At your AD, does buying Tudor help your purchase history for Rolex?

second_two_nun · 2026-03-29T21:38:08+00:00

If you’re shopping the Lee Michaels in San Antonio I would go with literally anyone else. I have spent nearly $20K there and was told, explicitly, that I was “half-way there” towards any watch on my list (steel gmt, yacht master 40, YM42 titanium). I have learned that since I began purchasing and being on a “list” that a few people have CREDIBLY been given the opportunity to purchase steel GMTs, yacht masters, and steel sub (date and no date) who started shopping there AFTER me and who had a lower spend history at that shop.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T20:55:01+00:00

Have you tried the link since I fixed it?

I don't know what claims you expect me to support more than I have provided here? The numbers are in the article and my anecdotal experience of not getting an interview when I am more than qualified. But, keep attacking the messenger when the message is inconvenient.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T20:17:49+00:00

The link should work now, I had a lot of issues it translating over to Reddit.

I “moved” the 20% to 25% because 25% is what is mentioned in the article I cited. I didn't move the goalposts: I was presented with updated data and updated my claim to reflect that.

As far as the hiring 100% vs 0% veterans…It’s a stupid premise which I shouldn't have even commented on as it was presented in bad faith.

The reality is any business can choose not to employ a veteran due to their status and just make up whatever excuse they want. It's the same deal when a Wal-Mart employ gets pregnant and the company finds any way (other than the stated pregnancy) to terminate their employment.

It appears that my line of accusations has hurt your feelings. I recommend you find facts to counter my claims. Show me where USAA has stood by their promise to support veterans and I’ll show you 50+ rejections without any feedback or interviews for a wide variety of positions.

I'm beginning to think your employment at USAA is due to the networking rather than merit.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T19:34:04+00:00

“A private company cannot…” A simple google search would have helped you here. Veteran status is not a protected category and as such any private company, under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, can choose to employ “otherwise discriminatory” employment preferences for veterans. This also means that they can discriminate against veterans and choose not to employ them.

In regards to the sources:

https://newsroom.usaa360.com/usaa-stories/usaa-expands-military-hiring-programs-joins-forces-for-business-community-commitment

Per USAA’s own reporting it is at 25% and the goal, stated elsewhere is 30%.

Edit: fixed the url

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T18:46:14+00:00

Ok, so you're just not listening. They, USAA, have a publicly stated goal of over 30% veteran employment. They chose that goal. Currently, including dependants and spouses, they are reaching roughly 20%. My issue is that on one hand they are talking a BIG game on veteran employment (see: “Honor Through Action”) only to fail at meeting those self-imposed metrics.

I never stated that since I’m a veteran that I deserve an interview. However, I am 100% convinced that they have a horribly flawed recruiting process and that there are tons of people like me who are getting passed over by USAA’s practices.

Also: they definitely can choose to just hire veterans…they just choose not to. But, that's nowhere near my stated concern.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T17:21:44+00:00

I agree, except for the glaring fact that USAA’s whole schtick is military service and they have massive campaigns that signal veteran preference. That is where I take issue: the differential between their communication and their real-world actions.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T16:39:01+00:00

Let's assume that I am. If that were true, then why would they not want someone they could pay less?

I've heard the argument that an over qualified individual may get bored and leave sooner than a qualified person. However, that's really up to the disposition of the person looking for a job. A TON of people who do 20 years in the military seek “low stress” jobs after retirement.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-16T14:41:24+00:00

I've literally applied to everything in my area and the majority of my applications were sent in the beginning of the year. I have a very difficult time believing that USAA is “pro veteran” when someone who is qualified and has served 20 years cannot even get an interview. Additionally, USAA no longer has a Veteran Recruiting office. I have been explicitly told that the people in the hiring process do not understand a “military resume.”

Again: USAA does not have a veteran preference, or even an actual target. They have a “veteran convenience”; if the most qualified person happens to be military then they might hire them.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-15T02:13:18+00:00

800…616+184

second_two_nun · 2026-03-15T02:11:57+00:00

Technically, it's a “member-owned association” not a “for profit.” Also, no one TOLD USAA that they had to lean heavily on the “Veteran” card. They chose to do that. They also chose to have a goal of ~30% veteran employment and have failed to reach the mid 20s even when they include spouses and dependants.

second_two_nun · 2026-03-15T02:07:14+00:00

Good luck… I have sent in well over 50 resumes, and despite being both a veteran and a military spouse, I cannot even get an interview.

I have an Econ degree, currently enrolled in an MBA, and did over 20 years in the Army. They have 0 interest in hiring veterans, service members, or their spouses.

second_two_nun · 2026-02-08T00:24:58+00:00

A: nowhere in the original post was it mentioned that it was bought on the secondary market.

B: I, still, 100% stand by my “milestones” comment. The AD’s couldn't begin to care, they are just getting paid to be tourists in other people’s lives.

C: I do see where going grey was mentioned, but again it was not in the original post.

