Pre-owned Rolex - please help

[MissJ209]

Hi everyone im new this is my very first post and what a site hey i stumbleled accross while i was looking for some information on Rolex's and I've been reading this section for an hour lol, interesting stuff! Anyway I know loads of you all have or sell Rolex so could you please help me with a few things?

1. I've just put a deposit on a pre-owned Rolex (soooo cant afford a brand new one right now). Its a 31mm datejust, not sure if president strap or jubilee but i digress ... the dude says it comes with papers, what are papers? is it a guarantee / warranty??

2. I just read through one of the threads and someone said they'd be careful of pre-owned Rolex's because they have to get (something beginning with p i think?) every few years. The context in which it was used was something like getting it serviced every few years i guess?? And certain things Rolex wont touch if its been tampered with or changed??

I'd just like to know a few things so when i do go back i can ask him questions and not look like such a nieve tw@t. What sort of things should i ask him about it or be very warey about as this is alot of money we're talking... Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks guys xxx

[lorihmatthews]

Where are you purchasing your watch from? Is is a jeweler or a private party? Do you have any pictures of the item and the paperwork?

[MissJ209]

Thanks for your reply Lori. I'm in the UK and the watch i from a very reputable jewler who sells loads of pre owned watches too. silly enough i didnt ask him what papers actually were i just presumed it was like an authenticity card or some kind of warranty and it wasnt untill this evening i though of all the stuff i should have really asked. So i thought i'd get you guys advise so i can go back with even more ammunition any help would be really appreciated xx

[chessmont]

Yes the papers are like an authenticity card, but the better thing is if the jeweler has a good reputation. As with all athentications, papers can be faked. Some jewelers who sell pre-owned are very experienced and sometimes offer their own guarantee.

Rolex will not service a watch that has any "aftermarket" (non-authorized Rolex parts added). Such as, I have an 18K yellow gold Mid-size with an aftermarket diamond bezel (was 1/2 the price of a Rolex bezel and just as beautiful). My reseller reputable jeweler can probably remove the bezel and temporarily replace it with an authorized gold one if it must go for repair at Rolex (I'm guessing on this one, as haven't needed to do it), or he does a lot of repair, restoring etc. himself. He has a huge network of guys in his same business so he can get just about any part or watch he needs. I ask for a particular model, dial, size and condition, and he can find it for me. HTH.

[chaz]

Rolex will service a pre-owned Rolex with non Rolex parts in the movement,but they will charge you for the replacement of all such parts to bring it back to the same state that it left Rolex without the spurious parts by another manufacturer.

They won't do watches with diamond aftermarket bezels though,the workshops always said there could be issues with the integrity of the waterproofing,as Rolex carefully select all diamonds of exactly the same depth etc to fit in calibrated settings and the pavillion of the diamonds does'nt need the extra depth to be set and therefore causing a hole.Oddly enough,any Rolex with aftermarket bezels that came through our shop and were pressure tested were always fine to water resistancy etc,so I never really got that argument.
Papers etc are vital in pre-owned ones,as its one of the most faked watch brands in the world.As Chessmont says,go through someone with an impeccable reputation,its the most sensible peice of advice you can be offered.

[PorscheGirl]

portero.com is a reputable seller of used luxury brands, including rolex.

[chessmont]

Originally Posted by chaz

Rolex will service a pre-owned Rolex with non Rolex parts in the movement,but they will charge you for the replacement of all such parts to bring it back to the same state that it left Rolex without the spurious parts by another manufacturer. They won't do watches with diamond aftermarket bezels though,the workshops always said there could be issues with the integrity of the waterproofing,as Rolex carefully select all diamonds of exactly the same depth etc

--Thanks chaz, I knew you would have more knowledge than I, but I didn't screw up too badly, LOL!

[chaz]

Originally Posted by chessmont

--Thanks chaz, I knew you would have more knowledge than I, but I didn't screw up too badly, LOL!

You did'nt screw up at all hun!!!

[Vegas Long Legs]

Originally Posted by chaz

They won't do watches with diamond aftermarket bezels though,the workshops always said there could be issues with the integrity of the waterproofing,as Rolex carefully select all diamonds of exactly the same depth etc to fit in calibrated settings and the pavillion of the diamonds does'nt need the extra depth to be set and therefore causing a hole.Oddly enough,any Rolex with aftermarket bezels that came through our shop and were pressure tested were always fine to water resistancy etc,so I never really got that argument.

It sound like you are an authorized Rolex dealer.
How can adding diamonds on the outside only have anything to do with water resistancy? Basically how can altering the outside have any consequences to the mechanics of the watch?

[chaz]

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

It sound like you are an authorized Rolex dealer. How can adding diamonds on the outside only have anything to do with water resistancy? Basically how can altering the outside have any consequences to the mechanics of the watch?

Me? no,I worked in the trade for 15 years,and a lot of it was with Rolex,and lucky me,I got to work with an incredible watchmaker at one point,and he showed me all manner of stuff,and I remember him showing me an after market bezel on a watch he was sevicing for a freind,as Rolex would'nt do it.When you looked at the bezel underneath,there was indeed some holes to accomodate some of the deeper diamonds.The bezel screws down over the crystal,and sort of squeezes it all into place with gaskets and stuff underneath,as it screws down the gaskets spread out,and make it totally water tight,if there are any holes,it could allow ingress of water or moisture,so,Rolex won't service a watch with aftermarket bezels in case it leaks,or gets condensation inside and cause damage to the movement,and they would be laible to sort it out etc.Whereas they can g'tee their own bezels when servicing and all that stuff.Just covering their own backs really.

Plus they do get a bit sniffy about non Rolex parts on their watches,I suppose if you look at it another way,if you put a fuel pump on a BMW from a Ford,they can't g'tee it will work as well as their own parts,and if it causes problems,its up to the owner to take responsibilty for it etc,they would either recomend you change it,or they may refuse to service the car with it there,as they may then be deemed liable for any subsequent issues that come up with the engine. (plus it means they can charge a small fortune for their own bits!!!)

[mooks]

That's really interesting, have to say I never thought of it like that.....thanks for the info Chaz