from Zero To Panda, an experiment

[Podmornica]

Originally Posted by Topspin14m

You picked the wrong year to start this...

No, he picked the right year. The watch market is crumbling. The wrong year would be 2019.

[MrPorter_008]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

No, he picked the right year. The watch market is crumbling. The wrong year would be 2019.

He's saying it's the wrong year because the 126500LN just came out, so the people who didn't get allocated the 116500LN are still on the list for 126500LN. On top of that, the people who have the 116500LN and want the 126500LN are back in line clamoring for it. The people who already have the 116500LN are presumably top clients so they will likely get first dibs.

[drrd]

It sounded pretty clear to start with:

‘Here's the game plan: I'm planning to walk into a brand new Rolex Authorized Dealer (AD) where I've never bought anything, and try to snag a stainless steel white dial Daytona. Home base is Miami, but I jet around to New York, LA, and Dallas for work quite a bit. If anyone's got a hot tip on an AD in those cities, shoot it my way. But to keep things interesting, I will pick a spot I've never checked out before.’

Then you clarified a few things:

‘… I know some of the people who work at the AD they are on the forum, but I will be posting pictures and etc from it’.

‘ I never said it will take me one day to get it lol I will start purchase history and I will see how long it will take me from first purchased all the way to Panda’.

The original plan sounded straight forward, if uneventful; you ask for a panda at lots of places and wait. We all know how that goes.

It sounds more like you’ve worked out a deal with one AD to purchase multiple pieces culminating in the Daytona, and you’re going to ‘blog this journey.

This sounds like it would benefit the AD (‘it’). They can direct other punters just starting on this quest to said blog, reassuring them that their grail piece is attainable in a relatively straightforward way and in a realistic timeframe.

Obviously that’s nonsense. The AD can stall at any point along the chain of purchases. Rolex wouldn’t permit them to explicitly lay out such a scheme anyway.

That’s the beauty of A.N. Other client’s blog.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

To help maximize your chances, I suggest not referring at the ADs to the white dial 126500LN as a “Panda”. One, it doesn’t have a “Panda” dial. Two, referring to it as such to a dealer might make you seem like someone more interested in flipping it than a true fan of the watch.

That, or maybe it doesn’t make a difference and I just don’t like the nickname.

Good luck!

Right?

[weissach]

Looking forward to the updates. Good luck!

[ratty]

Well a few months ago the forum had numerous people stating "it's happening" so, if they were right, you shouldn't have too many problems should you!

Please let us know how you get on on and I hope you enjoy your travels.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

To help maximize your chances, I suggest not referring at the ADs to the white dial 126500LN as a “Panda”. One, it doesn’t have a “Panda” dial. Two, referring to it as such to a dealer might make you seem like someone more interested in flipping it than a true fan of the watch.

That, or maybe it doesn’t make a difference and I just don’t like the nickname.

Good luck!

I find the name Panda does have an unintended effect on the ADs.

[1William]

At some point in this journey you will get the Daytona. A better measure would be to start the journey, stay quite and just go into the AD's. The social media attention this will draw, along with the input from members will have an AD step up and provide the watch. Cheap advertisement for the AD that provides the watch and more hype for the brand. This is a good strategy to get a watch that otherwise you would never get from an AD. I would say keep us posted but we know that is going to happen. Good luck.

[GONZO2LR]

So many negative people on here..he said a new AD, he knows there ar AD people lurking on this website and others and i crack up on folks here that talk for Rolex like they sleep with Rolex and ate breakfast earlier....

Great plan dude.....it will be funny as hell if he gets one on his first 3 tries......a lot of crow eating will happen...

you sound like you got the personality and drive to get it....Good Luck....

just my 2 sense/cents...ha!

[buffetwarren]

Good luck. I’m trying this right now with the Pepsi during my work related travel. I tell the ADs I’m a local despite my phone number. The way I see it, I have nothing to lose. I’m already in town and it takes me 5 minutes to pop into an AD (which are always downtown and near my hotel anyway).

[samuel019]

Well being you have a history here on Trf of some solid incomings you might land one pretty quick.

