Rolex waiting list question [emoji848]

[RustyBin5]

Bit of a long term craving for a Hulk, and got told today that yes I am on a list but it could be up to three yrs. ok no question there, that’s fine. However my question is what happens if a model gets updated / changed - I assume you are basically putting your name down for whatever future version exists at that time?

Raises another question - read that a full year goes into every watch so if a new version is released I guess you could still get the old version? Anyone had experience of getting the call that coincided with a model amendment. Some amendments were relatively big changes like ceramic bezel on subs for example. Just curious to know.

[D4RW1N]

Bit of a long term craving for a Hulk, and got told today that yes I am on a list but it could be up to three yrs. ok no question there, that’s fine. However my question is what happens if a model gets updated / changed - I assume you are basically putting your name down for whatever future version exists at that time?

Raises another question - read that a full year goes into every watch so if a new version is released I guess you could still get the old version? Anyone had experience of getting the call that coincided with a model amendment. Some amendments were relatively big changes like ceramic bezel on subs for example. Just curious to know.

I think such long waiting lists are quite a new phenomenon, so they have probably not spanned new model releases in any serious way in the past.

Until the last 2 or 3 years or so, a few months wait was the worst case scenario (apart from Daytona)

My suggestion in such an event would be to contact the ad:

A) make sure you are still on the list
B) confirm you still want a watch
C) confirm which model, new/ old etc you would wish to purchase....

Probably not much harm in a) every couple of months or so in any case!

[Wallasey Runner]

Also depends who's list you are on and if you think it is genuine. Plenty of stories on here recently of people being offered watches because the manager is choosing who should have it, without those people even being on the lists.

If you are on a Goldsmiths list, forget it, you will be long dead before your turn comes around.

[Jumpingjalapeno]

Not that I'd be putting my name down for a Rolex but this thought had occurred to me with the New Rolex pepsi. If you were on the list for BLNR I imagine that's where u stay rather than hoping onto the list of the pepsi.l as both are still in production. As for what happen to the folks who were on a WL for the 116710 ln...I wouldn't assume they go straight onto a list automatically. I'd hope the AD would call then to say their model is ceasing and would they like to go onto the list for the new model....as for the truth, I'm not qualified to answer.

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[roviw]

I agree about popping in regularly to keep tabs on what is happening, will also build up a chatty relationship maybe as well.
I think when they say it can be a year I find that difficult to see , I mean, for one man, a 40 hour week would give just over 2000 hours in a year, even if the labour rate was £10 an hour that makes £20000, are they really saying they sell most SS watches at a loss ????
It really does not quite add up unless someone else can clarify it.

[Jumpingjalapeno]

Also depends who's list you are on and if you think it is genuine. Plenty of stories on here recently of people being offered watches because the manager is choosing who should have it, without those people even being on the lists.

If you are on a Goldsmiths list, forget it, you will be long dead before your turn comes around.

Practices like this make me never want to go to an AD cap in hand hoping they show me kindness...

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[Tony-GB]

I always find building a good rapport with staff is essential. I would recommend buying good quality vibrators for the young ladies. For the male staff vibrators are also a good hit but always provide a life size figure of Justin Bieber. Make sure you supply rechargeable batteries and charger- that will clinch the watch you want!

[D4RW1N]

I always find building a good rapport with staff is essential. I would recommend buying good quality vibrators for the young ladies. For the male staff vibrators are also a good hit but always provide a life size figure of Justin Bieber. Make sure you supply rechargeable batteries and charger- that will clinch the watch you want!

Okaaaaaaay😀

[RustyBin5]

I agree about popping in regularly to keep tabs on what is happening, will also build up a chatty relationship maybe as well.
I think when they say it can be a year I find that difficult to see , I mean, for one man, a 40 hour week would give just over 2000 hours in a year, even if the labour rate was £10 an hour that makes £20000, are they really saying they sell most SS watches at a loss ????
It really does not quite add up unless someone else can clarify it.

I think ofc processes involved are fine to many watches at same time - so one mans labour isn’t spent exclusively on that one watch - but the whole watch still takes a year although thousands are produced, they all take a year..

[Nairn1980]

Bit of a long term craving for a Hulk, and got told today that yes I am on a list but it could be up to three yrs. ok no question there, that’s fine. However my question is what happens if a model gets updated / changed - I assume you are basically putting your name down for whatever future version exists at that time?

