Going Pre-Loved after my wifes purchase

[Mr Sandman]

After two price increases in one year from our beloved Rolex I have decided to go pre-loved once I have purchased a new midsize for me wife.

It is getting more crazy and more out of reach to some one like myself with a GMT now costing over 4000 GBP and even the basic ' entry level' Rolex Airking now over 2000 GBP.

My 16710 cost 1800 GBP in 1996/7 when new (with discount) and the Airking was 1400 GBP.

Ive had a look at a 1996 price list that I have so here are the details of the prices back then :-

AIRKING....£1400 GBP
EXPLORER 1....£1600 GBP
EXPLORER 2....£2010 GBP
SUBMARINER ND....£1730 GBP
SUBMARINER DATE....£2120 GBP
SUBMARINER DATE T/T....£3680 GBP
SEADWELLER....£2270 GBP
S/S DAYTONA COSMOGRAPH...£3120 GBP

I know that it was 12 years ago but its going to get too out of reach for me to buy new soon so after the wifes new one next year.....I'm out

Anyone else feel the same.....

[Passion4Rolex]

Im pretty shocked to see how much they were back then! Especially the daytona! Nothing wrong with pre-owned Rolex, as long as its got the box and paperwork and is in reasonable condition, a couple of hundred quid spent at the AD will make it look brand new again!

[valentine]

Unless Rolex releases the Yachtmaster II in stainless....then I'm headed in the same direction.....I had my shot at the daytona...either dial this past week......at retail...and I looked over at the Omega display...and decided that the speedmaster was MUCH more attractive and reasonable... I passed on the SS daytona...I just dont see the point in spending just under 10,000.00 on a daytona...when you can buy TWO of another brand...or TWO pre-loved rollies...Once I pick up the speedmaster, I think Im headed for the vintage route...with a few pre-loved in between....I'd rather spend 10 grand on a NICE vintage piece than on a new deepsea...just doesnt make sense...

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by valentine

Unless Rolex releases the Yachtmaster II in stainless....then I'm headed in the same direction.....I had my shot at the daytona...either dial this past week......at retail...and I looked over at the Omega display...and decided that the speedmaster was MUCH more attractive and reasonable... I passed on the SS daytona...I just dont see the point in spending just under 10,000.00 on a daytona...when you can buy TWO of another brand...or TWO pre-loved rollies...Once I pick up the speedmaster, I think Im headed for the vintage route...with a few pre-loved in between....I'd rather spend 10 grand on a NICE vintage piece than on a new deepsea...just doesnt make sense...

I think I am moving in this same direction Justin. Price for a timepiece has to be justifiable. I justified getting my YM from Bucherer's in Lucerne because I had waited so long for it and it was a 10th anniversary gift from my lovely wife. I paid full fare!

Now I will much more closely monitor my spending on Rolexs in the future. 10K for one Daytona, or 2 well kept others? Prudence determines the answer to that question. Unless of course it's that Meteorite Dial Daytona. Then that is a different consideration all together.

[chenx15]

i love pre loved watches! let somebody else get the initial hit of brand new purchase.

[356 speedster]

Originally Posted by chenx15

i love pre loved watches! let somebody else get the initial hit of brand new purchase.

I am with you

[John685]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

I think I am moving in this same direction Justin. Price for a timepiece has to be justifiable. I justified getting my YM from Bucherer's in Lucerne because I had waited so long for it and it was a 10th anniversary gift from my lovely wife. I paid full fare!

Now I will much more closely monitor my spending on Rolexs in the future. 10K for one Daytona, or 2 well kept others? Prudence determines the answer to that question. Unless of course it's that Meteorite Dial Daytona. Then that is a different consideration all together.

Richard, I assume you know there are two used Rolex dealers in your area and possibly a third. At least there was about six months ago. If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you the info.

[SLS]

Get the best watch for the best price, could care less about box & papers. Most of my pre-owned watches do not have them and guess what....the watches still work the same!
~Scott

[jdc]

I'm with you Jim the prices are getting silly especially in the economic climate

[DC watchman]

The prices are insane. Yesterday was the first time I have bought a BNIB watch from a dealer for a few years. Frankly I never would have done the deal with the LV yesterday it if the price was not within a couple of hundred of a good grey dealer.

