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Old 27 January 2023, 01:19 AM   #1
MrMikee
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GMT Master II BLNR - UK Based

Hi All,

For those who have purchased a GMT in the last year or two from an AD, what was your spend history like, relationship etc? I have an okay spend history and a good relationship with my AD, but I feel like I'm not getting a real answer on lead times etc.

I'm just curious to know what is it like to get this watch in the UK.

I know the story is completely different in the US..
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Old 27 January 2023, 01:32 AM   #2
garyk
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From my perspective, I’ve been waiting for one for years and have been told it’s one of the hardest to get Rolex watches…
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Old 27 January 2023, 01:43 AM   #3
Eric-London
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There is a list. It's just unofficial.
Your place on the list usually depends on how big your spend is.
He who spends most gets most. Not always but much of the time.

Sometimes a very friendly AD will help you out if they click with you but generally most professional models have to be authorised by directors and not just store managers.
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Old 27 January 2023, 02:16 AM   #4
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There is a list. It's just unofficial.
Your place on the list usually depends on how big your spend is.
He who spends most gets most. Not always but much of the time.

Sometimes a very friendly AD will help you out if they click with you but generally most professional models have to be authorised by directors and not just store managers.
Sounds incredibly difficult
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Old 27 January 2023, 02:22 AM   #5
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Every time I’m in London I’m reminded how difficult it must be for a non-whale to get something they want. Maybe my impression is off but it blows me away how much wealth is concentrated there.
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Old 27 January 2023, 03:26 AM   #6
Paulr1980
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My experience. Bought at least two pieces per year for four years. Either Tudor or professional pieces.

I’ve had to wait but in looking back over been incredibly lucky as my journey went: GMT/Explorer/Sub/mintjust/gmt BLRO. In terms of Tudor, all the latest stuff (first FXD for example).

At the time it felt like forever but that’s a decent set. Not a whale. Ended up genuinely friends with the staff just naturally.
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Old 27 January 2023, 05:50 AM   #7
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I’d save and go grey.

I’m not a big whale at all, I spend what I can afford and I know the BLNR is no where in sight for me and I’ve spent £25k in the past 2 years and I refuse to spend more on building a relationship or looking like a big spender.

Luckily it’s all stuff I’ve wanted, but I’ll trade something and go grey.
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Old 27 January 2023, 05:57 AM   #8
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Took me about 6 months. Only purchase history was a $4k cartier for the wife. Was also offered a Bluesy and a DJ41 in the mean time. Not sure if they count but all 3 were bought within the year after the Cartier purchase.
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Old 27 January 2023, 06:22 AM   #9
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Took me about 6 months. Only purchase history was a $4k cartier for the wife. Was also offered a Bluesy and a DJ41 in the mean time. Not sure if they count but all 3 were bought within the year after the Cartier purchase.
But you're in NY, not UK
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:05 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by MrMikee View Post
Hi All,

For those who have purchased a GMT in the last year or two from an AD, what was your spend history like, relationship etc? I have an okay spend history and a good relationship with my AD, but I feel like I'm not getting a real answer on lead times etc.

I'm just curious to know what is it like to get this watch in the UK.

I know the story is completely different in the US..
Who’s your AD? WOSG?

What exactly have you purchased already?
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:23 AM   #11
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I'm waiting for my BLRO two years since I first went to this AD had 4 Rolex models and a Tudor and still waiting - hopefully soon I have a good rep with manger and sa been out to a Rolex lunch with the AD and invited to Christmas events
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:27 AM   #12
MrMikee
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Who’s your AD? WOSG?

What exactly have you purchased already?
WOS, 2 classic Rolex and a BB Tudor in the last year. I requested each one. Not a random purchase.
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:30 AM   #13
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I'm waiting for my BLRO two years since I first went to this AD had 4 Rolex models and a Tudor and still waiting - hopefully soon I have a good rep with manger and sa been out to a Rolex lunch with the AD and invited to Christmas events
Wow, I thought this might be the case.. I have been waiting a year. Based on some responses and asking a few friends, it looks like I’m going to be waiting much longer. OR.. go grey.

Just realised you said BLRO. I believe it’s even harder than the BLNR.

Last edited by MrMikee; 27 January 2023 at 07:32 AM.. Reason: More detail.
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:49 AM   #14
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WOS, 2 classic Rolex and a BB Tudor in the last year. I requested each one. Not a random purchase.
Ok.

Actually getting on a WOS list for a GMT is an achievement.

Despite what some will say the lists with WOSG do exist.

The problem is that allocation is decided at central head office.

Your SA will not be able to tell you when you’ll get a particular piece on your list. They may share with you how many customers are waiting on that piece and they’ll also know roughly how many come in per year.

It’s fair to say that you’re probably going to wait years. You never know though, you might get lucky.
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:54 AM   #15
MrMikee
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Ok.

Actually getting on a WOS list for a GMT is an achievement.

Despite what some will say the lists with WOSG do exist.

The problem is that allocation is decided at central head office.

Your SA will not be able to tell you when you’ll get a particular piece on your list. They may share with you how many customers are waiting on that piece and they’ll also know roughly how many come in per year.

It’s fair to say that you’re probably going to wait years. You never know though, you might get lucky.
I know I’m definitely on the list because I went to a different WOS to have my watch adjusted and they brought up my account. I was in a different city at the time. The SA there mentioned my BLNR on the list.. I didn’t mention it at all. Lists 100% exist as you have said.

