Water leak in Datejust story

[dookie78]

So back in July 2010 I purchased a used (1990-ish) Rolex Datejust from Demesy.com. They claimed it had been serviced and all... looked nice in the picture and the price seemed "fair".

Received the watch next day - AWESOME!

but...

the first problem is the watch was not the exact same watch as in the picture, the hands were different . I ended up calling them and they said it was the same watch but they decided to change the hands for me, which I never requested . Regardless I thought the watch appeared to be in nice condition and I was happy with the product.

Fast forward 4 months and I'm in Mexico. I was fishing along a beach and had gotten really wet but no deeper then 3 or 4 feet of water, I didn't think much of my watch getting wet since it's water proof - big mistake.

Later that day when I get back to my room I notice the inside of the crystal had been all fogged up with water!!!

So I called Demesy back and they said they'd take a look at it for free, and if the seals were bad they would repair the watch under warranty. Of course I send it back and I get a call from them saying it was my fault for not tightening the crown down correctly...

So I call them back a few days later to discuss the situation, and now I'm speaking to some new lady, and she's mentioning how it seems like the watch hadn't been serviced in a VERY long time and they're was rust inside so the repairs would take a month or so. I ended up paying $260 for the repairs and just called it a loss. To close out the story I'll never put this watch under water or buy from demesy.com

This is not a blast on www.demesy.com, it's just my story of dealing with them.

OOOOHHHHH - forgot to mention when I got the watch back the first time they put the crystal on crooked. see pic. I had to send it back again and they corrected the problem.........

[rockyn]

If I were you, I would take it to a different watchmaker to see if it is water proof. Then you can take it underwater . You have a Rolex Oyster and you should be able to go swimming with it with no worries. Sorry to hear about your experience.

[pawnshopkiller]

This is a Nightmare. Sorry you have had such a bad experience.

[pawnshopkiller]

Pics of the watch?

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by pawnshopkiller

Pics of the watch?

Love to see pics! Very sorry!

[kareemthedream33]

That's crap, an oyster rolex should be in its element under water. I won't be buying from them.

[dookie78]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

Love to see pics! Very sorry!

can you see the attachments?

[dookie78]

pics

[Michael M.]

Looks fine now! Lovely watch!

[Frogman4me]

As soon as they changed the hands I would have said I want my money back. If the watch is not the same as the watch in the photo that is called the bate and switch move!

[71Dragtruck]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

As soon as they changed the hands I would have said I want my money back. If the watch is not the same as the watch in the photo that is called the bate and switch move!

+1, also if there was rust inside, I'd venture to say it had leaked before.

[HL65]

That stinks! Sorry to hear and I too agree with guys above......

[Jan Davis]

If the seals are in good order the crown should not be a issue here, Rolex does tests with the crowns checking for water getting into the main case under several conditions. Sounds like someone is trying to feed you BS here.

[ayres]

a perfect example for why you take a pre-owned watch to a local, expert tech if/when you do buy from this type of company. lots of these types of companies sell semi-vintage pre-owned, and the preach of their quality pieces.

but we all know that they simply polish the outside and then sell you a beat up movement.

personally, i would buy from these companies only if i get a really really good price... cause you know the watch will immediately need repairs.

[nauticajoe]

Sorry to hear about your lousy experience.

[SkyKing31]

Sorry to hear .. I wont be doing business with them

[Jan Davis]

Originally Posted by ayres

a perfect example for why you take a pre-owned watch to a local, expert tech if/when you do buy from this type of company. lots of these types of companies sell semi-vintage pre-owned, and the preach of their quality pieces.

but we all know that they simply polish the outside and then sell you a beat up movement.

personally, i would buy from these companies only if i get a really really good price... cause you know the watch will immediately need repairs.

X2 Good post!

[cody p]

Wasn't that nice of them to change the hands for you. They sound shady. Good on you for exposing them. At the end of the day, however, you do have a Rolex and it deserves to be treated right. Personally, I'd take it to someone reputable and have it serviced. Live and learn.

[ATH]

Glad to hear it worked out but it's a shame you had the hassle. Demesy is a chop-shop like most of these kinds of outfits. I had a similar experience about 15 years ago from the same type of shop. I called and inquired about a 16613 with blue dial. The owner said "yah, we got one- it's like brand new." So we settled on the price and the watch was overnighted. When I received it the minute hand was dislodged and floating around inside the crystal. I called to ask what had happened. To my surprise, the store owner candidly said "well, that watch had a silver serti dial and we swapped it for a blue dial before sending it to you." I demanded my money back since I had agreed to buy based on the representation that they "had one [a blue 16613]" and it was purportedly "like brand new." Lesson learned-there are too many good sellers on this and other boards to avoid falling victim to the bait and switch tactics from these places who prey on inexperienced watch enthusiasts or first-time buyers. In fact, I called Mr. Demesy once a couple of months ago to simply verify a reference for a seller when I was shopping for a silver serti sub. He was very rude on the phone and acted like it was an extreme imposition to even take my call- he was zero help at all [but I found Datejust Ryan who had one and bought it!]. That was my first, only and last experience with Demesy.

