Any specific criteria besides age to qualify for certified pre-owned?

[Pepperjack]

CPO pieces must be serviced to receive CPO recognition. The piece can either be serviced by the AD watchmaker or by an RSC for an AD. As previously stated, the piece must be at least three years out from time of original purchase.

A complete service of the case, bracelet, and movement must be performed. The movement must pass all timing tests, and the case must pass water resistance tests. Refinishing of the case and bracelet is not required, and the bracelet does not need to have a specific link count. If the case and bracelet are refinished, however, the final result must be to Rolex standards.

After servicing, the entire watch is shipped to Rolex, where it spends about four weeks getting photographed and QCed. I believe it's around $400 for them to do this. If it passes Rolex QC, it is returned to us with a pouch, tag, etc. for us to sell. If the watch fails any aspect of QC, it is shipped back to us to be corrected and resubmitted.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Rolex’s CPO program is the ultimate power move—with a twist. It guarantees that pre-owned Rolex watches meet the brand’s high standards, reinforcing the legendary longevity that makes Rolex a generational timepiece. More importantly, it allows Rolex to recertify its watches long after they’ve already profited from the initial sale, turning recertification into a lucrative revenue stream. At the same time, it strengthens ADs’ position in the secondary market. All in all, a brilliant strategy.

If they priced them correctly it would be brilliant. Right now the only client they have is one that doesn’t really understand the watch market. If they even google the model number, most won’t buy. Rolex is so far off on the CPO pricing it’s laughable.


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[dchang81]

Delete

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Pepperjack

CPO pieces must be serviced to receive CPO recognition. The piece can either be serviced by the AD watchmaker or by an RSC for an AD. As previously stated, the piece must be at least three years out from time of original purchase.

A complete service of the case, bracelet, and movement must be performed. The movement must pass all timing tests, and the case must pass water resistance tests. Refinishing of the case and bracelet is not required, and the bracelet does not need to have a specific link count. If the case and bracelet are refinished, however, the final result must be to Rolex standards.

After servicing, the entire watch is shipped to Rolex, where it spends about four weeks getting photographed and QCed. I believe it's around $400 for them to do this. If it passes Rolex QC, it is returned to us with a pouch, tag, etc. for us to sell. If the watch fails any aspect of QC, it is shipped back to us to be corrected and resubmitted.

Thank you. This was the most clear response. So it does have to ultimately be accepted by Rolex HQ.

[martyjanderson]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

If they priced them correctly it would be brilliant. Right now the only client they have is one that doesn’t really understand the watch market. If they even google the model number, most won’t buy. Rolex is so far off on the CPO pricing it’s laughable.


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yep its a joke. bought several 1 to 2 year old mint (couldnt tell used at all) from trusted sellers with original warranty cards for way less than cpo.

[gerry100]

Whatever premium is paid for CPO, IMHO is for peace of mind vs used marketplace.

Old farts like myself , who still go to bank branches, find this comforting and are in better position to pay for it.

Paying a little more for high priced mechanical art may seem worth it.

[majidessa]

From technical perspective, Can someone tell me what is the difference between Rolex CPO with 2 years of Warranty and Rolex Service which also comes with 2 years of warranty and a service nfc card ?

[77T]

Originally Posted by majidessa

From technical perspective, Can someone tell me what is the difference between Rolex CPO with 2 years of Warranty and Rolex Service which also comes with 2 years of warranty and a service nfc card ?

Nothing from an horological aspect.
Maybe the color of the warranty card?


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by majidessa

From technical perspective, Can someone tell me what is the difference between Rolex CPO with 2 years of Warranty and Rolex Service which also comes with 2 years of warranty and a service nfc card ?

One is a watch that you take in and have serviced, or that you buy, used and serviced.

The other is a Dealer program that comes with the provenance and "papers" that certify it to be fully authentic.

It's not much different than buying one used product that has been rebuilt, or another that is offered as Certified and rebuilt by the manufacturer. Cars, appliances, cameras, all fall into these categories and have been around for years. Nothing new, but a new program for Rolex.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by majidessa

From technical perspective, Can someone tell me what is the difference between Rolex CPO with 2 years of Warranty and Rolex Service which also comes with 2 years of warranty and a service nfc card ?

That's why I started the thread. If it's just any AD that decides what can qualify as CPO there could be unscrupulous dealers "certifying" any hatchet job as long as it was serviced. If it actually has to go back to Rolex for approval I think that does add value.

[omar10213245]

I wonder if there is an officially-published list of all authorized dealers throughout the world, whom are active participants of the CPO program? Anybody know? I'm curious to see how many AD's are taking part in this program within the U.S.

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by omar10213245

I wonder if there is an officially-published list of all authorized dealers throughout the world, whom are active participants of the CPO program? Anybody know? I'm curious to see how many AD's are taking part in this program within the U.S.

