from Zero To Panda, an experiment

[biza]

You never know if you don't try

[MJZRolex]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Won't happen but good luck with it.

I agree and good luck. This may end up being the longest thread ever created on TRF.

[SolanaWatches]

Highly, highly, highly unlikely to happen, but good luck to you, friend.

[sp5702]

That’s going to be one boring Twitter thread, if I’m being honest.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by russ86

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.

I have no doubt you will succeed! The only real question is what watch will you rock when you walk into the AD? Serious question!

I do often wonder if walking in with a heavy Rolex hitter (such as your space GMT) helps or hurts the conversation.

[russ86]

LOG NUMBER 1. #PandaChase

Hey folks! I've noticed some confusion around the forum about this experiment I'm doing. You see, I already have a Daytona - well, a couple of them. My curiosity is piqued - how long would it take someone completely random, just walking by, to forge a bond, how many watches you have to purchase before they offer you to buy one.

Now, let's get back to this little experiment of mine. I picked a city and an authorized dealer (AD) that I've never set foot in before. They stock a nice mix of watch brands as well.

A few days after my first post, and conveniently the day before Memorial Day, I had some work in this chosen city. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to pop into the AD. I was wearing my AP Royal Oak to give a certain impression, after some time of wondering around I struck up a conversation with a sales rep. Turns out, the guy used to work at Omega, which, fun fact, was the brand of my first ever luxury watch. So, we had a little heart-to-heart about that. Then (wink wink) I mentioned that I'm not a Rolex owner but would love to become one.

I mentioned to him that a Submariner would be a neat addition to my collection. Of course, I wouldn't dare to bring up the Daytona in our first meeting. He let me know about the waiting list, and one thing led to another, I ended up buying a Tudor BB58 Silver on a strap, just to kick things off with them.

I shared my interest in a few other watches too - Submariner, Explorer II and DayDate with Blue or White Dial, decided to go easy on them. He made note of it all. The guy was super chill and even introduced me to their manager. Now, the manager looked a bit wary when he saw my Florida ID during the purchase. But I calmed his nerves, telling him that I'm into real estate and own a bunch of properties in their state, which was the actual reason for my visit. He seemed more relaxed after that.

Anyway, I'll be back in town in a month or so. Will surely drop by to update my log.
Till then, keep ticking!
Also I post on twitter first, its just easier to use:
https://twitter.com/WatchSpringInc

[swexlin]

Congrats on the Tudor 925. I own one as well, great piece, and very versatile.

[Makers]

No chance. I've been living your experiment for the last five or six years, inquiring of ADs on every continent that has one (except Australia), not to mention perhaps a third of the 50 states. Always a good laugh, nothing more. You might try Sydney before I get there.

[Calatrava r]

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!

Excellent advice

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by padi56

What's a Panda.??

What’s twitter?

[d.n.d.]

Looking forward to more updates OP.

Also since we are on thr subject, has anyone else asked for the new Daytona? What are you guys getting quoted for wait times?

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Al1969

What’s twitter?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[VincentM]

Originally Posted by padi56

What's a Panda.??

Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

[Dragline]

"You see, I already have a Daytona - well, a couple of them." Nice flex.

[Calatrava r]

Virtually every AD only sells SS Daytona's to long term valuable clients, customers who want to make a large purchase on highly marked-up jewelry in connection with the Daytona purchase or highly prominent wealthy people where the transaction would be of great benefit to the store in terms of the notoriety or customer formation. To sell a white dial SS Daytona to an average unknown customer off the street who just happens to walk in the store would be the dumbest marketing move an AD could make.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by padi56

What's a Panda.??

Isn't this a true Panda? Don't know what the wait time is.

[NachoNeal]

Fun experiment! You've got spunk.

[Snowballs]

Dream on but hope springs eternal

[Nico81]

I wish I had time to waste like OP


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[garyk]

Originally Posted by VincentM

Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

Doesn't make it correct. Misused nickname which has always identified watch dials with solid black subdials. But gee thanks for pointing this out otherwise would have had to rely on the first 100 times...