Anyway, congrats on your new watch- it's a timeless classic. Wear it in health and enjoy it.

[Roja]

I vote Mr. Demesy goes in the "Watch Out". Just reading this thread has my tension going up.

[dddrees]

You might want to take it to someone reputable and have them verify they actually did fix it and there is no longer any other problems that will become bigger issues later.

[Andad]

David,

In your frist post you indicated that the seller stated this watch had been serviced. If this is correct and and given the circumstances no water would have leaked in whether the crown was open or closed. The seller is merely trying to refuse responsibility.
You have a choice IMO. Take it to a Rolex RSC and have them check it out for service condition and then do some feet stamping at the seller is no recent servicing is evident or just forget it and put the whole episode down to experience.

Very nice DJ BTW.

[ExpII]

Originally Posted by ayres

a perfect example for why you take a pre-owned watch to a local, expert tech if/when you do buy from this type of company. lots of these types of companies sell semi-vintage pre-owned, and the preach of their quality pieces.

but we all know that they simply polish the outside and then sell you a beat up movement.

personally, i would buy from these companies only if i get a really really good price... cause you know the watch will immediately need repairs.

This is so true. I got burned by a trusted family friend but thankfully Rik sorted the watch out.

Sorry to hear about your watch. I agree with the other posters, you should get it re-checked.

[cervezaman]

Definitely get it checked! A relative of mine forgot to tighten down the crown on his DD and went swimming with it. Sent back to Rolex for repairs and the bill was £3k+ Came back looking like new though

[sherwin]

Im not sure rust can form in the watch after a few days? I have left bikes and whatnot in the rain and none have ever rusted in a few days. sure if i didnt take preventive measures, it wouldve rusted eventually.

I would be going back to the dealer for a good explanation as to what was (not) done.

When I bought my DJ used, I made sure it went to RSC for a verification check to make sure all was kosher. When I sold it, the piece was checked again at RSC and they mentioned that no further work was needed.

[dookie78]

thanks for all your responses. its just good to get it off my chest. another life lesson learned.

[ayres]

Originally Posted by ExpII

This is so true. I got burned by a trusted family friend but thankfully Rik sorted the watch out.

Sorry to hear about your watch. I agree with the other posters, you should get it re-checked.

wait, i'm not implying that you cannot get burned any other way.

my point is that there are many companies with stock piles of these semi-vintage, mass produced watches. it is safe to assume that most of their watches are now in need of servicing. it is also safe to assume that it would cost a small fortune to overhaul each of these watches.

so, what do they do? they make sure the watch runs and the outside looks good.

this is not the first story i've seen of a purchased, pre-owned watch getting water damage and/or needing immediate servicing.

the mistake is to return to them in the first place because if they had cared about the watch and the buyer, the watch would not have had these problems

[JetRanger]

There is an excellent reason why a new Rolex purchased from a well established and large AD costs a ton more than buying a used Rolex from some third party type. When you buy a new Rolex from an AD, you get a NEW Rolex. Case Closed. Yes, it costs A LOT more than a used Rolex bought from some sort of a third party, but in a competitve capitalistic marketplace, why do you think this is so? Because a new watch will perform per spec, and if not, you simply return it to the AD, or send it in to either the NY or Dallas RSC, under full warranty. I have leaned in life that there is no such thing as a free lucnh, including buying used Rolex's. Buyer be ware! Sorry for your bad experience, though!

[Rolex tom]

there site looks pretty crap

[dookie78]

Originally Posted by JetRanger

There is an excellent reason why a new Rolex purchased from a well established and large AD costs a ton more than buying a used Rolex from some third party type. When you buy a new Rolex from an AD, you get a NEW Rolex. Case Closed. Yes, it costs A LOT more than a used Rolex bought from some sort of a third party, but in a competitve capitalistic marketplace, why do you think this is so? Because a new watch will perform per spec, and if not, you simply return it to the AD, or send it in to either the NY or Dallas RSC, under full warranty. I have leaned in life that there is no such thing as a free lucnh, including buying used Rolex's. Buyer be ware! Sorry for your bad experience, though!

I agree with buying new. Don't get me wrong I still love my watch and it's my first Rolex, and also my wife bought it for me for our one year anniversary so I'll always treasure it. That being said I'm now SURE I want another new Rolex, from an AD of course.

Peace