First Rolex - Submariner Questions

[mkell]

Hi all, great forum you have here! I am looking to buy my first Rolex and the Submariner has my attention. There is a 14060 U serial that I am particularly interested in, but have never bought a 10-11 year old watch before. Is there anything in particular that I should check for? What do these watches call for maintenance wise?

[Tools]

Just make sure it's the real deal... Look at some other dials to ensure that you are seeing what you should. A U model could be any where between 1996 through 1999, so it may have a tritium dial (Swiss T <25) or the changeover (1998/99) Luminova dial (Swiss).

The bracelet should not have any stretch and the hollow endlinks shold not be too pinched to take up the slack of worn spring-bars. At 10 years it should have had, or is ready for, a complete overhaul....this is not as ominous as it sounds...it is just a disassembly, clean, oil and adjustment process.

I think it's a great watch........ I would put one in my collection for a good price

Here is a good look at the dial of a more recent Luminova model, aside from the Swiss Made, it should look very much like this:

[Stratton]

Rolex recommend their watches be serviced every 5 years.

[mkell]

Thank you for the quick responses. It appears to have the tritium dial. Is there any way to check it's service history if not buying from the original owner?

[Stratton]

With the serial number you could call your nearest Rolex Service Centre and if it's been serviced there they should tell you and what was done to it. If you can't find any evidence of it being serviced or if it was some time ago factor that into the price you pay.

[sea-dweller]

14060 was my first Rolex also. Enjoy and post some photos when you purchase it.

[Doug507]

An absolute classic watch!

[wantonebad]

I'm sure your aware of all this but because I'm the master of the obvious I have to make sure that you understand buying a used rolex is a tricky undertaking. there are LOTS of fakes out there, there are also stollen watches being sold on the cheap. There is no real way for you to be 100% sure if a watch is stollen, but if you send it to an RSC and it turns out to be stollen you won't get it back and you'll be out what you paid for it. So, its really important that you buy the seller, you need to trust this person as much as possible and you need to have assurances that s/he will stand behind the watch. Sorry for sounding so paranoid but that's because I am and you need to be too JMHO

Now this is all related to a private sale, if you are buying from a brick & Mortar jeweler or dealer this is less important but still some what applicable

[grex]

At my side of the world, we usually trade in RSC, buyer will pay verification cost if certified genuine. If its a fake, seller will bear the cost. However, much said, the country I live in might be just the size of a town over yours, so things are done much easily....

[mck22]

Hey welcome to the board, I just bought my first rolex and it is a submariner as well. Great watch. I live in the St louis area, where are you getting the watch from? There are some good places in the area, if you need any help let me know and send me a Pm

[mkell]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate your input. The one I had my eye just sold so the search continues. I'm mainly looking here, TZ, and watchnet to avoid any frauds, but thank you for the concerns.

[stevemulholland3]

I originally came from florrissant..where in st.louis are you??

[Z-Sub]

Good luck getting this one and do your home work.
Post pictures after you get it!