Rolex Waiting List - Current Waiting Time

Whether it's a Rolex Submariner, Rolex GMT-Master II, Rolex Daytona, or another coveted model from the Swiss brand, anyone who wants to purchase a Rolex directly from a retailer at the list price must expect a wait. The first step toward owning your own luxury watch is through the Rolex waiting list. We explain what these lists are all about, how long the wait times for various models are, and the importance of authorized Rolex dealers in this regard.

Why are Rolex watches so popular?

The waiting times associated with purchasing a Rolex watch are due to the immense popularity of the legendary Rolex models. Rolex produces only comparatively small numbers each year , which don't even come close to saturating the market. In other words, demand is chronically far higher than supply.

But why are the Swiss manufacturer's luxury watches so sought after? Over the decades, Rolex has earned an unparalleled reputation. The renowned brand's watches are recognized worldwide for their incredibly high quality, technically flawless design, and outstanding craftsmanship. They have also proven to retain their value extremely well, making Rolex products attractive to investors .

A Rolex on the wrist acts as a powerful status symbol, the value of which often far exceeds the purchase price for the wearer. Wearing a Rolex Daytona, Rolex Submariner, or Rolex GMT-Master II is an unmistakable sign of success, style, and good taste. Therefore, many buyers choose a Rolex not "solely" based on its technical features, but primarily on its expressiveness and outward appearance.

Watch connoisseurs know: The name Rolex alone instantly makes many hearts beat faster. The brand stands for pure luxury and is so well-known and sought-after around the world that the brand name is also part of the price of a Rolex model. If it says " Rolex ," many people are willing to pay large sums without hesitation – because the name speaks for itself.

In addition, Rolex has built a broad marketing network full of renowned partners. Stars from sports, art, culture, and entertainment who wear Rolex models also boost the popularity of the watches and spark interest even among people who don't normally have much to do with timepieces.

In addition, the "scarcity" of these timepieces itself also stimulates purchasing interest among many customers. The fact that certain Rolex models are so hard to come by further fuels the desire to own such an exclusive watch for many collectors.

All of these factors combine to create a level of popularity that few other watch brands enjoy. Depending on the model, this results in long waiting times, which customers should be aware of. Because you can't just get your hands on an exclusive Rolex "like that."

What is the Rolex waiting list?

The Rolex waiting list is a list on which Rolex dealers can enter interested parties for individual models. If the watch in question is not currently available for immediate purchase—which is usually the case—the dealer can place the customer on this list, thus noting that the respective watch enthusiast would like to purchase this watch at some point in the future.

But be careful: A "spot" on the waiting list does not guarantee you'll receive a Rolex watch. You may remain on the list for years without ever having a real chance of getting your desired model—in which case, all that waiting will have been for nothing.

To avoid disappointment, it's important to familiarize yourself with the exact workings of the Rolex waiting list. Interested parties should be aware that inclusion on the waiting list does not guarantee a future sale of the watch. After all, who ultimately has the privilege of purchasing a Rolex watch is determined by various factors, which we will, of course, explore in more detail later in this article.

The process of joining the Rolex waiting list

Those who have never dealt with the topic might imagine the Rolex waiting list as follows: You register your interest in a specific Rolex reference with a dealer, who then specifies a precise waiting time, places the customer on the waiting list, and delivers the watch as soon as it's your turn. Unfortunately, that's not how it works in reality.

Retailers are more or less free to choose the customers who will receive their desired Rolex watch. The dealer decides for himself who to sell a rare watch to. It's not necessarily a "first-come, first-served" situation.

Nevertheless, if you don't get on the waiting list in the first place, your chances of getting your dream Rolex model are naturally zero. Therefore, it's definitely a sensible step to ask your trusted dealer to add your name to the waiting list. The process is simple: You visit one or, ideally, several Rolex dealers and simply express your interest in one or more watches.