Raises another question - read that a full year goes into every watch so if a new version is released I guess you could still get the old version? Anyone had experience of getting the call that coincided with a model amendment. Some amendments were relatively big changes like ceramic bezel on subs for example. Just curious to know.

Who’s the AD?

Hulk is really hard to get now.

However quoting 3 years pretty much says you’re not getting one, and they hope you’ll get fed up before the 3 years.

If you’re set on the hulk, I’d buy one grey.

[Ivan Drago]

I was in Goldsmiths on Saturday enquiring how much longer was my wait for a master 2.

Anyways the lady was saying when we have it we will ring you and you must pay immediately or the watch will go to the next on the list.

She said they if I missed the call they would ring back once more and if I didn’t get back to them within 3 hours it would go to the next person.

All very dramatic 藍

[RustyBin5]

Who’s the AD?

Hulk is really hard to get now.

However quoting 3 years pretty much says you’re not getting one, and they hope you’ll get fed up before the 3 years.

If you’re set on the hulk, I’d buy one grey.

AD is WOS. Don’t mind chewing the fat with them. If it doesn’t transpire that’s fine. Would rather not go grey. If that was the only route I’d just pass tbh.

[figureeight]

Short answer is there’s no precedent.

Let’s say there was a model update - we know for a fact there’s going to be stonking great demand for any new SS model already, hulk or otherwise.

I’d guess some ADs will go nuclear and ditch the list entirely claiming it’s a new reference, new watch, tough **** if you didn’t manage to pick up the old reference in time.

Other ADs may roll people on their lists over if the model is similar enough, but probably only if they’re asked nicely (or insert whatever favours / currency / payment-in-kind your AD normally demands).

I wish you the best of luck with the hunt, either way!

[japester]

If you’re set on the hulk, I’d buy one grey.

I think the OP probably wants a green one

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[RustyBin5]

I think the OP probably wants a green one

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Maybe Bruce Banner had eaten a dodgy kebab

[33JS]

I know that in one AD the folks on the JC list just rolled onto the new Deep Blue list. Those on the BLNR list did not roll onto the Pepsi list, and why would they?

[paskinner]

There are no real 'lists'. It's a fiction , dealers sell to whoever they wish to, they run businesses, not bus queues . In the current circumstances they sell to their best customers...if you doubt that look at which TZ members get these watches first. Time after time.
And that seems reasonable to me. They are businesses.

[Motman]

Would rather not go grey. If that was the only route I’d just pass tbh.

I've seen this said before. Am I missing something - why would some people not buy one on the grey market if they couldn’t get one through an AD? They’ll get the same watch with the same international guarantee, won’t they? Surely if everyone if everyone started to buy them on the grey market there would be no need to restrict supply and fuel the brown-nosing at AD's? Or would that take the shine off of being one on the chosen few to be granted the opportunity to big up the brand?

[Guycord]

There are no real 'lists'. It's a fiction , dealers sell to whoever they wish to, they run businesses, not bus queues . In the current circumstances they sell to their best customers...if you doubt that look at which TZ members get these watches first. Time after time.
And that seems reasonable to me. They are businesses.

So how does one become one of the “best customers” if you can’t buy a watch in the first place? Buy something you don’t want perhaps? Several times?

What happens when the “best customers” have filled their boots and don’t need to buy and those that have been rejected on a case that their money isn’t good enough?

Smack of elite socialism, lovvies, crony capitalism etc... false and very short sighted.

[Carl.1]

Simple, second hand, grey market or another brand.

[gbn13]

^^^^ I imagine that many of the “best customers” at UK ADs became best customers by having consistently bought watches from the AD over a number of years. Including the time when many on forums would have thought them foolish not to have bought on the Grey market at a cheaper price than could be achieved from a UK AD.

As to “restricted” supply of watches by Rolex. Is it restricted or is the reality that there are no lesser number of Professional Models available to the UK market, just many, many more people trying to buy them because, we’ll because everyone seems to want one.....

[Kingstepper]

So how does one become one of the “best customers” if you can’t buy a watch in the first place? Buy something you don’t want perhaps? Several times?

What happens when the “best customers” have filled their boots and don’t need to buy and those that have been rejected on a case that their money isn’t good enough?

Smack of elite socialism, lovvies, crony capitalism etc... false and very short sighted.

Their boots are never full. They sell at a profit to grey dealers or on SC and buy another.

