The unified Rolex in the window thread

[murkeywaters]

All I’ve done is buy the Oris and Tudors I want from the same AD. Nothing to do with self respect really. I still own 90% of them. I’m just a bit pissed off and fed up with the game really.

In all seriousness did you really have to buy the Oris and Tudors from that AD? I imagine most of what you have comes up for sale on SC at like new condition with the depreciation taken care of.

Its a game for sure and your playing it or should I say are they playing you?

[Dave+63]

All the angst seems to be toward the WOS group shop, I went in to my local independent AD, having never spent much with them, asked about an Airking , was told six to nine months, paid a £500’deposit and left my number. No grief and no ass licking.

I know it’s only the Airking which doesn’t command such a high premium but, with the Explorer now being 36mm, it’s the watch that I want.

[MDSWATCH]

I've had my name down with an AD for a couple of Rolex models. One is a SS sports and the other is a SS Datejust. I have previous purchase history with this AD.

I spent some time in London recently and after visiting about 9 different AD's, I managed to find the SS Datejust I was looking for.

I was in two minds about buying it there and then or giving my usual AD more time to source it first.
Arguably by purchasing a SS Datejust, it will in theory improve my chances of getting a SS sports model.

[murkeywaters]

All the angst seems to be toward the WOS group shop, I went in to my local independent AD, having never spent much with them, asked about an Airking , was told six to nine months, paid a £500’deposit and left my number. No grief and no ass licking.

I know it’s only the Airking which doesn’t command such a high premium but, with the Explorer now being 36mm, it’s the watch that I want.

Is the £500 deposit returned if the wait exceeds 9 months? what happens if the shutters come down in the time your waiting - is the 500 lost?

Maybe no ass kissing but you have paid a substantial sum for essentially nothing but a promise (hopefully a written one), they can hang on to your money and make interest in that time frame and I imagine renegade on it and say - Sorry sir we cannot acquire your watch here is your money back (but thanks for the interest!)

Nice watch though, I always liked the new Airking..

[Dave+63]

Is the £500 deposit returned if the wait exceeds 9 months? what happens if the shutters come down in the time your waiting - is the 500 lost?

Maybe no ass kissing but you have paid a substantial sum for essentially nothing but a promise (hopefully a written one), they can hang on to your money and make interest in that time frame and I imagine renegade on it and say - Sorry sir we cannot acquire your watch here is your money back (but thanks for the interest!)

Nice watch though, I always liked the new Airking..

I can have a refund ant time I want and I’d be very surprised if they were to go out of business, although anything is possible.

I see the deposit as a positive; it shows them that I’m serious and, rightly or wrongly, gives me confidence that I'm actually in a real queue for one.

The AK has really grown on me and ill probably sell my 16710, the increased value if which, effectively means it will have cost me nothing.

[murkeywaters]

I can have a refund ant time I want and I’d be very surprised if they were to go out of business, although anything is possible.

I see the deposit as a positive; it shows them that I’m serious and, rightly or wrongly, gives me confidence that I'm actually in a real queue for one.

The AK has really grown on me and ill probably sell my 16710, the increased value if which, effectively means it will have cost me nothing.

The only time I seen an AirKing in the wild was on Andy Green's wrist of Bloodhound/Thrust SSC, it looked great, funnily enough I heard another member of the team talking about his white Daytona that was gifted to him and how much it is now worth!

[bigweb]

Jeeezuuusss!!

I have just skim read through the last 20 or so posts, Rolex and their accompanying AD's are having it bang off, people spending huge amounts on other items and hanging off the salesman like a puppy wanting a treat. Some of these posts almost read like the person gets a kick out of being treated this way by a high street shop?

Bagging a sport Rolex at RRP is like some sort of uber expensive hobby with a big dose of ass kissing and reverse psychology added by sales staff, surely the extra spends with an AD outweigh the ease of buying at a premium from a grey? Another big bonus is you dont have to kiss the rusty sheriffs badge in the process and pander to cocky sales staff while they flick little sweet somethings at you to keep you dangling.

I'm a Rolex owner and fan but I would not let myself get involved with these silly games, I have far too much self respect for that.

I won't pay overs for anything and I won't buy a watch from an AD that I don't want, to get something that I do want if that makes sense.

Even with this attitude my problem is that I feel like I'm asking them for a favour to get me the watch I want rather than getting any sort of premium buying experience when I hand 15k+ over.

