How unghosted.io measures Rolex waitlist times
This page describes how we collect, normalize, and present Rolex waitlist data on unghosted.io. The same principles apply across brands where noted.
Sources
Wait time data on unghosted.io comes from two places:
- Direct submissions through our submit form. No email required, anonymous by default.
- Public buyer accounts posted on watch forums and community sites, compiled into structured reports.
Most of the dataset was compiled from public buyer accounts; a smaller share comes from direct form submissions. Every entry has a source field indicating where it came from, so the data behind any statistic can be traced back to its origin.
How we count
Every report represents one person's experience with one watch from one authorized dealer. We don't average across multiple watches per buyer. We don't synthesize numbers from market commentary or buying guides. Editorial content from third-party sources is excluded from waitlist statistics.
Why we show median, not mean
Wait times are right-skewed. A small number of extreme waits (years for VIP-only watches like the Daytona Le Mans or Patek Nautilus) pull averages upward in ways that mislead the typical buyer. The median is the middle value when reports are sorted by wait time, which describes the typical buyer's experience more honestly.
Sample size honesty
When a variant has fewer than 5 reports, we mark the data as “very small sample” and recommend treating it as directional only. When a variant has 5 to 9 reports, we mark it as “small sample” with similar caveats. We only show regional breakdowns when a variant has at least 10 reports and a region has at least 5 reports within it. These thresholds prevent statistical noise from being presented as meaningful trends.
Canonical references
When a buyer knows the reference, we prefer the canonical Rolex reference number (e.g., 126710BLNR for the Batman / Batgirl GMT-Master II). Model/reference is optional on the submit form - a brand + family + wait report is enough to publish. When a reference is provided, Rolex GMT-Master II, Cosmograph Daytona, Land-Dweller, and Submariner use a canonical picker so the same watch is not counted under multiple names.
Updates
Data is updated continuously as new submissions arrive. Page summaries are generated on every page load, so the numbers reflect the current state of the database. We do not cache statistics for periods longer than a single request.
No email gate
Anyone can read all of our data without signing up, providing an email, or creating an account. We believe waitlist data should be public. No paywall, no signup wall, no email capture before viewing reports.
Limitations
unghosted.io reflects what people choose to submit. Self-selection means buyers who had positive AD experiences may report more often than those who didn't. Geographic distribution skews toward the US. Some Rolex families have small samples that are not yet statistically meaningful. We try to be transparent about this through sample-size caveats throughout the site.
Contact
Questions or corrections: hello@unghosted.io.