lived there. Talk about a big change.. It went from sleepy southern town to where I saw my first Ferrari in the blink of an eye.