What is the best way to buy a Rolex?

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by knight2472000

I mean where?

At a place that sells Rolexes.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I've seen stupid questions posted on this forum from time to time, but this one,............

You have hurt my feelings as I thought I still held the award for the top ten most stupid questions!

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

You have hurt my feelings as I thought I still held the award for the top ten most stupid questions!

Don't fret, Bubba. You're still in the top 5 for the most stupid questions.

[SLS]

If you go to www.rolex.com you will be able to find and AD (Authorized Dealer) close to where you live. I would try to visit several and see who will give you the best price. Until you really learn what you are looking for, buying a preowned Rolex is risky, so stick with an AD, you may pay a tad more, but they will never steer you wrong. Best of luck,
~Scott

[Darren Retour]

I purchased a Y serial GMT Master 2 brand new from a watch dealer on Ebay in 2004. Transfered the money to his account and the watch arrived a day later. He had a long line of selling expensive watches and 100% feedback. Today i'm not too sure i would be that trusting........ I always wondered whether my watch was a very good replica,couldnt bring myself to find out !!!.The build quality is excellent,i swim/dive with it on, it keeps good time,lasts 3 days after i take it off and came with all the papers and boxes. I live in Bexley, Kent, England and luckily i'm only 5 mins from the Rolex Service Building. Yesterday i took the plunge to give it a service hoping that the guy on the front desk who was taking my watch in wasnt going to say "sorry this is a replica" as he removed the wristband and took the back off to inspect the movement. To my relief he gave me a copy of a service agreement, told me that it was now registered to my address and there was no problems with the case number etc. I have to wait 6/8 wks now and then have to part with £285.00 of my hard earned cash to get my baby back which will be refurbed into a brand new condition again before trading it for a 16613 2008 Blue Subby !!!!!!.

I do not post much on here but many many thanks to all who do on here so i can get some very valuable information. !!!

regards Darren

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

You have hurt my feelings as I thought I still held the award for the top ten most stupid questions!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by cwru32

irani
you are one good looking guy! i mean it.

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

The BEST JJ's pic I ever seen!!!

Thanks, guys!! You should have seen me 40 years ago!!

[James T]

Originally Posted by knight2472000

I mean where?

AD of course!

[Z-Sub]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I've seen stupid and inconsiderate responses posted on this forum, but this one. . . . .

[Z-Sub]

Safest place: AD
Best place: whereever you can find a genuine Rolex at the best price.

[knight2472000]

Originally Posted by Incurable

Your choice... there are several tiers of pricing and security levels to consider

AD (Authorized Dealer)= Guarantee of authenticity, factory warranty, possible discounted price but generally the most expensive option.

Grey Dealer= Genuine Rolex but, no factory warranty, lower cost than AD (usually)

Used= Low security, fakes abound, deals are around ranging from great to greater than list price.


By security, I mean guarantee that the watch is authentic. Rolex is probably the most copied watch out there. Some of the fakes are quite good. Unless you know what you're looking for, it's would be easy to be fooled. If you buy used, try and use a reputable business (brick & morter and bonded), not eBay or the like. Original box and paperwork are always desireable to get w/a Rolex. The paperwork will confirm the serial number of the watch. Beware, there's fake paperwork out there too.

Short answer, the AD may be the highest cost but offers the highest service, accountability and guarantee of getting a genuine Rolex. At the bottom of the chain, buying used from an unknown... exactly the opposite. Least expensive but the most risky.

Great post, thanks for your comments!

[Incurable]

A little more on "Grey (or is it Gray) Dealers"...

So called "grey" dealers are usually brick & mortar businesses that have Rolex inventory, sometimes both new and used. They are not authorized dealers with Rolex. They get their new stock from AD overstock and liquidations, etc. I find it hard to believe that Rolex watches become burdensome and must be wholesaled out. Regardless, the watches are genuine but... some GD's will actually remove serial numbers. Don't go there. You can get box and papers from a GD and pricing varies. Most offer better pricing than new at an AD. Usually you will get a guarantee but from the vendor themselves, not Rolex. Most claim to have "expert trained personnel" on-board to handle warranty and repair issues. I'm sure some are great, others maybe not...

Here's one to check out...

www.essential-watches.com

[jdc]

Originally Posted by knight2472000

What do you all think the best way to buy a Rolex is?

This is an important question and one that I had to ask myself not so long ago. My main consideration was peace of mind and not getting ripped off with getting a fake or frankenwatch.

I could not afford a new Rolex so was looking at second hand. The choice I had was grey market or buying privately. I did a lot of internet research to find out price ranges and the model I would like but was not really comfortable about taking the plunge. Although people recommended grey dealers I did not know these people personally.
I decided to look around for trade in stock at AD's and was surprised at how competitive the prices were in the UK. I emailed as many AD's in the UK as I could and posted on this forum of which I was a newbie at the time for advice. In the end and with help from members here I got a good deal on a 2002 GMT which had just had a new RSC warranty.

I took the option of buying from an AD because I felt at the time this gave me the best security. In the future I may buy from this forum from a member I could trust. I would certainly post a would like to buy (WTB) as I know members would be able to help out either by offering a watch or pointing me in the right direction.

You have joined the best and most friendly Rolex forum, enjoy your time and ask any bloody questions you care, the vast majority are here to help