Gray Market dealers

[Shams99]

Hey, thanks in advance. I am looking to buy an aquanaut. I have no chance of getting one from an AD ( on one in the Toronto area). My question is any reliable dealers that are better than others. I do not know any dealers as my Rolex purchases have been thought an AD. I like the 5164a-001 is my first choice ( I know it discontinued) but would open to 5167 as well in both ss or pm. I would also be willing to fly to pick up the watch.

thanks
sham

[SoylentGreenChi]

I have had nothing but good experiences with European Watch Co in Boston, MA, Burdeens in Chicago, and DavidSW in Florida.

[Econdon]

Hit up DistinctiveTime in Toronto, I'm sure they'll be able to source either

[rregino22]

European Watch In Boston is first class .

[1William]

DavidSW is my go to. Give them a call and see what they can do for you.

[Yobrooks]

The 1916 company, formerly watchboxx is excellent and all the watches have a 2 yr warranty added. I have bought several watches with no issues

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[ts3]

Stating the obvious but it is key that you are able to assess the condition of the Aquanaut case unless you'll buy a very recent and visibly unworn example.

Many grey dealers get any and all scratches on their watches removed for the sale and yet market them as in "Like new condition" across the board. For example, try to find a Patek on the European Watch Company site that isn't marketed as in "Like new condition"... In reality, a 5, 10, or 15 year old Aquanaut will not be in "Like new condition" unless it is completely unworn and possibly still sealed.

Long story short, unless buying a brand new unworn watch I'd always want to inspect it in person.

[Partekular]

Originally Posted by ts3

Stating the obvious but it is key that you are able to assess the condition of the Aquanaut case unless you'll buy a very recent and visibly unworn example.

Many grey dealers get any and all scratches on their watches removed for the sale and yet market them as in "Like new condition"

Long story short, unless buying a brand new unworn watch I'd always want to inspect it in person.

Excellent advice. Nautilus and Aquanaut are both scratch magnets and worn examples are most likely to have been polished potentially losing some case and lug definition.

[aa_watch]

Originally Posted by ts3

Stating the obvious but it is key that you are able to assess the condition of the Aquanaut case unless you'll buy a very recent and visibly unworn example.

Many grey dealers get any and all scratches on their watches removed for the sale and yet market them as in "Like new condition" across the board. For example, try to find a Patek on the European Watch Company site that isn't marketed as in "Like new condition"... In reality, a 5, 10, or 15 year old Aquanaut will not be in "Like new condition" unless it is completely unworn and possibly still sealed.

Long story short, unless buying a brand new unworn watch I'd always want to inspect it in person.

A watch can be 10 years old and worn a couple of times.
I'd just recommend to compare pictures of unpolished watch and buy from reputable seller.

Buying an "unworn" or "sealed" means an important premium not worth it IMO, if you plan to wear the watch.

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by 1William

DavidSW is my go to. Give them a call and see what they can do for you.

x2, David's pricing is always a touch higher, or purchase offers a touch lower, but I can't think of a more trustworthy, reliable, smooth dealer that makes that pricing worth it for the peace of mind

Originally Posted by ts3

Stating the obvious but it is key that you are able to assess the condition of the Aquanaut case unless you'll buy a very recent and visibly unworn example.

Many grey dealers get any and all scratches on their watches removed for the sale and yet market them as in "Like new condition" across the board. For example, try to find a Patek on the European Watch Company site that isn't marketed as in "Like new condition"... In reality, a 5, 10, or 15 year old Aquanaut will not be in "Like new condition" unless it is completely unworn and possibly still sealed.

Long story short, unless buying a brand new unworn watch I'd always want to inspect it in person.

This is also a great and astute assessment. Buying grey for a long time now, and have indeed found this to be true...many dealers make no mention of polished or unpolished, and even then may not be accurate as these pieces trade hands quite often...

[sensui]

I'd take claims of unpolished with a grain of salt unless you can ascertain yourself/with provenance. Almost every regular dealer I know touch up watches for resale. To most it doesn't matter/owner can't tell but for some collectors it's a sticking point. Rightfully so if you're particular about the case.

