Rolex Waitlist- Expectations vs Reality…..Is it worth the wait?
So, you heard that there was a “waitlist” for highly prized Rolex watches. To a certain extent, this is true, but not 100%. Boutiques and authorized dealers dont have an official list of client requests that covers every boutique simultaneously. Each boutique tracks client requests based on a number of qualifications and logs these requests in a customer relationship management tool. Over the years, demand for Rolex watches has outpaced the supply. In general, you cant simply go into a boutique today and buy a Rolex watch. Rolex averages 1 million watches produced per year. Wait times currently for certain Rolex watches can exceed 3 or more years, and although you might want to purchase a certain watch, other factors come into play. The “waitlist” is not a true first come- first serve list. There is no ticket number or public ranking.What registers as important in one location may not in another. It’s really just an “I’m interested in this watch” database. There is no guarantee that your specific watch will ever come in. Rolex boutiques usually won't do business over the phone(unless you are a truly established client), so you have to visit a boutique, and even this doesn’t guarantee you being able to purchase the particular watch in a timely manner. When a watch arrives at a boutique, the manager and team members weigh the watch against their database of matched clients. The client’s buying history has a definite effect on who from the database gets called first, as well as their current personal collection, and if the client purchases across categories vs a first time buyer.
Rolex Waitlist Time Frame
Here is a list of some of the most popular Rolex watches, and the general wait times(if purchased in the boutique):
1)SUBMARINER- 4 months to 3 years. (This includes the “Starbucks and Bluesy” which are a longer wait)
2)DAYTONA- 2 years to 10 years (Usually VIP clients only for this list)
3)DATEJUST- 3 months to 1 year
4)GMT MASTER II- 1 to 5 years (Pepsi and Solid Gold are VIP only, Batman, Batgirl, Bruce Wayne, Root Beer, Zombie depending on availability)
5)OYSTER PERPETUAL- 6 months-5 years (depending on dial color & availability)
6)EXPLORER- Immediate-2 years
7)SKY-DWELLER- 2 months-5 years(depending on dial color and type of gold)
Keep in mind, these numbers are subject to location, visibility, & availability. A watch that may be completely sold out in one city, might be available in another city.
Tips to “SHORTEN” your time on the waitlist
Here are some helpful pointers or tricks to push your place and time on the list closer to purchasing a popular watch:
1)Visit the boutique in person
2)Choose 1 specific watch style and show genuine interest in that style
3)Speak to your passion about the watch and brand
4)Mention if the purchase is to celebrate a milestone or special occasion
5)DONT discuss resale value or potential profit with the staff
6)********Start building a purchase history, especially from other categories or available styles
Waitlist vs Secondary Market
In truth, this is simply about choice. It comes down to time vs price. If you wait, you may never get the style you desire, and might be pressured along the way to buy other pieces in order to build or maintain your “standing” with Rolex. Boutiques and authorized dealers as a general rule do not allow deposits for the most popular styles, nor will a deposit move you up in the boutiques database placement. On the flip side, you would participate in the ceremony of “THE PHONECALL” from you sales contact that your watch had finally arrived(which adds to the excitement), and a guarantee that your watch comes in factory condition with a full original warranty.
If you purchase on the secondary market, you can immediately purchase and take home the watch of your choice, have access to many of the older/vintage/hard to find watches that aren't available in the boutiques, and have transparent reports regarding the condition, age, and authenticity of the watch in question. On the flip side, pricing for in demand watches models is usually above retail.
SO………do you wait or purchase on the secondary market? The choice is complete up to you
