Pre-owned Rolex - please help

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#47
When the watch is serviced, they completely clean the interior, replace the gaskets (if it is a diving watch - which almost all modern ones are) and make sure that everything is still tight and moving freely.
at the 15-20 year service, they will replace the mainspring.

My watch is 80 years old - so I really can't help you with service prices.
 
#49
Hi All,

Looking to buy a pre-owned two-tone datejust for my Dad for his birthday from an AD such as Tourneau in New York. I've never bought pre-owned before so just wondering if I can expect to get any sort of discount off a pre-owned Rolex.

Please let me know, thanks.

CW
 
#50
Bump! I know that discussing prices can be somewhat verboten here, but I too would like to know about what would be considered a reasonable price for a pre-owned midsize oyster perpetual datejust in stainless? Is $2500 laughably low? $4000 ridiculous? Or, perhaps someone can just direct me to another resource which may have this information? Many thanks!
 
#51
You should check Tourneau. I bought an Air King this year--It wasn't listed on their website, but when I called they located the EXACT watch I was looking for. It came to me, LITERALLY, looking brand-spanking new. Its amazing. It was $2500. And, I think it has a one or two year warranty. Mayors also sells pre-owned, serviced and warranty-d. Hope this helps!
 
#52
nancypants said:
i was wondering what's the usual price of a stainless steel rolex ladies date just watch if i buy it pre-owned? it vary like handbag prices on the condition or is there like a standard?? tia!
Click to expand...

I feel like a broken record here--haha! Take a look at rolexforums.com and there is a big buy/sell thread with lots listed for sale. Many are sold, but you could do a search for the style of watch you're looking for and see about how the age/price thing works out.

Obviously the price will depend on:
age
condition (external and internal)
rarity (is it a discontinued model?)
materials (I know you said SS but say even if it's SS and it has some diamond markers up goes the price--you know what I mean).

Also, services at an Authorized service center are expensive (start at about $550 to $600 and go up from there if the watch needs anything other than just a basic service) There are certainly independent watch makers/repair folks who can also do the service at a much cheaper rate, but, of course, then you're dependent on their skill.

As a reference I've purchased a 2001-2002 SS Men's oyster perpetual date. Listed as excellent condition (as in rarely worn not scratched up at all--and the photos look it, but I haven't seen it IRL so. . .)

It has no service records so it might have had on in it's 8-9 years or not have had one at all. The seller took it to a Rolex repair dude (not an Auth. Center but a repair guy who is Rolex licensed) and he took it apart enough to say that it still has oil in it etc. . .and doesn't look like it needs a service for another year or two. (I did get the seller came down off the price a bit since I'll need to get it done earlier than in 5 years.) I payed $2,100 for the watch (retails $5,250 I think).

When this watch does need a service, I will probably just use my local guy (for about $250 to $300) rather than the Rolex Service Center just because spending a third of the cost of the watch just to do a routine service every 5 years seems goofy to me. I would balk at doing that with my car (like using the dealer for an older, less expensive model rather than using a local mechanic). Now, if I had a more expensive watch, that repair-cost/replacement-cost ratio changes and I would use a rolex service center (does that make any sense). I have also heard that with some of the sports models (like the dive watches that have to be soo water tight or the chronographs with their more complicated workings) using a RSC all the time is strongly recommended.

Anyway, I really recommend anyone thinking about buying a pre-owned rolex check out that forum. There are members there who do a lot of buying and selling and have excellent feedback--and they're selling to folks who know there stuff, so any fakes or anything would be immediately spotted. Get references from the seller. . .what else? I don't know. It's like a car, you can save money buying it pre-owned (have you noticed how cheaper things are "used" but expensive things are "pre-owned" ha!!) but again you're opening yourself up to some risk.

Good luck!
Melissa
 
#53
Thanks for the info! rolexforums.com won't open at the moment, but I'll keep trying. Tourneau is a good idea too, but unfortunately my local store doesn't sell any Rolexes at all as the Ben Bridge in the same mall is the so-called "authorized dealer". Boo! I checked Tourneau in Vegas but she just showed me what few pre-owned watches they had in stock -- she didn't offer to check their database or anything.

And yes... "pre-owned" versus "used"... the word games we play. :smile1: Thanks again!
 
#56
As to repair and service, I have a Gold Sub that is pretty old (not sure of age) that the dial was no longer luminous. I wanted a service and replacement of dial and hands. $1900.00 done at Rolex! They also replaced the whole damn innards, too, LOL. I lost track of everything they said needed replacing. The watch is like new. But that service plus what I paid for the watch is still less than 1/2 of what a new one costs. So I'm not unhappy with the service price tag. There is a 2-year warranty on the service, after which I'll probably take to a fabulous watch guy in town who is not an AD but knows watches inside and out and can service Rolexes well. (for 1/2 the price) I wanted it up to snuff the first time so went through AD.
 
#59
Apparently they get hacked alot--they blame it on their very active "watch out" section where they notify ebay about fakes over and over and over. . .but who knows. It's funny a lot of TRF members are camping out in the rolex sub-forum at watchuseek forum, waiting out the storm. It's a little funny. . .

I think they all expect it up pretty soon (of course they've been saying that for a couple days!)
m
 
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