What’s the “Daytona spend threshold” at your AD

[Dabbadon8]

Originally Posted by watchbiao

Large American city, its mid-5 digits plus a mix of variables, such as your relationship.

In China/HK/Taiwan, the ADs usually sell at market prices. It's very upfront. You either bundle or you pay MSRP plus a prepaid "maintenance fee".

In Japan, ADs usually sell at MSRP, first come first serve in the mornings. There is no waitlist. Customers run from AD to AD hoping to get lucky.

Japan sounds fun. I wonder how many early mornings it would take to get a Daytona or BLRO.

[danicasi2002]

JB, if even with the Kermit, you have not reach that level. Probably go for the Kermit, enjoy it for a few years and then trade up for a Daytona in the preowned market. The kermit should fetch a value above MSRP. Unless the grey market of the Daytona grows to some crazy level, then I think this will get you closer to a Daytona than waiting for your AD. Just a thought. D

[Geckobros]

Originally Posted by mykii

My AD has been very transparent, its $100k.

Did you tell your AD to go hump a cactus? I would.

Originally Posted by watchbiao

In Japan, ADs usually sell at MSRP, first come first serve in the mornings. There is no waitlist. Customers run from AD to AD hoping to get lucky.

Now that's a Wellness Program!

[watchbiao]

Originally Posted by Dabbadon8

Japan sounds fun. I wonder how many early mornings it would take to get a Daytona or BLRO.

Originally Posted by Geckobros

Now that's a Wellness Program!

Locals actually call it the "Daytona marathon" there

[HHIslander]

I bought a DJ41 and a Smurf. Got the call 4 months later. Smaller city in the southeast.

[Spoonage]

I am by no means a high spender. This seems like ages ago but...
2014 - BLNR (no wait, first time walking into AD)
2014 - Ranger (no wait)
2015 - BBN (no wait)
2015 - SubC (~ 1 week wait)
2015 - 36mm DJ (no wait)
2017 - Explorer (no wait)
2017 - DaytonaC (white 3 month wait)

So 7 watches at 1 AD over a ~3.5 yr time span and 6/7 at a discount. Major US city. All at discount w/ exception to the Daytona (@MSRP). All are watches that I or my wife wanted. No BS, no bundling, no fluff watch purchases, no imaginary wait list. I really don't get paying over MSRP for any current production watch. I absolutely love my Daytona and wear it not being afraid to scratch it. At MSRP the Daytona is a great watch, at these inflated prices there are many many many other watches I would put my money on.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by sp006

...all for mid tier horological pieces. Makes no sense.


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It actually makes perfect sense. A vast majority of people can’t think for themselves and simply follow herd mentality.

Right now sport watches are cool, peep the forum again in 2025 and I think we will have come full circle

[vanhwrd4]

Didn't read all responses but I believe it's relationship and a purchase history. Believe the SA has to like you and you have enough of a purchase history that he/she can put up an argument to management of why they should be able to sell you the watch. Oh, and don't think this would have worked if i was in a larger market. Below is my purchase history:

BLNR Oyster (2014)
SS DJ41 (2019)
SS Sky D, Breitling SOH (MAR/AUG 2020)

SS Black Dial Daytona in SEP 2020

[MrJKLFoams]

Im not on wait list for it but I met a guy yesterday that he walk in to one of the rolex AD here and told the manager about his dream piece and hoping one day he can get it then all of a sudden the manager took something at the back and said "you mean this?" A daytona panda and sold it to him without any history or relationship with the AD.

[BOXMAN76]

$0... No transaction history...
Put 1/2 down, waited 6-7 months for the watch to arrive.
Picked it up a week before Christmas 2017.
I was extremely lucky and fortunate

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by Geckobros

Dangling a watch in front of you like a carrot.. just to see how far you will pull the cart.

I was totally thinking the same thing.

[Sub*Man]

Originally Posted by liberalclown

The chances of your AD already having a Daytona in the safe is very likely. He sees you are dropping 20k each year and you lose the bargaining power bringing the Daytona into picture after the spending. He has no incentive to sell the watch to you anymore because he knows you will spend another 20k to get the watch. Or he can sell the watch to any other person who says they will buy a DD if the SA bundles it with Daytona. Before going to grey or buying anything else from this SA, I suggest spending $20 on this book, “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It“ which may save you thousands.

Good feedback, thanks for sharing.

