Calling Rolex Owners

[MeridasMum]

I've been 'courting' my Rolex contact for well over a year without successfully sourcing the watch I want (there is only one I'm looking for) newly released (ish) and they are few and far between.

Can anyone recommend anything else I can do to expedite it? I can't make one magically appear in store but can I try to get in touch with a head office? I'm desperate for tips.

I was aghast at the hoops you have to jump through to get a Rolex and keeping my contact sweet is really pissing me off!! I'm considering tell her to stuff it but I really really want it!!!

Ok, humans be crazy.

My Rolex is the cheapest watch I have ever owned. Had it for 30 years, before that I would average a new watch every 18 months or so. Cost me £4.5K and I've only had it serviced once. Probably going to treat it to another service next year.

I love looking at Rolexes in our local boutique second hand jewellery shop. Its amazing that the second hand are as valuable as the new. If you buy wisely they are an investment, and a pretty one at that. I'll stick to my £80 Rotary for now, its much more my budget, but if I ever had a £13k windfall I think I would treat myself to a vintage rose gold two tone Datejust with the diamonds number markers and chocolate dial.

I agree with my dads former colleague who thought that you might as well have a fake Rolex. If you are rich enough to own one, no one would doubt its authenticity. If you aren't, then everyone will think it's a fake anyway!

OMG this thread has been an education😯
I never knew you had to register, network, interview, do party tricks 🤪 to buy a watch

I misread the title of this thread as Roblox instead of Rolex

Going to back away slowly from the insanity of interviews, playing the long game and cultivating fake friendships with dealers, and get back to spending real money on fake online items for my avatar.

The market is crazy isn’t it. I should, I think be getting my new one in the next few months but go get to that position with the dealer we’ve purposed two wedding rings, a Tudor and went in wearing a white face Daytona and a sub.

World wide waiting lists now so your going to wait. It’s like cars, production is down so second hand cars are going up in value.

Dh bought his tag Carerra in 2006 for £1000 and sold it 11 years later for £1000. He’d have turned a profit if he’d bought the one with a chronograph or something I’m not into watches.

This is mumsnet though op, we’re not allowed to have nice things on here. It’s a race to the bottom on here, though shalt know thy place.

Fully aware I sound a privileged wnker but it is what is it. The watches already owned have more than doubled in value so arguably beat many traditional investments.

So you're all having interviews and stalking dealers to buy source a watch as an investment, but you can't actually sell it on in case you get blacklisted?

Wow. I have an 18ct gold 1969 Rolex. Sorry, I don't know the model though. Be interesting to have it valued......

And to think my sister gave me one of hers and I gave it back because I don't really like them. They are too big and clunky. I'll stick to my Rado.

@PineappleSituation

So you're all having interviews and stalking dealers to buy source a watch as an investment, but you can't actually sell it on in case you get blacklisted?

It’s a bit like if you complain your McClaren super car breaks down all the time you run the risk of being told your not a proper McClaren customer.

@Blueuggboots

Wow. I have an 18ct gold 1969 Rolex. Sorry, I don't know the model though. Be interesting to have it valued......

If you've got the original papers and box, a lot.

Look on instagram for @therealmassena - he can get all sorts of interesting watches.

Agree with pp, OP.

Sometimes you have to buy a less desirable watch, build up purchase history with your SA and then the chances of getting the watch you want increases. Sucks but it’s true. You might get lucky and not have to jump through hoops as you say, but chances are slim.

Your SA will have much more frequent clients who have their wishlist watches and will generally prioritise these clients getting those watches over brand new clients with no purchase history.

Added to increase prices of metals (gold, steel, platinum etc) and distribution/stock issues and I’m not surprised you haven’t heard anything back. Might be worth looking at other stores/boutiques? Harrods is notoriously out of stock/waitlisted. You might have luck calling stores at airport terminals to see if they have what you’re after?

I have two, one is a vintage bimetal 36mm datejust purchased back in 2018 and the other is a white gold and steel datejust purchased in 2019. Both have increased in value over the last year.

They are really lovely watches, both were bought for special moments/occasions and I look forward to being able to pass them onto my DC when they are older.

Hang in there OP, all good things come to those who wait! Xx

I'd find someone else. We had this same situation, we kept calling them to check progress and they'd say oh yes we had one in last week but someone else has purchased it. Obviously they kept saying I'll call you as soon as we get one. In the end we had to go back to someone we'd used before (in a different UK country to where we were living at the time hence not going to them straight away) and got one really quickly.

Once you have one good watch you won't get this issue again unless you pick a bad dealer like we did when we moved areas.

@justswaying

They are mainly concerned that you're not buying it to resell. Example - a nautilus can be bought for around 38k (if you can get on the list!) but is resold for 99k. If you buy a Patek then resell it (so it's then registered to someone else) you'll be blacklisted . Yes it's absolutely ridiculous I know.

This is fascinating! I had no idea about the supply and demand issues

@justswaying

They are mainly concerned that you're not buying it to resell. Example - a nautilus can be bought for around 38k (if you can get on the list!) but is resold for 99k. If you buy a Patek then resell it (so it's then registered to someone else) you'll be blacklisted . Yes it's absolutely ridiculous I know.

I would love a Patek

I’m massively intrigued by this thread- have never owned a fancy watch and not been on my radar at all, but now wondering if I’m missing out! Do you wear it everyday or special occasions? What are the virtues?

@SouthOfFrance

I misread the title of this thread as Roblox instead of Rolex

Going to back away slowly from the insanity of interviews, playing the long game and cultivating fake friendships with dealers, and get back to spending real money on fake online items for my avatar.

😂😂😂😂😂

@SpindlesWhorl, it's got the original box, strap and receipt....it was valued at £7k a few years ago....

DH bought me a pre owned bi metal oyster face Rolex 15 years ago, he paid around £1800. I keep meaning to get it valued.

I have had mine well over 10 years and worn it every day. Before that I had a string of cheaper watches which all broke, scratched or lost stones so I reckon the Rolex is more cost effective and, most importantly, I still love wearing it.