The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 5 March 2018, 06:18 AM   #1
Joseph T
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stafford UK
Posts: 5
Icon7 Buying my first Sub Mariner

Good afternoon,

I am fairly new to Rolex world and I seeking some advice about my first purchase.
I have found a Submariner 116610LN for sale on regular buy/sell platform.
I have spoke to the gentleman who seems a nice man and we chatted about watches for some time on the phone. He explained that the watch was brought for a friend that promised he would pay him money for the watch and never did. the watch has only been worn 3-4 times.
He has sent me pictures of the watch with box, papers, and most importantly a original receipt from Mappin and Webb from last year.
It all looks the part from the pictures.
I asked him if he could meet me at my local Maplin and Webb to have the watch looked at by there on site watch maker before we exchange money and he said he is more than happy to do so. I have spoken to Maplin and Webb who have said they will look at the watch but are not willing to take the back off to look at the inner workings because they are not authorised to do so, and explained that it would voide the 5 year warrenty still on the watch.
With all this information it should be lagitamate, right?
I am just not sure what extent the fraudsters will go to?

I Appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I would like to apologise in advance if this is something that you wouldn’t tend to ask on a forum like this.

Kind regards,
Joseph
Joseph T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 06:59 AM   #2
Watcheroo
2024 Pledge Member
 
Watcheroo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 3,926
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph T View Post
He explained that the watch was brought for a friend that promised he would pay him money for the watch and never did.


^^ That would be enough for me to walk away. Source one from a trusted seller on this forum.

Good luck
Watcheroo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 07:05 AM   #3
FTX I
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Real Name: Flavio
Location: N/A
Posts: 14,654
Do you think you're able to spot a fake watch? Sales people are not the best at this as well. TBH I don't like his story. Bought for someone, didn't get the money, I don't know. In your shoes I'd put my name on some authorized dealer's list and get a brand new watch. Good luck.
FTX I is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 07:06 AM   #4
catsby90
"TRF" Member
 
catsby90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: USA
Watch: Yes
Posts: 189
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watcheroo View Post
^^ That would be enough for me to walk away. Source one from a trusted seller on this forum.

Good luck
Either this or find another independent authorized dealer from whom the seller is not claiming to have purchased and have them verify it.
catsby90 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 07:10 AM   #5
RedLs3
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: NYC
Posts: 283
Order the caseback tool set online. $50 is cheap insurance and has been useful for me a handful of times. The chinese are getting good at replicating movements and even the red/purple gears. However the chances of you finding a fake with a genuine 3135 movement in it is very very slim too none.. just my 2 cents. You def need to open her up to verify for peace of mind, i do this for all my rolexes, even if its from an AD or vetted TRF seller, its your money dont trust anyone
RedLs3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 07:31 AM   #6
masyv6
2024 Pledge Member
 
masyv6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Real Name: Mike
Location: 35000ft
Posts: 3,771
Buy the seller. If you have any doubts, find another seller.
masyv6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 01:21 PM   #7
RollieRoll
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: US
Posts: 658
No way, unless you can go to a RSC to authenticate. Sorry.
RollieRoll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 01:31 PM   #8
Flyinghunter
"TRF" Member
 
Flyinghunter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: South
Posts: 342
Quote:
Originally Posted by masyv6 View Post
Buy the seller. If you have any doubts, find another seller.
Great advice here^^^. The trusted sellers on this forum is where to start.
Flyinghunter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 01:36 PM   #9
RollieRoll
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: US
Posts: 658
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watcheroo View Post
^^ That would be enough for me to walk away. Source one from a trusted seller on this forum.

Good luck
I agree . Got for a friend and didn't pay me? It's strange bc I know another seller who said the same thing for a much higher priced timepiece....I don't like these strange backgrounds. If you feel at all uncomfortable then just walk away
RollieRoll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 01:41 PM   #10
GradyPhilpott
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
GradyPhilpott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Seiko #SRK050
Posts: 34,453
Don't do it.

Forget this source completely and buy from a trusted, established source.
__________________
JJ

Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner
GradyPhilpott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 01:52 PM   #11
dafuture
"TRF" Member
 
dafuture's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,944
I would not trust the store's word if they're not willing to do a full inspection. I'd have him meet you at an RSC (if possible) and see if they can authenticate. Otherwise, I can't imagine in this market that he's offering enough of a discount that it wouldn't be worth it to just order from a trusted seller or AD and have that extra piece of mind.
__________________
Current
Rolex Submariner 126610LN || Cartier Tank Americaine
dafuture is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 02:01 PM   #12
JacksonStone
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,150
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watcheroo View Post
^^ That would be enough for me to walk away. Source one from a trusted seller on this forum.

Good luck
Agreed. That line would have my radar going full tilt.
JacksonStone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 02:12 PM   #13
Old Expat Beast
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
 
Old Expat Beast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Adam
Location: Far East
Watch: Golden Tuna
Posts: 28,798
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph T View Post


With all this information it should be lagitamate, right?
Wrong.

Follow the advice above. Scammers work way harder than you would think, including setting up long cons on this forum, to swindle trusting folks out of their money.
Old Expat Beast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 March 2018, 07:21 PM   #14
joli160
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,744
The seller is ready to have it authenticated at an official AD. He probably expects the AD's watchmaker to remove the case back.
This would take away my doubts and I would proceed in this way.

The AD should also be able to verify the invoice, since the watch came from the same chain.

Not everybody is a scammer.

Having said that,
I don't like the "friends" story and that would caution me. Try talk the AD in removing the case back. It does not void the warranty imho and only takes a minute of time.