Most dealers will provide their estimate of the expected waiting time upon request. If the dealer states a few months, that's initially a good sign and welcome news. It shows that the likelihood of actually making a purchase is relatively high. However, if the stated waiting time is many years, it's more or less up in the air whether and when you'll actually get to hold your dream Rolex watch in your hands.

Figures of ten years or more often indicate a dealer's attempt to politely put off the prospective buyer rather than a serious intention to sell. This is especially true if the watch in question can usually be acquired in a shorter timeframe—for example, in "only" two years. Therefore, realistic waiting times also depend on the specific model.

Since dealers are usually relatively well informed about when and how often the various Rolex models are delivered to them, extremely inaccurate or missing information about waiting times tends to be considered a bad sign. A dealer who doesn't provide any information at all about how long the wait will be may not be interested in helping the customer find the watch they want.

The waiting time for a Rolex: How long does it really take?

As mentioned above, the wait time for a Rolex watch is determined by various factors, including the relationship with the retailer and the customer's purchase history, as well as the number of watches of the respective reference produced per year. We will explore these influencing factors in more detail later in this article. Below, we will first look at the average waitlist times for some of the most well-known and sought-after Rolex watches.

Current waiting times for important models

Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner , first introduced in 1953, is clearly one of the icons among Rolex watches and is highly sought after by collectors and investors. The watch, which received its latest update in 2021 and has since been produced in a 41 mm diameter, is highly sought-after, especially in the steel version, and is available both with and without a date display.

A Submariner "No Date" —that is, without a date display—is often somewhat easier to acquire than its equivalents with a date display. Why? Quite simply: Most customers prefer the version with a date display. Since dealers receive between ten and twenty "No Date" watches annually, depending on the size of their business, the waiting time is usually a maximum of six months. Occasionally, you might even get really lucky and find a dealer who has the "No Date" in stock and sells it (almost) immediately.

The steel Submariner "Date" with the reference 126610LN is produced in larger numbers, but also in significantly higher demand. This results in a waiting time that also averages between three and six months.

The wait for the Rolex Submariner " Hulk ," " Starbucks ," or "Bluesy" in steel or steel and yellow gold may be significantly longer. If you want to purchase one of these watches, you should be prepared for a wait of at least six to a full 18 months. Retailers only receive five to ten of these models per year, and they are naturally in significantly higher demand during the same time period.

And that's not even the tip of the iceberg! For Submariner models in white or yellow gold, the wait can easily be up to three years. Of the white gold " Smurf " with a blue dial, only one or two examples are delivered to dealers each year. As a new customer, the chances of snagging one of these rare models are therefore quite slim.

Rolex Datejust

Released in 1945 as the first automatic wristwatch with a date display, the Rolex Datejust is now available in three sizes, ranging from 31 mm to 36 mm to 41 mm. This stylish watch for men and women is equipped with the caliber 3235 or 2236, depending on the size, a proven in-house movement.

The 31 mm Datejust is actually worn exclusively by women , so demand is comparatively low and some retailers issue it without any waiting time. If you want to get your hands on a Rolex as quickly as possible and are flexible about the exact model, the 31 mm Datejust is an attractive option.

The 36 mm Datejust model is significantly more in demand, but it's also one of the Rolex watches that ends up in relatively high numbers at the dealer. For the popular models in steel, steel and yellow gold, or steel and rose gold with a smooth or fluted bezel, the average wait time is a maximum of six months—sometimes just a few weeks.

Probably the most popular Datejust watches are those with a 41 mm diameter . Thanks to deliveries of up to 60 pieces per year, the wait time is still limited. Unless the retailer finds the customer completely unsympathetic, the wait time for a 41 mm Datejust is usually less than six months. And there's more good news: You don't have to be an existing customer to purchase one of the Datejust models from the retailer.

Rolex Daytona

If one had to choose which Rolex watch to bestow the title of Legend, the Rolex Daytona would certainly be a serious contender. It's therefore hardly surprising that this watch is one of the longest-waiting Rolex models. However, experience shows that this prospect doesn't deter customers from getting on the waiting list.

