How relevant is a warranty?

[TG19]

Hello,
I’m new to the vintage watch world and these forums are huge education for me. So thank you all!

I’d love to hear thoughts on the importance or relevance of a warranty for a vintage rolex? I notice that some of the bigger dealers like Swiss Watch expo provide 1-2 year warrany but some of the top dealers listed in the forums with best reputations don’t provide a warranty.

Should it matter? Or should reputation of the dealer and condition of vintage watches take precedence?

Also what are thoughts on the rolex cpo program that does vintage watches and gives a 2 year warranty?

Thank you!

[springer]

Warranty is important, not just for vintage but any pre owned mode.

[Dan S]

I don't think that Swiss Watch Expo sells vintage watches, the OP is probably just asking about modern pre-owned watches.

A warranty can have value, but it's only as dependable as the person who is offering it. Some dealers offer a warranty because the watches they sell are in crappy condition and they're just hoping that they continue to work for 6 months until the warranty expires. And if the watch performs poorly, they will tell you that it's normal for a vintage watch. And if it breaks, they will have their watchmaker do the bare minimum to get it running for a few more months.

A Rolex pre-owned warranty is nice, but you're probably paying double the market value of the watch, and they make no effort to preserve originality.

In the end, it depends on how risk averse you are, and what access you have to a good watchmaker. Personally, I'd prefer to get a good watch at a good price, and have my own watchmaker take care of any issues.

[502 to Right]

Currently, a Rolex service in the U.S., without polishing, is $700. That's the only warranty I'm interested in.

If I buy a watch from Swiss Watch Expo (and I have) and there's a problem I don't want their watchmaker doing a possibly half-assed job repairing the watch. Even if the warranty was included in the sale of the watch. I assume every pre-owned watch I buy will need a service within the first year and that is mentally calculated in the purchase price.

[77T]

Originally Posted by TG19

I’d love to hear thoughts on the importance or relevance of a warranty for a vintage rolex?

- Swiss Watch expo provide 1-2 year warrany

- some of the top dealers don’t provide a warranty.

- Should it matter?

- should reputation of the dealer and condition of vintage watches take precedence?

- what are thoughts on the rolex cpo program?

It seems we may need to define "vintage" - could you share any listings of 25+ y.o. Rolexes that include a warranty?

SWE has a certified watchmaker co-owner. Anything they sell comes with their warranty.

Rolex CPO will be $thousands more than a trusted dealer - so, in a way, you are pre-paying for any warranty repair.

I'd go with a trusted vintage dealer here in TRF any day and ask questions about the movement if you're worried about a $1,000+ surprise repair bill within 2 years of purchase.

A TCO model would show it's better to forego CPO unless you're worried about buying a stolen watch.


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[0nly5iv3Digits]

A warranty is only as good as the person providing it... let that sink in

[TG19]

Originally Posted by 77T

It seems we may need to define "vintage" - could you share any listings of 25+ y.o. Rolexes that include a warranty?

SWE has a certified watchmaker co-owner. Anything they sell comes with their warranty.

Rolex CPO will be $thousands more than a trusted dealer - so, in a way, you are pre-paying for any warranty repair.

I'd go with a trusted vintage dealer here in TRF any day and ask questions about the movement if you're worried about a $1,000+ surprise repair bill within 2 years of purchase.

A TCO model would show it's better to forego CPO unless you're worried about buying a stolen watch.


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Yea SWE has a 5513 from 1978 for $11,635 that comes with an 18 month warranty.

It makes sense to me that you’d still want to buy from the most trusted vintage dealers on TRF even if they don’t come with a warranty. Because you want to buy the watch and dealer more than anything.

[77T]

Something has discolored the 1 & 4 o'clock plots - I'd pass.


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TG19

Yea SWE has a 5513 from 1978 for $11,635 that comes with an 18 month warranty.

Originally Posted by 77T

Something has discolored the 1 & 4 o'clock plots - I'd pass.

Factor in another $2k for a proper insert.

[Tools]

A warranty on a used watch is a selling point and not a validation of the integrity of the watch.

If a warranty is important to you then you need to know exactly what is warranted - movement, authenticity, or what?

A Rolex CPO warranty only covers the service done on the movement, however, you can be assured that the parts are all Rolex and proper for the watch - no warranty needed for that piece of mind.

[joli160]

Warranty is really overrated on second hand watches.
A watch may need some regulation which any watchmaker can do and is very cheap anyway.
The worst thing and highly unlikely is that a full service is required within the warranty period which will set you back 1K only.

[springer]

Originally Posted by joli160

Warranty is really overrated on second hand watches.
A watch may need some regulation which any watchmaker can do and is very cheap anyway.
The worst thing and highly unlikely is that a full service is required within the warranty period which will set you back 1K only.

Why is a warranty (on the movement I assume) over-rated on second-hand watches? Most to nearly all individuals that I have come in contact with ask me about previous service history and what type of warranty comes with the watch. I welcome their concerns and personally, do not find their questions or concerns over-rated. I ask the same questions when I purchase a watch.

Of course buyers need to realize that the warranty is only as good as the seller so the buyer should be aware of the seller's references.

After a purchase, I would recommend that buyers properly check out their watch and see that it operates properly as it should - to include date discs changing properly, bezel binding, bracelet issues and so on. The buyer should ask what the warranty covers and how long does the warranty last.

[joli160]

I think it’s overrated because fixing anything technical on a Rolex watch is rather cheap compared to other brands. If you buy a running watch and factor in 1K in cost of ownership you are on the safe side.

Lacking the knowledge myself a guarantee on originality of (neo) vintage watches i.e. watch passport with a clear description and pictures of dial, condition of case and bracelet wether period correct or not is something I would value from sellers.