Want to purchase a Rolex

[Bond007]

So ever since I can remember I wanted to get a Rolex. No sane reason but just wanted one but could never really afford to purchase it...now seems the prices are going to go up again so no scope at all.

I found this forum a couple of days ago and thought why not get a pre loved one. I have seen some nice watches but seems quite a few dont have any papers. Wanted to get advise from the more experienced owners what the gotchas may be to purchase one and what I should look for and how would I be able to understand a fair price.

Thanks a lot for your inputs. Look forward to being as educated as all of you.

[R1@160@alltimes]

Welcome to TRF...

Rule numero uno when shopping for watches on the net - buy the seller first.

Make sure you are dealing with a trustworthy and reputable seller Lots of great pre-loved options here in the For Sale section.

Good luck and have fun.

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by R1@160@alltimes

Welcome to TRF...

Rule numero uno when shopping for watches on the net - buy the seller first.

Make sure you are dealing with a trustworthy and reputable seller Lots of great pre-loved options here in the For Sale section.

Good luck and have fun.

I agree, buy the seller

[therolexguy]

First off, how did you get "Bond007?" I can't believe that was available, now you've got to stay.
Second, Gus is right: buy the seller. Stay here for awhile, look around, take your time, visit an AD (authorized Rolex Dealer), check out the For Sale section, and ask lots of questions. Don't worry, you'll be hooked before you know it Mr. Bond.

[slcbbrown]

Used watches can be an amazing deal, these days. Because Rolex can easily last 50 years, gettng the absolute best price is not near as important as getting what you thought you were paying for. If you aren't going to become an expert on used Rolex, find a very reputable dealer. This forum has some fine sellers.

I'm a big believer in buying used Rolex.

[p_surabhi]

Welcome to TRF Mr. 007

As already said above, follow the "For Sale" section and you will have an idea.

If a watch sells within few minutes of the ad being posted, you know that's really a great price. Add few $$ and that's the average going price of that model for that age and condition.

Even for a new watch, I think reputable dealers on TRF can help you.

For a Rolex, TRF is the world!! Better off, if you stay within !!

Good luck with your quest for your first Rolex !!

[jeremyam]

Congrats on your ambitions. If you can be more specific, by providing, a model or specific type (dress, dive, sports, exploration...) folks here would be able to be a lot more helpful.

[dddrees]

Welcome.

Sane? If you spend enough time here you'll get infected.

A good number of us have more than one.

Anyway good luck on your hunt, plenty of trusted sellers here and you should be able to compare a bit and get a good deal.

[dddrees]

Double post

[kareemthedream33]

Good luck, if you go pre loved you can feel safe with the regular sellers on this forum, they have impeccable references. It's the best way to save a bit of money and still get what you want.

[Bond007]

Thanks all for the information. To "therolexguy" I do intend to stay around for a long time...I personally was also surprized that I got the name.

With regards to what I am looking for, I thought I wanted either the GMT II or the Submariner, but I saw an older 1970's Dateadjust and really liked the look of that. So now I am very confused what to get. Personally I liked the blue dial submariner but wanted in SS and they dont make that. There was no way I could afford 10k for the 2 tone model, but now that I have found this site and a couple of postings I saw were about 5k I may go in for that.....so many questions so many decisions. In a way I wish there was only one model.

So just a quick question on the regular sellers on the forum. How would I be able to find if the seller is new or a regular? I am sorry for the number of questions and if they are stupid but still trying to navigate the site so trying to find my way.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by Bond007

Thanks all for the information. To "therolexguy" I do intend to stay around for a long time...I personally was also surprized that I got the name.

With regards to what I am looking for, I thought I wanted either the GMT II or the Submariner, but I saw an older 1970's Dateadjust and really liked the look of that. So now I am very confused what to get. Personally I liked the blue dial submariner but wanted in SS and they dont make that. There was no way I could afford 10k for the 2 tone model, but now that I have found this site and a couple of postings I saw were about 5k I may go in for that.....so many questions so many decisions. In a way I wish there was only one model.

So just a quick question on the regular sellers on the forum. How would I be able to find if the seller is new or a regular? I am sorry for the number of questions and if they are stupid but still trying to navigate the site so trying to find my way.

Welcome to TRF Mr Bond...
To answer your latest question,go to the ""Who's Who" section here...The sheer numbers of recommendations well let you know!

[JJ Irani]

Welcome to TRF, 007........hope you enjoy your stay here!!

Cheers - JJ

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by Bond007

Thanks all for the information. To "therolexguy" I do intend to stay around for a long time...I personally was also surprized that I got the name.

With regards to what I am looking for, I thought I wanted either the GMT II or the Submariner, but I saw an older 1970's Dateadjust and really liked the look of that. So now I am very confused what to get. Personally I liked the blue dial submariner but wanted in SS and they dont make that. There was no way I could afford 10k for the 2 tone model, but now that I have found this site and a couple of postings I saw were about 5k I may go in for that.....so many questions so many decisions. In a way I wish there was only one model.

