Gray market questions and experiences

[springolators]

If you buy from a gray market dealer, the downside is that you do not get the warranty. So in the first 2 years you would have to pay for repairs yourself?

If you got the gray market dealer to repair the watch, would they be able to put in real rolex parts?

Would you be able to take the watch to an AD to get a repair done? Would rolex service the watch?

What sort of checks do people do after they have bought a gray market watch do people take it to an AD to check everything is ok? Do some people phone rolex to check it is not stolen? I know you need to make sure the seller seems ok, but what if you were buying from someone you had not dealt with before?

[Andad]

a. IMO you get the warranty.

b. see a.

c. see a.

d. I would asume you would have closely checked out the seller. I would have.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by springolators

If you buy from a gray market dealer, the downside is that you do not get the warranty. So in the first 2 years you would have to pay for repairs yourself?

If you got the gray market dealer to repair the watch, would they be able to put in real rolex parts?

Would you be able to take the watch to an AD to get a repair done? Would rolex service the watch?

What sort of checks do people do after they have bought a gray market watch do people take it to an AD to check everything is ok? Do some people phone rolex to check it is not stolen? I know you need to make sure the seller seems ok, but what if you were buying from someone you had not dealt with before?

Well the warranty is very very very seldom needed in the warranty period so its extremely unlikely watch will need any parts,and many grey dealers offer there own warranty things like regulation well any good watchmaker could do that its quite a simple task.And most grey dealers have a bricks and mortar store so its very doubtful you would not get a genuine watch they have there good reputation to keep.Myself have only purchased one Rolex watch through a AD and that was a Insurance replacement all the rest grey without any problems whatsoever.Now once you bought any Rolex watch and once any warranty has expired say from a grey.Then Rolex will be quite happy to take your money to service the watch as they don't care where it was bought or need to know.

[springolators]

So do most people trust a well known gray market dealer, and not question the watch? Do you not bother getting it looked at by an AD after you buy it?

I am pretty sure the watches I am looking at are authentic, I am just a little worried that their may be an after market part somewhere.

If I sent it to rolex for a service with an after market part, would they change it? would they go crazy and keep the entire watch?

[errol0_7]

I have bought from 1 AD, not a great experience and have bought lots via my gray market contacts, smae watch great service and reduced price, I have never had a problem with the watches that required warranty and have never regretted not using an AD.

I have used my contacts that often (major flipper) that they accomodate evenings trips to my home/ their home / their shops etc.

There are some really great gray mkt dealers out there that will look after you. I have been very lucky thus far.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by springolators

So do most people trust a well known gray market dealer, and not question the watch? Do you not bother getting it looked at by an AD after you buy it?

I am pretty sure the watches I am looking at are authentic, I am just a little worried that their may be an after market part somewhere.

If I sent it to rolex for a service with an after market part, would they change it? would they go crazy and keep the entire watch?

There are many myths about Rolex watches always buy the seller if you buy from a well known respected source. There is no reason to suspect any after-market parts,most aftermarket parts today are things like diamond dials, bezels,etc so check those out.If Rolex found a aftermarket part which is doubtful they would change it and charge for the part after contacting first for your approval.And many ADs today know little or nothing about the products they sell, or what's aftermaket or not.Now if AD has a in-house watchmaker he should be able to check, but the average AD today no, some are good but many sadly are not.

[springolators]

Originally Posted by padi56

There are many myths about Rolex watches always buy the seller if you buy from a well known respected source. There is no reason to suspect any after-market parts,most aftermarket parts today are things like diamond dials, bezels,etc so check those out.

The problem is that I want a ladies watch with a diamond dial and bezel. I have looked around, and it honestly feels like 95% of the ones for sale second hand are after market.

I am going to buy from a respected source. Will it say somewhere on the papers that the bezel and dial are authentic?

[errol0_7]

I can't vouch for Rolex diamond dials etc as I have no experience of these having never bougt one but I can say that my wife has a Tag Heuer watch with a diamond bezel and it comes with a Tag Heuer card verifying the diamonds weight etc and authenticiy. I would assume Rolex do similar

[Retired]

Had an interesting conversation with the owner of my local Ad last evening. I'm in need of a new bracelet for my older GMT as it has stretched considerably and in the past the Ad would just order a new bracelet. That is not the case any more as Rolex now requires that the watch be sent in to their service center. My local AD also has a certified Rolex repair technician on site and he, of course, can order repair parts. However, Rolex now requires that for each repair he does, he records the serial number of the watch and the parts replaced/ repairs done and submit a monthly report to Rolex. While this may seem tedious it is a way of reducing the number of fake watches in the market. I'm not happy about having my watch sent in but I do appreciate the controls in place to safe guard the brand.