We'll start with the Rolex Daytona, which is the second or third hardest to obtain: the yellow gold watch with a green dial and the reference 116508. Nicknamed the "John Mayer Daytona," the model often takes over three years to arrive and is essentially out of reach for new customers.

The wait time for the steel Rolex Daytona "Panda" is almost as long, especially in the version with a white dial and black subdials. With approximately ten pieces sold annually, the expected wait time is one and a half to three years. Incidentally, this is exactly the same length of time as for a white gold reference 116509 and the Oysterflex watches from the famous collection.

Waiting times are somewhat shorter for Everose gold and steel-gold watches, requiring a minimum of six and a maximum of 18 months of patience. If you're looking to buy a Rolex Daytona and haven't yet settled on a specific reference, these models are a good option, at least given the shorter waiting time.

We previously discussed the "John Mayer Daytona," calling it the Daytona with the second-least availability. So, there must be a watch that's even harder to come by: the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116506 in the finest platinum . Only one of this watch, which costs just over €70,000 or just under €77,000 depending on the dial, reaches the dealer each year, which explains the average wait time of over five years. It goes without saying that only long-standing customers with an A-list purchase history are considered when deciding who is allowed to purchase such a watch.

In fact, there's another Rolex Daytona model that rivals the platinum watch just presented in terms of availability. It's the Daytona with a meteorite dial. Whether it's made of white, rose, or yellow gold, it's impossible to predict how long it will take to get hold of one of these Rolex watches. The timepiece is produced in such limited numbers that not even every concessionaire receives one of these watches per year. One thing is clear, therefore: acquiring a meteorite Daytona requires a lot of luck, good connections, and perseverance.

Rolex GMT-Master II

There's hardly a watch lover who hasn't dreamed of adding a Rolex GMT-Master II to their collection. First introduced in 1954, Rolex watches now house a caliber 3285 movement and are available in numerous versions, some of which differ significantly in terms of production volume, popularity, and wait times.

One of the most reported GMT-Master II models is the Rolex GMT-Master II " Pepsi ." This steel watch with a two-tone blue and red bezel lands at retailers approximately 12 to 25 times annually and may also be available to new customers within 18 months. The same applies to the all-gold "Rootbeer" version with a brown and black bezel, which, while produced in smaller numbers, is also in significantly lower demand.

If you opt for the bicolor " Rootbeer " instead, the waiting time is reduced to a maximum of one year. It's roughly the same amount of time for a " Batman " watch, which is recognizable by its blue and black bezel.

A longer wait time can be expected for the "Sprite" version. This watch has a black and green bezel, which will take at least a year, more likely two, to arrive. "Sprite" models are (still) reserved for existing customers, although it cannot be ruled out that new customers might also be able to purchase the watch if they're lucky.

If you get on the Rolex waiting list for a white gold " Pepsi ," the wait times are on a completely different scale. Retailers only receive one or two watches of this type per year, which means the average wait time is over three years.

Even more patience is required if you want to purchase the "Pepsi" with a meteorite dial. This watch is so rare that many dealers only see it once every few years. The model in precious white gold is therefore only suitable for those who can live with indefinite waiting lists of five years or more.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

People specifically looking for an affordable Rolex are often advised to buy a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. In fact, these models—depending on the size and precise design—are among the lowest-priced Rolex watches. At least, they can be purchased from a retailer at list price. The watches, which were first released in 1931, are available in a total of five sizes, ranging from 26 mm to 41 mm.

The Oyster Perpetual timepieces in the three smaller sizes—26 mm, 28 mm, and 34 mm —are classified as ladies' watches and therefore experience comparatively low demand. This means that their availability is generally above average. It's quite possible that the delicate Rolex watch is in stock at your trusted dealer and can be purchased—without a waiting list. This makes this watch an interesting option for new customers who want to "get acquainted" with the retailer through a straightforward first purchase.