[RustyBin5]

I've seen this said before. Am I missing something - why would some people not buy one on the grey market if they couldn’t get one through an AD? They’ll get the same watch with the same international guarantee, won’t they? Surely if everyone if everyone started to buy them on the grey market there would be no need to restrict supply and fuel the brown-nosing at AD's? Or would that take the shine off of being one on the chosen few to be granted the opportunity to big up the brand?

Why wouldn’t I buy in the grey market? Quite simple - it would be a very expensive purchase for me and the extra £2000 to get one from grey would take it out of my budget. Simple numbers.

[Der Amf]

So how does one become one of the “best customers” if you can’t buy a watch in the first place? Buy something you don’t want perhaps? Several times?

What happens when the “best customers” have filled their boots and don’t need to buy and those that have been rejected on a case that their money isn’t good enough?

Smack of elite socialism, lovvies, crony capitalism etc... false and very short sighted.

There is a market price for this watch; ADs, its only source, are obliged to sell the watch for less than that market price.

Clearly, some people are going to be the fortunate ones who get the discount. Thinking that anyone who walks in off the street has the right to be the fortunate one isn't making much more sense than a small child getting upset because it's someone else's birthday, not theirs. If you haven't any reason for getting it for less than the market price, why bother thinking you're entitled to get it cheap?

As get listed endlessly on this forum, there's one than one way of creating chances for yourself for getting lucky - personal connections, sales history, putting a lot of effort into being at the right place at the right time etc. If you don't fancy creating reasons for getting it under the market price then the market price is waiting for you.

[RustyBin5]

So how does one become one of the “best customers” if you can’t buy a watch in the first place? Buy something you don’t want perhaps? Several times?

What happens when the “best customers” have filled their boots and don’t need to buy and those that have been rejected on a case that their money isn’t good enough?

Smack of elite socialism, lovvies, crony capitalism etc... false and very short sighted.

You buy several watches that aren’t so in demand from them first. Datejust 41s and Explorers seem to be the “rite of passage” purchases till you are allowed your Willy Wonka ticket. Shame but it is what it is, so no point griping about it really. I have no desire to ride the Rolex gravy train- there’s two models only that I would want to buy given a free choice. The hulk and a blue dial skydweller. From what people are saying though it would appear I have to buy a couple of explorers maybe a datejust and then possibly eventually even a sub to get there. So.....it won’t happen most likely.

Original question was more about the timeframe straddling a model change and how that works though.

[Strebor]

Simple, second hand, grey market or another brand.

Exactly what I was thinking. This whole list thing sounds like a nightmare. What a strange customer position where the brand and AD are so completely in the driving seat, and rationing who gets what and when, if at all. Supply and demand I know, but there's nothing wrong with a nice Omega for example....


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[RustyBin5]

There is a market price for this watch; ADs, its only source, are obliged to sell the watch for less than that market price.

Clearly, some people are going to be the fortunate ones who get the discount. Thinking that anyone who walks in off the street has the right to be the fortunate one isn't making much more sense than a small child getting upset because it's someone else's birthday, not theirs. If you haven't any reason for getting it for less than the market price, why bother thinking you're entitled to get it cheap?

As get listed endlessly on this forum, there's one than one way of creating chances for yourself for getting lucky - personal connections, sales history, putting a lot of effort into being at the right place at the right time etc. If you don't fancy creating reasons for getting it under the market price then the market price is waiting for you.

Not getting upset. I understand the market and how it works. My budget would be pretty stretched at full rrp so that’s the only route for me. May not happen of course as what you say above is all correct, and that’s fine.

[Carl.1]

Al the while Rolex have the confidence of the market this will continue. Having been involved in the grey market a few years back it was not unusual for a AD to sell 'grey' themselves and pocket the difference.
Business does not change and this practice will still be prevalent.

[WhopperSenior]

If a model was discontinued and they released a similar model, I expect everyone except the high rollers would be dumped and have to ask about the wait list on the new model. ADs seem to be getting more and more cut throat with these lists anyway. I was told if I hadn't picked up the phone the first time they called I would have lost my spot.

[Slamdoor]

I wouldn’t go on any list. I’m not beholding to any dealer doing me a supposed favour with my own money. If Rolex or any other co. wants to play silly buggers with marketing on certain models they can stick them. I’ll look elsewhere for other things. Spoken as a non fanatic though.