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by VincentM

Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

Since so many people now refer to this model as the "Panda Daytona", Rolex put the link from the term Panda to this SS model in their search engine. This was obviously done to expedite the sale of these watches to the public by allowing people and dealers quick access to specs and cost of the watch.

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by russ86

LOG NUMBER 1. #PandaChase

Hey folks! I've noticed some confusion around the forum about this experiment I'm doing. You see, I already have a Daytona - well, a couple of them. My curiosity is piqued - how long would it take someone completely random, just walking by, to forge a bond, how many watches you have to purchase before they offer you to buy one.

Now, let's get back to this little experiment of mine. I picked a city and an authorized dealer (AD) that I've never set foot in before. They stock a nice mix of watch brands as well.

A few days after my first post, and conveniently the day before Memorial Day, I had some work in this chosen city. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to pop into the AD. I was wearing my AP Royal Oak to give a certain impression, after some time of wondering around I struck up a conversation with a sales rep. Turns out, the guy used to work at Omega, which, fun fact, was the brand of my first ever luxury watch. So, we had a little heart-to-heart about that. Then (wink wink) I mentioned that I'm not a Rolex owner but would love to become one.

I mentioned to him that a Submariner would be a neat addition to my collection. Of course, I wouldn't dare to bring up the Daytona in our first meeting. He let me know about the waiting list, and one thing led to another, I ended up buying a Tudor BB58 Silver on a strap, just to kick things off with them.

I shared my interest in a few other watches too - Submariner, Explorer II and DayDate with Blue or White Dial, decided to go easy on them. He made note of it all. The guy was super chill and even introduced me to their manager. Now, the manager looked a bit wary when he saw my Florida ID during the purchase. But I calmed his nerves, telling him that I'm into real estate and own a bunch of properties in their state, which was the actual reason for my visit. He seemed more relaxed after that.

Anyway, I'll be back in town in a month or so. Will surely drop by to update my log.
Till then, keep ticking!
Also I post on twitter first, its just easier to use:
https://twitter.com/WatchSpringInc

I'm confused about the rules now Ross..

I thought it was how long to get a Daytona with no spend history? Buying a Tudor, albeit inexpensive, is establishing a purchase history no?

I wish you best of luck. Especially considering I probably won't be alive by the time the call comes.

I'm 50

[logan5tx]

I live in Austin but travel around the country for work. Back in 2017 I “put my name on the list” at several AD’s around the country for a white Daytona. One of these places was tiny Victoria, TX, a place I was shocked even had an AD. Two weeks later they called me and offered me a white Daytona. I was flabbergasted and of course I bought it. Never heard back from any of the other places I checked. I wore it for about three years before trading in for a Pepsi and some cash.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TVC15]

Something very off putting about this OP’s thread, seems disingenuous, childish and attention seeking.

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

I'm confused about the rules now Ross..

I thought it was how long to get a Daytona with no spend history? Buying a Tudor, albeit inexpensive, is establishing a purchase history no?

I wish you best of luck. Especially considering I probably won't be alive by the time the call comes.

I'm 50

Rule number 1: There are no rules.
Rule number 2. If there are rules, Ross makes the rules.
Rule number 3. See rule number 1 and rule number 2.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

I'm confused about the rules now Ross..

I thought it was how long to get a Daytona with no spend history? Buying a Tudor, albeit inexpensive, is establishing a purchase history no?

I wish you best of luck. Especially considering I probably won't be alive by the time the call comes.

I'm 50

Buying your way into a white dial Daytona isn’t the predicate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by Nico81

I wish I had time to waste like OP


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wish I had money to spend like OP. Seems like he's gonna go around building a relationship by purchasing watches to get a watch he already has. I want to be on that level.

[Razorsedge1]

Interesting experiment. Long shot but OP sounds pretty savvy so let's see what happens.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Nico81

I wish I had time to waste like OP

You mean time and money... I applaud OP for going through with this.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Since so many people now refer to this model as the "Panda Daytona", Rolex put the link from the term Panda to this SS model in their search engine. This was obviously done to expedite the sale of these watches to the public by allowing people and dealers quick access to specs and cost of the watch.

I know you are correct about this but all I could think of is how it probably expedited people to wait lists.