[Sub*Man]

Originally Posted by 1William

I am also from North Carolina and have shopped most of the AD's in the state over the years. There is only one that I would recommend based on prior performance and customer service. Feel free to PM me and I will pass my contact information on to you. The SS Daytona-C is a tough one to source but time and your relationship will typically get you this watch before your purchase history unless you are spending very large. Look at the Carolina Watch Club and you will see a lot of watch fans here in the Carolina's. They have events when we are not on lock down that are a lot of fun. Good luck and let us know your progress.

Awesome, thanks so much and will do!

[Sub*Man]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

JB, if even with the Kermit, you have not reach that level. Probably go for the Kermit, enjoy it for a few years and then trade up for a Daytona in the preowned market. The kermit should fetch a value above MSRP. Unless the grey market of the Daytona grows to some crazy level, then I think this will get you closer to a Daytona than waiting for your AD. Just a thought. D

Great idea, thanks for sharing!

[Dhrejsa]

A spend threshold sounds ridiculous. I bought a Hulk Submariner a five years ago when they were available on the shelf - just because I thought green was cool and different, a year later I purchased a Datejust for myself, 9 months after that I got a call that a Stainless Daytona was in, 6 months after that I got a call that a Batman was in, and 6 months after that I got a call that a Hulk for my brother was in. I think it really must depend on the AD and how they treat you.

[Sub*Man]

Love all the feedback guys, thanks for sharing! This has turned into a great thread.

I can’t imagine spending $200k and not receiving the watch you want. Mind-blowing.

[RJRJRJ]

My AD got me one, I think mostly because I was a customer before all of this SS hype.

My friend's AD is in a very baller area in LA. Bought a DD and some very expensive jewelry (maybe 70k total spend incl. the DD), and it barely moved the needle for stuff much easier to get than a Daytona.

[Timmis]

I have spent well over $300K over 10 years at my AD and have yet to be offered a Daytona yet.

[Dabbadon8]

Originally Posted by Timmis

I have spent well over $300K over 10 years at my AD and have yet to be offered a Daytona yet.

Hope you got some other good stuff.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Timmis

I have spent well over $300K over 10 years at my AD and have yet to be offered a Daytona yet.

This is insane to me. Lots of smaller ADs will stack a Daytona for a brand new customer with something like a diamond DJ31 and a day date....so around $50k spend, no ifs ands or buts about it.

So it beats me why some of you continue with these ADs who aren’t doing you any favors after having massive purchase history. Nuts.

[djona]

Originally Posted by mykii

My AD has been very transparent, its $100k.

Same.

[1995akcoop]

Wait.... there are actually thresholds?! Wtf


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[Sub*Man]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

My AD got me one, I think mostly because I was a customer before all of this SS hype.

My friend's AD is in a very baller area in LA. Bought a DD and some very expensive jewelry (maybe 70k total spend incl. the DD), and it barely moved the needle for stuff much easier to get than a Daytona.

Shit...

[Sub*Man]

Originally Posted by Timmis

I have spent well over $300K over 10 years at my AD and have yet to be offered a Daytona yet.

Shiiiiiit X2

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Timmis

I have spent well over $300K over 10 years at my AD and have yet to be offered a Daytona yet.

Have you asked for one? My SA/AD doesn’t offer me things, I ask for them. I’d be pissed though if I’d spent that much, then ask for a Daytona and be ignored.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by 1995akcoop

Wait.... there are actually thresholds?! Wtf


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Most places, of course

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Geckobros

Did you tell your AD to go hump a cactus? I would.



Now that's a Wellness Program!

Well at least they were honest and transparent

[TimeAZ]

Originally Posted by Dabbadon8

Agreed. Chrono function is fun to look at, but overrated in terms of everyday use. To me the Daytona is functionally a time only watch.

In that regard, it's a pretty terrible watch as the legibility of the dial is poor and it takes extra effort to actually read the time on it.

[Ihatecheese]

They really have some dedicated desperate buyers to be able to pull this stuff off. It's amazing what people will do for another watch. To answer the original Q. Would offer retail personally.

[TankTom]

Originally Posted by padi56

Speaking for myself would never spend extra for any watch or product to get any perceived so called today hot Rolex watches .And if everyone done the same then perhaps we could get back to the days before this hot watch thing syndrome, and Rolex watches becoming little more than hype £££££$$$$ things.

Your replies to these types of posts are getting a little repetitive and tiresome. Then again, so are the posts!