Good price on a submariner?

[tyrone]

I am looking still to buy my first rolex. I saw a ebay listing have a 1996 16610 submariner for sale. It has no papers but comes with box.

Is that a good deal? Seems like a deal to me, as most similar priced watches are a bit higher.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221009240339

Does it look authentic? Looks like it to me but I'm a noob and wouldnt know the difference. Your opinion?

thanks in advanced.

[Tudor66]

Hey tyron,

The issue is condition, originally, etc. You need to have the watch checked out for you by a trusted store, ad, etc..

If I ever sell my 16800 sub I will offer it at that price, so considering my watch is from 1984, your deal seems in line.

Is the seller a store, online, etc...

I am pretty familiar with the stores in San Diego, send me a PM if I can give you direction....

[tyrone]

i sent you a PM newbieone. Thanks for your help.. as i am a "newbie too".. :D

Thanks for your insight newbieone. Other opinions? just want to get a consensus before i decided to pull the trigger or not. Thanks

[Speed]

Here is some advice...

Stay the heck away from eBay - especially for your first purchase. The place is rife with shady watches.

You have a very robust sales section on TRF with many reliable sellers. Check the who's who section for comments on good sellers.

[up2nogood]

Doesn't seem like a bad deal, but you're better off getting a complete set. This will need servicing too, so factor in the cost. Like the guys say, check out the FS section here as well.

[azguy]

Please don't do E-Bay, while you may not have a problem, why chance it and ruin what is supposed to be a great experience.

Notice how the seller makes no mention of service history

Notice how he does not state if the watch is keeping time

Many times, these guys use good watch pictures and then when the watch shows up it looks like it was just pulled up from the depths of the ocean or worse, it's fake....

Hang out here and you get a feeling for price, condition and who the trusted sellers are

[Sig228]

Plus, the obvious, no original ownership papers.

This would be #1 on my priority list if buying used. Anyone can gather up a box, cloth and (cool) anchor, but those mean nothing.

[smallcandle]

Originally Posted by Sig228

Plus, the obvious, no original ownership papers.

This would be #1 on my priority list if buying used. Anyone can gather up a box, cloth and (cool) anchor, but those mean nothing.

Papers on watches older than a couple of years don't prove authenticity. Papers from '96 can be faked. You have to actually know what you're looking at and more importantly those things that look wrong to avoid shady watches. Research, research, research...

[Higham5]

Anyone can buy a box, as a first time buyer dont use Ebay, as you get more savvy , yes use your experince to secure a great deal. Otherwise chooes an AD or a trusted seller . Just my opinion, i bought first at AD and am happy

[tyrone]

so does the one on ebay based on the photos look fake?? LOL i'm still tempted. I been lurking on this forum day and night reading as much as I can on submariners. Everything looks legit to me.. but i'm basing it just on comparing it to other photos of other trf submariner owner's photos.

[Sig228]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

Papers on watches older than a couple of years don't prove authenticity. Papers from '96 can be faked.....

True, but they DO carry more weight than the box, cloth and anchors do.

[azguy]

For instance, check this out, one of our very best sellers, newer watch and you will not have one worry in the world

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ighlight=16610

[soxxel]

Definitely I purchased from a trusted seller here and could't be happier!!! I used to always buy from ebay but wouldn't consider it ever again due to my wonderful experience on TRF!!!

Originally Posted by Higham5

Anyone can buy a box, as a first time buyer dont use Ebay, as you get more savvy , yes use your experince to secure a great deal. Otherwise chooes an AD or a trusted seller . Just my opinion, i bought first at AD and am happy

[dlack]

Sounds like a good deal if you don't mind taking the risk that the watch being sold by the pawnbroker who has listed it doesn't have a Chinese-made movement. At least in photos, the "better-made" knock-offs are almost indistinguishable from their genuine counterparts. Have you dealt with that person before? Is he regularly on the watch boards so that his reputation can be discerned or verified? What is your recourse if you receive the horologic equivalent of a $4,000 box of rocks?

[nyyankees]

Dude don't buy a Rolex on ebay. Too much risk. Do it here.

[IMG2]

I may be opening myself up to ridicule, but I just bought a Submariner on eBay. I would agree, if you don't know what you're doing on eBay or if you are new to what you are buying, there are better alternatives. I was working with some guys on TRF, but it just didn't work out.

