How many of you have actually purchased a non-Rolex because of the “shortage”

[TheVTCGuy]

We have all complained about it for sure, and IMHO rightfully so, and we can debate for decades (probably will) about the ethics and tactics and strategy etc. And, we have all made threatening statements like: “I am through with Rolex! I will not put accept either being put on a nine-year wait list or being forced to pay double MSRP to a Gray dealer to get the sport model I want” I COMPLETELY agree by the way, what Rolex is doing boarders on the ridiculous, but have any TRFers actually gone out and purchased a different manufacturer because of all this Bull$)@(? If so, please, share your story and which watch you went with instead of the Rolex you were seeking; (and for this thread, Tudor also counts as a “non-Rolex”)

[MattPegler]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

We have all complained about it for sure, and IMHO rightfully so, and we can debate for decades (probably will) about the ethics and tactics and strategy etc. And, we have all made threatening statements like: “I am through with Rolex! I will not put accept either being put on a nine-year wait list or being forced to pay double MSRP to a Gray dealer to get the sport model I want” I COMPLETELY agree by the way, what Rolex is doing boarders on the ridiculous, but have any TRFers actually gone out and purchased a different manufacturer because of all this Bull$)@(? If so, please, share your story and which watch you went with instead of the Rolex you were seeking; (and for this thread, Tudor also counts as a “non-Rolex”)

I am on a waitlist for a 116610LN, and upon being told I probably won't see it until 2020 or 2021 I am now in the process of purchasing a BB58... maybe that was their strategy all along

[r_afficionado]

Not instead of. But recently I have purchased 2 GS's, 2 Oris's and about to buy a Tudor.

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[GB-man]

Yes for sure paul. I’ve been buying APs. It’s been easier I’ll admit because Rolex had , for me anyways, a dud Basel this year.

[andrewjb88]

I bought an Omega because of the wait for the Tudor GMT, so now have GMT and Seamaster

[MrEleven]

Ive recently bought a AP diver because I didn’t want to wait on a list or pay grey prices for a rolex diver and best move ive ever made

[mactruck]

I picked up an Omega yesterday not entirely because of Rolex shortage but mainly because I like it. It felt good to pay so little.

[Krash]

I’m in no hurry, and willing to wait, but I want a Datejust that suddenly seems hard to get.

However, I could walk into any Omega boutique and get an Aqua Tera that I like a lot. It’s about 40% cheaper and maybe with the money I save, I could get a new 75” QLED TV that I’ve been eyeing. Just a thought...




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[APPRF]

Bought a Longines Legend Diver and a used YG Day Date while waiting for grail watches from Rolex. The AD I bought my Root Beer from is asking grey market prices for the Rolex models I want. Are they allowed to do that?

[Ichiran]

Better than Rolex imo. This is not a step down at all.
IMG_06072019_152915_(800_x_1000_pixel).jpg

[teck21]

Originally Posted by APPRF

Bought a Longines Legend Diver and a used YG Day Date while waiting for grail watches from Rolex. The AD I bought my Root Beer from is asking grey market prices for the Rolex models I want. Are they allowed to do that?

Absolutely not for stock received from Rolex.

As for second hand, I’m not sure, doesn’t happen in my country as well and I’m not sure why it would be allowed. Conflict of interest sort of thing. Read about this happening elsewhere though.


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[APPRF]

He doesn't deal with second hand, all new.

[DGB]

Same frustration here, after waiting years for a Daytona, I moved on, got an Omega, then a Royal Oak, a Journe and a Blancpain.
I still go from time to time to my AD, but get always the same BS reply.
I know my chances of getting a Daytona from an AD are close to zero.
I accepted an moved on.


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[arcadelt]

I haven’t considered a Rolex for years, and have bought many watches since my Sub purchase in 2012. Funny, but all this talk about Rolex makes me want another, but certainly not at the prices are being asked for, so I'll go on buying other watches.

[harshad4005]

Bought an ElPrimero coz couldn’t get a Daytona and really happy with the purchase.


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[VicLeChic]

I've recently added the Speedy Racing 44 I've been wanting since 2017.

