Will Rolex Service Center service watch if not registered?

[borabora4]

I am considering purchasing a near new or new (unworn) Rolex on the open market and not from an AD. Will an authorized Rolex Service Center service this watch IF I cannot produce the warranty or if the watch was never registered with Rolex?

If I buy the watch new (unworn) in the after market with the warranty but it was never registered with Rolex, can it be registered with Rolex? Will an authorized Rolex Service Center service this watch?

[Old Expat Beast]

RSC will service any Rolex or Tudor watch as long as it hasn't been reported stolen.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by borabora4

I am considering purchasing a near new or new (unworn) Rolex on the open market and not from an AD. Will an authorized Rolex Service Center service this watch IF I cannot produce the warranty or if the watch was never registered with Rolex?

If I buy the watch new (unworn) in the after market with the warranty but it was never registered with Rolex, can it be registered with Rolex? Will an authorized Rolex Service Center service this watch?

There is no "registration" of a watch with Rolex.

You do not need a warranty card for a service; the card is only for actual warranty work.

As to buying a new Rolex without a valid warranty, no, you cannot make the warranty valid. A valid warranty is only through the purchase by a retail consumer directly from an AD. Grey watches are purchased wholesale or through a commercial "buyer", were not initially sold to a retail consumer, and do not have valid warranties.

[UK_]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no "registration" of a watch with Rolex.



You do not need a warranty card for a service; the card is only for actual warranty work.



As to buying a new Rolex without a valid warranty, no, you cannot make the warranty valid. A valid warranty is only through the purchase by a retail consumer directly from an AD. Grey watches are purchased wholesale or through a commercial "buyer", were not initially sold to a retail consumer, and do not have valid warranties.

How does anyone buy Rolex watches ‘wholesale’?

I am assuming that all grey watches were bought from ADs (because they are the only people Rolex will sell their watches to from the factory), and a lot of them have warranty cards with the original customer on them (who’s flipped them) and are valid.

Some will have random names in them if the grey got them from the AD direct, so probably valid.

If blank, then.......!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tools]

If you have a card with somebody elses name on it, it's a used watch, not a Grey Market watch. Plenty of resellers with these on the Internet or even here; they are not Grey Market products.

[wsfarrell]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no "registration" of a watch with Rolex.

What?? When the dealer runs the warranty card through the machine supplied by Rolex, Rolex is notified that watch model XYZ with serial number 123 was sold on a particular date. This starts the clock ticking on the warranty. The watch has been registered with Rolex.

[Robtayham]

Rolex will service any Rolex watch. They’ll make it right as rain!

Registration List? Doesn’t exist.

[Ballzzz]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

RSC will service any Rolex or Tudor watch as long as it hasn't been reported stolen.

What happens if it was reported stolen?

[akilis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

RSC will service any Rolex or Tudor watch as long as it hasn't been reported stolen.

oh wow...interesting

[UK_]

Originally Posted by Tools

If you have a card with somebody elses name on it, it's a used watch, not a Grey Market watch. Plenty of resellers with these on the Internet or even here; they are not Grey Market products.

I am still genuinely interested in how anyone buys Rolex watches ‘wholesale’.

Also I am sure that while Rolex may not get the name of the customer, when a Rolex is sold by an AD, the AD informs the Rolex that watch was sold, and the warranty clock starts, so the watch is ‘registered’ with Rolex.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joli160]

You cannot register your watch at Rolex.
Rolex does not keep records of ownership.
For this you have to buy into high end brands i.e. Patek

[Ricky Rolex]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

RSC will service any Rolex or Tudor watch as long as it hasn't been reported stolen.

Thinking out aloud.

What's to stop someone selling a watch on the GM, then making an insurance claim for it being stolen then Rolex keeping said watch?

[mikkolopez]

When a brand new watch is bought from an AD, the AD activates the warranty (starts the warranty period) with that iPad device they have at the store. As such, the buyers name is also written on the warranty card, whether this is a registration of sort I am unsure.

RSC will service any Rolex or Tudor so long as it is not stolen in which case I believe they call up the “registered owner” or the person who proved it is watch and reported it stolen. The said buyer of good faith stands to lose the watch in favour of the registered owner.

Makes one wonder if the watches sold by ADs or bought by Grey Dealers without activating said warranty or putting forth a buyers name on the warranty card is a valid sold and serviceable watch. I defer to people who know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Thinking out aloud.

What's to stop someone selling a watch on the GM, then making an insurance claim for it being stolen then Rolex keeping said watch?

Basically just being a decent human being and not a scam artist. It’s called insurance fraud also, which I’m pretty sure is illegal. Of course there are bad people out there, so you have to buy the seller just as much as you have to buy the watch.

But yes, RSC will service any watch that isn’t modified and/or has unauthentic parts. Or as Adam said, if it’s stolen they won’t work on it.

[Ricky Rolex]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Basically just being a decent human being and not a scam artist. It’s called insurance fraud also, which I’m pretty sure is illegal. Of course there are bad people out there, so you have to buy the seller just as much as you have to buy the watch.

But yes, RSC will service any watch that isn’t modified and/or has unauthentic parts. Or as Adam said, if it’s stolen they won’t work on it.

Or reported stolen. Exactly my point.

Basically the buyer doesn't know exactly what he's buying. Buy from people you know and trust is the only way to go for me

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Thinking out aloud.

What's to stop someone selling a watch on the GM, then making an insurance claim for it being stolen then Rolex keeping said watch?

Which is one of the reasons, most sellers cover up full serial number of watches.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by UK_

I am still genuinely interested in how anyone buys Rolex watches ‘wholesale’.

