Need Broken Rolex Advice

[GM101526]

Hi,
So I had bought my wife a pre-owned rolex datejust in February 2014 for her 30th birthday. Two weeks ago the watch started to have problems. The hands of the watch would stop moving, but when you wound the watch again, you could feel the gears inside sticking at the same spot. So when the watch went back to ticking, after about a minute or two, the watch would stop again. It seems as though something inside is sticking and not allowing the watch to continue smoothly.
I have contacted the dealer in Munich, Germany where I bought the watch from and they won't return any messages.
The watch is from 1984, so it has some miles for sure. It is a two tone, 31mm ladies. But it had been working great up till two weeks ago. Should I get it serviced? Should I sell it as is? I had plans on upgrading her watch anyway, but I want to get as much money back from the purchase of this watch as possible.
Please let me know what you would do in a situation like this. Thanks!

[iclick]

If there's no known service history I would assume it needs some attention, but I would also assume the dealer (presumably an AD) provides a warranty of some sort. I would expect one year, but I would keep trying to contact them before spending any of your own money on an expensive service.

[GM101526]

Originally Posted by iclick

If there's no known service history I would assume it needs some attention, but I would also assume the dealer (presumably an AD) provides a warranty of some sort. I would expect one year, but I would keep trying to contact them before spending any of your own money on an expensive service.

Yes I have a 1 yr warranty with the dealer, but I have been very frustrated with them. I email and leave voice messages explaining my situation and it is almost as if they want to ignore me so they don't have to deal with me and my broken watch until the 1 year will be over.

[Spoonage]

Are you close enough to visit the AD and work with the manager directly? I would think this would be your next step since they don't want to answer emails or phone messages.

[GM101526]

Originally Posted by Spoonage

Are you close enough to visit the AD and work with the manager directly? I would think this would be your next step since they don't want to answer emails or phone messages.

Unfortunately not. I am not in driving distance and my work doesn't allow me to have time off to go.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by GM101526

Yes I have a 1 yr warranty with the dealer, but I have been very frustrated with them. I email and leave voice messages explaining my situation and it is almost as if they want to ignore me so they don't have to deal with me and my broken watch until the 1 year will be over.

This is not a Rolex AD, is it?

[GM101526]

Originally Posted by MonBK

This is not a Rolex AD, is it?

Here is the information from the shop I purchased from on Chrono24.

[Dr.Brian]

Keep pushing for the dealer service.
BUT, you have to ask yourself if you want these people to service your watch at all.
They are acting shady now, so they may be dishonest and only do the minimal repair to get you up and running again and may still need a real full service on worn parts, etc.
I would probably send it on to Rolex and have them work their magic. Then decide if you want to keep it, or sell it in mint condition fresh from the factory service.
You may not make any money on the service, but it will help it sell faster. Selling it as is will definitely be a money loser for you, and unless deeply discounted, it may take some time to move.
Good luck with the dealer.

[TopNotchChach]

take the loss and send it to Rolex.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by GM101526

Here is the information from the shop I purchased from on Chrono24.

So a jeweler and not an AD.

I'm sorry to say it but it looks like you're in the hole with a shady seller.

I would follow Doc's advice above

[dysondiver]

maybe a good independent , depending on your long term plans for the watch.

[GM101526]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Keep pushing for the dealer service.
BUT, you have to ask yourself if you want these people to service your watch at all.
They are acting shady now, so they may be dishonest and only do the minimal repair to get you up and running again and may still need a real full service on worn parts, etc.
I would probably send it on to Rolex and have them work their magic. Then decide if you want to keep it, or sell it in mint condition fresh from the factory service.
You may not make any money on the service, but it will help it sell faster. Selling it as is will definitely be a money loser for you, and unless deeply discounted, it may take some time to move.
Good luck with the dealer.

Thanks for the advice. I regret not having made a better decision on who to buy from to begin with, but I just didn't understand the watch industry at the time and didn't research enough. It is only my own fault. I will take your advice and send to rolex to get serviced and then decide at that time whether or not to keep it or sell it. Thanks Members!

[Leodagan]

I think as European you are protected by the european rules.
Sorry my english is not so good, but have a look at this. Under ue law you have 2 year garantee.
On the same page you have also : problems with EU on line purchase
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/co...hopping_en.htm

The same in deutsch

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/co...hopping_de.htm

[aaamax]

Chrono24. That says it all as far as I'm concerned.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by GM101526

Thanks for the advice. I regret not having made a better decision on who to buy from to begin with, but I just didn't understand the watch industry at the time and didn't research enough. It is only my own fault. I will take your advice and send to rolex to get serviced and then decide at that time whether or not to keep it or sell it. Thanks Members!

Did you pay with a credit card?

Perhaps there is a buyer protection policy you can turn to...

[Dvenus11]

i would get it serviced

[Invictus Maneo]

Get it serviced and THEN make your decision to sell or not. It will come back from RSC looking so good your wife may not want to let it go!

[azguy]

I agree, send it in for a nice RSC service and it'll be good for another 25 years

[breitlings]

i hate to say it but are you sure its real? If a rolex breaks its somewhat unusual outside of a few cases, I think Pawn Stars said "you know how you can tell it's a real rolex? -- It works".

[Leodagan]

Really sorry, but I don't understand why our friend have to keep a brooken watch !!!

[Z-Sub]

Originally Posted by breitlings

i hate to say it but are you sure its real? If a rolex breaks its somewhat unusual outside of a few cases, I think Pawn Stars said "you know how you can tell it's a real rolex? -- It works".

Real Rolex can break as well.

[PcarSBA]

What's up with folks raining on Chrono24 all the time? I use it frequently and it's as good a source as any to find FOR SALE leads and get some initial sense on pricing.

No website will ever protect you from bad deals. By the end of the day you always buy the seller regardless where you found the item. Once an item exceeds a certain price I go there personally, inspect the goods and the seller and then decide. Worked out for me so far.

Back to your issue I agree with others, get the watch serviced, either by an independent or by Rolex. At a certain age the movement needs service/cleaning/lubrication. You have to keep in mind the watch is 30 years old and might have never been cleaned. Who knows. If you plan on selling it you need to figure out if investing XX$ into the service gets you XX$ in addition to selling it "as-is"

Best of luck,
Ingo

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by TopNotchChach

take the loss and send it to Rolex.

Yup