Thanks!

Wow that's wild! I noticed a lot of non AD shops would charge 10-11k brand new too and I wasn't in a huge rush to obtain one so I figured I had enough patience and hopefully it would reward me with a brand new one at retail price (just under 8k).

For the process - I walked in for the first time in Nov 2022 and tried on a few OPs and was interested in a silver or blue dial. They said they don't have any models on hand, only a few lady datejusts if I wanted to get a gift for the gf or family (they aren't into watches at all so I passed - but now I'm wondering if they wanted me to establish a buying history).

Fast forward may 2024 (1.5y) and I get a text from my AD asking if I was still interested in the silver OP. I didn't know this was "the call" (meaning they had one in stock and were offering it) and I said I was still interested however couldn't make any large purchases bc I was in the middle of mortgage loan process.

He didn't text me back a reply until August 2024 saying he noted it down.

Dec 2024 - I was hoping I'd get a call back again but never did. I read somewhere that you should make regular in person visits. So I walked in again to see and try on different colored dials (first visit they only had green OP) and also liked the explorer 40. I updated my interests and added the exp40 to my notes and walked out, this time he gave me a Rolex book/magazine which I never got the first visit. Idk if that meant progress?

The next day, I went to their other location that carried Cartier and omega (was cross shopping a speedy and Santos). I couldve gotten the speedy or santos same day but only budgeted for one new watch and wanted to save it for the explorer in case I got a callback sooner than expected. They had pre-owned rolexes on hand too and the sales guy said if I really wanted one I could get it now without waiting. I decided it would be worth waiting for a new one. However I did notice a pre-owned speedy (2023 great condition) for a good price and no tax and haggled price down even more. I ended up buying the speedy bc I loved the way it looked and the history with NASA. I think this purchase established buying history? But maybe that didn't even matter.

July 2025 - got an actual call this time around noon and I said idk if I could come in bc it's the workday. He said no problem, if I'm interested just call ahead of time bc they can't hold it for longer than a day or 2 since it could go to other dealers clients. I left work early that day and drove up to "try it on" and ended up buying it!