Rolex sports models - availability improving in U.K.?

Davidt · Jun 13, 2020

For those who aren’t aware it looks like some Rolex ADs in the U.K. have contacted people on the waitlist over the last couple of months offering steel sports models. The only (minor?) caveat being that payment was generally requested up front.

I was on the list for an Explorer 1 and got a call.

Did any other UK members get contacted and if so, did you go for it?

Was this replicated in any other countries?

WatchCor · Jun 13, 2020

Apologies as I am not based in UK but this sound so different from everything that I've heard about AD's.

Payment upfront? That sounds odd to me. Did they guarantee a delivery date?

My AD told me that they can't "order" anything from Rolex, they just receive a shipment monthly or bimonthly and open it and see what models they get.

Hence my AD doesn't take prepayments.

I would be greatly surprised if any AD is able to "order" specific models for specific customers. I'd love to know if that is the case in some "big" countries.

Davidt · Jun 13, 2020

There has been no mention of ordering any models.

I've just heard several individuals and YouTubers etc mention that there seems to have been an uptick in people in the UK who have been on a wait list for a period of time, being contacted during lockdown to say their desired watch is available, can be secured with payment up front and collection will begin once lockdown eases for retailers (i.e. Monday in the UK).

OmeGez · Jun 13, 2020

Evitzee · Jun 13, 2020

According to the video "Rolex is helping out ADs by supplying them with stock in this difficult time". That's preposterous, Rolex doesn't do that. If the dealer is asking for money upfront I'd want exact details on delivery date, no "sometime in the future" BS.

Davidt · Jun 13, 2020

Evitzee
According to the video "Rolex is helping out ADs by supplying them with stock in this difficult time". That's preposterous, Rolex doesn't do that. If the dealer is asking for money upfront I'd want exact details on delivery date, no "sometime in the future" BS.

That's his opinion and I don't think it's correct either.

WatchCor · Jun 13, 2020

Evitzee
According to the video "Rolex is helping out ADs by supplying them with stock in this difficult time". That's preposterous, Rolex doesn't do that. If the dealer is asking for money upfront I'd want exact details on delivery date, no "sometime in the future" BS.

My sentiments exactly. Sounds very odd and I'd be kind of wary about this. I am an optimist at heart but I have a deep moat of realism and a decent wall of cynicism surrounding said heart of optimism.

dscoogs · Jun 13, 2020

Don't know about UK but in Houston Texas, my daughter put her name on several AD waiting lists 4-5 weeks ago for a black sub. She got a call a couple of days ago from an AD which has an incoming sub with date, but she decided on a no date so passed.

Anyone who may be interested can contact Lewis Jewelers in Clear Lake City, who knows they may still have one laying around.

Davidt · Jun 13, 2020

Regardless of whether people think it is/was risky (and I fully understand that viewpoint), it seems there are many who did their due diligence, satisfied themselves that it was legit, paid up and appear to be collecting their watches this week - me included.

Did anyone else on OF?

Or has anyone spoken to their AD recently to put their name down for what has been a hard to get model for the last 2-3 years, and had a call already?

Evitzee · Jun 13, 2020

Davidt
Regardless of whether people think it is/was risky (and I fully understand that viewpoint), it seems there are many who did their due diligence, satisfied themselves that it was legit, paid up and appear to be collecting their watches this week - me included.

Did anyone else on OF?

Or has anyone spoken to their AD recently to put their name down for what has been a hard to get model for the last 2-3 years, and had a call already?

Keep us posted on how it goes once the UK stores open up on June 15th. Many stores have been open for weeks in many places in the US but haven't heard of anybody getting a call like this. Still no supply.

Davidt · Jun 13, 2020

I'm due to collect mine first thing on Monday so should have it in hand shortly...

Robbie77 · Jun 14, 2020

I also hear ADs cannot order anything. Everything just shows up in their deliveries and ADs have no idea what's in the box until they open it. What a business model. Probably unique in the sales world.

