By far, it is the most informative video I've seen regarding Rolex and the gray market. I'm in the market for a DJ41 and an AirKing. Both will be passed down to my grandsons. Have dealt with 3 AD's. Crickets so far.
I’d throw in 1 more variable: one’s age. I’m in your approximate age bracket and realized the waiting game was ridiculous. Bought a Batman; got a great deal. But I would tell guys under 35 - unless they’re ridiculously rich - wait. World economies are going to get worse; Rolex is boosting capacity; you’ll get The Call.
I have bought two watches from Watchbox and sold one Rolex to Bob’s. Both sets of experiences were perfect. I agree that sometimes the grey market makes sense. If you cannot get a Rolex at MRSP from an AD without an extensive 1 year+ wait, I would suggest that the grey market price is often more indicative of the true market price for Rolex subject to the caveat that, the higher the premium percentage wise paid in relation to MSRP, the more prone one will be to market adjustments when the market cools off. If you never sell your watch and can afford it, none of this matters. I agree that paying a premium of a few thousand dollars (an $8300 purchase price for a watch with an MRSP of $6100) is not a big deal if you have the budget but the premiums on some Rolex references like the Kermit or a stainless steel Daytona became very substantial and are now coming back to earth. I feel empathy for the person who wants a Rolex but can’t afford to pay any more than MSRP.
The grey market also doesn't require you to "build a relationship" based on spending thousands for things that you don't want in the first place. Come to think of it, while grey market prices are higher, it's still cheaper than buying from an AD.
I was fortunate enough to get my GMT at retail from Bucherer. It took a little time, but getting it directly from Rolex gives me a great sense of comfort. Didn’t have to buy anything extra to get it
I've never been in any rush to purchase a watch, so I am happy to wait from the AD rather than paying over inflated prices to the grey market. Not sure what the market is like where you are, but I bought a DJ41 in 2021 here in the UK, 6 months later I got the call for a Submariner Bluesie, a few months ago I picked up a GMT Master II from the AD window whilst walking past. The AD I use is a 'group' of companies in the UK so my sales history from multiple stores counts as one account. I've also found an AD abroad with over 110 pieces ready to buy from the window. Hence therefore, I have no reason to go to the grey market.
It depends on what you’re after. The 41mm DJ (in most dial configurations) and the 126613LB aren’t in massive demand. Hence it’s not too difficult to source them from WoS within around 6 months, even with no spend history. If you don’t have a spend history in excess of £100-200k per year, you’re unlikely to ever get the call on the most in-demand watches. That’s why it makes sense for some to use the grey market.
I waited for 4 weeks for my DJ41 and 3 years for my GMT Master 2 Rootbeer (I had practically forgotten about it haha). It feels like a bit of a lottery waiting on a watch and it can feel like you're under constant pressure to be in a position to buy which I hate. Anyway, good luck to all those waiting on the list!
I just got the same watch from a local dealer brand new box and papers for a little over 10k. I know i got ripped but my question is, does your crown feel kind of hard to wind when its fully wound? I havent let mine die completely yet but its been eating away at me. I feel like its supposed to be normal but it is much stiffer than my older movement dj.
I've been on WL for about 16 months now for a 36mm Expl. Have been offered a MG and a Date Sub from them in that time. Bit on the MG and am very happy, but definitely see your point on the lack of waitlist though, make some great points. Bought a couple of less expensive watches from the grey and have been happy with those, not yet willing to hit the 10k mark with them though
buy the watch you want to wear at the price you can afford... . I wanted a GMT Meteorite dial for 4+ years ... I've waited and waited for it to become available at 2 different AD's.. Crickets .. even tough I had a history with both spending over $60K. at one.. So finally I waited to find the right one, at $53K new in the box 2024, stickers, 2 months old warranty card.. and I bought it, and now I'm happy as can be!
another point: during waiting for years for the call from the A.D. Rolex will increase the prices as well. this closes the gap between buying grey today with a premium and waiting for years for the call from the A.D. and paying also more because of the yearly Rolex price increases.
