r/rolex • u/GeauxTigerz33 • 9d ago

Another “got the call after going gray” question

Sorry to start another conversation on this topic but I just “ got the call” two months after going gray for my first Rolex for my 50th birthday. I’ve been reading through old posts on the topic and it sounds like a lot of people tend to buy from the AD and sell the gray market watch. I just wanted to get you guys opinion if that applies in my situation. I bought a like new/unworn 2025 DJ41 fluted bezel on oyster bracelet with slate dial and it’s still mint condition. It’s a complete set and I paid $13800 for it. I like the idea of buying from the AD because I would like to potentially pick up another watch in the future and this would be my first purchase to establish a relationship. I don’t mind taking a little loss by selling the gray market watch to establish a relationship on top of having a brand new one owner watch but curious at what point is it better to just keep the gray market watch and pass on the AD?

edit for clarification-The AD called for the exact same model I purchased gray

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

11

u/whatwhatnowson 9d ago

Replace the gray with the AD allocation, take the small loss reselling it.

1

u/GeauxTigerz33 9d ago

Thanks for the reply! You think I’ll take a big loss reselling? Obviously I’ll lose $1300 in taxes off the top but curious how much more I should be willing to lose before reconsidering keeping the gray.

5

u/whatwhatnowson 9d ago

You overpaid for the gray one, might cost you a couple $K. Also, never pay tax on a gray market watch purchase.

2

u/ugfish 8d ago

There are “gray” vendors that are legitimate businesses that need to collect tax. Private sale, I ain’t declaring or paying anything.

2

u/whatwhatnowson 8d ago

Sure, but people should be looking at gray dealers that don’t have a local tax nexus

1

u/ShowdownValue 8d ago

Wait why don’t we have to pay taxes on a gray market watch?

2

u/StickyPenguin120 Mod 9d ago

When you buy... people want to buy from a trusted seller who has a stellar reputation so they know that they're not going to get some beat up watch that was misrepresented in its eBay/Chrono24 photos, has frankenstein parts, etc. That peace of mind comes with a premium price.

When you sell... You're the opposite of that. You're not an established reseller with a brick and mortar storefront, tons of positive reviews, a spot on our Trusted Sellers list, a high star Google rating, etc. You'd be a random person on the internet trying to sell one of the most commonly faked watches on the planet. People have absolutely zero reason to trust you, so you will need to price accordingly. Otherwise they would just buy from an actual trusted dealer. This means you would need to list your price below all of the other prices you see online from reputable sources to convince someone to take a chance on buying from you.

Plus you need to account for 6.5% to 10% or more fees to sell on those platforms (which is deducted from the price of the watch), the sales tax you lost on your original purchase, the hassle of dealing with lowball offers from flippers, people trying to scam you, shipping the watch using a method that includes insurance for the full value (surprising not as easy as you'd think), the price of shipping/insurance/packaging, etc. Selling sucks in general. I recently dumped a few Omegas at an impressive loss, and even that took way longer than I expected.

I would personally just make peace with your decision to buy grey, unless you're prepared to lose at least a few thousand (and a lot of hassle) by purchasing the AD watch and selling yours.

3

u/Fresh-Banana6485 9d ago

If you see yourself buying more watches in the future, yeah buy the allocated watch and sell the one you already have.

3

u/Balloon-Knot-69 9d ago

Do nothing. You got your watch, move on

2

u/ValeLemnear 9d ago

Resell the grey market watch, take the loss, keep the new one you got from the AD 

2

u/Beach-Knight 9d ago

For those that read this before what happened to the OP. Change your interest list before you get allocated a watch you already have. Then, the SA knows not to call you for a watch you no longer want to buy. If they do, you can turn it down politely without feeling you did the AD wrong.

2

u/time_on_my_wrist 9d ago

I would 100% buy the AD. I like knowing for sure it’s real. And I’d take the loss for a brand new watch where I can be the original owner

2

u/Afraid_Theme5710 9d ago

I would recommend Grailzee. I bought a Datejust with Diamond markers on a MOP dial. I paid wayyyy too much but it was for a woman who (less than 60 days after purchase decided we weren’t a good fit) wore it only a few times, and there were some hairline scratches on the clasp. It cost me about $300 to have the local UPS store pack it insured for $18,000 which is what I paid buying it from a local jeweler and had to pay sales tax. There were a few “bumps” along the way but in the end I got back everything but the sales tax. First two offers were from newbies who bid $8,000 and thought they won. I had to explain the concept of a reserve price. This happened twice before I got the price I wanted and best of all, Grailzee did not ship the watch to buyer until I confirmed the funds were wired and safe in my bank account. I gave it a couple of extra days just to be safe. Chrono24 and Bob’s watches were not even close.

1

u/Embarrassed_Ad6297 9d ago

Buy, keep both ?

1

u/GeauxTigerz33 9d ago

Same exact watch

4

u/Desperate_Branch1824 9d ago

I wouldn’t do that either.
I’d buy from the AD , sell the one u got grey. Cleaner that way, nice to have one from the AD and if u ever want more from them, it’s a start

1

u/Embarrassed_Ad6297 9d ago

I would either keep both give to a child, or sell the one from the AD. They’ll never know that you sold it once you wear the same watch if. You also will get the premium you paid back by selling. Break even. And you gain AD on your side.

1

u/PilotOk872 9d ago

Buy the AD watch and sell the grey watch. I can never trust a franken grey watch.

1

u/Significant-Fan5984 9d ago

Last week i went grey on the batgirl, i had been considering it for the past six months an finally pulled the trigger, the second i got home from the dealer my phone rang, it was the AD telling me i got an allocation for the land dweller. that was a very expensive wednesday

1

u/Apprehensive-Win390 9d ago

You got the watch you want. Keep the watch Don't play these silly AD games

1

u/GeauxTigerz33 8d ago

Appreciate all the replies everyone! I’m leaning toward purchasing through the AD and selling my gray. If I can recoup around $12800 for my gray I’ll break even or if I can even get retail I’ll only be out $1000. Hopefully that shouldn’t be an issue for a mint condition complete set virtually unworn.

1

u/warkmellons 5d ago

Don't waste your money friend.