Certified Pre-Owned With Swapped Dial?

[RestfulJambs]

I recently purchased a 2009 Milgauss 116400GV with a Z-Blue dial from an AD through the Rolex certified pre-owned program. The watch came with the original warranty card and of course was pre-vetted by Rolex itself under the CPO program. The serial no. also confirms it’s 2009. HOWEVER, someone pointed out to me that the Z-Blue dial was introduced in 2014. Is it possible that a Rolex CPO watch could have a swapped dial? Maybe yes, if the dial was changed by an authorized Rolex service center? Does this affect the value of the watch? Resale price is of no importance to me. It’s not an investment piece and I bought the watch to wear and keep forever. But I’m obviously wondering if I should alert the AD and return it if they don’t reduce the price (that is, only if the value is affected). I love this watch dearly, but I’m not one for being suckered.

[996marty]

I think it’s a fair question to raise with your AD and it would be interesting to gauge their reaction

[ArtNouveau]

Allegedly, the CPO designation should have a service/once over by an RSC so in theory a dial could have been replaced. Could be the original dial was deemed damaged and was replaced by what was available. Or the original dial was replaced by the prior owner either by an RSC on request and the new one doing the inspection accepted it as OEM.

[belutak]

Dial replacement by the RSC is legitimate and should not affect the value of the watch. Rolex would only replace the dial with the one corresponding to the watch in production at that point in time hence it would be no franken or anything like that.

If you like the dial and presumably you do because you bought it then just enjoy your watch.


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by belutak

Dial replacement by the RSC is legitimate and should not affect the value of the watch. Rolex would only replace the dial with the one corresponding to the watch in production at that point in time hence it would be no franken or anything like that.

If you like the dial and presumably you do because you bought it then just enjoy your watch.


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But if that dial was not in production at the time the watch was manufactured, technically it is a franken, since it could not have existed in that configuration originally. I’d want a discount, or a different watch.

Kat


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[joli160]

Indeed a franken. Sent it back to the AD, this one will always have a story and be a cobbled together watch, no matter what they tell you.

Perhaps shop at some of the grey sellers in the boutique section. Most probably they will be able to get you a 100% correct watch for even less than the AD.

[Bazil]

Welcome to the forum .. let me ask you your opinion ..
White or Black dial ?
116 or 126 ?

[Gearjockey]

First of all, that would bug the heck out of me, knowing that it wasn’t correct for the period that it was produced in, so no, I would not be able to live with that.

Second, please tell us more about the return policy for CPO. I’m very curious now.

[sgt10p]

I take it you bought the watch because you liked it, and thought the price was fair?

I don't see the problem as you've stated you want to keep the watch, unless you're looking to get more money off?

[GGGMT]

Nasty. Franken.


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[SearChart]

That dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official Rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the Rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official Rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the Rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

There ya go.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by searchart

that dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

+1

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official Rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the Rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

Well put.

Enjoy your watch OP, it's a stunner.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official Rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the Rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

This

[vinny84]

I would be bothered and take it back for a different watch but that's me, I'm OCD with those kind of things

[2thdock]

Delusional seems harsh.

[Tricolore66]

Not a big deal. Hands, crowns/tubes, bracelets and even dials are routinely replaced by RSC in the course of normal service, but none of those are considered frankenwatches. Dial swaps were commonplace for decades by RSC until fairly recently, and only stopped because they’d rather you buy a new watch than a dial. Enjoy your blue MG!

[1William]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official Rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the Rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

This is the answer and I would enjoy your watch.