I bought the same, but 124300, 41mm, from an AD in 2020 for £4,700. Feels like a bargain, and I didn't wait longer than a few weeks. Were you in a great hurry? Seems a very expensive way of doing things.
I was past week in rolex shop in lyon france,for see and try the same rolex you have,they were very pleasant and nice with me,offering coffee,we speake with passion of this watche and other,very cool moment,they show me also a tudor burgondi jubilee bracelet and try to sell me this tudor because she was disponible for 4500€,if i had the budget i wil probably buy also the tudor but my budget is only for one watche,after that he show me an explorer but seiing i only come for the oyster perpetual he just put me in wait list telling me could be for 8 or 9 month minimum...so i wouls like in grey market but she cost 8500 or 9000 easyly and i cant...i just have the 6650€ for buying it in authorized dealer...i hate this stupid situation.
I am reading everyone's comments below and though none are inherently wrong, I think all of your arguments 100% make sense. If this is the watch you want, you can afford it and you do not want to wait or play any games then the value you are paying for is getting what you want, when you want and maximizing the time that you get to enjoy it. Any one of us could drop dead in the next year, month, week, day. Tomorrow may never come. Now there isn't a watch that I currently want that much to pay a premium, but I 100% respect your rationale and anyone that criticizes you for your approach is insecure with who they are. Congratulations!!
Don’t wait, go gray. But I just don’t understand why would anyone pay a premium for a Oyster Perpetual. It was the least popular model a few years ago and was consistently selling for discount. And it will likely be readily available in a few years. There’s nothing special about this watch. People buy it because it’s cheapest Rolex. Why pay 30% markups for something you are supposed to get for cheap? The heart wants what the heart wants. Go for it if you have the money to splash, I guess.
Agree. I’m glad he likes it. But the lower end of the Rolex catalog is so bland that it defies the MSRP let alone 30% premium. And the ‘lasts a lifetime’ stuff doesn’t cut it. There are plenty of well made watches that will outlive its owner if maintained properly.
I am on the list for a 41 mm oyster perpetual, nothing special the entry level watch. I am wearing my Rolex Milgauss that I bought on Chrono24 . no wait list ,picked it up from the owner about 1 hour away from my home. I believe that Rolex has a problem when its easier to buy a watch on the gray market. we will see about my wait time.
@@tungstencalais3201 sorry, I was on the waiting list for 36mm. But when i got the call to go and view the 36mm, 40mm was also available. So I came home with 40mm instead.
Going Grey is like being on your Mums car insurance and never building up your own no claims bonus. It might be different in the states on both these things, and that whole buying stuff you do not want (jewellery, Oris etc.) is not something I have ever done, its either BS, or US centric ; )
RUclipsrs in EU and Asia say being asked to buy other products to ‘build a relationship’ before being offered a Rolex is quite common. Your anti-US comment is sad.
@@WestCoastAce27 Hey look, Sorry you took my comment as anti US. It really was not meant to demean a whole nation!! Have not heard the EU/Asia thing before. The European Union is an odd way of describing boundaries. Doyou mean Mainland Europe? The UK left the EU a while back, but without an extremely powerful tug boat, we are still in Europe. I have a pretty extensive UK experience over many years of buying Rolex, Being in Rolex AD's, and have worked in a Tudor/Omega AD that had Rolex in another branch. I have never heard of the 'being asked to buy jewellery BS, although a 'customer history of some sort seems fair to me. Why would you want three/four Rolex's without having bought a single other watch? The reason I felt it might be a US thing is that the US is the major country in terms of RUclips watch chat. Having worked in retail, I would not believe anything a 'customer' says a salesperson said/did if I did not hear it with my own ears! Even less so if its on RUclips!! Have you ever been in a Rolex AD to enquire about purchasing a Rolex?
@@alfieakaronaldog I got a brand new watch without waiting with exactly the color and style I wanted - that’s really what’s relevant here. With the Rolex your paying above listing for a used watch. And I have to say the luster of Rolex has diminished with many brands including Omega stepping up and filling the void.
