Gift for Husband - Did I Make A Mistake? (pics)

[Raycray]

Hey everyone,

I just purchased a 2010 DJ for my husband as a Christmas gift. He's never owned a nice watch before and I'm new to watches. From what I have looked at from other photos, this looks to be a large amount of stretch on the bracelet. I purchased from a reputable dealer but they didn't have photos of this.

I'm wondering if this is so bad that it could be fixed, if it would be safe to wear, or any other thoughts on it. I don't want to gift something that isn't up to par. The watch looks to be in otherwise amazing condition to my untrained eyes.

Thank you in advance!

[rockysw]

This seems to be significant amount of stretch in the bracelet. But what is more surprising to me is that this is a 2010 date just so not a very old one. I would expect this level of stretch in perhaps DJs from early 1990s or even before.

Unless you got a really good price, I would suggest returning it. One thing to keep in mind is that the bracelet can be replaced by Rolex however the cost of a two tone bracelet could be significantly higher than a steel bracelet.

[BraveBold]

How did the dealer describe condition?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Yes. Return it. And hurry! 6 days til' Christmas! In all seriousness, though, OP. Don't sweat it too much. There's a ton of nuance when it comes to watches, let alone Rolex watches.

Is it a terrible watch? Hard to say. But if the seller didn't disclose the bracelet stretch, you have to assume they likely wouldn't have disclosed any other "issues" with the watch.

It would be helpful for members here to know what you paid for it, how it was advertised, and whether it came with all of the accoutrements (papers, tags, booklets etc.) that would have accompanied it when sold new.

Good luck!

[Raycray]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Yes. Return it. And hurry! 6 days til' Christmas! In all seriousness, though, OP. Don't sweat it too much. There's a ton of nuance when it comes to watches, let alone Rolex watches.

Is it a terrible watch? Hard to say. But if the seller didn't disclose the bracelet stretch, you have to assume they likely wouldn't have disclosed any other "issues" with the watch.

It would be helpful for members here to know what you paid for it, how it was advertised, and whether it came with all of the accoutrements (papers, tags, booklets etc.) that would have accompanied it when sold new.

Good luck!

Thanks for your response, and great point.

I paid $7700. It was listed as excellent condition, and it came with the box and papers.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum. I’d discuss with the seller. The bracelet “stretch” should have been disclosed in the description, ideally as pictured.

I hope you come up with an amicable solution. It’s a very thoughtful gift

[2001jesper]

I would return it if possible.

The braclet can be fixed, but that comes at a cost and will take some time. You are likely better of finding a watch in an overall better condition

Love your thinking ref gifting him a nice watch. He will for sure be excited

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Raycray

Thanks for your response, and great question.

I paid $7700. It was listed as excellent condition, and it came with the box and papers.

It does not match “excellent” condition. So if they are reputable they should take the return and make you whole…

[BankAnden]

It is quite a lot of stretch and would need some specialist firm for repair (however might not be able to save that one) or new from Rolex - that will cost a lot, check price with an Authorized Dealer or Rolex Service Center.

And no - that is NOT excellent condition.

[2001jesper]

Originally Posted by Raycray

I paid $7700. It was listed as excellent condition, and it came with the box and papers.

That for sure is not excellent condition Straight return

Try one of the truested sellers on the site - e.g here is a great option for the same budget and a much newer reference
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=966550

[RichM]

It was very thoughtful of you but honestly, I’d return it.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Raycray

Thanks for your response, and great point.

I paid $7700. It was listed as excellent condition, and it came with the box and papers.

Return it if possible. $7,700 is way too much. Secondly, as Rocky said, this model should have a solid link bracelet, so the stretch doesn’t make sense unless it’s not the original bracelet. I’m not sure how so much stretch occurred. What year is the warranty card dated?

[Watchdoyouwant?]

Bezel and lugs looks polished to hell too. Definitely return.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Return it if possible. $7,700 is way too much. Secondly, as Rocky said, this model should have a solid link bracelet, so the stretch doesn’t make sense unless it’s not the original bracelet. I’m not sure how so much stretch occurred. What year is the warranty card dated?

I obviously agree on the condition/stretch issue. But want to be clear for OP that $7.7k is not “way too much” IF excellent and with box and papers. Indeed that would be a nice price.

The problem here is that bracelet is problematic on multiple levels and the description of “excellent” is really misleading… of course an unscrupulous dealer will do that. If reputable… should remedy this asap.