It's like an old boys club and I'm firmly working class.

[klunk]

No just curious really.
I was under the impression that the DJ41 Wimbledon was quite difficult to get hold of so when I received the call, I was genuinely surprised.
Although I own a couple of Rolexes I’ve gone off the brand a little recently and I’ve mixed feelings about dealing with this particular AD for a number of reasons that I won’t go into here, so I’m a little ambivalent about this watch. I’ll probably go in and take a look, try it on and see how I feel about it.

Update, went into the AD this morning - tried on the watch - perfect size, great dial (I know some don’t like Roman numerals, but I do) - overall a lovely watch, but I couldn’t really see me wearing it regularly as it doesn’t exactly fly under the radar with that shiny WG bezel. In all honesty, I was undecided if it was for me, but when the AD told me that I would receive a photocopy of the warranty card which they would keep for 12 months, that helped me with my decision and I politely declined the watch.

[MDSWATCH]

Update, went into the AD this morning - tried on the watch - perfect size, great dial (I know some don’t like Roman numerals, but I do) - overall a lovely watch, but I couldn’t really see me wearing it regularly as it doesn’t exactly fly under the radar with that shiny WG bezel. In all honesty, I was undecided if it was for me, but when the AD told me that I would receive a photocopy of the warranty card which they would keep for 12 months, that helped me with my decision and I politely declined the watch.

I thought they had stopped keeping warranty cards?

[wileeeeeey]

Update, went into the AD this morning - tried on the watch - perfect size, great dial (I know some don’t like Roman numerals, but I do) - overall a lovely watch, but I couldn’t really see me wearing it regularly as it doesn’t exactly fly under the radar with that shiny WG bezel. In all honesty, I was undecided if it was for me, but when the AD told me that I would receive a photocopy of the warranty card which they would keep for 12 months, that helped me with my decision and I politely declined the watch.

And now they have you down as a flipper. Lolz

[Devonian]

Update, went into the AD this morning - tried on the watch - perfect size, great dial (I know some don’t like Roman numerals, but I do) - overall a lovely watch, but I couldn’t really see me wearing it regularly as it doesn’t exactly fly under the radar with that shiny WG bezel. In all honesty, I was undecided if it was for me, but when the AD told me that I would receive a photocopy of the warranty card which they would keep for 12 months, that helped me with my decision and I politely declined the watch.

Anyway now you’ve declined the watch are you going to tell us (your internet pals) the mixed feelings you have about dealing with them? We won’t tell a sole - pinky promise :-)

[klunk]

And now they have you down as a flipper. Lolz

Probably 😩

[GMT2]

Update, went into the AD this morning - tried on the watch - perfect size, great dial (I know some don’t like Roman numerals, but I do) - overall a lovely watch, but I couldn’t really see me wearing it regularly as it doesn’t exactly fly under the radar with that shiny WG bezel. In all honesty, I was undecided if it was for me, but when the AD told me that I would receive a photocopy of the warranty card which they would keep for 12 months, that helped me with my decision and I politely declined the watch.

The Wimbledon works well with the smooth bezel and oyster bracelet.

https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...MyghegUIARCNAw

[jwg663]

Do WoS sell diamond rings?

They own several high street jewellers/chains now I believe

I may be wrong, but I don't think Rusty was referring the the wider WoS Group, including Goldsmiths & Mappin & Webb. (M&W at Gleneagles is the only WoS Group AD in Scotland where you can get a new Rolex & a diamond ring.)

I thought he was referring to the WoS shops which are specialist watch retailers (including the Glasgow Rolex boutique).

[RustyBin5]

In all seriousness did you really have to buy the Oris and Tudors from that AD? I imagine most of what you have comes up for sale on SC at like new condition with the depreciation taken care of.

Its a game for sure and your playing it or should I say are they playing you?

They are the closest Tudor dealership to me and they are my favourite brand. Why wouldn’t I use that particular AD?

Ironically I didn’t spend the cash with them to get at a Rolex - it was just for the watches. It was only once I’d enquired about a Rolex that they told me how much I’ve spent with them. Actually came as a shock when they pointed it out to me. Was only at that stage that I started to feel miffed.

As for SC - yes I’ve bought watches here too.

[RustyBin5]

I may be wrong, but I don't think Rusty was referring the the wider WoS Group, including Goldsmiths & Mappin & Webb. (M&W at Gleneagles is the only WoS Group AD in Scotland where you can get a new Rolex & a diamond ring.)