I do have a cool SA who has taken care of me, but the GMT is just so popular. Looks like it’ll be a few years

Last edited by MrMikee; 27 January 2023 at 07:56 AM.. Reason: Edit
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Old 27 January 2023, 09:40 AM   #16
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Are you in London or a major city?

Last edited by BenJo2287; 27 January 2023 at 10:21 AM.. Reason: Incorrect
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Old 27 January 2023, 09:53 AM   #17
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London based. Picked up my BLRO a month ago.

Purchase history was a sub (about a year ago), engagement and wedding jewellery. Total spend on jewellery is less than the combined total spend on Rolexes.

AD really came through for me as the BLRO was my wedding watch, delivered just a couple weeks before the big day.
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Old 27 January 2023, 10:57 AM   #18
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Ok.

Actually getting on a WOS list for a GMT is an achievement.

Despite what some will say the lists with WOSG do exist.

The problem is that allocation is decided at central head office.

Your SA will not be able to tell you when you’ll get a particular piece on your list. They may share with you how many customers are waiting on that piece and they’ll also know roughly how many come in per year.

It’s fair to say that you’re probably going to wait years. You never know though, you might get lucky.
Incorrect, it's decided by the dealer sales manager. Headoffice decide what models they are getting allocated.
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Old 27 January 2023, 11:03 AM   #19
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You have to be patience. I spoke to my SA and he said a regular sub can take one year. So the limited ones can take longer.
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:32 PM   #20
Nairn1980
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Originally Posted by MrMikee View Post
Hi All,

For those who have purchased a GMT in the last year or two from an AD, what was your spend history like, relationship etc? I have an okay spend history and a good relationship with my AD, but I feel like I'm not getting a real answer on lead times etc.

I'm just curious to know what is it like to get this watch in the UK.

I know the story is completely different in the US..
In the UK, a GMT in steel is tough. BLNR is tough, BLRO is significantly tougher. You really won’t get a Pepsi unless the AD loves you lol.
Grey prices are low just now, worth considering a grey purchase?
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Old 27 January 2023, 08:09 PM   #21
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Pre owned are falling and probably will continue to do so, just hang on in my opinion.
I’ve good purchase history with WOS, been on the list for a BRLO about 3 years now, alternatively look at better watches from other brands that are readily available
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Old 27 January 2023, 10:16 PM   #22
bestkepttime
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Wow, I thought this might be the case.. I have been waiting a year. Based on some responses and asking a few friends, it looks like I’m going to be waiting much longer. OR.. go grey.

Just realised you said BLRO. I believe it’s even harder than the BLNR.
I guess so it seems to differ ad to ad - my SA offered to swap my model interest or whatever you want to call it on the computer to the new VTNR but I declined.
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Old 27 January 2023, 10:16 PM   #23
bestkepttime
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In the UK, a GMT in steel is tough. BLNR is tough, BLRO is significantly tougher. You really won’t get a Pepsi unless the AD loves you lol.
Grey prices are low just now, worth considering a grey purchase?
might be the option tbh
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Old 27 January 2023, 11:17 PM   #24
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Purchased 36mm DJ from my AD, expressed my interest in the BLRO at the point of the DJ purchase. On the list and then took 18 months for the BLRO to arrive.
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:23 AM   #25
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I understand you are trying to gauge it but there isn’t really a scientific answer to it. There are sooo many variables.

It’s completely relationship related which again had a lot of variables to it. Took my 6 months to get my Pepsi from one AD and took me about 3 years to get a rootbeer from another.

Obviously buying/spending more helps but it’s not the only thing that matters.
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:41 AM   #26
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BLNR last year for me, they tell me I'm a VIP but I'm not sure I believe them. Circa £100k spend over the past five or so years.

Really not to rub your nose in it but it doesn't really do anything for me.
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Old 30 January 2023, 03:04 AM   #27
MrMikee
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Purchased 36mm DJ from my AD, expressed my interest in the BLRO at the point of the DJ purchase. On the list and then took 18 months for the BLRO to arrive.
Was this in the last 2-3 years or are we talking ages ago?
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Old 30 January 2023, 04:13 AM   #28
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I’d save and go grey.

I’m not a big whale at all, I spend what I can afford and I know the BLNR is no where in sight for me and I’ve spent £25k in the past 2 years and I refuse to spend more on building a relationship or looking like a big spender.

Luckily it’s all stuff I’ve wanted, but I’ll trade something and go grey.


Would you please explain the phrase “save and go grey”. While the markups are going down the most sought after models still have a massive tariff. While I am not someone that purchases anything other than the watches I want, what difference does it make paying a premium for a watch vs buying jewelry in the store? Not being a jerk, just curious.
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Old 30 January 2023, 04:54 AM   #29
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2 years for a BLRO for me. I'd already purchased a Cartier Tank for the wife, Tudor chrono and a Deepsea. Picked it up December 2021. They then offered me the white ceramic Daytona in the February after so an expensive few months. That was also a 2 year wait.
Good luck.
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Old 30 January 2023, 05:21 AM   #30
JDR888
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Was this in the last 2-3 years or are we talking ages ago?
Fairly recent. July 2021 for the 1st purchase - December 2022 for the 2nd.
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