[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by RestfulJambs

I recently purchased a 2009 Milgauss 116400GV with a Z-Blue dial from an AD through the Rolex certified pre-owned program. The watch came with the original warranty card and of course was pre-vetted by Rolex itself under the CPO program. The serial no. also confirms it’s 2009. HOWEVER, someone pointed out to me that the Z-Blue dial was introduced in 2014. Is it possible that a Rolex CPO watch could have a swapped dial? Maybe yes, if the dial was changed by an authorized Rolex service center? Does this affect the value of the watch? Resale price is of no importance to me. It’s not an investment piece and I bought the watch to wear and keep forever. But I’m obviously wondering if I should alert the AD and return it if they don’t reduce the price (that is, only if the value is affected). I love this watch dearly, but I’m not one for being suckered.

Let's see some pics! The watch and papers. Thanks.

[rossi46]

100% CPO watches can get dials (and hands) swapped. I looked at a CPO 16570 that the SA said was from 1990. The hangtag also said 1990.

I took one look at the dial and said, nope this thing is from the 200s. It says "SWISS MADE" not "T < 25" and not even just "SWISS". There's no way this thing is from 1990.

Then it hit me...

[goheel]

It’s a Franken watch. The dial is not period correct. I wouldn’t have bought it, unless you get a big discount. It’s a fair point to bring up to the AD

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

Not a big deal. Hands, crowns/tubes, bracelets and even dials are routinely replaced by RSC in the course of normal service, but none of those are considered frankenwatches. Dial swaps were commonplace for decades by RSC until fairly recently, and only stopped because they’d rather you buy a new watch than a dial. Enjoy your blue MG!

And in the process of doing so they have ruined the sometimes very high value of many watches. Something which they don’t care and don’t even bother to point out to their customers.
Despite a new dial or regular service dial is correct in the eyes of Rolex for most collectors it is not. It’s always the details that matters

[Pepperjack]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That dial is allowed in that reference and it was done by an official Rolex service center and thus updated the configuration in the Rolex system.

Those calling it 'franken' are delusional.

You could always change it back to a different dial, OP, but the dial it currently has is correct for the model.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by 2thdock

Delusional seems harsh.

He works at an RSC. He explained that it is an accepted option for that model.

[881]

I wouldn’t want it, not period correct and Rolex is playing a dangerous game swapping out dials for more exclusive versions for the CPO program, bush league

[Big Tex Rolex]

I would put in / keep in whatever dial pleases you most … period correct, period not correct, old, new, purple, pink, polka dots … whatever looks good to you.

If Rolex put it in, and you like it … I wouldn’t worry about it.

[Harry-57]

The thing about a CPO watch is that it may have been serviced or repaired, because watches sometimes need servicing and repairing, and the dial may have been switched because such a modification was allowed on that model. It's done by a RSC using OEM parts and equipment and the dial switch is Rolex approved. Not a problem for me but if it grates I'm sure the supplying AD will be accomodating. They should be at the prices they are charging for CPO watches.

The original SS bracelet for the 116610 Sub Date is no longer in production. A similar item is now supplied by RSCs which is an approved, replacement, is of the correct configuration including Glidelock, but has a different model number. It's not period correct. Where do you draw the line?

[77T]

Originally Posted by Pepperjack

You could always change it back to a different dial, OP, but the dial it currently has is correct for the model.

I agree that the dial is permitted within the ref.# - yet we live in a time where heated conversation ensues over a Mk. 3 dial being in a Sub that predates the introduction of that dial.

This Milgauss of the OP's is modern and won't deserve that type of scrutiny until 2090 or so.

Like Bas said, it's an allowed dial swap - while an anachronism - not a Franken.


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[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by joli160

And in the process of doing so they have ruined the sometimes very high value of many watches. Something which they don’t care and don’t even bother to point out to their customers.
Despite a new dial or regular service dial is correct in the eyes of Rolex for most collectors it is not. It’s always the details that matters

It allowed me to purchase a 1968 DJ with a gorgeous pie pan service dial and 2005 Jubilee bracelet with no stretch for a very good price. Rolex Dallas serviced it after putting an 18K crown on it so it would pass a pressure test. Still runs in chronometer specs and I can take it in the pool if I want.

You can do very well if you use people's silly notions against them.