That being said, there are some reputable dealers on eBay. I called and spoke with each of them who had a watch I was truly interested in bidding on. Some of these guys have sold over 1,000 watches with 100% positive feedback. This means either all 1,000 of those people were happy or the seller did what had to be done if there was a problem. If talking with them on the phone doesn't clear up any doubts you may have, run. There are a lot of individuals who I wouldn't buy a Tiimex from, let alone a Rolex. Cavet Emptor, let the buyer beware.

[floater156]

Even if the pictures look ok, who says that the pictures are of the watch they will send you? I wouldn't recommend going to ebay just to save a few bucks. If you want a Rolex go to an AD.

[up2nogood]

Buyer protection is solid on Ebay. If you use PP linked to CC and buy from a company that regularly sells the same kind of gear, you're not likely to go wrong. Make sure you get all the pics from the seller and ask heaps of questions. This is being sold by a pawnbroker with a large online business, if they got duped you will get your money back.
I just sold a Breitling on ebay, first time watch over $600 although I have 180 feedback score and all positive. Am I a bad guy out to scam? No. Be careful, check everything out and you will be fine.

But if you buy one with crappy pics from a vendor in Estonia, you're asking for trouble.
That being said, fakes are getting very close, and even come with a (albeit rough) clone movement that mimics the winder and setting actions of a genuine movement.

[snaggle]

Originally Posted by floater156

Even if the pictures look ok, who says that the pictures are of the watch they will send you? I wouldn't recommend going to ebay just to save a few bucks. If you want a Rolex go to an AD.

Yes, AD or buy here from TRF and save a lot :)

[tyrone]

well I asked the seller, which is a pawn shop and here is what they said

"First of all thank you for your inquiry. We are a pawnshop who took this watch in on a loan basis. The loan defaulted and is now our property to sell. We are not watch experts, but had a local watch maker and repairman look it over; he seemed to think everything looked legitimate. We do not know the service history - only the beautiful condition of this piece.
As mentioned in the listing, the shipping on this item is included in the buy-it-now price. It will be insured either through USPS or UPS."

Ah if only I was in tacoma washington or a kind TRF member was, then we could check it in person and could get a better feel of if this is an authentic watch...

[azguy]

he copied and pasted that into any e-mail he gets

See how generic it is

Good luck

[tyrone]

ok thanks everyone.... i will not buy this one... thanks for your input.. I'll keep searching for a great deal rolex. thanks

[IMG2]

I would be much more hesitant about buying an expensive watch from a pawn shop as opposed to from a jeweler or watch shop. I don't know that I've ever seen an expensive watch in a pawn shop that has papers and box, something I would expect as part of a package if I purchased from a jeweler. Buying something from someone on ebay is not necessarily a bad things, it what you buy from whom that can get you into trouble. Good call to stear clear of this one.

[coralhound]

The icing on the cake for me is when the seller doesnt offer 100% money back for at least 7 days.

I have bought four luxury watches on ebay. One I returned as there were more issues than the seller let on to. There was no issue within the 7 days.

You are better off for a few hundred more going through the trusted sellers here. Now if it was $1000 less than on here and had a 7 or 14 day return. It might be worth the gamble and get it vetted. Note this could cost you a nominal fee from an AD.

Good luck, buying used will save you some cash!

[tyrone]

Originally Posted by coralhound

The icing on the cake for me is when the seller doesnt offer 100% money back for at least 7 days.

I have bought four luxury watches on ebay. One I returned as there were more issues than the seller let on to. There was no issue within the 7 days.

You are better off for a few hundred more going through the trusted sellers here. Now if it was $1000 less than on here and had a 7 or 14 day return. It might be worth the gamble and get it vetted. Note this could cost you a nominal fee from an AD.

Good luck, buying used will save you some cash!

Yeah the only reason i considered is because the ebay one is nearly 900 less than closest 16610 similar model on the forum classified here...

But yeah , i'm gonna just wait and keep searching. If i get lucky I will find a similar year 16610 on the forum's classifieds for the same price.

[nim]

Wont pay more than usd4,500

[tyrone]

Originally Posted by nim

Wont pay more than usd4,500

Ok thank you

[Maxfli]

No, that's not a good price. You can do better, with much less concern, if you're patient and shop the forums.

[handsfull]

That's not a bad price....it's fair. The lugs are a bit worn, and/or overpolished - and I would suspect the service history is unknown. IMO...Spend an additional 500.00 and get a newer piece elsewhere.

[opaline460]

The price is good, but are you willing to risk $4000?