With only five to ten watches arriving at retailers each year, the 36mm Oyster Perpetual isn't in abundance. However, it's also less popular than the 41mm model , which we'll discuss shortly. If you get on the waiting list for the 36mm version, you'll usually get the chance to buy it within six to twelve months. That is, unless you specifically prefer a model with a Tiffany blue dial. This color has always been the hardest to come by.

Just like the 36mm version, the waiting list for the 41mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual is six to twelve months. While dealers receive one or two pieces per month, interest has been increasing for several years. However, even in this size, the Oyster Perpetual is not the most sought-after Rolex model among long-time collectors, so it may be worthwhile for new customers to get on the waiting list.

Rolex Yacht-Master

Elegance, sportiness, and simplicity: Since 1992, the Rolex Yacht-Master has combined these qualities in a watch that is sure to be a goal for many collectors and watch enthusiasts. Thanks to a wide range of versions in different sizes and with various bracelets, the Rolex models from the Yacht-Master series appeal to a wide range of tastes and, despite their hefty prices, are anything but unpopular. These watches, sometimes referred to as "more expensive Submariners," are also popular with women in the slightly narrower 37 mm version and undoubtedly fall into the category of the more special, expensive Rolex watches.

Compared directly to the Rolex Submariner, Datejust, and GMT-Master II, the waiting lists for the Yacht-Master seem almost empty. This is especially true for the 37 mm watches, which are available in steel, rose gold, or as a two-tone model. Usually, no more than five of each reference are available at retailers, but the generally low demand reduces the waiting time, so it usually doesn't significantly exceed the six-month mark. If you catch a good time, you might even be able to avoid waiting lists as a new customer and purchase the watch directly.

Such an immediate purchase without waiting lists is rather unlikely for the 40s Rolex Yacht-Master. After all, the mid-size models enjoy noticeably higher demand. Nevertheless, overall, they are still purchased much less frequently than, for example, the Rolex Submariner. For prospective buyers, this means: On average, the waitlist for their dream Rolex Yacht-Master watch is six to twelve months, regardless of whether they prefer a steel or rose gold model. Both material variants are also usually offered by the respective dealer to new customers without a purchase history.

In addition to the models on precious metal bracelets, the Yacht-Master collection includes several models with Oysterflex bracelets. The annual quantities delivered to dealers, and the waiting times, vary considerably for these. Both the 40 and 42 Oysterflex watches reach dealers approximately one to three times per year. Given the limited demand, a watch of this type – regardless of whether it has a rose gold, yellow gold, or white gold case – can be placed on a waiting list for between six and 18 months. Depending on demand, not every dealer will be immediately willing to sell to a new customer. A purchase is generally possible, but not necessarily exclusively, for existing customers who have already invested a small or large fortune in the dealer's goods.

Rolex Yacht-Master II

When discussing the Yacht-Master series, the Rolex Yacht-Master II watches cannot be overlooked. These timepieces were first presented to the public in 2007 and were initially made of yellow gold, later also rose gold, and finally even steel. Their heart is the Caliber 4161, which equips the chronograph with an adjustable countdown with a flyback function. This makes the movement one of the more complex Rolex calibers, astonishing watch enthusiasts with its functionality.

In the case of the Yacht-Master II, the technical sophistication doesn't translate into huge demand. Looking at the numbers, the Yacht-Master II falls into the category of Rolex models that tend to be less popular. Customers interested in this particular watch rarely visit the dealer. Rolex has noticed this, too, leading to only a few of these watches being produced. Some dealers don't even receive a single one of the sporty Rolex watches per year.

However, if you as a customer have decided to purchase this particular watch, it is still advisable to inquire with the dealer. If a Yacht-Master II in yellow, white, or rose gold happens to be in stock, you may be able to take it home immediately, even as a new customer. However, if the dealer doesn't have a model in stock, it's questionable whether they want or can order one. Firstly, there's no guarantee that Rolex even has the timepieces in stock, and secondly, the dealer will want to inquire more closely about the prospective buyer's commitment. After all, they want to know that the watch—if they order and receive it—is sold safely and thus avoid the risk of buying a ridiculously expensive "shelf warmer."

