Can you build a relationship with an AD via straps/accessories?

I am fortunate to have recently acquired my GADA/one and done, a Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph. I selected this watch from the entire Omega catalog, past and present, and do not expect to purchase another watch of its caliber again.

That said, this watch came out before the quick adjust clasps were released and that's an upgrade that I'd like to have. I know what parts I need, my question is how to go about getting them. I also plan to purchase an OEM crocodile strap and nato strap, do you think ordering these through an AD would give me room to see if they will also order the clasp and end links I need?

Relationships don’t usually get to the “leather” stage until a bit later.

You should not need to build a relationship to order parts like that. Relationships are useful when trying to score a limited edition, hard to find piece.

In all seriousness, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this: it depends on the AD, and also on the individual salesperson involved. I have one AD where I have a > 25k USD “spend history” who makes all kinds of promises and never delivers on anything. I have another one where I’ve sent off two watches for service but have never bought a thing—the SA texts me frequently with opportunities to buy cool things before they hit the showroom floor. …I think just because we’ve had a good conversation or two. During the peak Rolex sports watch craze, I got offered (and bought) a new Sub Date after just a couple weeks’ wait with an AD whom I’d never even visited, let alone bought from—again just on the basis of a 10-minute chat (this one over the phone—it was covid times). Other Rolex ADs that I did visit and where I did buy other (smaller) things never called. (That’s not entirely true: one offered me a milgauss or a yacht master—no thanks. Another said the only watch I might be able to get was an SD43.) One last example: another place (a very prominent one in the Philly area) that’s an AD for Patek where my “spend history” was a $1000 Oris offered me a shot at a brand new 5196g Calatrava at retail—all of this happened via phone and email. I’ve never visited in person, never met the guy. But we had good chats, that’s it. (At the time I was chasing a different watch, so I declined, which I think shocked him. I’ll probably never get a chance like that again.)

My point is: big whales aside, AD relationships might have more to do with connecting personally than with spending history. I would just get the stuff you want the easiest and fastest way possible.

Thanks for all the responses, I appreciate it.

I expected it would be no problem to buy the straps because they are actually in stock and available to buy on the Omega website. I wasn’t sure about the parts, thought that might be different so that’s great news.

Yes we all said that once.😗 Welcome to the club 👍

Relationship building ? Maybe a Marriage proposal would get you the needed Leather/ Parts easily? Strange times ...

Building a relationship with the AD... Did you mean to post this on rolexforums?