[Kingstepper]

I wouldn’t go on any list. I’m not beholding to any dealer doing me a supposed favour with my own money. If Rolex or any other co. wants to play silly buggers with marketing on certain models they can stick them. I’ll look elsewhere for other things. Spoken as a non fanatic though.

Play hardball, that’ll teach ‘em.

[thfccambs]

Who’s the AD?

Hulk is really hard to get now.

However quoting 3 years pretty much says you’re not getting one, and they hope you’ll get fed up before the 3 years.

If you’re set on the hulk, I’d buy one grey.

How much are these going for on the grey market for a 2017/18 Hulk?

[RBear1981]

AD is WOS. Don’t mind chewing the fat with them. If it doesn’t transpire that’s fine. Would rather not go grey. If that was the only route I’d just pass tbh.

Can’t say I find WOS a very chatty environment!


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[RustyBin5]

Can’t say I find WOS a very chatty environment!


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Oh I dunno. Once you get past the bouncers, show your bank statements, etc they tend to open up....

[steptoe]

However my question is what happens if a model gets updated / changed - I assume you are basically putting your name down for whatever future version exists at that time?

If a new model comes out in the meantime it solves your problem as all the idiots leap off the old bandwagon and onto the new one as it rolls into town.

[JPCain86]

I've said this so before but I won't buy from Grey Dealers because they are artificially increasing the price of the watches. The Rolex waiting list is not full of people who want the watch. It is full of people who can quickly sell and make a profit on the watch.

I would b interested to know how many people keep their BLRO or Daytona's to wear. The thing is, while the average Joe can walk out the shop and sell their watch for a few thousand profit the watches are always going to be competed for by people who don't want the watches on top of those who do.

I find it hard to believe that some of these watches don't fall into relatives and friends of the AD to make profit on.

While I don't blame the dealers for selling at this price while ever people can quickly sell a new watch to a dealer for profit you won't see any of these watches in shop windows.

[RBear1981]

Oh I dunno. Once you get past the bouncers, show your bank statements, etc they tend to open up....

I bought a dj from them last yr. They’re fine. But the whole thing is extremely snooty.


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[Hood]

I've seen this said before. Am I missing something - why would some people not buy one on the grey market if they couldn’t get one through an AD? They’ll get the same watch with the same international guarantee, won’t they? Surely if everyone if everyone started to buy them on the grey market there would be no need to restrict supply and fuel the brown-nosing at AD's? Or would that take the shine off of being one on the chosen few to be granted the opportunity to big up the brand?

Yeh
You are missing something
The Grey price will be substantially greater than the RRP as they will have paid a premium to buy in and will then add their own margin in.


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[FK77]

However my question is what happens if a model gets updated / changed - I assume you are basically putting your name down for whatever future version exists at that time?

When I was on the list for a Sub and there were rumours of a new movement at Basel '18, I asked the AD the same question. I was told I would automatically get on the list for the new one. I don't know whether they would have actually done what they said and I would think this could vary from AD to AD anyway. I got "the call" a week or two before Basel and decided to buy the watch regardless of the rumours. I suspect some people may have passed on it with Baselworld just round the corner and I may not have been the first one to be called.

[RustyBin5]

When I was on the list for a Sub and there were rumours of a new movement at Basel '18, I asked the AD the same question. I was told I would automatically get on the list for the new one. I don't know whether they would have actually done what they said and I would think this could vary from AD to AD anyway. I got "the call" a week or two before Basel and decided to buy the watch regardless of the rumours. I suspect some people may have passed on it with Baselworld just round the corner and I may not have been the first one to be called.

That’s helpful thanks

[David_D]

I've said this so before but I won't buy from Grey Dealers because they are artificially increasing the price of the watches. The Rolex waiting list is not full of people who want the watch. It is full of people who can quickly sell and make a profit on the watch.

Nail on the head. I've said before but it's getting to be a huge turn off for me.

Last week I noticed some t!t who listed a 116710LN on eBay the day he bought it - looking for a £1,000 quick profit.

[Comet]

Bit of a long term craving for a Hulk, and got told today that yes I am on a list but it could be up to three yrs. ok no question there, that’s fine. However my question is what happens if a model gets updated / changed - I assume you are basically putting your name down for whatever future version exists at that time?