Still waiting for a steel Pepsi but realistically there's little chance I'll get the call from my AD anytime soon.

It's alright, really enjoying the Speedy as it's my dream chrono!

[yoniman]

Bought a Seiko Frost Monster after waiting for a BLNR for three years.

Seiko feels more liberating as I don't have to exercise a certain degree of prudence as compared to my fancy ass Bluesy.

Cheers

[yoniman]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

I've recently added the Speedy Racing 44 I've been wanting since 2017.

Still waiting for a steel Pepsi but realistically there's little chance I'll get the call from my AD anytime soon.

It's alright, really enjoying the Speedy as it's my dream chrono!

Man, that is gorgeous!

Cheers

[FATO]

In the 2008 housing crisis, my friend was abled to get two ss daytonas ( black and white dials). In one AD he walked in and it just happened that a customer had just foreclosed on his home and couldn’t pick up the Daytona that was allotted for him so my friend snatched it up. In a second AD, he walked in and they had it in the back. He was actively looking for these watches in a time when people didn’t have the funds to keep their homes let alone buying luxury watches. Can you wait until a next major financial crisis?

[stevedssd]

I'm no longer interested in new Rolex, been put completely off by all the AD nonsense. I've moved to vintage Rolex, bought 7 Omega Speedmasters (bit of an obsession) a Seamaster and I'm now considering a Zenith El Primero. Even if the ability to buy SS Sport went back to where it was 3-4 years ago, I wouldn't be interested, Rolex has lost me as a buyer.

[Joearch]

A few Panerai

[Verdi]

I did not purchase another brand watch because I had nothing on my wish list apart from a Patek.

What the shortage did was to make me buy a DD now rather than later in life...

[AK797]

I bought a VC, BP and a Breitling last year partly because of the shortage but also because I have been thru a lot of Rolexes now and fancied something different. They were fun for a while but not keepers. AP, PP and Rolex are my core three still.

[cloudplay]

I had to apologize to the salesladies in the FRA airport store today - I couldn't help but laugh at the 128 (?) watch capacity display case, with 2(!) two-tone ladies datejusts in it.

As Rolex doesn't want my money, I put down a deposit on a grey 15500 at an AP boutique earlier this year - supposedly I'm now next in line. Gratuitous internet pic attached below.
15500.jpg

[1William]

The so-called AD shortage has helped me look elsewhere but I typically do that anyway. The value of some brands like Grand Seiko, Seiko, Panerai, Omega and Breitling has helped me acquire some of the models I have looked at for years. It has helped me get on the learning curve with these brands and I apply the same principle of buying right and not getting hurt. When the bubble bursts, I am not sure that I go back to Rolex with the same depth and enthusiasm. We will see.

[kbutler1]

No, but my wish list of watches has several other brands. Omega, Tudor, Cartier, PP, Glashutte, Panerai, etc.

[Spartacus]

I was heading out for a beach vacation in 2017 and was hoping to pick up a sub, ended up getting a Pelagos due to lack of supply and timing.

I am happy with the Pelagos, but I still want a Sub.

[tkc324]

Picks up a 16613 since. If you look hard enough there are still some 4 and 5 digit rolexes that are great buys right now.

[Verbow]

Absolutely.

I’ve been collecting watches for less than two years, and originally had a bias against Rolex and a perceived nouveau riche snob appeal, but as I’ve gotten deeper into this that’s changed.

But I still don’t own a Rolex. A Glashutte Original, Omega, IWC, Sarpaneva, and Tudor Pelagos - but no Rolex. I don’t see that changing in the immediate future.

I’d love to have a Hulk - or a Panda Daytona - but considering I could get an AP Royal Oak AND an Omega Speedmaster LE Daytona clone for the same price as a Daytona at current grey market prices - it’s not going to happen.

Am I frustrated? Sure. But it’s still only a hobby, I’m having a lot of fun with it, and I’ll continue to pick up other brands until those rumors of increased Rolex SS production materialize - if they ever do - cause I’m not paying these silly grey market prices when there’s so much other stuff out there...

[THC]

I will dabble in a non Rolex watch, when I win the current giveaway