Purchasing Pre-owned Watches

[Primus]

Hi Fellow Members,

I thought maybe some of you can help me out with pre-owned watches and i've never purchased them before.

Just a couple of questions and maybe this can help out new pre-owned watch purchasers also. I'm directing this question to a Pre-owned Rolex but i guess it can be for any other brands

1) Do you normally ask for the seller to go with you to the Rolex Service Center for authentication check? Do the RSC center in Menara Dion do Authentication services?

2) Are you concerned about the watch not being serviced over the years? And following up on this, when you buy a pre-owned watch, do you instantly send your watch for servicing after buying your pre-owned watch?

3) What is your acceptable threshold for the age of the watch before you get put off. E.g. Would you buy a 10 year Daytona? How bout a 5 year old Daytona? As this is under the Modern Watches general discussion, vintage watches are not part of the discussion.

finally my personal question: Would you pay 75% of the new retail price (after discounted) of the same watch for a 7 year old daytona? (white gold daytona) meaning a 25% depreciation value.

would appreciate if pre-owned watch purchasers can share some of their experience.

Thanks guys

[dpkong]

1. Have not done either before. You have to trust the seller first. I buy pre-owned from shops or people I trust. I don't think the RSC does authentication but what you could do is ask for an inspection and service quote. Another poster here has informed us that a RM250 charge is due if the watch is not serviced after the inspection quote. The plus point is that you know the actual watch condition and how much you need to factor in for service and any necessary parts replacement and use that to negotiate price.

2. The watches I buy pre-owned are relatively new (2-4 years) so service isn't an issue. The shop I buy from has a in-house watchmaker who can service Rolex. I'm told they're usually checked and light service performed before being sold. If you plan to send it for service instantly, see note 1 above.

3. Age of watch before I pass on it depends on model actually. I would of course prefer a 5 year old over a 10 year old but the Zenith equipped models should all be 10 years old or more now. There are also improvements in bracelet and clasp in the last 10 years so it all depends which you prefer. Then of course a 10 year old Daytona should be cheaper than a 5 year old even of the same 4130 movement.

4. I think 75% of current retail price is too much to pay for a 7 year old watch. Consider that the selling price 7 years ago was a lot lower and you can usually get better than the standard discount for all-gold Rolex models. From my frequent hunting on the For Sale sections of forums, I find the asking prices for a relatively new, pre-owned all gold Daytona in excellent to near-mint condition hovers around 50% of current MSRP and they're not "flying-off-the-shelf".

[sm]

Hi, I agree w kong on getting preowned watches from reliable sources. Most of the time, the AD is from abroad and I doubt the dealers know the history.

Likely it has been traded umpteen times before it eventually get landed at our shores. Even from reliable sources, I stl put a caveat insofar as their sales pitch is concerned.

Get ref from seniors on the dealer. "If its too good to be true, it probably is"

Sm

[tonykpk]

For a complication daytona of 10 yrs ., it must come with a service paper from the rsc.That should answer your Q 3 . regards tony..

[SeaDwellerR]

Buy the "Seller"

look for a trustworthy seller and you will be fine!

 

[rnsm1979]

buying pre-own piece always need to have the trust between seller and buyer,
as usual if you suspect something fishy u can always backtrack, always look for seller that has plenty of record and read through comment about them

by the way, buying pre-own piece can help the watch "market", just my opinion

[shamtv2555]

pre owner..erhmm... i brought few my pam, rolex..hahah...

1. buy from trusted seller
2. aso trusted seller.
3. trusted seller will let u know about the watch.