I thought he was referring to the WoS shops which are specialist watch retailers (including the Glasgow Rolex boutique).

Yes and no. The Rolex boutique Glasgow and Goldsmiths (Goldsmiths do sell some jewellery) but certainly both stores said that spend history was across the group and all records show on their system - which was the first I realized that Goldsmiths were part of the WOS group

[ryanb741]

Pleased to say that the Air King is going to a member here. Should be handing it across to him weds. He has been after one for a while and this is a keeper.

[klunk]

Anyway now you’ve declined the watch are you going to tell us (your internet pals) the mixed feelings you have about dealing with them? We won’t tell a sole - pinky promise :-)

I'll try without it turning into a rant.

I think most of us are in agreement that this bizzare situation we find ourselves in where if we want to buy a current steel sports Rolex from an AD, we have to jump through hoops, build a purchase history and spend ridiculous amounts of money on stuff we don't really want isn't chiefly the fault of the AD. That annoys me, but I get it - simply a symptom of supply/demand.

It's the general attitude that pisses me off, partly of the AD and more recently the Rolex Service Dept.
3 years ago, I sent a 16600 SD away to Rolex (via the AD) to be serviced. The transaction from start to finish was superb with the AD providing great service and the watch being returned in fantastic condition.

Fast forward to April this year, I took another watch in to be serviced by Rolex.
About 3 weeks later I received a call from the AD, telling me that the watch had been returned by Rolex with a letter stating that Rolex were refusing to service it due to it being "heavily modified". When I asked the AD what this meant, they said they didn't know. Had they bothered to seek clarification from Rolex on what this alleged modification was? - I asked.
No, they replied.

To cut a long story short, it transpires that at some time in it's 20ish year history, the watch movement had been changed and wasn't the original one originally installed when manufactured.
Given the crappy and apathetic service from the AD, I phoned Rolex Service Centre to get some more information. I thought that if I was able to establish that the movement wasn't from a stolen watch, then I'd be happy to keep the watch and have it serviced elsewhere at a Rolex accredited independent.

I hoped that if I could get the serial number of the movement from Rolex, then maybe I could check whether the movement was legitimate.

RSC flatly refused to give me the information I needed - stating that it wasn't their policy to release that information.
The letter they sent back with the watch also quoted incorrect reference numbers for the bezel and dial (the watch that I sent was a white dial 116520 Daytona, the bezel reference they provided was for a Zenith Daytona and the dial reference, a dial from a black bi-colour Daytona) I queried this, but the person at RSC simply wouldn't give me a satisfactory answer and the whole episode, both the arrogant attitude and almost incompetent level of service of both parties left me very wary about dealing with either again.

[Dave+63]

Pleased to say that the Air King is going to a member here. Should be handing it across to him weds. He has been after one for a while and this is a keeper.

I was debating getting in touch with you Ryan but decided to wait until my local AD gets in touch.

I’m glad I did as, hopefully two members here will get to enjoy one!

[Devonian]

Thanks for replying. Not a good outcome and I see your frustration, especially with the lack of cooperation.

I'll try without it turning into a rant.

I think most of us are in agreement that this bizzare situation we find ourselves in where if we want to buy a current steel sports Rolex from an AD, we have to jump through hoops, build a purchase history and spend ridiculous amounts of money on stuff we don't really want isn't chiefly the fault of the AD. That annoys me, but I get it - simply a symptom of supply/demand.

It's the general attitude that pisses me off, partly of the AD and more recently the Rolex Service Dept.
3 years ago, I sent a 16600 SD away to Rolex (via the AD) to be serviced. The transaction from start to finish was superb with the AD providing great service and the watch being returned in fantastic condition.

Fast forward to April this year, I took another watch in to be serviced by Rolex.
About 3 weeks later I received a call from the AD, telling me that the watch had been returned by Rolex with a letter stating that Rolex were refusing to service it due to it being "heavily modified". When I asked the AD what this meant, they said they didn't know. Had they bothered to seek clarification from Rolex on what this alleged modification was? - I asked.
No, they replied.

To cut a long story short, it transpires that at some time in it's 20ish year history, the watch movement had been changed and wasn't the original one originally installed when manufactured.
Given the crappy and apathetic service from the AD, I phoned Rolex Service Centre to get some more information. I thought that if I was able to establish that the movement wasn't from a stolen watch, then I'd be happy to keep the watch and have it serviced elsewhere at a Rolex accredited independent.