But, this AD is also 40 miles away. That does not seem like a lot but in my neck of the woods with traffic, it is kind of a haul. When you throw in schedules and everything else it is impossible to get down there anytime except Saturday.


I think by the time I sell my Subdate I should be out of pocket for a little less than, say the street price of a Seamaster 2254... So it was not a bad deal. If I was purchasing a watch cold, no friggin way would I walk into an AD's door. Pre loved is the way to go!!!!

[FLtime]

I'd prefer pre-loved and I'm a woman! I'd rather save the extra and use it for something else!

[newsean2000]

hello everyone. new here. long time lurker. love the forum.

anyway i had to chime in and agree with everyone. i'm all for good ol' capitalism and everything, but the prices are ridiculous. especially the prices of the stainless steel models. silly really. i went to the AD the other day looking for an explorer 1. they gave me a price of somewhere around $5300 (before tax)...i laughed...went and got one online brand new stickers still on it, M serial, not grey market either...$3800...that is still a lot for an SS model but...anyway, i'm stoked...perfect complement to my P serial DJ...

[Singslinger]

I haven't yet gone the secondhand route (sorry, I dislike using "pre-owned'' or "pre-loved'', I'd rather call a spade a spade) but I certainly think it's a viable option worth considering.

Just one question - from around 2001 or 2002, ADs were required by Rolex to write the buyer's name on the warranty certificate, whether it was the old-style paper certificate or the newer credit card-sized warranties. Would it bother anyone if a secondhand watch you were eyeing comes with box and papers and the paper carries the name of a complete stranger?

Just curious.

[chenx15]

Originally Posted by Singslinger

I haven't yet gone the secondhand route (sorry, I dislike using "pre-owned'' or "pre-loved'', I'd rather call a spade a spade) but I certainly think it's a viable option worth considering.

Just one question - from around 2001 or 2002, ADs were required by Rolex to write the buyer's name on the warranty certificate, whether it was the old-style paper certificate or the newer credit card-sized warranties. Would it bother anyone if a secondhand watch you were eyeing comes with box and papers and the paper carries the name of a complete stranger?

Just curious.

yes it does. the cheapest way to do it is get an extra bracelet link from RSC for 50 dollars or it depends on what bracelet you use. and get the certificate that you are the owner. it will even be added in the rolex registry that you are now the owner of the watch. then i throw the original paper away.

[YYD]

Agree on the insaneness of the prices. I don't understand Rolex's pricing strategy or what they trying to achieve. It is not a publicly owned company that's constantly under pressure for profit. It's a family owned business that channels profit to charitable causes. Maybe Paulson is calling Rolex for some financial rescue money?

It's price (in relative terms to other top-end Swiss brands) is always very affordable. By all means, they can jack up the prices for precious metal watches, but should be keeping SS versions within reasonable range. A leather band costs USD340?! I can buy two name brand belts for that money.

[Timber Loftis]

You know, if we all only bought pre-owned, then Rolex wouldn't sell any new watches, and maybe they'd get their head outta their arse on issues like price and customer service.

[DS/B MINI S]

There is nothing wrong with going pre-loved. As a matter of fact, most of my watch purchases are pre-loved. Yes, buying new from an AD is a great feeling, but it pales to the feeling of keeping THOUSANDS of DOLLARS in your pocket

One of the guys I work with just bought a Z series Sub 16610. You tell me, but I believe he got a pretty good deal at $3300.00
It was purchased from one of our local AD's in Aug 07 and is in 95% condition. I thought about grabbing it, but since I already have the SD and EXP II, I thought it was time to give someone else a shot.

I guess the question is...would you rather have that new watch feeling OR $1800+ you saved buying pre-loved. Maybe that $1800 could be used to buy your wife a little something

Not a very difficult choice for me

[chenx15]

rolex has to make their prices higher it's the only way they can be considered luxury or "better than others". ALthough they are somewhat mass produced they are still trying to achieve the "exclusive club" and they really don't pay attention to middle class. I think their target clients anyway are those who can easily afford them. there will always be sports stars, bank execs, people who will win lottery. to tell you the truth many of rolex customers don't really pay attention to the prices. IMHO

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by chenx15

yes it does. the cheapest way to do it is get an extra bracelet link from RSC for 50 dollars or it depends on what bracelet you use. and get the certificate that you are the owner. it will even be added in the rolex registry that you are now the owner of the watch. then i throw the original paper away.

Good info - thanks for that!