Raises another question - read that a full year goes into every watch so if a new version is released I guess you could still get the old version? Anyone had experience of getting the call that coincided with a model amendment. Some amendments were relatively big changes like ceramic bezel on subs for example. Just curious to know.

Exactly what happened to me.
I was on list and was told I had got to number 2 for the previous SS Daytona (520) when it was discontinued. I wasn't automatically added to the new list for the 116500 which had been announced at Basil a week or so earlier as the AD thought they would still receive some of the 520s. When I was added to the 116500 list I was way back down the order but after a few chats with the AD I was basically told unless I was an existing local customer or purchased a PM I was unlikely to get one.

[RustyBin5]

Exactly what happened to me.
I was on list and was told I had got to number 2 for the previous SS Daytona (520) when it was discontinued. I wasn't automatically added to the new list for the 116500 which had been announced at Basil a week or so earlier as the AD thought they would still receive some of the 520s. When I was added to the 116500 list I was way back down the order but after a few chats with the AD I was basically told unless I was an existing local customer or purchased a PM I was unlikely to get one.

Ouch

[Nairn1980]

There are no real 'lists'. It's a fiction , dealers sell to whoever they wish to, they run businesses, not bus queues . In the current circumstances they sell to their best customers...if you doubt that look at which TZ members get these watches first. Time after time.
And that seems reasonable to me. They are businesses.

Spot on.

[walkerwek1958]

I wouldn’t go on any list. I’m not beholding to any dealer doing me a supposed favour with my own money. If Rolex or any other co. wants to play silly buggers with marketing on certain models they can stick them. I’ll look elsewhere for other things. Spoken as a non fanatic though.

+1........begging for the privilege to pay several £K for a watch isn't my style either, yet some folks on here view it as a rite of passage.

[scucivolo]

+1........begging for the privilege to pay several £K for a watch isn't my style either, yet some folks on here view it as a rite of passage.

I don't see anything wrong with being on a list for something that you want but (for whatever reason) there's a limited amount of. Tesla does it with their cars, why Rolex can't do it with their watches?

Queuing is a part of our daily life, we just seem to forget it from time to time.

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[blackal]

Everyone is so used to being able to get the things “they deserve” - all the adverts tell them so.........

Then, all of a sudden one company says: We only produce 5,000 of the item every year - and they are all indignant....... “How dare they!!!! They should meet the demand!!! - It’s my right!”

Sometimes Mommy has to say....... NO.

and it isnt the grey dealers who increase the prices - they buy at market value, add on their costs (or is that a no-no, too?) and sell on.

Great entertainment though.

[RustyBin5]

+1........begging for the privilege to pay several £K for a watch isn't my style either, yet some folks on here view it as a rite of passage.

I see it as joining a queue.
I don’t see it as begging for the privilege to buy.

[Motman]

I've seen this said before. Am I missing something - why would some people not buy one on the grey market if they couldn’t get one through an AD? They’ll get the same watch with the same international guarantee, won’t they? Surely if everyone if everyone started to buy them on the grey market there would be no need to restrict supply and fuel the brown-nosing at AD's? Or would that take the shine off of being one on the chosen few to be granted the opportunity to big up the brand?

Yeh. You are missing something. The Grey price will be substantially greater than the RRP as they will have paid a premium to buy in and will then add their own margin in.

Ah right, I see, although I’d call that the black market where you pay over the odds for an item that is in short supply in the market you are in. I thought the grey market was cheaper. I bought both my Omegas on what I would call the grey market (both came from Italy). I saved £1,250 on my Speedmaster ‘57 and £570 on my SMPc 300 diver. I guess that doesn’t happen in the UK with certain Rolex models but never having had a hankering for one, I haven’t really noticed the retail prices or the 'black market' prices they go for. I do see that a fair few wannabe owners have to grovel to an AD to just get on the list for the so-called elusive models but I thought I’d also seen a few posts saying those same models are in stock outside the UK. I thought that like my Omegas, they would be cheaper if imported and sold on the grey market. Obviously not, as long as there are people out there who are paying over retail for them. I don’t like paying retail price for anything so I’d never pay over retail and would rather go without!

[Motman]

I see it as joining a queue.
I don’t see it as begging for the privilege to buy.

Thing is, when I’ve ordered a new car, I join the queue to wait for it and I’ve no problem with that but with some Rolex AD's it seems that people never get to the head of the queue and you don’t have to buy a few other unpopular models from the same dealer just to get the car you want!