First Rolex - AK - Experience

[Sdl67]

Dear all, first of all thank you for accepting me on the forum.

I am 28 and always loved watches and had some since I am a kid (Casio, G-Schock, Seiko Sport 5 etc).
Lately I wanted a Rolex for the first time and went to AD's in my city, that never called me back (one of them even lost his partnership with Rolex without telling me that the waiting list was over).

So I decided to go in Basel (I live in France near Switzerland).

On December 2022 I registered on the lists of two ADs, asking for an Air King (the first reason being that I like it, the second being that in any case, not being a regular customer, they refused to offer me another model, and the third reason being that I couldn't afford a more expensive one anyway ).

First one told me they can not give an estimate of time.
Second told me approximately 9 months, but nothing sure.

Time to time I was sending them e-mails to let them know that I'm serious customer and I want to know where things stand.

Finally few weeks ago the second one called me, the AK is finally arrived
I was happy and also glad that I could finally get some history with the AD, so maybe easier to get new ones.
But unfortunately, they told me their partnership with Rolex would end this end of year

So I ran up to the other location and showed them the AK in my bag (so they can see I would be a trusted customer) and cancelled my first registration so I could ask for 2 other professional models.
Again, they told me that we never know when they will come...

At the end, I am glad that I finally got my Rolex at 28 and lived the experience of being called by an AD. Maybe this would be the first and only one life time, as I have no history in the one AD I've asked for the 2 watches.

I am waiting a little bit before wearing the AK, just the time to put back some money aside, to be on a safe side (we never know in life, hoping I won't have to resell it soon xD).

On the other hand, I am on the waiting list for a GMT-Master 2 Blue-Black and a Titane Yacht-Master 42, that I could not afford if they call me tomorrow but I do hope receive one day. Even if to be honest, I don't really think there's much chance of them calling me...

VOILA
Thank you

[Harry-57]

Congratulations. When your GMT and YM eventually come through you'll have a very nice collection.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Sdl67]

Originally Posted by 1William

Congratulations.

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Congratulations. When your GMT and YM eventually come through you'll have a very nice collection.

Thank you so much :)
I would love to receive the YM, but I think there's no many chances, they will surely prioritize the already known customers.

[KatGirl]

Great that you got your Air King. Now, wear it! Welcome to the forum.

Kat


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[raips]

I think chances are not good that your first 2 purchases from this AD will be a batman and a titanium yachtmaster. Even for the batman you will need a decent spend history. Shame the AD you bought from lost their AD status otherwise you could have worked with them.

[Gearjockey]

Congratulations on the first purchase. AK is an outstanding watch! I might add it is refreshing to read such honesty with zero pretense. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect something such as a GMT in the near future so keep your powder dry. Things are changing rapidly.

[JSL121]

The AK is a great watch. Congrats on your first Rolex and welcome to TRF!

[Rollei35]

congrats on your first watch. I was wearing an Omega Planet Ocean. when I was at your age. You are better off already.

Here is a path I laid for you:
You should aim for a Sub or GMT next, then a humble all steel DJ before moving to DD

[Sdl67]

Originally Posted by raips

I think chances are not good that your first 2 purchases from this AD will be a batman and a titanium yachtmaster. Even for the batman you will need a decent spend history. Shame the AD you bought from lost their AD status otherwise you could have worked with them.

Yes, as soon as I entered the shop, she said "you are lucky this is one of the last Rolex we are getting". Inside I was 50% Super happy and grateful, and 50% sad that I couldn't work with them anymore (they were ultra nice people).

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

Congratulations on the first purchase. AK is an outstanding watch! I might add it is refreshing to read such honesty with zero pretense. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect something such as a GMT in the near future so keep your powder dry. Things are changing rapidly.

Thanks :) I know there will be wait anyway, but just hoping it's not a lost hope, and not 8 years waiting

Originally Posted by Rollei35

congrats on your first watch. I was wearing an Omega Planet Ocean. when I was at your age. You are better off already.

Here is a path I laid for you:
You should aim for a Sub or GMT next, then a humble all steel DJ before moving to DD

Thank you The Omega Planet Ocean is also a super beautiful watch :)
I am not a big fan of the Sub, I mean, she's great, but if I can choose, I would prefere the YM. And yes DD or DJ will be the next step in the list, once (IF) I will get a GMT or YM.