So just a quick question on the regular sellers on the forum. How would I be able to find if the seller is new or a regular? I am sorry for the number of questions and if they are stupid but still trying to navigate the site so trying to find my way.

welcome to TRF! you have not specified how much moolah you want to spend..... , although you can spend a great deal if you venture into vintage. for starters, a sports model will hold its value the best, and none holds it value better than a rolex submariner...
good luck, Mr. Bond.

[Bond007]

All thanks for the info you all have provided so far. I am sure I will have other questions as I go along and I hope to get additional help from all of you. One quick question...in the sales section I keep seeing people discuss sub c, d, model numbers, serial numbers sequence....where can I read more about it. Did not see any such detailed info on the rolex website.

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by Bond007

All thanks for the info you all have provided so far. I am sure I will have other questions as I go along and I hope to get additional help from all of you. One quick question...in the sales section I keep seeing people discuss sub c, d, model numbers, serial numbers sequence....where can I read more about it. Did not see any such detailed info on the rolex website.

Bond, usually if people are talking about a Sub C or a GMT II C, the "C" is referring to the newer Ceramic bezel material. The other letters and numbers are usually referring to the estimated manufactured year..."born date". You won't find any of the stuff on the Rolex website, in fact, Rolex is very secretive about most things.
BTW, the model number refers to a specific watch series. Usually when Rolex has a new update on a particular watch (like a new movement, or bezel) they will change the model number.
Some of this stuff can actually drive you quite mad sometimes.

[ingoodtime]

welcome and best of luck on your first purchase. My first
Rolex is preloved. I would also suggest
you try some of trusted sellers here.

[ingoodtime]

welcome and best of luck on your first purchase. My first
Rolex is preloved. I would also suggest
you try some of trusted sellers here.

[Johny]

welcome. do not rush or be pressured into a purchase. rolex have made millions of watches and there is no shortage. condition is everything...imho

[mpkRolex]

Welcome to the forum!!! Let us know what you get.

[Bond007]

All just a follow on questions. If I am getting on people nerves now I apologize.

1. I was seeing a watch for sale Rolex GMT MASTER II Z SERIAL 116710 so from the update above from therolexguy this means its a GMT watch. Can someone explain to me what would be signified by "Z" and the serial 116710 probably is the serial number on the watch. What are the letters Z, C etc. supposed to mean? Is it only through experience will I be able to understand this latin?
2. Is Tudor a Rolex line of watches?
3. As a first purchase what would you buy. As I mentioned above I have no strong opinions on the GMT Master II, Sub or the Oyster.
4. Is it important/critical for the watch to have all the papers?

Thanks a lot again for all your responses.

[therolexguy]

Originally Posted by Bond007

All just a follow on questions. If I am getting on people nerves now I apologize.

1. I was seeing a watch for sale Rolex GMT MASTER II Z SERIAL 116710 so from the update above from therolexguy this means its a GMT watch. Can someone explain to me what would be signified by "Z" and the serial 116710 probably is the serial number on the watch. What are the letters Z, C etc. supposed to mean? Is it only through experience will I be able to understand this latin?
2. Is Tudor a Rolex line of watches?
3. As a first purchase what would you buy. As I mentioned above I have no strong opinions on the GMT Master II, Sub or the Oyster.
4. Is it important/critical for the watch to have all the papers?

Thanks a lot again for all your responses.

Mr, Bond
1: a 'Z' refers to the serial and would indicate the approx. year manufactured and 116710 is the GMT MODEL number, not serial. There are several places you can find a chart with the serial numbers. Rolex used to use numbers then started using Letters with numbers.
2: Yes, Tudor is manufactured by Rolex but no longer sold in the U.S. (see Dan Pierce for any questions on Tudor )
3: Only you can decide what you like, you can always start a thread to ask here, but you're the one that has to look at it everyday. (for a while until you get two and have to rotate days that you wear each one )
4. It's nice, it can add some value, but if you're looking to spend LESS, than you can save by not getting the box and papers.....just make sure you know it's genuine.
Good luck.

[p_mcgee]

Its nice to save money and buy a pre-owned rolex, if you trust the seller & find one in acceptable condition. I've been focusing on the GMT2c listings. The preowned ones are only $300 or so cheaper than the new ones. In this case I wonder if preowned is the way to go.

[imono]

Originally Posted by p_mcgee

Its nice to save money and buy a pre-owned rolex, if you trust the seller & find one in acceptable condition. I've been focusing on the GMT2c listings. The preowned ones are only $300 or so cheaper than the new ones. In this case I wonder if preowned is the way to go.

Perhaps once in a while you will see preowned ones a little cheaper than the new ones but NOT all the time. If at the same time someone sells a new one for only $300.00 above a preown one then it makes sense to buy the new one. The probability of this happening is slim.

Anyway, OP - take your time and read the forum and the FS section.
AND when you see other websites selling a NEW GMT, SUB, for 25% off, walk away and don't look there. If you buy there you will be stung and very painfully too.

[Bond007]

I agree...for about 300 difference I would purchase new but I cant afford that so I am looking for 5-10 year old ones that would go for about 50-60% of what a new one would cost.

If anyone can answer my questions above I would really appreciate it.

[Michael M.]

If your user name is bond007 you should get a submariner(no pun intended).

[marcinthemiddle]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

If your user name is bond007 you should get a submariner(no pun intended).

...or an Omega.