@@hemantishwaran5741 You got a watch that’s been taken in and out of a shop window everyday for months and possibly dropped a few times lol. Aquaterra’s are not big sellers IME and the sales person would have been very pleased to have sold without discounting. Trust me, It would have been celebrated in the shop with colleagues after you left. Anyone who pays list for a shop window Omega (in the U.K. at least) is a 🤡 Man up next time. Rolex are well worth waiting for. I have never paid over list, but would much rather pay 20% over list for a Rolex (which often is brand new) than pay 20% more than I needed to for an Omega 😂
I have “real” watches and a lot of them. I have a friend who buys the #MaMaCoo we put them side by side and guess what ?! It’s unbelievable!!! I am at the Rolex boutique with her and no one can tell he has a fake
In Toronto canada I buy a super super clone I bring it to a rolex expert he say it was real rolex . Unbelievable. Your super clone look just like mine. You a expert but a regular person like me will never know. Imagine on MaMaCoo
By far, it is the most informative video I've seen regarding Rolex and the gray market. I'm in the market for a DJ41 and an AirKing. Both will be passed down to my grandsons. Have dealt with 3 AD's. Crickets so far.
Great customer service eh?
I’m fine paying the overinflated price for the watch I want. I’m just absolutely terrified of these super clones.
I’d throw in 1 more variable: one’s age. I’m in your approximate age bracket and realized the waiting game was ridiculous. Bought a Batman; got a great deal. But I would tell guys under 35 - unless they’re ridiculously rich - wait. World economies are going to get worse; Rolex is boosting capacity; you’ll get The Call.
Great Point!!
I have bought two watches from Watchbox and sold one Rolex to Bob’s. Both sets of experiences were perfect. I agree that sometimes the grey market makes sense. If you cannot get a Rolex at MRSP from an AD without an extensive 1 year+ wait, I would suggest that the grey market price is often more indicative of the true market price for Rolex subject to the caveat that, the higher the premium percentage wise paid in relation to MSRP, the more prone one will be to market adjustments when the market cools off. If you never sell your watch and can afford it, none of this matters. I agree that paying a premium of a few thousand dollars (an $8300 purchase price for a watch with an MRSP of $6100) is not a big deal if you have the budget but the premiums on some Rolex references like the Kermit or a stainless steel Daytona became very substantial and are now coming back to earth. I feel empathy for the person who wants a Rolex but can’t afford to pay any more than MSRP.
The grey market also doesn't require you to "build a relationship" based on spending thousands for things that you don't want in the first place. Come to think of it, while grey market prices are higher, it's still cheaper than buying from an AD.
I was fortunate enough to get my GMT at retail from Bucherer. It took a little time, but getting it directly from Rolex gives me a great sense of comfort. Didn’t have to buy anything extra to get it
I've purchased four Rolex watches in the past six years from Jomashop and never had any regrets.
Me too, Jomashop was solid..
Thank you for making high quality videos!Love MaMaCoo ’s watches
I've never been in any rush to purchase a watch, so I am happy to wait from the AD rather than paying over inflated prices to the grey market. Not sure what the market is like where you are, but I bought a DJ41 in 2021 here in the UK, 6 months later I got the call for a Submariner Bluesie, a few months ago I picked up a GMT Master II from the AD window whilst walking past. The AD I use is a 'group' of companies in the UK so my sales history from multiple stores counts as one account. I've also found an AD abroad with over 110 pieces ready to buy from the window. Hence therefore, I have no reason to go to the grey market.
It depends on what you’re after. The 41mm DJ (in most dial configurations) and the 126613LB aren’t in massive demand. Hence it’s not too difficult to source them from WoS within around 6 months, even with no spend history.
If you don’t have a spend history in excess of £100-200k per year, you’re unlikely to ever get the call on the most in-demand watches. That’s why it makes sense for some to use the grey market.
I waited for 4 weeks for my DJ41 and 3 years for my GMT Master 2 Rootbeer (I had practically forgotten about it haha). It feels like a bit of a lottery waiting on a watch and it can feel like you're under constant pressure to be in a position to buy which I hate. Anyway, good luck to all those waiting on the list!
The titanium Yacht-Master has 100% markup on the greys. Absurd.
They're worth what people will pay. Still absurd.
