ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

ChrisStruttmann · 6 August 2016, 07:14 AM

Hello All:

This is my very first post to RolexForums. I just took delivery of my first (hopefully first of many) Rolex that I bought myself (I have another but it was left to me).

The Rolex I purchased is a 1601 Datejust. (Listing here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/222201360514...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

About 10 minutes after opening the box, I took it to the local official Rolex Dealer (Kempf's Jewlers in Indialantic, FL) to have it authenticated and appraised. I got appraisals from AGI when I bought the watch but I thought it'd be best to get a 3rd party appraisal from a local rep.

The jeweler (who I later found out is the owner, David Kempf) held the watch for about 15 seconds then told me he didn't believe it was authentic. When asked what he felt wasn't real, he said "45 years of experience tells me it's not."

I've taken it to two other local jewelers and both have said that it's authentic, but they're not the dealer.

Does the dealer know something I don't? Is there something I can do to get ultimate validation? The best I've heard is to take the bracelet off and validate the serial and model number against what the AGI cert says, and that checks out.

Looking for suggestions on a recommended course of action.

Thanks in advance for the input.

EDIT: Pictures below

Chris

perryj · 6 August 2016, 07:38 AM

Best bet is to post pics here.

perryj · 6 August 2016, 07:40 AM

Also looks high. I'd probably return it and shop one here with our trusted sellers.

ChrisStruttmann · 6 August 2016, 07:46 AM

Thanks for your input. I snapped some pics in case anyone is interested

amh · 6 August 2016, 07:57 AM

Never mind

Tools · 6 August 2016, 08:05 AM

Your AGI cert only tells you about the diamonds, it can't "authenticate" anything.

The watch may be authentic, a couple pictures won't tell us that. The dial is not original to that watch or a Rolex product and that is probably what your Dealer was referring to.

KZZN · 6 August 2016, 09:03 AM

Hi,

Ultimately, if you want to know for certain if this piece is legitimate or not, the best thing you can do is take it to an authorised Rolex dealer or your local Rolex Service Centre, and ask them to open it up and have a look, or to service it. If any aspect of the watch is not as it should be, they will be able to very promptly tell you.

Personally - and based purely on my own Rolex experiences and my gut feeling here, and little else - I think it's definitely not right in some ways. As others have said (and as the eBay listing itself says) the dial is not an original Rolex dial. It's an after-market or custom dial, and not something Rolex themselves have supplied. Either that, or it started out life as a genuine dial and has had work done on it by way of restoration or modification at some point by someone other than Rolex. The authenticity of the diamonds themselves is neither here nor there, unfortunately. Plenty of non-Rolex dials use real gemstones.

I'm not 100% sure about the bracelet either. There's just something about the appearance of the finish on the middle links and the exact fit between the bracelet and the case that again doesn't quite sit right with me, but that could be nothing other than the effects of wear and tear and aging over a long period of time.

At the end of the day, the only people who can definitively answer this for you are Rolex themselves or their authorised representatives. Only by getting someone qualified to take a good look at it and if necessary open it up and see what lurks inside will you get a clear answer. But if I were you, I would be prepared for at least some kind of disappointment.

THC · 6 August 2016, 09:05 AM

Like wood, measure twice, cut once... In buying used, make sure of everything prior to paying

ChrisStruttmann · 8 August 2016, 10:52 PM

Thanks Everyone -- I knew the dial was not original when I bought the watch, I happen to have an official dial for a 1601.

I went to a few other places over the weekend, they said they believe the watch is authentic, the band is aftermarket and the clasp is authentic.

So I think I'm going to try to find an authentic band and call it a day. Now I know what to look for when buying the next one, and I will look here first.

Leodagan · 8 August 2016, 11:09 PM

45 years of experience but he doesn't tell you what's wrong with the watch !! Just his feeling ... !!!
The best thing to do .. go to an AD rolex...

1bad750 · 8 August 2016, 11:36 PM

I had an asshat at an ex authorized dealer tell me one was fake that i brought in. I brought it else where and had it opened guess what it was 100% real. I thought the watch was all legit when I looked and the 2nd jeweler opffered to buy it at what i was paying if I didnt take it.

masyv6 · 9 August 2016, 05:10 AM

Pop off the case back and find out!

ChrisStruttmann · 9 August 2016, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leodagan

45 years of experience but he doesn't tell you what's wrong with the watch !! Just his feeling ... !!!
The best thing to do .. go to an AD rolex...