[Shams99]

thanks for all the replies I will research each of them.

Regards
Sham

[7sins]

Eddie at Modern Swiss is who I exclusively use, highly recommend.

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Eddie at Modern Swiss is who I exclusively use, highly recommend.

Eddie is also fantastic

[Partekular]

Originally Posted by David cote

My name is David, and I am with European Watch Company; please let me know if you need anything!!

Do you polish your watches for sale? i think that is the main concern here, one assumes your firm with it’s good reputation, guarantees that you have undertaken legitimate source confirmation.

[turborolex]

Originally Posted by Partekular

Do you polish your watches for sale? i think that is the main concern here, one assumes your firm with it’s good reputation, guarantees that you have undertaken legitimate source confirmation.

I’m sure that any dealer would polish as needed.

If they take a watch that doesn’t need polish, they wouldn’t polish it, and vice versa.

Otherwise, they would only buy a very limited amount of watches per month that are prestige and don’t need a polish.

If I’m buying from any dealer, I would ask if that watch was polished and then decide if I want to proceed with the deal based on the answer.

[dardeca]

SHK watch is very good at sourcing hard to find pieces. I've bought from them before and would certainly recommend.

[trackingtime]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Eddie at Modern Swiss is who I exclusively use, highly recommend.

he's perfect! been dealing with him for years

[Steele]

Originally Posted by Shams99

Hey, thanks in advance. I am looking to buy an aquanaut. I have no chance of getting one from an AD ( on one in the Toronto area). My question is any reliable dealers that are better than others. I do not know any dealers as my Rolex purchases have been thought an AD. I like the 5164a-001 is my first choice ( I know it discontinued) but would open to 5167 as well in both ss or pm. I would also be willing to fly to pick up the watch.

thanks
sham

Sending you a DM for a dealer

[dysert]

Takuya is excellent

[aa_watch]

It needs to be assumed a watch might have been polished when you buy pre-owned, probably even more when a case is in gold (soft metal).
I don't see any issue if a watch has been professionally polished and remain in original shape.

[norcalgt3]

Use Moda via a trusted seller (there are several on there with online and physical storefronts as well). No need to pay higher (sometimes significantly higher) for EWC or DavidSW for watches

[Calatrava r]

European Watch is great, but of course, they need to have what you want in stock at the moment you want it.

[manoop1856]

Nothing but great experiences with EWC and David specifically! Buy w confidence

[tng11]

Originally Posted by Econdon

Hit up DistinctiveTime in Toronto, I'm sure they'll be able to source either

This is the real answer. Dave is top notch and fair in pricing.

Being in Canada we have limited options - all these other US sources people are mentioning here would mean an additional 18% in taxes on top unless you do something illegal...

[Econdon]

Originally Posted by tng11

This is the real answer. Dave is top notch and fair in pricing.

Being in Canada we have limited options - all these other US sources people are mentioning here would mean an additional 18% in taxes on top unless you do something illegal...

Yep I dealt with Gerald from the team and the transaction went flawlessly. Also being in Canada I 100% agree the biggest headache I came across was how to handle customs/taxes if I bought from a US or international dealer.

[Shams99]

Originally Posted by Econdon

Yep I dealt with Gerald from the team and the transaction went flawlessly. Also being in Canada I 100% agree the biggest headache I came across was how to handle customs/taxes if I bought from a US or international dealer.

I am finding that is the case. It's been hard even seeing them anywhere up here. Very few AD's and thus less secondary market.

[Rolesor_66]

European Watch Company in Boston, very knowledgeable guys and is willing to work on pricing.

[Laserflorida]

Jewels in time
Boca raton, fl
Www.jewelsintime.com
Unbelievable inventory
Known the owner over 25 years

[PAFG]

Originally Posted by Laserflorida

Jewels in time
Boca raton, fl
Www.jewelsintime.com
Unbelievable inventory
Known the owner over 25 years

Incredibly high prices compared to what you can find from many other reputable dealers without a nice storefront. I went not long ago and they still had covid prices for watches - which I can't blame them for if they bought high and still have overhead expenses for workers, rent, etc.