__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 05:25 PM   #15
Joseph T
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stafford UK
Posts: 5
So if I take it to an AD and they take the case back off it with all the documentation you would still be wary?
If the case back comes off with a AD watchmaker looking at it, that should be foolproof right?

And I would like to sinsearly thank everyone for your help. He said he jumped on the waiting list about a year ago and wasn’t going to get the watch but he fiends said grab it because I’ll have it. As the waiting for the watch was 1-2 years.

Failing that anyone have one for sale haha
Joseph T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 05:42 PM   #16
ohjnxg
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Singapore
Posts: 40
yeap the movement should be fool proof


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ohjnxg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 06:00 PM   #17
Devildog
"TRF" Member
 
Devildog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Real Name: Scott
Location: UK
Watch: ^^^ for now
Posts: 5,794
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph T View Post
So if I take it to an AD and they take the case back off it with all the documentation you would still be wary?
If the case back comes off with a AD watchmaker looking at it, that should be foolproof right?

And I would like to sinsearly thank everyone for your help. He said he jumped on the waiting list about a year ago and wasn’t going to get the watch but he fiends said grab it because I’ll have it. As the waiting for the watch was 1-2 years.

Failing that anyone have one for sale haha
If the serial numbers on the card and the watch match both the invoice from Mappin & Webb and (this is critical) Mappin and Webb’s own records confirm the date, serial numbers and all other details and the movement checks out then you should be fine.

If Mappin and Webb won’t open it, see if there is a grey reseller or certified watchmaker near by who will for a small fee
__________________
Past: 6239 (yes, I know...), 16610, 16600, 116515, 116613LN, 126600, 126711 CHNR

Present: 16600, 116509, Cartier Santos Green.
Devildog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 06:01 PM   #18
Joseph T
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stafford UK
Posts: 5
.
Joseph T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 06:03 PM   #19
Joseph T
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stafford UK
Posts: 5
Thanks delivDog ��
Joseph T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 09:35 PM   #20
MY-WATCH
"TRF" Member
 
MY-WATCH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Sala hu din
Location: N/A
Posts: 1,781
Take it to RSC to authenticate it before buying
MY-WATCH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 10:10 PM   #21
Spartan1
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 238
Steer clear and listen to those before me.
Spartan1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 10:14 PM   #22
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 77,897
Is there an update?
brandrea is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 11:49 PM   #23
Easy E
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: GA
Posts: 5,042
Quote:
Originally Posted by joli160 View Post
The seller is ready to have it authenticated at an official AD. He probably expects the AD's watchmaker to remove the case back.
This would take away my doubts and I would proceed in this way.

The AD should also be able to verify the invoice, since the watch came from the same chain.

Not everybody is a scammer.

Having said that,
I don't like the "friends" story and that would caution me. Try talk the AD in removing the case back. It does not void the warranty imho and only takes a minute of time.

Some truth to this.

Seems to me they can validate the original invoice way easier. If they are not in the habit of removing case backs and suddenly decide they are going to do you a "solid" i would put little stock in their movement assessment. Validate the original sales invoice first.

I think the "friend" story smells. But, it smells so bad it may actually be true. Seems to me that if someone was working that hard to scam you they could come up with a much better story.

Bottom line, when in doubt don't.

As others have mentioned for good reason, buy the seller.

Good luck. Please do post an update and maybe a photo of you new watch.

E-
Easy E is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 6 March 2018, 11:57 PM   #24
MJ8
"TRF" Member
 
MJ8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: UK
Watch: 116610LN
Posts: 424
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph T View Post
Good afternoon,

I am fairly new to Rolex world and I seeking some advice about my first purchase.
I have found a Submariner 116610LN for sale on regular buy/sell platform.
I have spoke to the gentleman who seems a nice man and we chatted about watches for some time on the phone. He explained that the watch was brought for a friend that promised he would pay him money for the watch and never did. the watch has only been worn 3-4 times.
He has sent me pictures of the watch with box, papers, and most importantly a original receipt from Mappin and Webb from last year.
It all looks the part from the pictures.
I asked him if he could meet me at my local Maplin and Webb to have the watch looked at by there on site watch maker before we exchange money and he said he is more than happy to do so. I have spoken to Maplin and Webb who have said they will look at the watch but are not willing to take the back off to look at the inner workings because they are not authorised to do so, and explained that it would voide the 5 year warrenty still on the watch.
With all this information it should be lagitamate, right?
I am just not sure what extent the fraudsters will go to?

I Appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I would like to apologise in advance if this is something that you wouldn’t tend to ask on a forum like this.

Kind regards,
Joseph
I am actually in the process of selling my submariner, if you are interested https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=590251
MJ8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 March 2018, 12:48 AM   #25
Joseph T
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stafford UK
Posts: 5
So just to sum it up, and thank you so much for all your help everyone.

If I get a AD with a verified watchmaker that is willing to take the case back off and produce a cert for me. The AD I know has a watchmaker with 35y Experiance.
I ring Mappin and Webb to confirm the date day name place of where it was purchased and check that that is as per the invoice.
Look at the cerial number on the watch match the information given by Mappin and Webb as will as the AD watchmaker doing so as well.
I “SHOULD” be fine. I am a very cautious person so if the selling doesn’t “smell” right I won’t be doing the biz!

Thanks again I will drop some info on here after Thursday to let you know if I went with it or not.
Joseph T is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

Asset Appeal

Wrist Aficionado

DavidSW Watches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.