Whether you can get a Yacht-Master II from dealers in your area is ultimately a matter of chance. Dealers who have one in stock will likely be happy to sell it – whether to new or existing customers. However, due to the small production run, it's always a good idea not to commit to one material – this improves your chances.

Rolex Sky-Dweller

As the latest collection from Rolex, the Sky-Dweller naturally attracted a lot of attention. This feature-packed watch with a classic look features a month, date, and 24-hour time display, powered by the complex in-house caliber 9001.

If you don't have a particular preference regarding the material and want to wait as short as possible, you should ask for a Sky-Dweller in "Rolesor yellow gold." This version is more readily available than, for example, a steel watch, which means a waiting time of three to six months.

In comparison, the wait for a steel version is quite long. Here, the wait time is up to three years, comparable to the wait for a Sky-Dweller made of pure yellow gold. For both models, the majority of dealers do not consider inquiries from new customers. Therefore, you have to be an existing customer—and have the necessary patience—to secure such a watch.

In terms of waiting time, the Everose gold pieces fall somewhere in the middle range. Existing customers can get them within 12 to 18 months, although even new customers can expect to be placed on the waiting list.

Just like the Yacht-Master, the Rolex Sky-Dweller is also available with an optional Oysterflex bracelet, with a yellow or rose gold bezel and dial. The watches have only been produced with this bracelet since 2021, but regular customers rarely wait longer than a year and a half for one.

Rolex Explorer

There's a much-told story behind the Rolex Explorer : During the first ascent of Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary wore a very special watch. His timepiece was specially crafted by Rolex for this important event. Today, Hillary's watch is referred to as the "original Explorer" because it laid the foundation for the later Rolex Explorer models for everyone. To this day, Explorer products are known as timepieces for mountaineers and explorers on expeditions, withstanding even adverse conditions and providing reliable service.

Even though these Rolex models are small at just 36 mm in diameter, the Explorer is certainly popular with men. However, when compared to other Rolex steel models, it's striking that the Explorer watches aren't as popular as one might expect. This may also be the reason why Rolex now releases fewer models—a maximum of twelve, to be precise—to dealers per year. Nevertheless, as a customer, you have the opportunity to acquire a Rolex Explorer within a maximum of one year, even if you're not a regular customer of the dealers you visit.

The role of authorized Rolex dealers in waiting list management

Let's take a closer look at the role of Rolex dealers in managing waiting lists. As briefly mentioned at the beginning of this article, dealers are not obligated to sell a newly delivered watch to the first person to be placed on the waiting list. Instead, it's largely up to the dealers themselves to decide who to offer a sought-after model to. This means that you may not be able to sell a Rolex, even if you've been on all the waiting lists for a very long time.

What's more, a dealer isn't even obligated to add every prospective customer to the waiting list. While this doesn't happen very often, they could always decide not to add a potential customer to the waiting list or to remove them from the list. Rolex doesn't maintain and manage these lists itself—that's the responsibility of the dealer.

This also makes it understandable why the term "interested party list" would actually be the more accurate. After all, with a waiting list, the assumption is that deliveries will be made in the order in which the names appear on the list. And that's precisely not the case with the "Rolex waiting list."

Against this backdrop, it's clear how valuable a good relationship with Rolex dealers can be. Let's imagine the following situation: After a year of waiting, the dealer finally receives five Rolex watches of a specific reference. A glance at his list reveals that 25 people are currently waiting for this exact watch. He has to make a decision and choose who to sell a watch to. If the list includes both new and existing customers, he will naturally first address his offer to those he already knows and values ​​as customers.

If there aren't enough pieces available to cover all interested existing customers, the retailer will most likely look at how much they've benefited from each candidate in the past. This is where customer history comes in. The retailer examines how frequently the prospective customers shopped with them and how much they spent. In all likelihood, the watch enthusiast who has invested the most in jewelry and watches from this jeweler to date will win the race.