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Great that you got your Air King. Now, wear it! Welcome to the forum.
Kat

Originally Posted by JSL121

The AK is a great watch. Congrats on your first Rolex and welcome to TRF!

Thank you :)

Appreciate conversing with you all

[Tim Plains]

Congrats but a suggestion, forget about the other watches and just wear your Air King for a while. Do you not see a problem not wearing the Rolex you have and already asking for more? Also, your rational for not wearing the Air King doesn't make much sense. What does putting money aside have to do with not wearing the watch, and if you're afraid of wearing an Air King, you certainly won't wear the others.

[Michael1968]

Congrats

[Gva1985]

Congrats on your first Rolex, enjoy it and wear it. Don’t hold your breath for the titanium Yachtmaster. Batman as a first watch with a dealer might happen, happened to me actually but it was 2018…

[JoseR]

Congrats and enjoy your first Rolex. AK is a nice choice.

[kkqd1337]

Forget about the other watches.

Enjoy the AK.

There is no rush.

It is also much more interesting to own a collection of watches of different generations; styles will evolve, movements will evolve. You never know what the future holds.

[LA_LEC]

Congrats! Pictures on the wrist please. Share the joy

[Toptimes]

Welcome and congratulations to you.

[Rollei35]

Originally Posted by Sdl67

Thank you The Omega Planet Ocean is also a super beautiful watch :)
I am not a big fan of the Sub, I mean, she's great, but if I can choose, I would prefere the YM. And yes DD or DJ will be the next step in the list, once (IF) I will get a GMT or YM.




Thank you :)

Appreciate conversing with you all

I agree! I have both no-date sub and a 40mm YM blue dial (see my signature).
I found I wear YM more. It's just a tad bit more expensive than sub because of its platinum bezel. But its dial and the red coloured second hand really add just right amount of elegance to my taste.
No body has ever commented on my sub, but even a cashier in grocery store gazed my YM multiple times

[996marty]

Congratulations on the first of many

[OSU1989]

Originally Posted by Sdl67

I am waiting a little bit before wearing the AK, just the time to put back some money aside, to be on a safe side (we never know in life, hoping I won't have to resell it soon xD).

Congratulations. I didn’t have enough patience to wait for an AD to call and I wanted a Rolex now.

Why are you waiting to wear the AK? Save for what? Paying a ransom? If theft or loss is stopping you from enjoying your watch; wear long sleeves, shell out $100-200 for insurance, and/or just stop worrying about it.

[Guppydriver]

Congrats on a really nice and unique reference, enjoy your AirKing and good look with future acquisitions.

[Binky1]

Great choice for a first Rolex. There’s something very cool and “honest” about that watch and your experience. Well done!

[Halla]

Congratulations

[rmlovett1]

Nicely done! Congratulations!

[ajas]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations

[youneswatches]

Congratulations.

[Lightsped]

AK is a great watch! I'd like to eventually get one too.

Any pics??

[Dave O]

Congratulations!!! As others have said, the AK is a great watch. Now you need to wear it or all your work to obtain this watch was for nothing.

As far as future purchases go, showing the other AD your AK in the bag doesn't necessarily show them you are a serious buyer. It would have been better had you been wearing it. One of the worst fears of an AD is selling to flippers. The fact that you weren't wearing it at the time of showing it to the AD, and the fact that you still haven't worn it gives pause that you are just that, a flipper. The AD could very well just ignore you.

Going forward, if you want to obtain those two pieces, you need to visit the AD from time to time WEARING the AK. They need to see that you appreciate a fine watch, that you are a serious buyer and not a flipper. My two cents for what it is worth.

[raips]

Originally Posted by kkqd1337

Forget about the other watches.

Enjoy the AK.

There is no rush.

It is also much more interesting to own a collection of watches of different generations; styles will evolve, movements will evolve. You never know what the future holds.

Yes regarding different generations. I would imagine having 126610 sub, 126300 DJ and 126622 YM would be rather monotonous with same movement inside.