Buying a watch from an AD but... display model only?

[jujin]

Do ADs stock rolex watches or is it just usually what they have out is what's for sale? I'm getting ready to buy a GMT Master II and I've been to this AD quite a few times to look at and try on the watch. When I asked if that was the one for sale or they had anymore in the back she said that was the only one. Is this common practice for ADs? I examined the watch and it's in pretty good condition. It still has the protective plastic on it and doesn't have any noticeable scratches, the only flaw that I see is there's a little bit of dust built up around the cyclops which shouldn't be a huge issue. What do you guys think? Would you pay retail MSRP for a display model watch?

[Strela]

There are no such thing as display models for the most part. Many smaller jewelers do not have more than what you see in the case. Be very careful and look the watch over for signs of wear, scratches, dust under the crystal, etc. Make sure it's up to liking before laying down your money. Get a 4x or even 10x loupe and give the watch a good eyeing over to be safe. And discusses anything you feel uncomfortable with.

NB: Any problems after sale, aside from it being your's, become Rolex's problems, not your jewelers, and are delt with through Rolex service, not your jeweler.

[dovewatcher]

I agree, for the most part at ADs what you see is what you get, nothing else in the back. Where one AD will bend over backward to find/order you what you want in, another couldn't care less. What amazes me the most that in almost every shop I've been in, when I ask to see a watch it usually comes out with fingerprints all over it; they never clean them and when I smudge it all up and hand it back they don't clean it even then! Still drives me crazy.

[Watchbreath]

There's one usually in the window and one in the case, one in the safe, not so common.

[baronrojo]

I agree, for the most part at ADs what you see is what you get, nothing else in the back. Where one AD will bend over backward to find/order you what you want in, another couldn't care less. What amazes me the most that in almost every shop I've been in, when I ask to see a watch it usually comes out with fingerprints all over it; they never clean them and when I smudge it all up and hand it back they don't clean it even then! Still drives me crazy.

Where do you buy your watches? The shops I go to always make sure to keep their watches smudge-free.

[OrangeSport]

I would want a discount on any display model (well, actually any watch anyway to be honest). I would prefer a new watch to be ordered for me. If they won't do that I am sure another AD will. If you tell them you are definitely buying, but want a new example so are going elsewhere I am sure they'll order you one. My AD got my Sub in just for me to try on with no commitment or pressure to buy it, so I am sure they would do the same for a definite sale.

[dovewatcher]

Where do you buy your watches? The shops I go to always make sure to keep their watches smudge-free.

Recently to ADs selling Rolex, Omega, Tag, Hamilton and Baume. Actually the last three shops I've been in!

[Strela]

Only with the big movers, not the smaller places. Smaller places, I have found, through personal experience mind you, wheel and deal more on price. Sure Tourneau keeps a platoons of watches on the ready in the safe but they rarely budge on price. No real deals to be had.

[ewdi]

I bought mine from Rolex boutique in Nagoya, when I decided on the purchase, they went into their volt and brought a new one out (in glass box) and a separate green box. Sadly, unlike AD, you don't get to haggle :(

[Split Second]

I would want a discount on any display model (well, actually any watch anyway to be honest). I would prefer a new watch to be ordered for me. If they won't do that I am sure another AD will. If you tell them you are definitely buying, but want a new example so are going elsewhere I am sure they'll order you one. My AD got my Sub in just for me to try on with no commitment or pressure to buy it, so I am sure they would do the same for a definite sale.

A possibility, yes, but it really depends on whether the AD is willing to do this, knowing they have the same watch immediately for sale, but as well depends on whether the prospective customer is willing to wait - and how long that wait will be to order new from Rolex. At my AD, when I informed them I wanted the Submariner, and whereas they only had one in stock, they immediately took it off and out of the display so no one else would touch it, and put it in the back on hold for me. They did this, too, knowing my schedule would not permit me to go to the store for at least a week. Ultimately, I was fine knowing the watch was on display because it still had the majority of its stickers on it, had not been sized, no scratches, etc. etc. No other AD I called at the time even had the Submariner 104060M in stock, nor offered to order me one, either, so considering that I found a dealer willing to hold the watch for me, they had my business. In fact, I was so impressed with the service, I bought my second Rolex from them as well.

So, no, I would not worry about it being a display.

Regards,

mike.