I just got the same watch from a local dealer brand new box and papers for a little over 10k. I know i got ripped but my question is, does your crown feel kind of hard to wind when its fully wound? I havent let mine die completely yet but its been eating away at me. I feel like its supposed to be normal but it is much stiffer than my older movement dj.
This would be considered a secondary market purchase rather than on a gray market purchase.
I've been on WL for about 16 months now for a 36mm Expl. Have been offered a MG and a Date Sub from them in that time. Bit on the MG and am very happy, but definitely see your point on the lack of waitlist though, make some great points.
Bought a couple of less expensive watches from the grey and have been happy with those, not yet willing to hit the 10k mark with them though
Yep I probably would have taken the Milgauss! Surprised they had one before the Explorer.
buy the watch you want to wear at the price you can afford... . I wanted a GMT Meteorite dial for 4+ years ... I've waited and waited for it to become available at 2 different AD's.. Crickets .. even tough I had a history with both spending over $60K. at one.. So finally I waited to find the right one, at $53K new in the box 2024, stickers, 2 months old warranty card.. and I bought it, and now I'm happy as can be!
Awesome watch
Just can't see why i must pay 5 grand premium on a GMT ,, it's crazy, but I'm a bit older and more patient.
because the law of supply and demand has never been defeated
another point: during waiting for years for the call from the A.D. Rolex will increase the prices as well. this closes the gap between buying grey today with a premium and waiting for years for the call from the A.D. and paying also more because of the yearly Rolex price increases.
Great point
I bought the same, but 124300, 41mm, from an AD in 2020 for £4,700.
Feels like a bargain, and I didn't wait longer than a few weeks.
Were you in a great hurry? Seems a very expensive way of doing things.
Very nice!
I was past week in rolex shop in lyon france,for see and try the same rolex you have,they were very pleasant and nice with me,offering coffee,we speake with passion of this watche and other,very cool moment,they show me also a tudor burgondi jubilee bracelet and try to sell me this tudor because she was disponible for 4500€,if i had the budget i wil probably buy also the tudor but my budget is only for one watche,after that he show me an explorer but seiing i only come for the oyster perpetual he just put me in wait list telling me could be for 8 or 9 month minimum...so i wouls like in grey market but she cost 8500 or 9000 easyly and i cant...i just have the 6650€ for buying it in authorized dealer...i hate this stupid situation.
Be patient and wait for them to call you. My experience is around 1-6 months depending on the model.
@@key4duty yes,i am sure,thanks for share your experience,best regards
I am reading everyone's comments below and though none are inherently wrong, I think all of your arguments 100% make sense. If this is the watch you want, you can afford it and you do not want to wait or play any games then the value you are paying for is getting what you want, when you want and maximizing the time that you get to enjoy it. Any one of us could drop dead in the next year, month, week, day. Tomorrow may never come. Now there isn't a watch that I currently want that much to pay a premium, but I 100% respect your rationale and anyone that criticizes you for your approach is insecure with who they are. Congratulations!!
Tomorrow never comes!
Ever since I bought a watch from amzwatch , My question is if it's this hard to tell them apart, what is the point of owning an authentic watch?
No regrets.
Buying and OP on grey market I would say so.
Buying an OP, Airking or Explorer 1 is almost as dumb as buying a Tudor
Don’t wait, go gray.
But I just don’t understand why would anyone pay a premium for a Oyster Perpetual. It was the least popular model a few years ago and was consistently selling for discount. And it will likely be readily available in a few years. There’s nothing special about this watch. People buy it because it’s cheapest Rolex. Why pay 30% markups for something you are supposed to get for cheap?
The heart wants what the heart wants. Go for it if you have the money to splash, I guess.
Agree. I’m glad he likes it. But the lower end of the Rolex catalog is so bland that it defies the MSRP let alone 30% premium. And the ‘lasts a lifetime’ stuff doesn’t cut it. There are plenty of well made watches that will outlive its owner if maintained properly.
The AD experience is horrendous, supposed to be buying a luxury product and the experience is anything but luxury
You could of got a datejust for that price
Would be so much better if you had the jubilee bracelet
I originally wanted a Datejust fluted bezel on jubilee but I liked the OP more. The Datejust is still on my list!