[KatGirl]

I agree with the others. Return it. Consider going to a Rolex Authorized Dealer, with CPO watches (Certified preowned). They should have a nice Datejust selection, at fairly reasonable prices. That way you get a serviced watch and most likely a bracelet in much better condition. Good luck. Do let us know how you make out.

Kat


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[timepiececurator]

Great choice! The watch is safe to wear however, there are people that can fix stretch on watches (at a cost of course), if you'd like i can recommend some people!

if the seller said excellent condition and also didnt provide pictures of the stretch at a bare minimum, I would consider talking with the seller about it and hopefully coming to a solution

[Josunese1975]

Sorry to say this but i have a hard time believing this story. The top photo appears to be a 116233 (thicker lugs and the dial is indicative of a 6 digit model). It would have all solid links and nearly impossible to stretch like that. The bottom photo appears to be a 5 digit model (either 16013 or 16233) which would have hollow links and is quite possible to stretch like it shows. I think the photos are of two different watches. I could be wrong but I've owned many different Datejust models over the years.....

[train-time]

Definitely not in Excellent condition and way too much stretch for a solid link Jubilee Bracelet not to mention the polishing on the 18K Fluted Bezel. Return it if you can.

[Raycray]

Originally Posted by Josunese1975

Sorry to say this but i have a hard time believing this story. The top photo appears to be a 116233 (thicker lugs and the dial is indicative of a 6 digit model). It would have all solid links and nearly impossible to stretch like that. The bottom photo appears to be a 5 digit model (either 16013 or 16233) which would have hollow links and is quite possible to stretch like it shows. I think the photos are of two different watches. I could be wrong but I've owned many different Datejust models over the years.....

Nope, it's the same watch. On the warranty card it's saying that the band is 63203 and the watch is 116233.

[Raycray]

A few of you have mentioned that it's over polished. This isn't something that I have an eye for. Is it really worse than it should be? That would be worse than a bad band I suppose.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by Josunese1975

The bottom photo appears to be a 5 digit model (either 16013 or 16233) which would have hollow links and is quite possible to stretch like it shows. I think the photos are of two different watches.

I respectfully disagree. The bottom image is commensurate with the early 6 digit (thick lug) DJ's. So glad Rolex SA remedied the design for the 12xxxx's...

What's more curious, as pointed out by several members above, is how a "solid" link bracelet, despite the fact that it is a 5 link jubilee, could have sustained so much internal damage...

[Raycray]

I've emailed back the sellers with all of your comments in mind, hoping to either negotiate a partial refund or, more likely, to return it. As sad as I am about all of this, I appreciate your confirmations of my fears.

I may bring it to an AD tomorrow to hear if they have anything to say about it or can let me know what it would cost to fix or replace.

[jamesbondOO7]

That’s the stretch on my 1986

[Raycray]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I respectfully disagree. The bottom image is commensurate with the early 6 digit (thick lug) DJ's. So glad Rolex SA remedied the design for the 12xxxx's...

What's more curious, as pointed out by several members above, is how a "solid" link bracelet, despite the fact that it is a 5 link jubilee, could have sustained so much internal damage...

Maybe it's not authentic? I got ahold of my local AD (where it turns out the watch was actually originally purchased!) and am going to have them look at it tomorrow.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Raycray

Maybe it's not authentic? I got ahold of my local AD (where it turns out the watch was actually originally purchased!) and am going to have them look at it tomorrow.

I think you mentioned reputable dealer? Why not mention who you purchased from?

[Raycray]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

That’s the stretch on my 1986

I am just more baffled the more I see from all of you here. I specifically was set on only getting one with solid links so that the stretch would hopefully not be too bad.

Is that amount of stretch on yours still ok for your use?

[Raycray]

Originally Posted by BraveBold

I think you mentioned reputable dealer? Why not mention who you purchased from?

I agree with you. It was Ermitage Jewelers in Atlanta.

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by Raycray

I am just more baffled the more I see from all of you here. I specifically was set on only getting one with solid links so that the stretch would hopefully not be too bad.

Is that amount of stretch on yours still ok for your use?

Yes and it passed the Geneva RCS service recently .

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Raycray

I agree with you. It was Ermitage Jewelers in Atlanta.

Was this a CPO piece from them? I imagine they will honor an exchange, at absolute minimum…

If they are the AD you are seeking advice from, remember they will be biased as the seller…

[OTX]

Just checked out Ermitage Jewelers and they seem to be highly reputable. I would return it and get a better watch or exchange it for a better one if they have it. I doubt they will give you a hard time.