I hoped that if I could get the serial number of the movement from Rolex, then maybe I could check whether the movement was legitimate.

RSC flatly refused to give me the information I needed - stating that it wasn't their policy to release that information.
The letter they sent back with the watch also quoted incorrect reference numbers for the bezel and dial (the watch that I sent was a white dial 116520 Daytona, the bezel reference they provided was for a Zenith Daytona and the dial reference, a dial from a black bi-colour Daytona) I queried this, but the person at RSC simply wouldn't give me a satisfactory answer and the whole episode, both the arrogant attitude and almost incompetent level of service of both parties left me very wary about dealing with either again.

[Gareth-W]

Update, went into the AD this morning - tried on the watch - perfect size, great dial (I know some don’t like Roman numerals, but I do) - overall a lovely watch, but I couldn’t really see me wearing it regularly as it doesn’t exactly fly under the radar with that shiny WG bezel. In all honesty, I was undecided if it was for me, but when the AD told me that I would receive a photocopy of the warranty card which they would keep for 12 months, that helped me with my decision and I politely declined the watch.

I'd report the AD to Rolex.

They are just not allowed to retain warranty cards anymore and Rolex will not be impressed with the retention and photocopy lark that you've reported here.

[RAJEN]

It is no small surprise that this thread stayed on course for almost five years ( with occasional minor transgressions) before degenerating into a ‘discussion’ about Rolex ADs, warranty cards etc.
well done guys.

[klunk]

It is no small surprise that this thread stayed on course for almost five years ( with occasional minor transgressions) before degenerating into a ‘discussion’ about Rolex ADs, warranty cards etc.
well done guys.

Not sure it’s degenerated.
Maybe just gone off at a slight tangent albeit temporarily.
I’m sure it’ll soon be back on track.

[wileeeeeey]

Not sure it’s degenerated.
Maybe just gone off at a slight tangent albeit temporarily.
I’m sure it’ll soon be back on track.

Only if there is a Rolex in the window ;)

[gbn13]

Only if there is a Rolex in the window ;)

I understand that most ADs keep the majority of their watches in the interior display cabinets (well other than the ones in the safe) as a means of reducing the random calls they receive from members of TZ-UK, who request “watch in the window” of an AD that they have never set foot in…

[murkeywaters]

It is no small surprise that this thread stayed on course for almost five years ( with occasional minor transgressions) before degenerating into a ‘discussion’ about Rolex ADs, warranty cards etc.
well done guys.

The thread is about Rolex in AD windows or lack of, I’m surprised it’s taken this long to discuss what goes on behind the windows.

I’m sure we’ll all be back on track once someone posts up a pic of an unwanted bi metal..

[Devonian]

I understand that most ADs keep the majority of their watches in the interior display cabinets (well other than the ones in the safe) as a means of reducing the random calls they receive from members of TZ-UK, who request “watch in the window” of an AD that they have never set foot in…

All the U.K. AD’s have been on this thread since day one, hence why there’s bugger all ‘Rolex in the windows’ since coincidentally this thread started. They are all in it together, laughing at us all. Every week they draw lots to see who has to put a crappyish one in the window that no one really wants but will garnish attention, excite the crowd and get us all giddy. We’ll dine out on it for weeks, even bring it back up years later as a reference to the good old days. Sometimes no one wants to ‘put one in the window’ so they activate one of their sleepers on here to mention ‘key’ words like ‘warranty cards’ or ‘I’m not playing the Rolex game anymore’. They know we’ll go off piste for days, weeks or months and during this time the heat will be off them, so no one had to ‘put a Rolex in the window’. All the AD’s take their holidays during this time.

True story ^^^

[bigweb]

It is no small surprise that this thread stayed on course for almost five years ( with occasional minor transgressions) before degenerating into a ‘discussion’ about Rolex ADs, warranty cards etc.
well done guys.

Stayed on point until there was literally zero Rolex in windows....

[RogDen]

Could it be with Rolex sponsoring so many sports events F1, Tennis, Golf etc that they given all their stock to “ambassadors”


Sent from my iPad using TZ-UK mobile app

[Wallasey Runner]

I’m going to play devils advocate and feel some sympathy for the poor dealers. Can you imagine being ordered by one brand to turning over a great chunk of your floor space and creating a shrine to their products only for the brand to feed scraps and leave those display cabinets and window areas empty, it must be soul destroying. Then add on the endless pestering TZ’ers ringing, e-mailing and popping in hoping to develop their special relationship. It like US v UK relations, the TZ’er thinks there is a special relationship and dealer thinks they are a small fry customer of no significance.

