Confused about purchasing a Rolex online??

[nakedmosher2of3]

I did a search on the forum and the jury seems to be out whether to buy a rolex online or not??

I'm looking for a yellow gold daytona (white face) (and now I am thinking I should get a preowned one after finding out how quickly they depreciate in value .. or so I'm told)

Anyway ... is there any place to fine preowned daytonas online? Or should I just wait and order one from an AD??


Thanks for the help!!!

[Sammyjoe]

Hi Naked, there are a few good dealers that sell online, but NO AD is allowed to sell online. The online dealers you see are grey market dealers, most come with boxes and papers, the saying is that you buy the person and not the watch, if the watch comes from a great seller/dealer you are fine, you should also get it checked out at a rolex centre and this can be arranged with the seller - I would only buy from a dealer with a shop front or know them very well before hand.

If the difference between a preowned and new is small, I would go new, if it is large, go preowned with full service history etc etc. There are deals about and AD's tend to discount on brand new gold watches, they make a massive margin on it and in this economy they can afford to do so.

[wired1]

OK, so a lot of things to consider!

First, in regard to the gold watch vs. the steel version of ANY BRAND.

For some reason, while gold watches command a MAJOR premium in the retail marketplace, they are really difficult to sell in the secondary market, and often sell for FAR less than the original price.

Even on brands like Rolex and Panerai, which consistently hold their value, gold Rolex's and Panerai's DO NOT.

A $30,000 gold panerai will sell for $16,500 used. Almost a 50% drop! Whereas the same watch in stainless will sell for about 20-30% less than retail.

So I would NEVER, and this is just me, buy a gold watch NEW. ALWAYS buy used, and take the time and energy to authenticate!

The Daytona, in stainless, is still not only one of the more difficult watches to obtain, but manages to hold its value intensely!

So, if value retention is key to you, STAY AWAY FROM GOLD WATCHES.

Now, onto the online vs. retail avenue.

Anyone who has a Daytona in stainless will likely demand full retail or more, as they are difficult to come by.

You MAY be able to swing 10%...

Two-tone Daytona's are NOT hard to come by, and you should be able to push about 10-20% off on them, even at an AD, I don't care what anyone tells you.

I would buy a Rolex ONLY at an AD, and here is my logic.

I have seen and held replicas that fool watchmakers. Some of the new stuff out of China has serial numbers, swiss movements that look and function like ROLEX original... they even have the mini holograms. It is NUTS.

Other brands that are not as replicated, it makes sense to buy online and save BIG.

With Rolex, I would go to an AD and wheel and deal!

Good luck, and if you need further info/advice, do not hesitate to ask!

-Wired1

[nakedmosher2of3]

Thanks for the info!

I really want a 18K yellow gold daytona but It does annoy me that the second I walk out of the store with it it will lose value.

I like the SS version but I really do have my heart set on the yellow gold so I know if I get the SS I will be "settling" ...

I guess I won't try buying something on the secondary market though ... I don't want to be fooled and since I live in a small town there are only two AD dealers of rolexes. I have been to both and talked to them about pricing etc. They didn't have any yellow gold ones available in the store and said they could only order them for the full price of 30K.

I guess I am just torn. Thanks for the advice!

[wired1]

Call AD's in other parts of the country! You will find one who not only has one in stock and can sell to you for a discount, but liely will NOT charge you tax either as it is an out of state sale!

A little effort here will save you a TON!

=)

[nakedmosher2of3]

Originally Posted by wired1

Call AD's in other parts of the country! You will find one who not only has one in stock and can sell to you for a discount, but liely will NOT charge you tax either as it is an out of state sale! A little effort here will save you a TON! =)

oh silly me! I never thought of that ... I do it all the time with shoes and handbags!

Thanks for the tip wired! I'm off to do some digging!

[ijen0311]

Visit rolexforums.com and contact member Tempoking. He is highly reliable...

[larissajay]

Originally Posted by ijen0311

Visit rolexforums.com and contact member Tempoking. He is highly reliable...

Ditto this. I was all over those forums when I was watch shopping, and they are immensely helpful.

[Sammyjoe]

Tempoking is one of the best, I do think haggling with the AD would give you total peace of mind also.

[Sammyjoe]

Are you still thinking about getting a YG daytona?

I was looking at some pics of the everose and my goodness, its a lovely watch, but it may date after a while. I am still on the list for a SS!Lol!

[2manybags]

I agree with Wired. In my experience, stainless Daytonas usually sell for above retail, whereas two-toned as well as gold Daytonas sell for 40-50% off retail price (if not more) in the preowned market. DH's preowned two-toned Daytona was purchased from a jewelry store that is an authorized Rolex dealer. Lucky for him, his watch was in practically brand new condition, apparently only worn 2x, but you couldn't tell at all and he saved a ton. There are great deals to be had in the preowned market. I recently missed out on a gold Cartier Pasha for $7000....a friend was in the store before me and bought it on the spot.

Originally Posted by wired1

OK, so a lot of things to consider! First, in regard to the gold watch vs. the steel version of ANY BRAND. For some reason, while gold watches command a MAJOR premium in the retail marketplace, they are really difficult to sell in the secondary market, and often sell for FAR less than the original price. Even on brands like Rolex and Panerai, which consistently hold their value, gold Rolex's and Panerai's DO NOT. A $30,000 gold panerai will sell for $16,500 used. Almost a 50% drop! Whereas the same watch in stainless will sell for about 20-30% less than retail. So I would NEVER, and this is just me, buy a gold watch NEW. ALWAYS buy used, and take the time and energy to authenticate! The Daytona, in stainless, is still not only one of the more difficult watches to obtain, but manages to hold its value intensely! So, if value retention is key to you, STAY AWAY FROM GOLD WATCHES. Now, onto the online vs. retail avenue. Anyone who has a Daytona in stainless will likely demand full retail or more, as they are difficult to come by. You MAY be able to swing 10%... Two-tone Daytona's are NOT hard to come by, and you should be able to push about 10-20% off on them, even at an AD, I don't care what anyone tells you. I would buy a Rolex ONLY at an AD, and here is my logic. I have seen and held replicas that fool watchmakers. Some of the new stuff out of China has serial numbers, swiss movements that look and function like ROLEX original... they even have the mini holograms. It is NUTS. Other brands that are not as replicated, it makes sense to buy online and save BIG. With Rolex, I would go to an AD and wheel and deal! Good luck, and if you need further info/advice, do not hesitate to ask! -Wired1