Rolex - ready to take the plunge

[hattie43]

I have wanted a Rolex since forever but have been too stingy to pay the money . I've now changed my mind and want one but I've been told you can't go in and just buy one you have to go on a waiting list , is this true and if so how long is the wait please ?

There are only waiting lists for sought after models. You can go into any Rolex agent and they will happily sell you anything they have in stock! (I used to work for one of them)

You can look at second-hand too; there are several places on my small city high street that sell them.

Shop around retailers. One place I visited was down right rude and looked down their nose at me for daring to cross their door. Felt like a "pretty woman" moment as I was asked if I was sure I could afford the watch.
It really put me off even going else where which is ridiculous but I'm going again once I've moved house.
I was initially buying as a birthday present but it can be a housewarming present instead.

Thankyou , I'm after a bog standard datejust classic so maybe I won't have to go on a waitlist .

A Datejust shouldn't be a drama, what size & dial /bracelet are you looking at?
I have the 41mm in rhodium dial /Oyster bracelet combination.

You will have to buy a vintage/second-hand Rolex. The waiting lists for new ones are years long. Shops in places like London, Amsterdam & Vienna (all seen in last 12 months) have watches in the window with little signs saying "For display purposes only" and you can't buy a new one for love nor money.

I also want to take the plunge for an oyster perpetual- but when I went into a showroom they said for that model only V.VIPS (imagine being a very very important person!) would be offered the chance to buy when they become available. But I could put my name down for a white gold datejust which has shorter waitlist -but is more expensive..

I put my name down anyway but I'm not holding out much hope!

I worked out from the Rolex configure website exactly what specification I wanted, then went into my nearest dealer and ordered it. It took a few days for them to track one down that matched my spec.

Ladies ones are far less in demand than gents. I ordered mine and had it within a month. DH has been on the wishlist for years for the one he wants.

The classic datejusts are always oos! Especially the steel models. I've been on the waitlist for the tiffany blue dial model for 2 years! If you go for 2 toned the waitlist will be shorter. They won't have all the watches available in store so it's best you look on the website and narrow down what you have in mind before going in store to try your luck. Good luck!

It very much depends on the type of Rolex that you're looking for.
Sports and popular steel models (candy dial OPs/blue/black/rhodum DJ's etc) - forget it as a first time buyer.
There are some 36mm datejusts etc that have shorter waitlists than others, but it largely depends on size and configuration and the wait time can vary from 6 months +
If you're looking for a designated women's model then they are easier to get hold of but you'd need to go for below 36mm.

If you're looking for instant gratification, grey dealers are probably the way forward. You'll pay more, but it gets you what you want faster, and the prices are not currently as inflated as they have been over the past few years.

Good luck :-)

And if you do get one, don’t forget to insure it. Most household insurance does not cover single items that expensive.

Thanks for your advice everyone , really helpful .

My dad got my brother one for his bday one year. My dad is not the kind of person who would go on waitlist or have connections to have him bumped up! He just walked into a shop and bought one. So I think you'll be fine

There's tons secondhand on Ebay

Things have changed so much with Rolex in the last few years. I can't remember the last time I actually saw a shop with any for sale rather than just display. Possibly out of London there might be. Second hand is good but be really careful there are really good fakes. My friend got one from a reputable dealer wore it for 18 months then discovered after returning it to Rolex for a service it was fake. She got a full refund from the dealer plus a grovelling apology and compensation (hush money) - she said they were mortified.

I have been on the waitlist for a ladies’ Oyster Perpetual since January 2022 😳

Someone who used to work at a chain jeweller told me recently that unless I’m on their radar as having previously bought a Rolex, I’m unlikely to ever get the call that mine is in. Not sure if this is true but I’m not holding out much hope.

I know they must sell enough but it seems a bonkers business model. They could have had £4k+ of my money almost 18 months ago. I’m now looking at Watchfinder etc but they’re much more expensive.

Be careful. There are a lot of fakes out there.
Proper sought after models have long waitlists and true second hand Ines can be even more expensive than new ones, due to demand.
If buying from somewhere like eBay you really have to do your research beforehand.