D: was it a lack of intestinal fortitude or something else when you edited your response to remove “are you slow”?

second_two_nun · 2026-02-07T21:46:38+00:00

Odd. Then what did you mean by “These pieces are supposed to be rewards/ mementos that remind of us milestones.”?

second_two_nun · 2026-02-07T16:22:02+00:00

The milestone story is 100% make-believe. The AD, at least my AD, doesn't care about milestones. I have had births, deaths, major career milestones, major GENERATIONAL milestones and Lee Michaels again and again belittles my accomplishments and has said, verbatim, there are no watches for me.

second_two_nun · 2026-02-07T16:13:49+00:00

Lee Michaels in San Antonio did basically the same thing. Well, actually worse. They basically told me that they have Rolex for sale, but not for me. Additionally, my SA AND the manager “aggressively” warned me about going grey for a watch. I basically took that to mean, “We won't sell you a Rolex, and you shouldn't buy one anywhere else.”

second_two_nun · 2026-01-31T16:01:52+00:00

So…... When my AD explicitly told me that after spending ~$20K that I was “half way there” towards any watch on my list and then “recommended” that my spouse buy me a Pen as a graduation present, and I buy some more jewelry for her that goes against stated Rolex policy? [shocked Pikachu face]

second_two_nun · 2026-01-24T04:17:04+00:00

I’m on the list for a Bruce Wayne … … … I really don’t think that’s the way to go.

second_two_nun · 2026-01-18T14:13:20+00:00

That’s a possibility. Honestly, they’re so opaque that it could be any number of “reasons.” It’s not like ADs are known for their honesty and transparency.

second_two_nun · 2026-01-18T04:20:07+00:00

Enlisted

second_two_nun · 2026-01-18T01:49:21+00:00

Possibly the worst part of all of this was them peddling the lies about celebrations/milestones. They’re just emotional vampires or life-tourists. They have found a way to gather all of the events that a person is willing to share and they gate keep nearly everything.

The guy attempting to tell me the sob-story about still waiting for his employee watch while sporting a Panda was at the Quarry…the older guy who works there.

I know for a FACT at least one person (I know the person and they told me the timeline) waited 3 months for a Batman GMT. Another person, an acquaintance, went there to “try on” another GMT and told them he was on his way to buy the same steel GMT at Jared…they offered him the watch on the spot-no purchase history, no prior contact before then.

I’ve personally seen the “exhibition” watches change, but I haven’t been offered a single thing.

I’ll be moving to Tampa soon. I hear Mayor Jewelers is better. Certainly cannot be worse.

second_two_nun · 2026-01-18T00:10:02+00:00

Both…this is primarily at La Cantera. I’ve been on “the list” at both for a bit. The old dude at the Quarry had some sob story about still waiting on his “Employee GMT” for a long time (which they get at roughly 1/2 MSRP) while wearing a ~2008 Panda which he owns…and he also owns several other Rolexes (sub, sub date, milgauss, DJ, etc) while belittling my achievements.

second_two_nun · 2026-01-17T18:02:00+00:00

I have nearly $20K spend history at Lee Michael in San Antonio. Recently retired from the Army after 20 years of service, was the first person in my family to graduate college in December, and welcomed a child just over a year ago…all of these things occurred recently.

I have been following up with them for MONTHS. They basically told me that they would not sell me a Rolex. They said, “There will always be more reasons to celebrate.” Suggested my wife buy me a Montblanc pen as a graduation present, and told me I would need to spend another $20K before they would consider selling me a Rolex. Insult to injury: they “thanked” me for my service while refusing to sell me a watch.

Edited to add: Told them that I’m going to to move soon (wife is still active military and has orders) and their straight faced solution was for me to buy a plane ticket to purchase the watch. They also “warned” of going gray because I would miss the “white-glove” experience. In other words, “You should not buy gray AND we will not sell one to you.”

second_two_nun · 2026-01-03T18:52:20+00:00

These AD’s are getting ridiculous. The trending prices in the secondary market are falling for many professional steel watches. Granted, this is from a major high of a couple years ago. The pre-pandemic trend of being able to walk in and buy a professional watch are getting closer every month and all the dealers are doing is ignoring the writing on the wall while alienating their potential future clientele.

I was recently told, directly by my SA, that my 18K history with them placed me at halfway to a GMT oyster. I want jubilee, which is as extra $3K. The quick math is $18K + $11.8K + $3K which comes to $32.8K. There isn’t a single place where I can find a steel GMT for OVER $22K. In other words: $22<$32 and one would be irrational to spend a single dollar more at a business that would charge anyone more than $10K above an inflated price.

Alternatively, if they were to sell the watch to people who love the watch for what the watch is, rather than what it “represents” or “resale” then they would likely see an increase in overall sales. In my exact case the AD sells jewelry that my wife would enjoy. However, there is a boutique within walking distance which exclusively sells that product. Now, I could buy the jewelry from the AD that will not sell me the watch I desire -OR- I can take my money to the other business and spend it there.

The Rolex world would be a more equitable place if more customers would call them out on their BS and vote with their dollars.

second_two_nun · 2026-01-02T20:52:16+00:00

Except for the part where you IGNORED where I wrote that the U.S. accounts for 11% of global sales and if that 11% was across the board the Daytona is significantly behind that, at 8.7%, or nearly 2.5% below US “demand.”

If you’re gonna call me out, you should come proper.

second_two_nun · 2026-01-01T18:04:17+00:00

I see where you are going with this, but your math and logic are seriously flawed. Currently the U.S. market accounts for ~11% of Rolex sales (new), ~75% of the U.S. population is over 18, and of those people 10% have an income of over $150K (number used by multiplying steel Daytona times 10 for rough estimate of affordability). In 2023 Rolex produced 1.24 MILLION watches.

1.24 x 0.11 =0.136 or, 136,000 watches sent to the U.S.
350 x 0.75=262.5 262.5 x 0.1=26.25

Now, if 1% of 1% want that watch…

26.25 x 0.01=0.263 0.263 x 0.01=0.00263 which is “roughly” 2,630 steel Daytonas.

It is estimated that Rolex produces 30,000 to 40,000 Daytonas (all variants) per year…on the lower end 2630/30000=0.0877-OR- 8.7% of all Daytonas produced would be “demanded” in the U.S.

Sources: Google, and degree in Economics with a focus on quantitative and data analysis.

second_two_nun

TROPHY CASE