How to verify grey market "new" watch is truly new?

[igbgotiz]

Here is the situation.

A local reputable grey dealer is selling a "brand new" watch with 2022 warranty card, no stickers.

In this case, how can one tell whether this is actually new or a mint used seeing there's no way to verify.

What should I be checking for?

[illiguy]

Buy the seller. I’d trust our trusted dealers.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=926833

[Njkdog]

Well, that is the definition of a gray dealer. Which is different from a secondhand or preowned dealer. But how to tell, there is realistically no way.

[igbgotiz]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Buy the seller. I’d trust our trusted dealers.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=926833

What about eBay's authentication and verification process? Can I trust that?

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by igbgotiz

What about eBay's authentication and verification process? Can I trust that?

I personally wouldn’t. Not to disparage eBay, but just my own preference.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by igbgotiz

What about eBay's authentication and verification process? Can I trust that?

No. It’s Ridiculous for collecting high end watches. The answer to your quandary is easy. Buy from one of the few flawless sellers here


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[Jerrocop]

If you’re not buying it from an AD it’s not new.


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[Moondoggy]

^This, quite simply not new, also movement may have been inspected.

[Jasb]

Heard nothing but good from Jazztime watches, they have a ton of stock.

[ColoradoTime]

Originally Posted by Jasb

Heard nothing but good from Jazztime watches, they have a ton of stock.

Ummm.... I think a quick search of this forum would challenge that.

[TeddyBallGame]

Unfortunately unless you’re buying directly from an AD, there is no way to be 100% certain a watch is brand new and never been worn.

[77T]

No, it is a used watch being sold by your local dealer. Some buyer (maybe himself or a flipper) bought it from an AD (maybe or on Moda).

It is pre-owned even if it is unworn.

All eBay watches are used. The Authenticator doesn’t make a used watch a new one. Nor does that clear its pedigree - could be stolen for all an Authenticator knows.


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[EaglePilot]

That's why I always buy rolex brand new from an AD!! Can't understand why people buy used (and higher prices) watches from gray and come here on forum with a lot of concerns,
like:
"Is it an used watch? Was it already opened case? Is it a fake watch?....etc etc"
Make your strategy to buy from an AD, be patient waiting it arrive and be happy and without any concerns when it happens....Peace of mind!!!

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by EaglePilot

That's why I always buy rolex brand new from an AD!! Can't understand why people buy used (and higher prices) watches from gray and come here on forum with a lot of concerns,
like:
"Is it an used watch? Was it already opened case? Is it a fake watch?....etc etc"
Make your strategy to buy from an AD, be patient waiting it arrive and be happy and without any concerns when it happens....Peace of mind!!!

Cool story. Most people can’t just waltz into an AD and skip out with a BLRO, BLNR, Daytona, or even a sub….or at least not yet.

[hutch300]

Buy from a reputable dealer. I would not use eBay. Where is local? We might be able o point you to someone.

[vipereaper30]

Originally Posted by Jasb

Heard nothing but good from Jazztime watches, they have a ton of stock.

I wouldn't consider them even close to a trusted seller around here.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Lol - my definition of “new” is fresh out of the watch coffin. Anything less is, well, not new.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by EaglePilot

That's why I always buy rolex brand new from an AD!! Can't understand why people buy used (and higher prices) watches from gray and come here on forum with a lot of concerns,

Yeah right, like that is a serious option for most of us

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

If you’re not buying it from an AD it’s not new.


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I have an acquaintance. Bought a new YG blue dial Submariner. Left it on his nightstand at night and knocked it off. Watch started losing 4 minutes of time a day. He sold it to a well known grey dealer without disclosing the issue. Grey dealer completed transaction and that was that.


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[Michael1968]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

If you’re not buying it from an AD it’s not new.


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This

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

If you’re not buying it from an AD it’s not new.

This. Which means a seller describing it as "brand new" is not a seller you can trust. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.

[SubDate]

This 100%. You can either be patient and get the peace of mind after you buy it from an AD, or you can be impatient, get it sooner and always wonder if it is new or not. The choice is yours.

[1William]

So many options in the market. I almost exclusively use our Trusted Sellers. Reputation, service and ability to get what I want is a service I will pay for. Also, no games.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Jasb

Heard nothing but good from Jazztime watches, they have a ton of stock.

I beg to differ

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=747810

[azhiker54]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Cool story. Most people can’t just waltz into an AD and skip out with a BLRO, BLNR, Daytona, or even a sub….or at least not yet.

This is so correct. Just when I feel that this forum is beneficial and full of good info, someone says ‘just wait, or just go to hour AD, and watches will fall from the clouds’

I think there are a lot of us with jobs, that live in smaller areas that just cant hop on a subway and shoot over to an AD. My closest one is over two hours away, and I lve already checked…..NO WATCHES AT ALL

SO when a brother forum member asks a logistics question, its not because he is cheap or just wants to circumvent the system.

ANYONE who can afford a Rolex should be able to buy one retail. That would be like me looking down my nose to someone using a CC to buy one. (Ive saved many months and will be paying cash next week) I have a hard 20K budget.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I beg to differ

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=747810

I’d say that guy hyping them up works for them 😂…….Jasb/jazz time lol

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by igbgotiz

What about eBay's authentication and verification process? Can I trust that?

Yes.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

If you’re not buying it from an AD it’s not new.


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Amen!

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

If you’re not buying it from an AD it’s not new.


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AD watches can also be demo, polished, fondled in a back room, dropped and repaired and put back out.

[PenDelicate]

There isn't a grey market dealer on the planet who wouldn't advertise a watch as, "Brand new," if he thought he could get away with it. It's just business sense.