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newu5er · 10 March 2014, 03:46 AM

I'm looking at an older GMT that's never been serviced. Overall it looks pretty good, but since it's in the 2000 range for age, I'm wondering how much regular services comes into play when purchasing a pre-owned. Haven't had a chance to inspect it yet, just trying to determine if I need to spend time doing that based on my question.

I imagine that a 15-18 year old GMT would have at least one service, maybe two? You thoughts are appreciated!

illiguy · 10 March 2014, 03:50 AM

Just the disclosure as to if and when the watch was last serviced. With trusted sellers, the offer price seems to reflect whether a watch has been serviced with RSC or another well known watchmaker (Rikki, Bob Ridley, etc.)

Jake B · 10 March 2014, 03:58 AM

15 minutes with a timegrapher, a demagnetiser, and a pressure tester will tell you all you need to know.

Armyguy03 · 10 March 2014, 04:43 AM

none really. they end up with Rikki within a year anyways to ensure good working order for the long haul

newu5er · 10 March 2014, 04:48 AM

Thank you for the replies. I guess the chance that something is wrong that would cost a lot is minimal? I'm trying to understand market price on the piece and I'm thinking a service would probably run $500 minimum, so I would be making my offer understanding, that there would be another small investment to keep it running as designed.

Sounds like I need to know Rikki since I don't have a timegrapher, a demagnetiser, or a pressure tester!

Tools · 10 March 2014, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newu5er

. . .
I imagine that a 15-18 year old GMT would have at least one service, maybe two? You thoughts are appreciated!

There is no reason to expect this. The vast majority of watch owners never have their watches serviced, Rolex or not.

I would be happy to find a 20 year old GMT that had not been touched. That would mean that nobody butchered it and I could get a proper service and have it like-new.

newu5er · 10 March 2014, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no reason to expect this. The vast majority of watch owners never have their watches serviced, Rolex or not.

I would be happy to find a 20 year old GMT that had not been touched. That would mean that nobody butchered it and I could get a proper service and have it like-new.

Perfect. I never thought of it from that perspective. Looks like I need to go check this thing out.

Looking forward to contributing here; ton of knowledge on this site and I appreciate the assistance.

NU

jcd · 10 March 2014, 06:18 AM

Not a concern here either. I just bought a Y serial sub. I knew going in it likely hadn't been touched. It'll be off to Rikki in a week or 2.

Jocke · 10 March 2014, 06:21 AM

I calculate always with a service cost when I buy a used watch. If the sale price have no space for that I look for another one.
If you don't have to service it, it's a bonus.

powerfunk · 10 March 2014, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no reason to expect this. The vast majority of watch owners never have their watches serviced, Rolex or not.

I would be happy to find a 20 year old GMT that had not been touched. That would mean that nobody butchered it and I could get a proper service and have it like-new.

x2 I prefer to buy watches with an unknown service history rather than pay a premium for a recent service that may have been subpar or nonexistent. I generally send used watches straight to Rik or RSC anyway.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using Tapatalk 2

Evil-Twin · 10 March 2014, 06:56 AM

I don't think you could guess or assume anything.. the watch is 14 years old. By Rolex's standards, the watch should have been serviced twice. while many people do not send their watch in unless it is broken. And for many it doesn't need it.
Anything could be possible, A cleaning by an unlicensed watch maker. Some one who may have hacked it as suggests as a bad case scenario.. The perfect thing would have been evidence to at least one certified cleaning by a Rolex certified watchmaker. This would show some level of maintenance
by the previous owner. I have every record of my 30 year old Rolex watch from the receipt, the day I bought it, to the five documented RSC services. Those documents only help to show the level of care and maintenance an original owner would have. Those documents are transferable and add worth to any trade in. Without any documentation, anything is possible, including a perfectly good watch.
Bill

mike · 10 March 2014, 09:45 AM

As mentioned, a service should be factored in the price. Either on your end or the sellers. If on the sellers I'd want to know who did it and paperwork to show what was done.

stevedssd · 10 March 2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no reason to expect this. The vast majority of watch owners never have their watches serviced, Rolex or not.

I would be happy to find a 20 year old GMT that had not been touched. That would mean that nobody butchered it and I could get a proper service and have it like-new.

Nicely sums it up

Jason71 · 10 March 2014, 10:02 AM

I prefer my older watches NOT have had a previous service. That way, the case is not overpolished, and it can be brought back to look FANTASTIC. Case and point......

Transform this: (Never serviced)

Into this:

eeh100773 · 10 March 2014, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I prefer my older watches NOT have had a previous service. That way, the case is not overpolished, and it can be brought back to look FANTASTIC. Case and point......

Transform this: (Never serviced)

Into this:

Wow that's a stunner Jason!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Old Expat Beast · 10 March 2014, 10:45 AM

Better for it not to have been serviced, for reasons stated above. I always take pre-owned purchases straight to RSC anyway, but it's quite affordabe here ($250 for a Sub, $300 for a GMT for example).

RolexJNJ · 10 March 2014, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Better for it not to have been serviced, for reasons stated above. I always take pre-owned purchases straight to RSC anyway, but it's quite affordabe here ($250 for a Sub, $300 for a GMT for example).

Wow, those prices are amazing for an RSC. More than double that in the good ol' US of A.

RolexJNJ · 10 March 2014, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I prefer my older watches NOT have had a previous service. That way, the case is not overpolished, and it can be brought back to look FANTASTIC. Case and point......

Transform this: (Never serviced)

Into this:

Wow, looks fantastic! Don't tell me PolyWatch transformed that crystal?!

Jason71 · 10 March 2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexJNJ

Wow, looks fantastic! Don't tell me PolyWatch transformed that crystal?!