It may be somewhat more difficult for the salesperson to make a choice if the list is full of new customers. They may have a harder time assessing these customers and also have difficulty predicting whether they will only make a one-time purchase or return again if they are satisfied. In this case, the sympathy factor may be significant. The dealer will remember the conversations with the prospective customers and assess the impression they made on them.

If he's unsure about a candidate's potential for rapid resale, he'll almost certainly cross out the corresponding name. Because: Profitably reselling a rare Rolex immediately after purchase is a no-brainer and can lead to a loss of a rare Rolex for a long time. Anyone who doesn't want to jeopardize their reputation with dealers should steer clear of rapid resales.

A hotly debated topic surrounding the Rolex waiting list and ways to acquire a rare Rolex relates to so-called side purchases. This refers to the purchase of other products, which is supposed to increase one's favor with the dealer and give one a better chance of acquiring the desired Rolex model. It's no longer a secret that such side purchases can, under certain circumstances, actually have the desired effect and are even a fairly common method of acquiring a Rolex that is hard to come by. Nevertheless, not every dealer considers side purchases to the same extent, and it is not always necessary to make a side purchase to get a step closer to the coveted Rolex. But it is certainly also a fact that side purchases have helped one or two lucky Rolex owners to purchase their dream watch.

The question of what role dealers play in the Rolex waiting list can therefore be answered quite clearly: a huge one. Even though they are guided by fundamentally Rolex-defined requirements when selling, they decide for themselves who they sell what to and when. Therefore, a long-standing, valued customer will almost always be given priority over a new customer – regardless of who was first on the waiting list.

Reasons for the high demand for Rolex watches

Rolex produces approximately 1.3 million watches each year. A number that doesn't initially suggest a long wait. With 1.3 million, everyone should be able to get exactly the model they want, right? Considering the global reputation of the Rolex brand, it's clear why this isn't the case. While Rolex produces a respectable number of watches, they're still far from sufficient to meet demand. Demand is simply many times higher—it was the case years ago and is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

This is due to various factors already mentioned in this article. These include the brand's unparalleled reputation, its global prestige, the symbolic power of a Rolex watch, its clever marketing strategy, and the long wait for Rolex watches themselves.

Let's be honest: A watch that's immediately available doesn't have to be bad. But a model that's sold out for months and whose desirability means you have to wait a year or more – well, that watch simply has to be above average. This is precisely the kind of consideration that consciously or subconsciously goes into the minds of watch fans when they're faced with a waiting period. And this principle applies not only to the watch industry, but virtually everywhere. Most of us automatically assume that a product we have to wait for is definitely worth the wait.

In the case of Rolex, this conclusion is certainly not wrong. Anyone who has even a cursory understanding of watches knows: Rolex timepieces are hard to beat in terms of quality. For decades, Rolex has been producing watches that have completely impressed both non-expert watch enthusiasts and experts alike. When you purchase a Rolex watch, you don't have to ask yourself whether it's high-quality, functional, and durable—you know it with certainty. Accordingly, the well-heeled customer, whenever they don't want to compromise on quality, will always choose a Rolex.

Then there's the product selection. At Rolex, virtually everyone who appreciates the luxury of a technically sophisticated, exclusive watch will find what they're looking for. From classic models like the Day Date and Datejust, through pilot's watches and calendar models, to the sporty timepieces of which the Submariner is a prime example, the Rolex product portfolio is characterized by a pleasingly broad range. Whether you're looking for an elegant watch for an evening dress, a functional watch for everyday use, or a technical masterpiece for your display case, you'll almost certainly find what you're looking for at Rolex.

Rolex combines the exclusivity, design diversity, and product quality with effective marketing, influential partners, and the long-standing positioning of its timepieces as status symbols. Since we've already mentioned all of these aspects in this article, we won't go into them explicitly again here. However, it remains to be emphasized that it's likely the ingenious interplay of diverse factors that ensures that Rolex models consistently attract a great deal of attention and are virtually always in demand.

