Reply With QuoteHM would be the man to advise, but presumably you'd get some sort of guarantee with it that'd cover authenticity, then a trip to Rolex St James for a service quote..?
Afternoon all,
Have a dilemma regarding a potential purchase. I have seen the exactly model daydate that I have been after for some time in the window of the local H T pawnbrokers. Condition seems fine and price is actually quite good.
The problem is that it comes with no box or papers and/or service record. The watch does not look like its seen a RSC in some time if ever.
Should the lack of the box and papers and the fact it's from a pawn broker be a major no? The last thing I want is to fork out for a frankenrolex.
Many thanks for any input.
Iscb.
Sent from my STF-L09 using TZ-UK mobile app
HM would be the man to advise, but presumably you'd get some sort of guarantee with it that'd cover authenticity, then a trip to Rolex St James for a service quote..?
That would be the plan and I would get a certificate from them. It is a very tempting deal but as we all know if something is too good to be true!Sent from my STF-L09 using TZ-UK mobile appOriginally Posted by gcleminson
Not this one?
https://est1897.co.uk/rolex-day-date...ns-2001-uaj9td
"Est1897" is another of their trading styles, the two brands co-existing online and on the high street.
Notice its 118238 model code, which shows this watch was first sold with a plain, fluted gold bezel rather than diamond-set one, in the style of the 118348's.
It's only when you get to the Ts & Cs on a wholly separate page that one finds the crucial warning phrase : "Unless otherwise stated Diamond Dials/Bezels are custom made." https://est1897.co.uk/termsandconditions
Personally, I don't find it acceptable that this disclaimer is not explicitly shown right next to any such watches. Some might find it misleading that on the page where the watch is shown, one is told this:
"We take pride in the authenticity and quality of our pre-owned items. All of our items undergo a strict testing process testing for time keeping, as well as testing for water and pressure resistance to ensure that they meet our standards of quality. All of our pieces are referenced against manufacturer records and are assessed by our fully qualified horologist to ensure that they are authentic. Our items are all supplied with an authentication card to mark the items passing of these tests and all come with a 1 year warranty." [excerpts emboldened by me].
Is this consistent, or fair?
What value does their "authentication" card carry, if that disclaimer in the website Ts & Cs applies?
Their prices are typically at the Blowers / Watchfinder end of the market......quite undeservedly.
I have a number of former H&T staff working for me. Their experience of the watches sold by the company is, well, telling.
On a separate note, if this is the watch you are looking at, please be careful of channel-set bezels made by third parties, as they are worth much less than the genuine Rolex parts and commonly poorly made, with this result:
When it comes to spending a significant amount, proceed with caution or in another direction altogether. There are many specialists who will charge you no more (if not less), for better watches.
H
Last edited by Haywood_Milton; 5th October 2018 at 17:14.
Dear Milton,
Thank you for the response and I agree any such 'custom' bezel should be pointed out in a far more obvious way.
To give an update. The watch was purchased at a further discount and then taken straight to the local independent repair specialist for a quick once over which brought no imiediate red flags.
The discounted price represented enough room for a service so should there be anything untoward it should be discovered and the watch will be returned.
The watch is question was a 116138. I will attach a picture if I can work it out. It had been a long time looking for one to pop up on the local high street!
Sent from my STF-L09 using TZ-UK mobile app
116138 isn't a Day-Date, it's a Datejust.
Similar attention to detail might have seen you use my forename.
"Local independent repair specialist" . . . hmmm, if they had the knowledge to spot the better fakes / parts etc, would they not be a watch dealer?
You're taking a lot of risks here with a significant sum. Anyway, you chose to buy it before responses could follow so it's a different position now from when you first posted. May we see pics of the watch? How was it described in-store and on the receipt? Would you like to pm me the case number so I can carry out some independent checks?
H
Last edited by Haywood_Milton; 5th October 2018 at 17:20.
Oooer this looks worrying for the OP, getting a Daydate mixed up with a Datejust. But if its the watch he yearns for and is happy with the price, then so be it.
Patience is a virtue! 😲
Absolutely moronic to buy it without waiting for responses. No way you should have gone ahead following Haywood's post.
If the watch is the one from the link Haywood posted then the dial is not real either.
So fake bezel and dial means it can never go to Rolex for a service.
What is their returns policy OP?
My old thread with my debacle on my Mrs’s Rolex with diamond dot dial and bezel springs to mind!!!
The OP is a newbie and so was I
I never asked and I should have.
Never again would I ignore the advice on here.
I sort of got lucky, but still a Frankenstein
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Yep Frankenstein watches and you have to ask why did it get converted? They never do this to decent watches, it's always the tired ones, water damaged dials etc etc that get converted.My old thread with my debacle on my Mrs’s Rolex with diamond dot dial and bezel springs to mind!!!
The OP is a newbie and so was I
I never asked and I should have.
Never again would I ignore the advice on here.
I sort of got lucky, but still a Frankenstein
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Oh god this is going to be an interesting thread.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Hope this works out for the OP. In the last couple of years, I've quickly come to see that HM's views are worth the heeding!
Moring All,
I need to hold my hands up to an egregious error in typing my first post! The watch is indeed a Datejust and not a Daydate. It was sold as such and the error came from my head being awash with references and models after doing some digging on the watch. I apologise for the mistake and much appreciate the concern and input!
116138 is both the model reference on the receipt and the watch.
I have tried to attach some photos to show the watch.
Time to triple check my posts before clicking submit!
Iscb
That's better, looks all original externally.
Have you had it pressure tested? That's the new type of glass seal and most independents can't fit new glass seals to them.
Also whats the clasp like as they often get battered on these.
Most of the watches stocked by this company be it bricks and mortar or online are without box or paperwork.
Me personally I wouldn't by anything from H & T Pawnbrokers.
Just as an alternative viewpoint, I purchased a 16600 Sea Dweller from H&T under similar circumstances with box but no papers. The watch had some marks and dinks to it but it was unpolished and original.
I purchased some relevant aged books for the watch to almost complete the set (no guarantee of course) and made a health profit.
The watch really was good and I much prefer to buy a slightly worn but original watch than some over-polished example, they were easy to deal with and I even chipped them down about £500 IIRC.
Interestingly I actually found the details of the watch when it was sold (to them presumably) at auction-it had papers with it then so no idea as to what happened to them.
None of their stock seems to have papers or the box.
Maybe its company policy to sell them separately or something?
Did you know them down in price in a sale?
or just normal pricing period.
They regularly have a sale in the bolton store which I then have a look at.
Just to add my experience as I’ve also bought a couple of watches from there albeit 2/3 years ago. Both were sent to be serviced by Rolex after I bought them with no issues found other than a chipped crystal which I was aware of when I bought it. Both had the original box and papers, spare links and one the original Amex receipts.
The lady in the Newcastle branch was very helpful and both were discounted enough to cover the subsequent Rolex service which I chose to do.
Although now their pricing does seem to be higher and I haven’t seen anything in the local stores window which I want.
Thankyou for your private message, OP.
I have checked the case number you provided against the ALR's Watch Register, without any bad news arising. That is not conclusive, but a good start.
The seller is not known for great pre-sale service attention on its watches, so monitor the time-keeping in these early weeks in the hope that any problem may be addressed quickly. I hope that you are lucky and may enjoy the watch you wanted without any concern.
How much did they ask for one of these?
H
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