Buying "The Crown" from an AD

[Roly25]

Just curious to all the members out there. Has anyone bought a Rolex at list from and AD with minimal to no purchase history? I'm not talking about the Cellini, but a stainless steel Rolex. Sub, GMT, etc.

I have minimal purchase history with ADs except one where I picked up a BB58. I don't think that purchase carries much weight lol.

[CharlesN]

I bought my first Sub-Date at an AD with no previous purchases at all
And to add to that it was not in my local city or even home country.

[K12123]

Originally Posted by CharlesN

I bought my first Sub-Date at an AD with no previous purchases at all
And to add to that it was not in my local city or even home country.

+1 back in 2018, although family members have bought other watches there before

[haganaga]

I got my 39mm Explorer from an AD in February with no purchase history after a 6 month wait.

[24Heures]

I bought my SD43 in February of this year from my local AD with no previous history. I stopped in randomly to ask about any stock coming in. It just so happened (according to him) they had received one SD43 that morning. He said it was my lucky day and offered it up. It took all of 1 minute for me to say "I'll take it!" I had stopped by a few times before to talk watches, be placed on "the list", and live within walking distance from the AD, which helped.

[J to the Z]

The Hulk in early 2019. I spent about 4 months getting to know the owner of the AD and became very friendly with him before formally asking for the watch. Then got lucky on the timing as it only took a little over 2 months for the watch to arrive.


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[zoenatenich]

I waited 6 months for an SD43 with no purchase history from an AD last year (2020). I was offered by the same AD and purchased the 126610LV a year later (Feb. 2021).

[ThatOtherGuy7]

Yes, took a few months in obtaining a black Sub for my dad this past January from an AD. Took some effort and persistence. No prior Rolex purchases.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Roly25

Just curious to all the members out there. Has anyone bought a Rolex at list from and AD with minimal to no purchase history? I'm not talking about the Cellini, but a stainless steel Rolex. Sub, GMT, etc.

I have minimal purchase history with ADs except one where I picked up a BB58. I don't think that purchase carries much weight lol.

Bought my 16610 off a cruise in Barbados, no hassle, few on display……. but back on 1995


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[enjoythemusic]

Sure, years ago walked into Mayors UTC Mall and the sub was sitting there on display. Nick sold it to me and have been happily ever after with it. Decided it'd be my first Crown. Great decision imho.

[MONTANTK]

Last year I walked in and purchased the (at the time) recently discontinued white dial 36mm OP. Last month I went into a different AD and purchased a 41mm OP.

[Xerxes77]

I bought my blue Sky Dweller with no history in 2019 then in 2020 I received GMT BLRO and this year GMT METEORITE DIAL….. so yes it’s possible

[crunkerman]

Bot my first op in 20 on walk in- then received sub 4 months later. Lucky I guess.

[DaytonaAllDay]

Purchased all of mine at ADs at retail and was never asked to buy anything else just to get the timepiece I want. A little bit of luck I guess but I don't think it's impossible.
116610LN (July 2012, Denver CO)
116520 black dial (May 2013, Washington DC)
126334 blue dial/jubilee/fluted (June 2018, Paris, France)
116503 white dial (March 2019, Munich, Germany)
126710BLNR (August 2019, Bonaire)
126613LB (September 2020, USVI)
116500 white dial (April 2021, USVI)

[Kniazukay]

I had zero purchase history at my local AD, I walked in for the first time ever and asked for a no date sub. He said he'll get back to me as the store was empty of stock. I thought, yeah right I won't hear back lol. A month later the sales associate emailed me about a sub date, I kindly declined as I wanted a no date and said please allow someone else to enjoy it. Then 2 weeks later I got a call... I couldn't believe it. Stuff like that never happens to me so that's proof it's possible. 6 weeks! It was 100% luck imo. With all that said, I contacted them twice since about another watch, no reply LOL

[jpwv]

Explorer. 6 weeks from request to arrival. No purchase history, but a family member had very minimal past jewelry purchase history. Definitely not as much as you spent on the BB58.

[bob sims]

Originally Posted by Roly25

Just curious to all the members out there. Has anyone bought a Rolex at list from and AD with minimal to no purchase history? I'm not talking about the Cellini, but a stainless steel Rolex. Sub, GMT, etc.

I have minimal purchase history with ADs except one where I picked up a BB58. I don't think that purchase carries much weight lol.