Maybe if he were a woman.
I am on the list for a 41 mm oyster perpetual, nothing special the entry level watch. I am wearing my Rolex Milgauss that I bought on Chrono24 . no wait list ,picked it up from the owner about 1 hour away from my home. I believe that Rolex has a problem when its easier to buy a watch on the gray market. we will see about my wait time.
I waited 3 years to get my hands on the 224270 😂
You were on the list for a 224270 before it was even announced?
@@tungstencalais3201 sorry, I was on the waiting list for 36mm. But when i got the call to go and view the 36mm, 40mm was also available. So I came home with 40mm instead.
Going Grey is like being on your Mums car insurance and never building up your own no claims bonus.
It might be different in the states on both these things, and that whole buying stuff you do not want (jewellery, Oris etc.) is not something I have ever done, its either BS, or US centric ; )
RUclipsrs in EU and Asia say being asked to buy other products to ‘build a relationship’ before being offered a Rolex is quite common. Your anti-US comment is sad.
@@WestCoastAce27 Hey look, Sorry you took my comment as anti US. It really was not meant to demean a whole nation!!
Have not heard the EU/Asia thing before.
The European Union is an odd way of describing boundaries. Doyou mean Mainland Europe?
The UK left the EU a while back, but without an extremely powerful tug boat, we are still in Europe.
I have a pretty extensive UK experience over many years of buying Rolex, Being in Rolex AD's, and have worked in a Tudor/Omega AD that had Rolex in another branch.
I have never heard of the 'being asked to buy jewellery BS, although a 'customer history of some sort seems fair to me.
Why would you want three/four Rolex's without having bought a single other watch?
The reason I felt it might be a US thing is that the US is the major country in terms of RUclips watch chat.
Having worked in retail, I would not believe anything a 'customer' says a salesperson said/did if I did not hear it with my own ears!
Even less so if its on RUclips!!
Have you ever been in a Rolex AD to enquire about purchasing a Rolex?
you will loose a lot more than 1200 or 1500. I reckon you get about 6000$ for this watch now if you sell it
First world problem 😊
Rolex is not worth a wait list or paying above retail. Get an omega which blows that old man watch away
Which Omega?
As you mentioned paying over list for a Rolex, I hope you paid well under list for an Omega………. If you actually bought one 😂
@@alfieakaronaldog aqua terra
@@hemantishwaran5741 What discount did you get?
@@alfieakaronaldog I got a brand new watch without waiting with exactly the color and style I wanted - that’s really what’s relevant here. With the Rolex your paying above listing for a used watch. And I have to say the luster of Rolex has diminished with many brands including Omega stepping up and filling the void.
@@hemantishwaran5741 You got a watch that’s been taken in and out of a shop window everyday for months and possibly dropped a few times lol.
Aquaterra’s are not big sellers IME and the sales person would have been very pleased to have sold without discounting.
Trust me, It would have been celebrated in the shop with colleagues after you left.
Anyone who pays list for a shop window Omega (in the U.K. at least) is a 🤡
Man up next time.
Rolex are well worth waiting for.
I have never paid over list, but would much rather pay 20% over list for a Rolex (which often is brand new) than pay 20% more than I needed to for an Omega 😂
😂
You should a massive regret about buying an OP for starters. OPs, airings, and explorer 1s--all bottom of the barrel.
😢y
I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of amzwatch. Their watches are of exceptional quality.
When people are saying #MaMaCoo is a better option for buying a watch,I very much agree!
MaMaCoo is best watch factory!!!
amzwatch 's watches are worth it！
I have “real” watches and a lot of them. I have a friend who buys the #MaMaCoo we put them side by side and guess what ?! It’s unbelievable!!! I am at the Rolex boutique with her and no one can tell he has a fake
#amzwatch 's watch really surprises me！
In Toronto canada I buy a super super clone I bring it to a rolex expert he say it was real rolex . Unbelievable. Your super clone look just like mine. You a expert but a regular person like me will never know. Imagine on MaMaCoo
MaMaCoo is best watch factory!!!
amzwatch 's watches are worth it！