There’s an existing filter already on the Rolex website that allows you to search by CPO participants.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by dchang81

That's why I started the thread. If it's just any AD that decides what can qualify as CPO there could be unscrupulous dealers "certifying" any hatchet job as long as it was serviced. If it actually has to go back to Rolex for approval I think that does add value.

And it has been repeatedly established that it actually has to go back to Rolex for approval.

[ChronoZach]

Rolex CPO is for instant gratification. Where the price doesn’t matter. 3 years old is the minimum and what is preferred but they will buy older references that are in demand. Rolex is even buying from grey dealers now.

Most of the prices are insane , I’ve seen one deal once and that was when the program started, never again.

Cheers,

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

There’s an existing filter already on the Rolex website that allows you to search by CPO participants.

ah ok, good to know, thanks

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

And it has been repeatedly established that it actually has to go back to Rolex for approval.

Yea I said thank you for your reply earlier. My point was the process is about as clear as mud what is involved, which is why I made the thread. Reading from a dealer side is helpful to see whats actually involved vs guesses.

I was just replying to the poster that a rolex approved watch vs any serviced watch adds value to me at least.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by dchang81

I was just replying to the poster that a rolex approved watch vs any serviced watch adds value to me at least.

There is a caveat. A CPO watch still can be completely ruined by the polish wheel, service dial and still qualify.
A CPO watch is not necessarily better than any other.
One needs to evaluate each individual watch before buying.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by joli160

There is a caveat. A CPO watch still can be completely ruined by the polish wheel, service dial and still qualify.
A CPO watch is not necessarily better than any other.
One needs to evaluate each individual watch before buying.

Not sure that Rolex would allow a watch that has been the victim of some over zealous polishing to go on the CPO program, but as you would be viewing the watch in store the buyer could assess the condition prior to purchase.

[winst]

Originally Posted by dchang81

So they have to be verified by Rolex themselves, or just the AD? There's not really any info besides they're serviced and get a pouch. I mean if they actually get verified by Rolex themselves that's a heck of a lot more reliable than some guy behind the counter at an AD....

The way I look at it, is if I buy a pre owned watch at a decent price from somewhere I trust other than a Rolex AD, but then take it to the AD and get it serviced by Rolex, I have virtually the same thing as CPO but at a greatly reduced price. The watch will have been authenticated by Rolex, validated as not on their stolen register and come with a 2 year warranty, pouch and service card. The only difference is the colour of the pouch and service card, where quite frankly I prefer the green.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by winst

The way I look at it, is if I buy a pre owned watch at a decent price from somewhere I trust other than a Rolex AD, but then take it to the AD and get it serviced by Rolex, I have virtually the same thing as CPO but at a greatly reduced price. The watch will have been authenticated by Rolex, validated as not on their stolen register and come with a 2 year warranty, pouch and service card. The only difference is the colour of the pouch and service card, where quite frankly I prefer the green.

A lot of conditions need to be met to make them equivalent.

Also, a lot of time. Some people value their time and saving 2% net on a $15k purchase isn’t worth the time and associated hassle.

As for conditions, that watch needs to be equivalent condition. In my experience there is a wider range of descriptions from just any seller… so then you must narrow it to sellers with strong reputations. Now you are eating into that CPO premium.

I will say CPO pricing is all over the place. So is grey market pricing generally. Then I would exclude the most hyped pieces - because often the large premiums being paid are 100% convenience premiums. The same buyers could establish sufficient buying history / spend and get at retail but value their time and so don’t bother. So an even wider premium to get it from an AD may be more tolerated…

Then it gets down to more ordinary pieces that are generally available in preowned markets. Now you start with a premium vs general “grey” prices but chip away with:

* comparing only to highly reputable sellers - premium declines
* the 2 year warranty - premium declines
* time and hassle to DIY that plus attendant risks (just like any RSC submission)
* the actual unknowns (frankenwatch, stolen watch, etc)

I saw a study suggesting the 1916 company CPO premium is about 15%. That does not exclude hype pieces per my suggestion above. I have seen other sellers of CPO that have a smaller premium (and another thread highlighting this is active here now). A smart buyer looks at everything holistically. I don’t think time is free either and also the sequencing of risks matter. I’d prefer seeing the “end product” in hand rather than sending a newly purchased watch to RSC and hope for the best… after I already paid.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by winst

The way I look at it, is if I buy a pre owned watch at a decent price from somewhere I trust other than a Rolex AD, but then take it to the AD and get it serviced by Rolex, I have virtually the same thing as CPO but at a greatly reduced price. The watch will have been authenticated by Rolex, validated as not on their stolen register and come with a 2 year warranty, pouch and service card. The only difference is the colour of the pouch and service card, where quite frankly I prefer the green.

That's why there are options; neither demonstrably better than another.

Some folks shop only price while others like the assurance and provenance that those bits of paper provide. If not we wouldn't have so many "box and papers" discussions that are always back and forth.