When something desirable finally arrives you can hardly blame the staff for wanting a large slice of the pie. Just tell the TZ’er that it went to a VIP customer, it certainly won’t be going to Dave in Manchester who thinks he has somehow got to the top of the greasy pole.

Seems to be no shortages when Roger Federer wins something

[shoppy]

To be honest and fair to the ADs; when I was sat collecting watches for my wife and myself; there was approx 8 people who came in all asking for sports models.

Mean while my AD got this in on request and I like it a lot.

[wileeeeeey]

To be honest and fair to the ADs; when I was sat collecting watches for my wife and myself; there was approx 8 people who came in all asking for sports models.

Mean while my AD got this in on request and I like it a lot.

How much was that? Nice to see an off catalogue piece even if it was just to try on.

[shoppy]

How much was that? Nice to see an off catalogue piece even if it was jus to try on.

It was a special order but required no deposit on my part circ around £170k.

[wileeeeeey]

It was a special order but required no deposit on my part circ around £170k.

Wow, makes the Platona look cheap!

[RAJEN]

To be honest and fair to the ADs; when I was sat collecting watches for my wife and myself; there was approx 8 people who came in all asking for sports models.

Mean while my AD got this in on request and I like it a lot.

]

If you liked it for yourself, that is grounds for Universal Ignore right there. If you liked it for your wife, then ok.

[shoppy]

If you liked it for yourself, that is grounds for Universal Ignore right there. If you liked it for your wife, then ok.

My wife likes it so that’s what’s important to me;-)

[g40steve]

To be honest and fair to the ADs; when I was sat collecting watches for my wife and myself; there was approx 8 people who came in all asking for sports models.

Mean while my AD got this in on request and I like it a lot.

Very different, thought it would be the RG YM standard model you were collecting.

[shoppy]

Very different, thought it would be the RG YM standard model you were collecting.

I already own the rose gold YM that was my Christmas present.

[mjrennie]

Can't see that without seeing Morrisons.

Lol.

[Kirk280]

To be honest and fair to the ADs; when I was sat collecting watches for my wife and myself; there was approx 8 people who came in all asking for sports models.

Mean while my AD got this in on request and I like it a lot.

You almost had me there!

We look forward to seeing it at the next vGTG!

[tommyzzj]

To be honest and fair to the ADs; when I was sat collecting watches for my wife and myself; there was approx 8 people who came in all asking for sports models.

Mean while my AD got this in on request and I like it a lot.

oh wow

[David_D]

I’m going to play devils advocate and feel some sympathy for the poor dealers.

The dealership owners are laughing. The poor sales staff must be sick to the back teeth of dealing with enquiries from people who have no relationship and those who do but still don’t rank high enough!

[Dave+63]

The poor sales staff must be sick to the back teeth of dealing with enquiries from people who have no relationship and those who do but still don’t rank high enough!

You mean doing their job and speaking to potential customers?

[wileeeeeey]

You mean doing their job and speaking to potential customers?

Won't be fun working in a sales environment full of willing customers begging to throw money at you but only enough product for 5-10% of them.

[jonasy]

Won't be fun working in a sales environment full of willing customers begging to throw money at you but only enough product for 5-10% of them.

Hard to feel sorry for having that problem as a sales person ….

[David_D]

You mean doing their job and speaking to potential customers?

No, I mean having daily to field multiple telephone calls and face to face conversations with people who are not existing customers, and many of who live miles away, wanting to know if they can go on “the list” for a SS Daytona.

[thestore]

Hard to feel sorry for having that problem as a sales person ….

I can’t imagine this guys are making boat loads of commission, especially from ‘hot’ pieces. I can’t imagine it’s much fun having to say no to people all day every day.

[gaurav_tzuk]

31mm OP with what looked like a grape dial RRP 5300

WoS Canary Wharf

[David_D]

31mm OP with what looked like a grape dial RRP 5300

WoS Canary Wharf

I thought the 41mm was under £5k?

[gaurav_tzuk]

Apologies you’re right, Date just 31!

This one but with a grape dial, which I can’t find on the Rolex website

https://www.rolex.com/watches/config...8240-0013/dial

I thought the 41mm was under £5k?