Hi... Newby needing advice in the UK
 

Hi Guy’s… a Rolex site virgin here so please be kind 

That said, I’ve been interested in watches for many years but have never owned a Rolex (Boooo I know). But I want to put that to rights!
I’ve spent a lot of time in China over the last few years and have seen a number of copy Rolex GMT II and Submariners and these have prompted me to go on and buy the real thing (who says copy’s don’t work!)
The question is, which one… I’d never go diving in a sub…. Nor would I take the GMT travelling (especially to where I go) although I do think the GMT would be the one to go for.
Whilst travelling through Schiphol I’ve seen the GMT’s for sale for 5208 Euro’s which is a real good price so I may go with that. This is for the last Ceramic faced models, black face and green second time zone hand… Are these as desirable as the others?
Or, I may buy in the UK as I like the old Coke bezel red and black models… but buying second hand scares me to death. I used to deal with a company called Portascape in Switzerland who makes the escapements for Rolex etc. They showed me a Swiss copy once and believe me, you could not tell the difference (I’m and Engineer and have a very keen eye for detail)
So what to do… who best to buy from in the UK second hand… are there any overseas dealers to be trusted at the exchange with the $ is good at the moment…..

Any advice appreciated… 

Any of the recommended sellers on the Forum are great to deal with, but are largely in the USA so you have to deal with customs issues going to the UK. If you can get tax back etc in the Netherlands than that may be the go, buying from an AD or trusted seller is the way to go, buying on E-Bay and other sources come with risk, particularly if it looks like it is too good a deal then it probably is a problem. Sounds like you are not a gambler so an AD where you are the first name on the warranty is a good thing.

Any new GMT model is a good safe long term choice, as is a sub (and no a lot of people don't dive with them we just like the look). The model you refer to is very popular, a lot of people are currently getting the black and blue bezel, but long term they all should be fairly close on value. They are all good models for re-sale if that ever becomes an issue. There are also nice datejusts around, but depending on the colour combo some of these do have a bigger drop in second hand price.

Sounds like you are in a good place, picking the GMT from an AD with a good price/duty free. Good luck, the rules on the forum require you to post the happy pictures of you and the watch, and everyone talks as little as possible about fakes (good or bad), they scare us and damage the brand.

P.S. If you own a TVR or love them you will enjoy the many car threads on the general section of the forum. Welcome

There are many good retailers in the UK both new and used and we do not talk about fakes etc in the Rolex watch forum.These guys below are very good not the cheapest around but you will have a 100% warrantied watch bought a few there over the years but viewing by appointment only Tel 020 8994 4567.

http://www.watches.co.uk/watches/search/

Cheers Guy's... and thanks for your replys... I'm through Amsterdam on Friday this week so will check out the details on the tax etc... they do sound a very good buy :thumbsup: ... I'd guess the "F" word is not accepted around these parts but they did get me interested in the real thing... :chuckle: (not that I've bought any.. just looked at them in the many shops in Shanghai etc)...
.
One last question on the "f" subject... I did read somewhere that the screw down crown should always screw down resulting in the Rolex emblum on the crown facing up... Is this correct?.. as I'm sure I've seen in Rolex shops, watches where they are not always straigt up???....

Thanks again and I'll try the link :thumbsup:

There are plenty of reputable dealers in the UK....... I've used Blowers for example who even offer a 7 day no questions return on pre-owned goods.

With the £ being relatively strong also worth sending someone like DavidSW an e-mail. He can also talk you through the UK Customs bit.

But on the crown, that's total rubbish and the crown will face whatever direction it ends up in depending on how tight you tighten it.

X2 Just cannot believe the many Internet myths about Rolex watches especially the crown emblem and LEC.

Yes, I think your correct.. it was a U-Tube clip I was watching on something :lol:

Off to look at the links now.. see what I can spend my dosh on :)

It looks like Blowers are in Hull and Brum (is this correct)... I guess either will do

Cheers:cheers:

newturfers.com, the UK version of here and look for the trusted dealers such as rolexroz.

This is the link and I've always thought they were just in Hull.

http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/?...Fc_MtAodNWAAug

For pre-owned , they are pretty good.

But for new, there are many trusted sellers on TRF who will probably better most store prices due to lack of overheads etc.

Schiphol Airport has a few Rolex AD outlets and they are the cheapest places I know of in Europe.

My thought exactly... so maybe the best option?... will get full details Friday :thumbsup:

Cheers Neil.. Have had a look but not sure how to contact rolexroz?.. no details on the site (I only have 1 post so may not be able to view?) .

do you have any details / links :thumbsup:

Schipol is the place to get it. Prices are competetive. You will not get tax back unless you are leaving EU and can show you are not coming back.... Or they may not include it in the price at all.. I can't quite remember
I travel through Amsterdam twice a year on way back to and from Glasgow from Sydney.
:cheers:

So does that mean you have to pay the tax when landing in the UK?... not sure these days how it all works.. I could always ask as Customs on the way out :agree:

You only need to pay the 20% import tax if you buy it outside of the EU so from the US or Asia etc.

So buying anywhere in Europe has absolutely no tax issues on bringing it back to the UK since duty is deemed to have already been paid.

If you can buy in duty free land i.e. at airports either in the UK or in the EU then you can often save a bit more. But the price you pay at the airport is the price you pay. You can't reclaim any more tax back unless you live outside the EU on a permanent basis.

Sounds good to me.. a New GMT for £4304 is a no brainer... I think that will be my way to go :cheers:

What they said, excepting maybe the SkyDweller which reportedly has the crowns oriented the same.

PM him here, he is a member.

Cant see where / how to do that.. but maybe because I'm a new memebr I can't do it??

+1:thumbsup:

double click on the member's username at one of his/her posts.
a drop down menu will appear, one of which allows you to send a PM to the member.

If ever you're in London send me a PM & I'll direct you to my pals shop in the Gardens.

Top guy & knows his stuff & can get his hands on almost anything given a week or two.

Cheers Guy's ... I'll give them a try.. thanks

in the uk new watches try,,,,,,,,,,,swiss watch dealers.co.uk.
watchfinder .co.uk. they have a buyback for same money in 2 yrs,
watch centre.co.uk they have shop in new bond street.
have brought from all.
try davidsw for sale section ,, have spoken to him and said wouldn't have duty to pay.
good luck

I have a 116610LN, bought one week ago from an AD here in the UK.
One of the first things I noticed, having read comments about the position of the Rolex motif on the crown was that on mine the motif was positioned perfectly upright when the crown was fully screwed down.
After a week of getting to know my new acquisition eg manual winding , changing time and date, it is still the same.
Could this be a new development?

Rolex crown
 

If it is perfectly upright then its more of a coincidence and luck than a new development.

Looks like I struck lucky then.....having it upright makes it appear much neater IMHO.

Only thing is over time as the seals give a little the crown position will change!