How you got your watch

I’m a lucky guy. I have two friends, each of which is a Rolex AD. They compete for my business!

My first “big” purchase was a Hublot two tone chrono, back well before the Big Banger. I bought it on eBay!

Matt

 

Grey market- DavidSW. Several purchases, perfect service.

 

David SW. best prices on grey market. But also friends with a AD she finds passes on the hard to find at cost. New ceramic Daytona’s, ceramic Pepsi. I’ve been very fortunate, I’ve turned down some nice finds from her. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

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I wish I was friends with a Ferrari dealer!

 

You need a friend in other watch brands now

 

My wife has been in the watch biz for 23 years now and works with the group that owns RM and that (pretty much) controls AP. They now make you qualify to purchase RM's, same way you'd have to if you wanted to by a 488 Pista Aperta. You have to be an existing customer, pay full price in advance and wait, that is IF you're approved. AP is starting to go the same way and as they open more and more boutiques (I think they're at 14 now) they will be harder to obtain as well. Sometimes she can get stuff done though.

I, myself have been through probably 50 watches by now, and probably should have kept a few more of them than I have. C'est La Vie.

 

Schwoo, That's nice but you need a Buben and Zorweg or at least, a Scatola Del Tempo!

 

Varies quite a bit. All of my purchases have gone very well.

I’ve bought 2 used watches from Fchatters via the Classifieds section here, including one from @darth550 above.

I’ve bought 3 Rolexes by walking into 2 different AD’s while on vacations, including one heck of a lucky walk-in Ceramic Daytona purchase at retail price few years ago.

I recently traded in a couple of watches for a used but unworn Omega Grey Side Meteorite to Takayu watches. Plenty of other “trusted sellers” on rolexforums.com also.

 

My first quality watch was a vintage Rolex GMT purchased in 1999. I was 22 and stopped at a jeweler I frequented for small gifts for my girlfriend. Occasionally they had vintage watches that I went in to drool over, and on one such occasion they had a pepsi 1675 that had come in from an estate completely original with box and papers. Price was $1,800 and I bought it on the spot. A couple of days later the owner of the shop called to see if they could get it back, even offered me a few hundred bucks more than I paid. Of course I politely declined.

 

I got lucky and picked up my BLNR in Spring 2017 before the market went crazy. At the time, there were three ADs who each had one, so I got my pick of the litter. Now, my AD told me that he hasn't gotten a BLNR since February and hasn't seen the first new 126710 Pepsi. I'm first on the list for the Pepsi, so I hope it arrives soon. I'm not desperate enough to pay double to a reseller for one!

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I'm very blessed to have quite a few nice timepieces. I like vintage stuff rather than new. The best watch buying story I have is about my 5512 Sub made in 1967. I stopped in to a shop just browsing one day. I had zero intention of buying anything. I mean zero. They had a meters first matte/white 5512 in the case that everyone was drooling over. I asked to see it, tried it on, checked it out, and gave it back. The owner of the shop popped the bracelet off and handed it back to me, "Just in case you wanted to see the serial number and engravings" I looked at the serial number, handed it back to him, and said, "I'll take it."
The serial number was 6 digits consisting of my wedding anniversary, my birthday, and my wife's birthday.

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That’s so random that the owner showed off the serial number. It was just meant to be I guess. I’m sure that’s a keeper.



My only watch (Omega Seamaster) was given to me by my dad when I turned 18. My mom bought the watch for him for their 10yr anniversary in 1991 and he wore it for many years. I’ll always keep it but it’s time for me to upgrade to a Rolex. Not sure how/when I’ll get that one.

My dad stopped wearing the Omega when he got his TT Sub. I always joke that when his memory starts to slip I’m going to take it!

 

Stunning!



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I have been dabbling watches since I was 15. I have a fair collection but the ones I like the most, I let go for some odd reason. I bought them all from other collectors or in random pawn shops/watch shows. It is a fun hobby.