Nope. Authentic Rolex service crystal that has been modified to look like the original superdome

subtona · 10 March 2014, 01:57 PM

Depends on age, typically i wont service til broken.

applebook · 11 March 2014, 03:21 AM

I'm less concerned about the time interval between service and more about the conditions to which the watch was subjected. A beaten up Sub that's been used for diving, hiking, and outdoor activities in extreme temperatures for 10 years is far likelier to need major overhaul than one that's been a desk diver in climate controlled settings for 20 years.

Roller07 · 11 March 2014, 03:25 AM

When buying used, I look for a watch that has not been serviced ( I factor this into the price ) and that has definitely NOT been polished.

hsfrank · 11 March 2014, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocke

i calculate always with a service cost when i buy a used watch. If the sale price have no space for that i look for another one.
If you don't have to service it, it's a bonus.

x2

10 March 2014, 03:46 AM	#1
newu5er "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA/Denmark Posts: 651	When buying used, how important is regular service to you? I'm looking at an older GMT that's never been serviced. Overall it looks pretty good, but since it's in the 2000 range for age, I'm wondering how much regular services comes into play when purchasing a pre-owned. Haven't had a chance to inspect it yet, just trying to determine if I need to spend time doing that based on my question. I imagine that a 15-18 year old GMT would have at least one service, maybe two? You thoughts are appreciated!

10 March 2014, 03:58 AM	#3
Jake B "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hong Kong Watch: Gold Sub 116618LN Posts: 2,820	15 minutes with a timegrapher, a demagnetiser, and a pressure tester will tell you all you need to know. __________________ Things are more like they are now than they ever were before.

10 March 2014, 04:43 AM	#4
Armyguy03 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: DM[V] Watch: 16710 \| 16600 Posts: 3,546	none really. they end up with Rikki within a year anyways to ensure good working order for the long haul __________________ Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

10 March 2014, 06:21 AM	#9
Jocke 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jocke Location: Sweden Watch: A dozen of Rolex's Posts: 22,541	I calculate always with a service cost when I buy a used watch. If the sale price have no space for that I look for another one. If you don't have to service it, it's a bonus. __________________ This message is written in perfect swenglish. What is best a custom Rolex or a Rolex that is stuck in custom? Buy a professional camera and you´re a professional photographer, buy a flute and you own a flute.

10 March 2014, 10:02 AM	#14
Jason71 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers Posts: 7,973	I prefer my older watches NOT have had a previous service. That way, the case is not overpolished, and it can be brought back to look FANTASTIC. Case and point...... Transform this: (Never serviced) Into this: __________________ Best Regards, Jason Just Say "NO" to Polishing Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches PLEXI IS SEXY

10 March 2014, 03:50 AM	#2
illiguy 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: UTC/GMT -5 Posts: 3,660	Just the disclosure as to if and when the watch was last serviced. With trusted sellers, the offer price seems to reflect whether a watch has been serviced with RSC or another well known watchmaker (Rikki, Bob Ridley, etc.)

10 March 2014, 04:48 AM	#5
newu5er "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA/Denmark Posts: 651	Thank you for the replies. I guess the chance that something is wrong that would cost a lot is minimal? I'm trying to understand market price on the piece and I'm thinking a service would probably run $500 minimum, so I would be making my offer understanding, that there would be another small investment to keep it running as designed. Sounds like I need to know Rikki since I don't have a timegrapher, a demagnetiser, or a pressure tester!

10 March 2014, 06:18 AM	#8
jcd "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: Jack Location: Wisconsin Watch: me vector Posts: 1,152	Not a concern here either. I just bought a Y serial sub. I knew going in it likely hadn't been touched. It'll be off to Rikki in a week or 2.

10 March 2014, 06:56 AM	#11
Evil-Twin Banned Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: Bill Location: Small town in PA. Posts: 288	I don't think you could guess or assume anything.. the watch is 14 years old. By Rolex's standards, the watch should have been serviced twice. while many people do not send their watch in unless it is broken. And for many it doesn't need it. Anything could be possible, A cleaning by an unlicensed watch maker. Some one who may have hacked it as suggests as a bad case scenario.. The perfect thing would have been evidence to at least one certified cleaning by a Rolex certified watchmaker. This would show some level of maintenance by the previous owner. I have every record of my 30 year old Rolex watch from the receipt, the day I bought it, to the five documented RSC services. Those documents only help to show the level of care and maintenance an original owner would have. Those documents are transferable and add worth to any trade in. Without any documentation, anything is possible, including a perfectly good watch. Bill

10 March 2014, 09:45 AM	#12
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	As mentioned, a service should be factored in the price. Either on your end or the sellers. If on the sellers I'd want to know who did it and paperwork to show what was done.

10 March 2014, 10:45 AM	#16
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,788	Better for it not to have been serviced, for reasons stated above. I always take pre-owned purchases straight to RSC anyway, but it's quite affordabe here ($250 for a Sub, $300 for a GMT for example). __________________ _______________________

10 March 2014, 01:57 PM	#20
subtona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: gus Location: East Coast Watch: APK & sometimes Y Posts: 26,547	Depends on age, typically i wont service til broken. __________________

11 March 2014, 03:21 AM	#21
applebook "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: vancouver Posts: 1,918	I'm less concerned about the time interval between service and more about the conditions to which the watch was subjected. A beaten up Sub that's been used for diving, hiking, and outdoor activities in extreme temperatures for 10 years is far likelier to need major overhaul than one that's been a desk diver in climate controlled settings for 20 years. __________________

11 March 2014, 03:25 AM	#22
Roller07 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: GMT -5 Watch: HulkPepsiCoke Posts: 2,364	When buying used, I look for a watch that has not been serviced ( I factor this into the price ) and that has definitely NOT been polished.

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