[77T]

Originally Posted by springolators

The problem is that I want a ladies watch with a diamond dial and bezel. I have looked around, and it honestly feels like 95% of the ones for sale second hand are after market.

I am going to buy from a respected source. Will it say somewhere on the papers that the bezel and dial are authentic?

If Rolex original papers are offered, the precious metals and dial configuration are usually noted. However, a ladies Datejust (my guess of what you're considering) is one that people like to "upgrade" independently.

Beware if the seller states, "service history unknown". Often that means s/he has not conducted due diligence on the crystal, crown, bezel nor dial. They would verify the movement by removing the case back but the rest could have been replaced or added.

One of the most common modifications independent jewelers execute is adding a diamond bezel of their own design or a refinished dial with diamonds.

Typically they do this on a plain jane SS/Gold bi-metal, fluted bezel, black dial, ladies Datejust.

Just have a 3rd party watchmaker standing by to validate your purchase. Use a major credit card and be sure the retailer has a good return policy if it is not authentic.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Retired

Had an interesting conversation with the owner of my local Ad last evening. I'm in need of a new bracelet for my older GMT as it has stretched considerably and in the past the Ad would just order a new bracelet. That is not the case any more as Rolex now requires that the watch be sent in to their service center. My local AD also has a certified Rolex repair technician on site and he, of course, can order repair parts. However, Rolex now requires that for each repair he does, he records the serial number of the watch and the parts replaced/ repairs done and submit a monthly report to Rolex. While this may seem tedious it is a way of reducing the number of fake watches in the market. I'm not happy about having my watch sent in but I do appreciate the controls in place to safe guard the brand.

You can buy a very good pre-owned bracelet with identical ref. #; make the swap yourself and save many hundreds $$$.

[springolators]

Originally Posted by 77T

If Rolex original papers are offered, the precious metals and dial configuration are usually noted. However, a ladies Datejust (my guess of what you're considering) is one that people like to "upgrade" independently.

Beware if the seller states, "service history unknown". Often that means s/he has not conducted due diligence on the crystal, crown, bezel nor dial. They would verify the movement by removing the case back but the rest could have been replaced or added.

Just have a 3rd party watchmaker standing by to validate your purchase. Use a major credit card and be sure the retailer has a good return policy if it is not authentic.

You are correct, I am looking for a Datejust.

At the moment, I seem to be finding unused watches from gray market dealers. I am guessing they are old stock that has been sold on or something? These seem to come with all the paperwork.

The way I see it, I am going to pay thousands for this watch, I want the whole thing to be rolex 100%.

I have tried AD, but the ones around here are not very friendly at all.

[77T]

Perhaps an early Spring shopping trip to the Classifieds here on TRF is in order. There are trusted sellers here with references and can guarantee 100% authenticity.

[springolators]

Originally Posted by 77T

Perhaps an early Spring shopping trip to the Classifieds here on TRF is in order. There are trusted sellers here with references and can guarantee 100% authenticity.

I will be posting on there when I can, I think I have a few more hours to wait before I get approved for it.

I am not sure how many sellers can get in the sort of watch I want, or if they will be put off shipping to Europe for me.

It would be lovely to buy from a well known seller here, I would be less worried.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Retired

Had an interesting conversation with the owner of my local Ad last evening. I'm in need of a new bracelet for my older GMT as it has stretched considerably and in the past the Ad would just order a new bracelet. That is not the case any more as Rolex now requires that the watch be sent in to their service center. My local AD also has a certified Rolex repair technician on site and he, of course, can order repair parts. However, Rolex now requires that for each repair he does, he records the serial number of the watch and the parts replaced/ repairs done and submit a monthly report to Rolex. While this may seem tedious it is a way of reducing the number of fake watches in the market. I'm not happy about having my watch sent in but I do appreciate the controls in place to safe guard the brand.

I appreciate tight controls too, but heck send the watch back for a bracelet IMO that is something you should be able to buy outright...