It was the AD. :-/

6 August 2016, 07:14 AM	#1
ChrisStruttmann "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 14	Perplexed on Datejust Hello All: This is my very first post to RolexForums. I just took delivery of my first (hopefully first of many) Rolex that I bought myself (I have another but it was left to me). The Rolex I purchased is a 1601 Datejust. (Listing here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/222201360514...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) About 10 minutes after opening the box, I took it to the local official Rolex Dealer (Kempf's Jewlers in Indialantic, FL) to have it authenticated and appraised. I got appraisals from AGI when I bought the watch but I thought it'd be best to get a 3rd party appraisal from a local rep. The jeweler (who I later found out is the owner, David Kempf) held the watch for about 15 seconds then told me he didn't believe it was authentic. When asked what he felt wasn't real, he said "45 years of experience tells me it's not." I've taken it to two other local jewelers and both have said that it's authentic, but they're not the dealer. Does the dealer know something I don't? Is there something I can do to get ultimate validation? The best I've heard is to take the bracelet off and validate the serial and model number against what the AGI cert says, and that checks out. Looking for suggestions on a recommended course of action. Thanks in advance for the input. EDIT: Pictures below Chris

6 August 2016, 07:38 AM	#2
perryj "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Watch: Rolex, Swatch Posts: 952	Best bet is to post pics here. __________________ Rolex Datejust 16200 current Rolex Ceramic Submariner Date sold Rolex Submariner 14060 sold Rolex Explorer I and II both sold Rolex Datejust 16233 and 16234 sold

6 August 2016, 07:40 AM	#3
perryj "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Watch: Rolex, Swatch Posts: 952	Also looks high. I'd probably return it and shop one here with our trusted sellers. __________________ Rolex Datejust 16200 current Rolex Ceramic Submariner Date sold Rolex Submariner 14060 sold Rolex Explorer I and II both sold Rolex Datejust 16233 and 16234 sold

6 August 2016, 08:05 AM	#6
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,494	Your AGI cert only tells you about the diamonds, it can't "authenticate" anything. The watch may be authentic, a couple pictures won't tell us that. The dial is not original to that watch or a Rolex product and that is probably what your Dealer was referring to. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

8 August 2016, 11:36 PM	#11
1bad750 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NewYork Posts: 634	I had an asshat at an ex authorized dealer tell me one was fake that i brought in. I brought it else where and had it opened guess what it was 100% real. I thought the watch was all legit when I looked and the 2nd jeweler opffered to buy it at what i was paying if I didnt take it. __________________ Rolex 116233 TT Datejust Super Jubilee Rolex 18038 Yg DD President Whiteface,roman Rolex 69173 TT Datejust Factory red Vignette diamond Rolex 118238 Yg DD White roman. Rolex 16613 2 Tone Bluesey

6 August 2016, 07:57 AM	#5
amh "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tejas Watch: Various Posts: 5,082	Never mind

6 August 2016, 09:03 AM	#7
KZZN "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Watch: Rolex Cellini 5115 Posts: 512	Hi, Ultimately, if you want to know for certain if this piece is legitimate or not, the best thing you can do is take it to an authorised Rolex dealer or your local Rolex Service Centre, and ask them to open it up and have a look, or to service it. If any aspect of the watch is not as it should be, they will be able to very promptly tell you. Personally - and based purely on my own Rolex experiences and my gut feeling here, and little else - I think it's definitely not right in some ways. As others have said (and as the eBay listing itself says) the dial is not an original Rolex dial. It's an after-market or custom dial, and not something Rolex themselves have supplied. Either that, or it started out life as a genuine dial and has had work done on it by way of restoration or modification at some point by someone other than Rolex. The authenticity of the diamonds themselves is neither here nor there, unfortunately. Plenty of non-Rolex dials use real gemstones. I'm not 100% sure about the bracelet either. There's just something about the appearance of the finish on the middle links and the exact fit between the bracelet and the case that again doesn't quite sit right with me, but that could be nothing other than the effects of wear and tear and aging over a long period of time. At the end of the day, the only people who can definitively answer this for you are Rolex themselves or their authorised representatives. Only by getting someone qualified to take a good look at it and if necessary open it up and see what lurks inside will you get a clear answer. But if I were you, I would be prepared for at least some kind of disappointment.

6 August 2016, 09:05 AM	#8
THC 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Mandeville La Watch: 126333 Posts: 10,660	Like wood, measure twice, cut once... In buying used, make sure of everything prior to paying

8 August 2016, 10:52 PM	#9
ChrisStruttmann "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 14	Thanks Everyone -- I knew the dial was not original when I bought the watch, I happen to have an official dial for a 1601. I went to a few other places over the weekend, they said they believe the watch is authentic, the band is aftermarket and the clasp is authentic. So I think I'm going to try to find an authentic band and call it a day. Now I know what to look for when buying the next one, and I will look here first.

8 August 2016, 11:09 PM	#10
Leodagan "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: belgium Posts: 229	45 years of experience but he doesn't tell you what's wrong with the watch !! Just his feeling ... !!! The best thing to do .. go to an AD rolex...

9 August 2016, 05:10 AM	#12
masyv6 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Mike Location: 35000ft Posts: 3,771	Pop off the case back and find out!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)