The impact of waiting lists on the price of Rolex watches

After discussing in detail why the wait times for Rolex watches are so long, we naturally want to examine the impact of waiting lists on the market. To what extent does the sometimes limited availability of coveted Rolex models affect prices on the secondary market?

Before we delve into the topic, we'd like to briefly clarify some terminology. When it comes to watch prices, we're talking about the list price and the secondary market price. It's important to understand the difference. The list price is the price Rolex sets for each watch. The secondary market price is usually different. It's rarely lower—often significantly higher—than the list price and indicates the price that sellers on the open market ask for their Rolex.

Pricing essentially follows a simple principle: Products that are desired by many and difficult to obtain become more expensive, while products that are in abundance and unpopular are offered very cheaply. So, by putting two and two together, you have a rough idea of ​​the prices at which coveted Rolex watches are currently trading on the secondary market.

It's actually quite logical that a rare, popular Rolex, for which you'd have to wait several months or even years from a dealer, would be incredibly expensive on the secondary market. So you might pay a significantly higher price, but on the other hand, you're saving yourself the wait in a fairly simple—albeit costly—way.

The price level on the secondary market also means that, in many cases, a Rolex's value increases significantly the moment it passes from the dealer into the hands of the buyer. But beware: Dealers are extremely unhappy when the pieces they sell to carefully selected clients are then sold at high prices on the secondary market shortly thereafter. As we've already mentioned, such behavior can be sufficient reason for never being sold another Rolex watch by that "dealer" again.

The Rolex waiting list controversy

The Rolex waiting list is a controversial topic that is constantly being discussed and is surrounded by a few myths. If you look around online, you'll constantly find posts claiming that Rolex and its authorized dealers maintain a regular waiting list. Sometimes it's even stated that there's a kind of "VIP waiting list" managed by Rolex itself and reserved for customers with particularly large budgets and contacts. As far as we know, this is simply false.

So let me repeat: If you want to buy a Rolex that's not immediately available, you can be placed on a waiting list, but this is more like a list of prospective buyers. It simply serves the dealer as a record of who is interested in the particular model. Contrary to what many people think, a place on the waiting list is no guarantee of receiving the desired Rolex. It's not the time of the request, but the number of units delivered, the number of prospective buyers and their purchase histories, as well as their relationships with the dealer that determine who is offered a model.

Of course, adding your name to the waiting list is a first step toward your dream watch, and one that's simply indispensable. However, it's important that prospective buyers know exactly what being added to the waiting list really means for them, how the process works, and what to expect. In plain English, this means: Anyone who gets added to the waiting list without a purchase history or a solid relationship with the dealer can expect to wait months or even years, depending on the model – always without absolute certainty that the wait will ultimately pay off.

Conclusion

Whether it's the Rolex GMT-Master II, the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex Daytona, or the Rolex Sky-Dweller, watch enthusiasts have to wait a year or more for many coveted Rolex models. This is primarily due to the enormous demand for Rolex watches, and the Swiss company produces significantly fewer watches each year than there are interested buyers. While some less popular models can sometimes be purchased directly from the dealer without any waiting time, the truly coveted timepieces usually involve long waiting times. These can only be avoided by purchasing them on the secondary market, which in turn results in significantly higher prices.

Rolex waiting lists, about which there are numerous myths and theories, are ultimately nothing more than lists of interested parties maintained by the concessionaires. The dealer keeps track of who has expressed interest in a reference and uses this information when new Rolex items arrive. They are not bound to a specific delivery order and can essentially decide arbitrarily who to sell to. This decision is usually based on several factors – such as purchase history and the relationship with the customer – which is why new customers often have a difficult time. But even if the Rolex waiting list is no guarantee of a purchase offer, it does serve as an important tool for the concessionaire, and it is essential to be included on such a list to have a chance of getting a Rolex watch at the list price.