But you stated it has to be a New A D with zero spend right?

[cv5]

Keep us updated when it happens...Good luck!

[Snowballs]

Originally Posted by buffetwarren

Good luck. I’m trying this right now with the Pepsi during my work related travel. I tell the ADs I’m a local despite my phone number. The way I see it, I have nothing to lose. I’m already in town and it takes me 5 minutes to pop into an AD (which are always downtown and near my hotel anyway).

And about 5 minutes for the 'local AD' to determine you are likely not 'a local.' but YMMV.....

[MarioB83]

Hey I think is a great idea. Good luck with the journey and thanks for posting as much details as possible.
I'm acting as a mad dog in the last 2 months. I'd visited several AD's in several countries and kind of good behaviour and attention in all of them. Will still knocking on in as much as I can do

[padi56]

Originally Posted by russ86

I’m not doing this just to get a panda, if I waned I would buy grey, I’m doing purely for the experiment sake to find out how long it will take me from scratch to get it

What's a Panda.??

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by buffetwarren

Good luck. I’m trying this right now with the Pepsi during my work related travel. I tell the ADs I’m a local despite my phone number. The way I see it, I have nothing to lose. I’m already in town and it takes me 5 minutes to pop into an AD (which are always downtown and near my hotel anyway).

When they give you the call and want you to come in the next day, you’ll have to fly out and then provide an address to them, which won’t be local. Why not just tell them you are traveling? I’ve been able to buy watches, including multiple PM and a white dial SS Daytona at remote ADs, but by telling them the truth. Why do you think you need to lie to them?


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[GONZO2LR]

its a bear man......one of those cute white and black ones...

[zi464]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

I expressed interest in white dial Daytona 116520 back in 2010 with ZERO purchase history at a particular AD. I kept checking in every 5-6 months until 2014 and then let it sort of fall off without checking up. Fast forward to early 2022, when I went back into this AD as I started traveling to this city again a lot for business. I spoke to the store director stating I had tried to the the previous generation white dial 116520 for my 50th birthday in 2013, but now (12 years on the list) really wanted her help to get it done for my 60th birthday in 2023. Five months later, I got the call to come see her in the store. I flew up the next day, and there it was ... my brand new 116500 white dial! No purchase history, but 13 years of waiting.

Good luck with your experiment, but doubt you'll get one without either a huge spend or a LONG time on the list AND a big event to celebrate.

Holy , but congrats

[Njkdog]

Sounds like the dubi expat and the Pepsi

[JLM3]

Best of luck !!!

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by russ86

I’m not doing this just to get a panda, if I waned I would buy grey, I’m doing purely for the experiment sake to find out how long it will take me from scratch to get it

You must have a lot of money to burn lol. I'll be following along. . Good luck.

[buffetwarren]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

When they give you the call and want you to come in the next day, you’ll have to fly out and then provide an address to them, which won’t be local. Why not just tell them you are traveling? I’ve been able to buy watches, including multiple PM and a white dial SS Daytona at remote ADs, but by telling them the truth. Why do you think you need to lie to them?


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Flying in the next day is still way cheaper than going grey. I’ve never had a Rolex AD ask for my address upon purchase. They just ask for your credit card.

[Kenny G]

This will likely be more of a “from zero to zero” thing

[doublevanose82]

Originally Posted by russ86

You guys get to tag along for the whole ride. Shoot me suggestions, ideas, etc.

https://twitter.com/watchspringinc

Sounds like fun, I'm in!!

[russ86]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

No, he picked the right year. The watch market is crumbling. The wrong year would be 2019.

I agree, I picked the good year to start. I bet this will take me under a year, I will build a purchase history of the bet, will buy few pieces and then will work my magic and bombard them with Panda requests.

[Sofodot]

Good luck.

[train-time]

Looking forward to hearing the updates along the journey....

Heck, stranger things have happened.

[amphr1]

Guess I better bookmark this for the update every 5 years or so.

[Santiago32]

I’ll check back in 2030

[rockysw]

that does sound like a fun experiment.