Gift for Husband - Did I Make A Mistake? (pics)

[Raycray]

Originally Posted by OTX

Just checked out Ermitage Jewelers and they seem to be highly reputable. I would return it and get a better watch or exchange it for a better one if they have it. I doubt they will give you a hard time.

Right, that's why I was so shocked.

The owner called me and I explained what has been shared with me. He was willing to work with me on it, so the customer service is there. I'm going to speak with a few jewelers in my area and he's giving me the flexibility to return it if I'd like to.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Raycray

Right, that's why I was so shocked.

The owner called me and I explained what has been shared with me. He was willing to work with me on it, so the customer service is there. I'm going to speak with a few jewelers in my area and he's giving me the flexibility to return it if I'd like to.

I honestly would return it. $7700 is a good chunk of change and you can get a very nice example. Glad he is working with you. Takes a lot of stress off :-)

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Return it. Regardless of the price you paid it’s not worth the brain damage to spend the time and effort and money to make it right again. Start your search over with the understanding that this watch is definitely not in excellent condition. Perhaps you can leverage this experience and the dealer who you bought it from and is willing to take it back will proceed with more care in suggesting other watches to you. If not there are plenty of others who will.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[Harry-57]

Not in excellent condition. The bezel doesn't look too crisp either which suggests a heavy polish of a lot of them. I think it should be returned but you might prefer to negotiate. Good luck with it.

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by 2001jesper

That for sure is not excellent condition Straight return

Try one of the truested sellers on the site - e.g here is a great option for the same budget and a much newer reference
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=966550

Good find. Not sure if he still has it, but she should look into it. It's a nice piece and a trusted seller here.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

I obviously agree on the condition/stretch issue. But want to be clear for OP that $7.7k is not “way too much” IF excellent and with box and papers. Indeed that would be a nice price.

The problem here is that bracelet is problematic on multiple levels and the description of “excellent” is really misleading… of course an unscrupulous dealer will do that. If reputable… should remedy this asap.

With that bracelet, it’s overpriced by $2K.

[Michael T]

To pile on, that is not excellent condition.

[77T]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

Was this a CPO piece from them? I imagine they will honor an exchange, at absolute minimum…

If they are the AD you are seeking advice from, remember they will be biased as the seller…

Ermitage is an Indie Dealer.

OP: I would return it and ask Peter to refund you if it wasn't described as having a badly stretched bracelet. I have no idea how it was described - just relying on your statements here.

He has an A+ BBB score for 14 years and I've done business there more than once.

He also has a lenient return policy but you must act in a timely manner on a watch:

"Our Return Policy
Ermitage Jewelers 30-day on Jewelry and 10-day on Watches return policy is our way to give you ample of time to consider your purchase. Our return policy is simple. If you find that your purchase does not meet or exceed your expectations, we will be happy to provide you with a full credit or exchange on any product (custom orders excluded) within 30 days of shipping (10 for watches), provided that your return meets the criteria of the condition that the item was sent originally."


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[Raycray]

Originally Posted by timepiececurator

Great choice! The watch is safe to wear however, there are people that can fix stretch on watches (at a cost of course), if you'd like i can recommend some people!

if the seller said excellent condition and also didnt provide pictures of the stretch at a bare minimum, I would consider talking with the seller about it and hopefully coming to a solution

After speaking with the seller, I am considering seeing what the price to fix it could be. Would you mind sharing your recommendations? Thank you!

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by 77T

"Our Return Policy
.... If you find that your purchase does not meet or exceed your expectations, we will be happy to provide you with a full credit or exchange on any product (custom orders excluded) within 30 days of shipping (10 for watches), provided that your return meets the criteria of the condition that the item was sent originally."


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Unfortunately this doesn't sound like it equates to "Cash" back. Just "credit", which I assume is referring to "store credit". Hopefully I'm wrong on that.

[77T]

The policy means credit because 99% of sales are CC. This is a B&M store that also has a website.


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[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

With that bracelet, it’s overpriced by $2K.