Sure. I got offered a TT DJ 41 in late April with estimated 2 month wait. Never stepped foot in the AD before. People here are getting SD and black/silver 41 OP's often. Plus the ladies sizes all the time 28 and 31. Don't know if 26 is even still made but they would be on the list too. Millgaus and classic YG DD don't seem to be trading much over list or TT skydwellers now that I think of it.
Plenty of nice watches-just not if you need the never vital stopwatch.

[IR201]

From different ADs all with no prior purchase history:

116610LN - 2018 (was sitting in display case, was thinking of not getting it, an older gentleman wearing a hulk came up to me and said I'd be a fool to pass - i took his advice).

BLNR - 2018 (cold called a bunch of ADs asking for this specific piece, got lucky one was in a kind mood).

114060 - 2019 (my wife called a bunch of places and surprised me with one that said yes)

126600 - 2019 (stopped by the AD multiple times, inquired about it, got a call a couple of months later)

226570 black dial - 2021 (struck up conversation about all types of watches with super nice SA, who after awhile told me he had what I was looking for)

[Cigars&Watches]

Jul 2020 walked in AD, hit it off and got offered a DSSD that was behind the counter. Fell in love so I took it. Asked for a CHNR in February and picked it up in June 2021. I was told not to ask for anything until 2023, so i'm thinking Jan..lol

Many threads on this.. although not impossible you could get a SS depending of a whole whack of factors.. I would follow up with the one you bought your BB and go from there.. keep being persistent and polite..

As a reference in Canada I have read that the wait for a SS sub is 3 years with no previous history... ADs will very in the area widely

[Finslayer83]

sent web inquiry on Tuesday morning.

had discussion Tuesday afternoon.

Drove 3 hours Wednesday to get it.

Zero history with them, but now I have a foundation to build on.

This was last week.

[D.P.G.]

Yes called AD with absolutely no history and asked for a GMT Master ll, within 3 weeks got a call back and was given the choice of a BLNR or Pepsi I chose the BLNR. I would never spend time building a relationship with a company so they can sell me a $10,000 watch, I would ware a smartwatch before I did that.

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by Roly25

Just curious to all the members out there. Has anyone bought a Rolex at list from and AD with minimal to no purchase history? I'm not talking about the Cellini, but a stainless steel Rolex. Sub, GMT, etc.

I have minimal purchase history with ADs except one where I picked up a BB58. I don't think that purchase carries much weight lol.

A good AD that is confident you're not flipping will work with anyone who is not pushy.

I started with an OP 39 1.5 years ago and have purchased these four in a reasonable amount of time after requesting them...but my AD is very cool and only deals with locals.

[Kyle3130]

I called my hometown AD a few minutes after the release of the 124060 to request one and had zero purchase history with them. They called me last month to offer me a Submariner and we did the transaction over the phone. They also shipped it to me overnight.

I will be calling them more often in the future if I want anything else because I am still waiting on a call from the 3 other ADs near me that I do have purchase history with.

[Drgessler]

First time purchase from my AD was a 116610lv. Called them up and about months after I got the famous call. On the for an op at the moment.

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[Rexplorer214270]

I got my Explorer with no purchase history and the Sub Date with just the Explorer as my previous purchase history

[7enderbender]

Why does purchase history even matter when they don’t have anything to sell anyway??

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Why does purchase history even matter when they don’t have anything to sell anyway??

Because they have stuff to sell to those with purchase history.

[Shauz]

Sure have! bought my Sub-C from an AD walked in asked to try it on and told the SA I wanted to buy it!

SA even bought out 3 more from the safe so I can pick a Serial# number I fancy.

Gone are the days where the shelves are fully stocked.

[Petersafc]

I bought a tt yacht master from them 3 months ago

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by DaytonaAllDay

Purchased all of mine at ADs at retail and was never asked to buy anything else just to get the timepiece I want. A little bit of luck I guess but I don't think it's impossible.
116610LN (July 2012, Denver CO)
116520 black dial (May 2013, Washington DC)
126334 blue dial/jubilee/fluted (June 2018, Paris, France)
116503 white dial (March 2019, Munich, Germany)
126710BLNR (August 2019, Bonaire)
126613LB (September 2020, USVI)
116500 white dial (April 2021, USVI)

by looking at your list of acquisitions from AD, I don't think it's about luck. it's because you are a celebrity or you are a very charming person.