All I need some help.

Hubby is turning 40 soon and in wracking my brain trying to think of a birthday gift.

I’ve been thinking maybe a watch like a Rolex or something that he could also pass to his son (we are expecting a baby boy) in the future but I don’t even know if I can walk into a shop and buy one. From what I hear there are waiting lists and I have weeks not years 😏

Is it possible to get a Rolex on stock or another watch brand that would be similar to Rolex? (I am not watch savvy!)

I will be in Zurich in about a week so hoping I could just pick something up!

I mean, really???

A watch is quite a personal taste thing. I’d take him shopping and let him choose - especially if you know nothing about watches.

yes really… A question being asked in a forum designed for questions and discussions.

That are not obtainable through Google

Literally nothing - I have a colleague who went on a waitlist for a Rolex and that’s pretty much my knowledge. I was hoping for it to be a surprise but maybe that’s a better idea to take him in there - thank you

I’m glad for you that you find google helpful - good for you

No waiting lists? Or do you know if it’s only certain models that have a waiting list. I’ve only ever heard people say they had to go on a waiting list to get a Rolex?

You could still make it a surprise.

Go to the store alone, ask about prices and waiting lists etc. Then make an appointment to take him. On the day tell him you are going for a birthday surprise and take him to the shop.

Claimed Rolex wait lists from here

Model Duration*
Air-King 6 to 12 months
Datejust 3 to 12 months
Day-Date Over 3 years
Daytona Over 5 years, occasionally much longer
Deepsea Over 2 years
Explorer I 6 to 18 months
Explorer II 1 to 2 years
GMT-Master II Over 5 years, occasionally much longer
Milgauss 6 to 12 months
Oyster Perpetual 6 to 12 months
Sky-Dweller Over 3 years
Submariner 1 – 2 years
Yacht-Master 6 to 18 months
Yacht-Master II 6 to 18 months

For some reason I had to think of this:

Yup. Ex found mine in a shop. Gave it back because I found it ridiculous and ostentatious

This!!!

Everyone loves gifts. But if I'd get an expensive oone for next birthday there would be a feeling of frustration due to the resources spent for some thing which it's not the one I like.

It’s very difficult to get Rolex or Omega in a shop these days. Chrono24 is a very reputable resale platform. Omega tends to be cheaper on the market than Rolex; for some reason, Rolex are quite expensive. Longines are a good watch and usually very reasonable. But watches are indeed very personal as far as taste and choice and perhaps he would prefer if you brought him somewhere to pick something out together? I believe Longines are easier to find in boutiques than Omega or Rolex these days.

Consider a different brand, because Rolex are still unavailable for any decent model without paying serious markups.

What is your budget?

No roegner, this is actually what you cannot do with Rolex unless you want an 'undesirable' model that no-one else wants to buy. Rolex have been sold out for over 2 years with crazy long waiting lists.

If the OP is lucky they may find a Datejust, but it will likely be yellow gold, which lets face it no-one but grandpas or rappers like to wear nowadays.

otherwise, Chrono24 is the main hope and prices will be high https://www.chrono24.ch/rolex/prices...tches--new.htm

Thanks. Seeing that I am not a fan of Rolex I didn‘t know that.

Then better to hold off on making those kinds of "it's easy duh" posts on topics you are not familiar with. I'm also trying to do the same.

I love this idea - we are going away for his birthday weekend and will be passing through Zurich so I could plan a little pit stop to do exactly this. Great idea! Thank you!

Thank you so much - this is exactly what I was looking for. I’ve only heard of people on waiting lists and from what you have said, anything that might be available in store is also not something he would wear.
I’m very open to other brands and happy for recommendations. I was thinking budget around 10k but not sure if that’s reasonable?

I've also heard about the long waiting times.. It's become quite a commodity of late.

Here's an article that explains the waiting times and describes the different Rolex models. https://www.watchmaster.com/en/journ...-waiting-times

Good luck and happy hunting!