Agreed. Which is what I said…

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Raycray

After speaking with the seller, I am considering seeing what the price to fix it could be. Would you mind sharing your recommendations? Thank you!

Honestly - return and buy another piece…

[KY..]

Originally Posted by Raycray

I paid $7700. It was listed as excellent condition, and it came with the box and papers.

This comment of yours is more than enough to make me return the watch.
This is a 2 tone datejust that is fairly common.
There’s no way I would accept the seller’s claim of excellent condition for such a saggy bracelet and over polished bezel.
It’s probably ~2k or more to replace/repair them.
It also would not surprise me if the original bezel and bracelet got swapped on this watch.
Do yourself a favor and return it, and then find someone else to purchase a quality timepiece from for your man.
Good luck!!

[G600KHPN]

Oofff….that thing is hammered. Just return it…for a few hundred more you can buy a brand new DateJust.

[MichelleP]

Hopefully you can return for a full refund. There are great options out there at this price point in far better condition. Check sellers on this site. Someone posted a nice DJ earlier in the thread that looked great.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Raycray

After speaking with the seller, I am considering seeing what the price to fix it could be. Would you mind sharing your recommendations? Thank you!

The bezel cannot be repaired. It has to be replaced. As others have noted it is too ground down from wear and polishing and is very unsightly. It is around 2K for that alone. The bezel is not worth replacing if you cannot get the lugs restored to their original angles.

[alignyc]

Originally Posted by Raycray

Thanks for your response, and great point.

I paid $7700. It was listed as excellent condition, and it came with the box and papers.

i'm sorry but this bracelet would not be excellent condition and tbh wouldn't even qualify as "good".

please return this immediately, get your $ back, do not take a lower cost or some $ back. cross reference what you looking for with a website that sells rolex watches around the world. i'm a big fan of them so you can see what costs are and the conditions are.

you got ripped off sorry sorry to tell you. this is like a $3000 watch at most expensive.

[Gearjockey]

Return it and contact AIS watches. Tell him exactly what you want.

When you see what truly excellent condition is, you will be pleasantly surprised.

[Watchdog]

I am begging you to return this watch. Everyone who has said this is totally correct. Just start over, and all will be much better.

[stevestil]

Sorry this happened. Return it 100%. That bracelet stretch is without a doubt bad enough to where it should have been mentioned


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[502 to Right]

I have never seen a 2010 bracelet with that much stretch. Insane. To me, a credit would not be enough. That's not a watch I'd want on my wrist.

[njlam]

I just bought a 116231 that was still stickered for $9.5K including ebay Authenticity Guarantee.

While it only came with 22 links (fits my 7.2" wrist perfectly), it has no stretch to the bracelet or polish to the case or bezel.

I think there are a lot of 11623xs available that are in better condition then the one the OP bought. I agree with the experts that even at $7.7K this purchase was an experienced seller taking advantage of a newbie.

[CarlOver]

A mistake was made buying something like this for this price. Another mistake will be made trying to repair the bracelet. Return it as most have recommended and move on. Have your husband pick a watch he wants…he might know more about watches than you think. Nice of you to try s is not a good watch.

[Shy]

If they only give store credit, i would spend a little more and get a new watch. If nothing is available, maybe even wait and give him a late present. After the explanation, the story behind the watch would be memorable.

[GGGMT]

Eeesh. Return. Quick.


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[worldofoyster]

Return it if you can. There are plenty other options out there

[ChronoZach]

Welcome to TRF, super nice gift! But the bracelet is not in good condition, the rest looks good. Return it if you can or have the seller exchange it for something else Rolex.
With a pre owned Rolex, the condition is everything and you paid well.

Best of luck and Happy holidays!

Cheers

[Bxtek]

That's a nice ref! I love the dial with the Romans!

As for the condition and the amount of bracelet stretch.....that was not right of the seller not disclosing that! A little stretch is okay, but that's excessive. The watch looks to be polished quite a bit as well. You can see the rounded edges on the bezel flutes and the lugs. I'm on board with others here and I say return it as well.

[Al1969]

Return it ASAP. Bracelet looks like it was used for tug of war.