Also I am sure that while Rolex may not get the name of the customer, when a Rolex is sold by an AD, the AD informs the Rolex that watch was sold, and the warranty clock starts, so the watch is ‘registered’ with Rolex.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rolex is not the importer/distributor of their products in every country. Some countries require local companies/sponsors for foreign registered businesses to operate within their borders.

These markets are where the only true 'grey market' watches come from. Most for sale that people here call grey are simply used watches being resold. (even when it is unworn)

[UK_]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Rolex is not the importer/distributor of their products in every country. Some countries require local companies/sponsors for foreign registered businesses to operate within their borders.

These markets are where the only true 'grey market' watches come from. Most for sale that people here call grey are simply used watches being resold. (even when it is unworn)

Thanks for that, very interesting!

I would still imagine that most ‘unworn’ watches for sale are used as you say.

I can’t imagine Rolex lose control of large amounts of inventory through these supply chains that have a local importer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[borabora4]

I am the original poster. Let me be clear. If I buy a watch not from an AD, the watch is described as new, unworn with box and papers (which presumably means the warranty card is included) but the warranty was never activated by an AD, THEN there is no VALID warranty, correct? RSC will still service it but not under warranty?

Maybe I should not be concerned that it is not under a valid warranty because the watches are super reliable anyway?

[joli160]

Originally Posted by borabora4

I am the original poster. Let me be clear. If I buy a watch not from an AD, the watch is described as new, unworn with box and papers (which presumably means the warranty card is included) but the warranty was never activated by an AD, THEN there is no VALID warranty, correct? RSC will still service it but not under warranty?

Maybe I should not be concerned that it is not under a valid warranty because the watches are super reliable anyway?

3 X correct

Personally I don't care about the warranty at all.
Regardless I want the card just to have a complete set.
I can pay easily more than 10K or 20K for a watch. A few hundred max for a full service if you have really bad luck doesn't bother me one bit.

[Equity]

Originally Posted by joli160

3 X correct



Personally I don't care about the warranty at all.

Regardless I want the card just to have a complete set.

I can pay easily more than 10K or 20K for a watch. A few hundred max for a full service if you have really bad luck doesn't bother me one bit.

This.

I’ve never seen the “value” of the warranty really be too much of a concern. Which is really what you’re asking about. The value of the warranty coverage for spotty relatability or poor craftsmanship is what you’re hedging against. But to be honest, it’s a Rolex. There’s a more than likely chance you’re never going to take that card out of the drawer during the time it’s valid.

I’ve always seen that card and warranty as a marketing comforter when purchasing a watch of this cost. It’s makes the buyer feel much better as their money has a safeguard for failure... which happens in the rarest of situations anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gold Crown]

Originally Posted by Ballzzz

What happens if it was reported stolen?

Rolex confiscates it.

[subtona]

Without the card you may be refused warranty service

[Tools]

Originally Posted by mikkolopez

. . .
RSC will service any Rolex or Tudor so long as it is not stolen in which case I believe they call up the “registered owner” or the person who proved it is watch and reported it stolen. The said buyer of good faith stands to lose the watch in favour of the registered owner.
. . .

Rolex notifies the authority that provides the proof-of-theft report to them via description and serial number. They do not call the "registered owner" as they do not have owner registration.

You can associate your name with a Rolex by service records, or physically take it in and ask. This only becomes watch history as a watch can change hands many times over it's life.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by borabora4

I am the original poster. Let me be clear. If I buy a watch not from an AD, the watch is described as new, unworn with box and papers (which presumably means the warranty card is included) but the warranty was never activated by an AD, THEN there is no VALID warranty, correct? RSC will still service it but not under warranty?

Maybe I should not be concerned that it is not under a valid warranty because the watches are super reliable anyway?

If you buy from one of the resellers here, chances are the warranty card HAS been swiped at the time of purchase. It may have someone's name on it, but that doesn't matter. The card as long as valid and filled out properly follows the watch, not the original purchaser.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Thinking out aloud.

What's to stop someone selling a watch on the GM, then making an insurance claim for it being stolen then Rolex keeping said watch?

The fact that it’s theft and insurance fraud.
When the losses are in the $10k plus arena, the local constabulary may take notice and the DA, tired of drug cases, may decide to make an example of you.

[UK_]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Thinking out aloud.

What's to stop someone selling a watch on the GM, then making an insurance claim for it being stolen then Rolex keeping said watch?

Same thing that stops someone stealing a Rolex - it’s illegal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by Ricky Rolex

Thinking out aloud.

What's to stop someone selling a watch on the GM, then making an insurance claim for it being stolen then Rolex keeping said watch?

Because it is illegal. The fundamental decision to do what’s right is the thread that holds a civilized society together.

If you point really is: ‘couldn’t somebody break the law?’ Yes, civil and criminal crimes are committed every day.

[Ballzzz]

Originally Posted by Gold Crown

Rolex confiscates it.

I have a watch I bought on the forum that has the serial semi scratched that makes me think twice before sending it into the rsc. I could be overthinking it or not. I guess if my premonitions were true I could reach out to the seller to hopefully make it right.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Ballzzz

I have a watch I bought on the forum that has the serial semi scratched that makes me think twice before sending it into the rsc. I could be overthinking it or not. I guess if my premonitions were true I could reach out to the seller to hopefully make it right.

Exactly. A huge party of the reason why the seller is just as important as the watch and it's description. Is it likely DSW or Takuya will sell you a stolen watch? No. But is it possible? Of course.

Because I only buy from reliable sellers, I'd never have a concern about presenting a watch to RSC. If it happens to come back stolen, I'm happy to get it back to the original owner and make things right. I would expect the person that sold me the watch to get me squared away and make it right as well.