Stripey · Jun 14, 2020

A similar debate took place on the Rolex forums a couple of weeks ago about payment upfront, although that was in the US, where the law about paying by credit cards is presumably different from the UK. Requiring payment upfront seems to me to be the sign of a business desperate for cash flow (and it's hardly surprising). Pay by credit card, and if they go bust in the meantime, at least you'll get your money back under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. If they won't take payment by credit card, something's definitely up.

Out of interest, David, how long have you been waiting for what will hopefully soon be your Explorer? I had thought of putting my name on a list, because I am not paying over list price. But, when I got my Apollo 8, I had my name on a list with Watches of Switzerland and with the Omega Boutique on Oxford Street. Omega called me and because I was close to the store, I got slightly ahead on the list and got my watch that day - I think it was about another month before they had another one coincidentally when I dropped in to get my chrono hour hand adjusted. But I'm still waiting (obviously not literally) for a call from WoS, which I think is pretty poor considering the watch subsequently became perfectly available. So I have doubts about going on some b*&(()t list where they never actually call you at all.

Davidt · Jun 14, 2020

I put my name down late last year.

I also had my name down for a white dial OP39 and got a call for one of those after about 6 weeks but after trying it on I decided to wait for an Explorer.

Incidentally before I put my name down at this AD I had my name down on another. They lived up to every Rolex AD stereotype and as I left the store I decided that I wouldn't buy a watch from them even if they called me the next day. I also realised that wouldn't be a problem as like you say, I fee I could wait for 20 years and never heard back from that particular AD.

Stripey · Jun 14, 2020

Davidt
I put my name down late last year.

I also had my name down for a white dial OP39 and got a call for one of those after about 6 weeks but after trying it on I decided to wait for an Explorer.

Incidentally before I put my name down at this AD I had my name down on another. They lived up to every Rolex AD stereotype and as I left the store I decided that I wouldn't buy a watch from them even if they called me the next day. I also realised that wouldn't be a problem as like you say, I fee I could wait for 20 years and never heard back from that particular AD.

Thanks for that, appreciate the time in responding.

Davidt · Jun 15, 2020

Well, my Explorer was ready and waiting for me at my agreed appointment today.

Another chap came in shortly after to collect his white dial Daytona as well.

I have to say, this looks great in the flesh. I was concerned I might find it slightly too large but it's a perfect fit on my wrist.

Stripey · Jun 15, 2020

Davidt
Well, my Explorer was ready and waiting for me at my agreed appointment today.

Another chap came in shortly after to collect his white dial Daytona as well.

I have to say, this looks great in the flesh. I was concerned I might find it slightly too large but it's a perfect fit on my wrist.

Congratulations - it looks beautiful. Wear it often!

stevec14 · Jun 15, 2020

Davidt
Well, my Explorer was ready and waiting for me at my agreed appointment today.

Another chap came in shortly after to collect his white dial Daytona as well.

I have to say, this looks great in the flesh. I was concerned I might find it slightly too large but it's a perfect fit on my wrist.

Lovely watch - congrats. Can’t beat it when you get a call! Let’s have a wrist shot when you get time!

Martin_J_N · Jun 15, 2020

Congratulations on your new watch it looks great, enjoy it and wear in good health.

I am on a number of waiting lists at my AD's, CHNR, Sub and Sub Date. I received no call during lockdown and have received no call today to say my watch or watches are in.

All of this is fine as I am not buying another Rolex anyway, got bored with the whole process so looking at other brands and oh boy there are some great watches out there, looking forward to trying some on in the months ahead.

Pepe Lucas · Jun 15, 2020

I live in Texas and was on a waiting list from early 2017 for a Daytona and got the call for a black one 3 weeks ago. They didn’t ask for money over the phone, they just said that if I wanted it to go a pick it up. I went and paid right there and got it.