Just bought a 2009 Milgauss – Is It Too Good to Be True? Service Advice Needed!

[watchnewbie]

Certainly! Here’s the revised version with your addition:

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, and I'd really appreciate any advice you can offer.

I just purchased my first Rolex—a 2009 Milgauss 116400GV—from a reputable dealer with excellent reviews across Google and various forums. The salesperson was very helpful and mentioned that the watch is in mint condition, with no signs of wear and still has the original stickers on it. It also comes with all the original box and papers.

According to the dealer, the watch has had two previous owners, both of whom apparently never wore it. Is this unusual? I’ve attached pictures of the watch for reference - if you look closely you can see the stickers.

They also opened it up, checked the movement, and tested it. It’s gaining just 1 second per day and is running fine, so they said there's no need for a service.

Given that the watch hasn’t been worn much, do you think I should get it serviced by Rolex? I’ve heard that if a watch is unused for a long period, the lubricant can dry out, which might cause wear once the movement starts running again. Is that something I should be concerned about?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

PS: A small part of me wonders if this is too good to be true. I have a 14-day full refund period, and the watch should arrive in a couple of days.

PSS They do have several other milgauss's on their website, some newer (2014, 2020 etc) and they are a mixture of good and very good condition, but only the 2009 was mint!

[worldofoyster]

Who’s the seller?

[Andad]

Hi, my GV is 2008, never serviced or polished, worn now and then, runs just as new.

[so nice]

So nice

[daysky1]

That is the first Rolex I ever purchased I paid $200 over retail on the gray Market and at the time it was fully stickered. I purchased mine Early 2019. I wear it once a month or so plus I sense have added the blue dial but the black dial with the orange lightning bolt second hand and the orange hour markers just is a contrast that I find awesome. To find one that is fully stickered well that makes it all the better congratulations

[Obi Wan]

If it is working fine, there is no need for service.

[harvey]

…I echo the above post. Wear it for a few weeks/months and see how it runs.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by Obi Wan

If it is working fine, there is no need for service.

Originally Posted by harvey

…I echo the above post. Wear it for a few weeks/months and see how it runs.

This.

[Marcjvr]

Congrats, that Milly looks amazing

[joli160]

Huge congrats, enjoy wearing it and stop worrying.
Forget about servicing an unworn as good as new watch.
Modern oils don’t dry out. It’s not an engine with thermal stress.

[brandrea]

Congratulations and enjoy it

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Portofino2023]

Out of my 17 Rolex watches It is the single most frequently worn watch.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by Portofino2023

Out of my 17 Rolex watches It is the single most frequently worn watch.

I was at the presidents cup and must have seen around 30 rolexes. 80% of them were Subs, the rest DJs and GMTs

But one of them was a Milgaus and it was my favorite watch spotted all day

[watchwatcher]

Without knowing what you paid for it, we have no way of knowing if it's "too good to be true"- if you're talking about value. If you're talking about the watch still having stickers from 2009, that's a different conversation. Usually, if it's completely stickered and unworn, it will be referred to as new old stock, (NOS)- which carries a sometimes insane premium.

I gather from your post, however, it's not actually NOS, but still a well preserved example. Is it unusual from the standpoint of having two owners? Yes, but, not unheard of, so, again, the only real gauge of if it's too good to be true is the asking price.

As far as service, I will echo what most everybody has said. Although you may find their claim of running 1 sec fast/day to be different based on your wearing habits. Not to panic, the thing you're looking for is consistency. Keep an eye on that for the first few days and you should be fine. Congrats, it's a beautiful watch,

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by watchnewbie

A small part of me wonders if this is too good to be true. I have a 14-day full refund period, and the watch should arrive in a couple of days.

If there is a doubt there is no doubt. If you're not 100% certain, return it.

[Bxtek]

Congratulations! Milgauss is a beautiful piece. What a nice one for your first Rolex! It is a rarer find, but not super uncommon to find watches like this that were never worn, or hardly worn. I am thinking that is what you're referring to when you mentioned "Is it too good to be true?" My advice is just to take those stickers off and start enjoying it!

As far as service, they checked it and it's good. I would just wear it and not worry. If it starts giving you a problem, deal with it at that time. I suspect it will be just fine though.

Welcome to TRF!

[Mr. K]

Enjoy. Gret watch

[ian.thomas]

Congrats!

I love this watch/dial/glass combo. If it's running good, don't service until it needs it.

[ROLEX MAN]

I bought a 2009 fully stickered safe queen in 2019, took the stickers off and wear it.

Functions and runs within spec, no service!

[watchnewbie]

Thanks everyone for your comments. The watch arrives tomorrow and I'm really excited!

The too good to be true part was me wondering how a 2009 watch can have passed by two owners and still be in mint condition and with all the original stickers. Your comments have helped me understand why!

I feel more relaxed about the service now too. I was worried that say the oils had dried out, and I would be wearing it for the next 3-4 years, and within the depths of the watch, parts were wearing out that might cost me a fortune to replace down the road.

It sounds like everyone is saying the watch will let me know before a big problem occurs.

Thanks again!

[Oxfordian]

Duplicate post

[Oxfordian]

Stickers can be added by the seller, the watch can be polished before it gets to you, that the watch is mint is their description only.

The question that you should be asking is how is a 2009 watch that has had two previous owners still be 'Mint'.

You can take a brand new watch from your Rolex AD out of its box put it on your wrist and wear it and within minutes it is marked, a hairline scratch appears yet you've touched nothing or at least you think you haven't.

Watches scratch easily, it is all about being used, so how is your 2009 watch mint? Unless it hasn't been worn by anyone, ever. I would find that surprising.

But as long as you're are happy OP, that is all that matters. Enjoy your watch and wear in good health.

[jo76]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Stickers can be added by the seller, the watch can be polished before it gets to you, that the watch is mint is their description only.

The question that you should be asking is how is a 2009 watch that has had two previous owners still be 'Mint'.

You can take a brand new watch from your Rolex AD out of its box put it on your wrist and wear it and within minutes it is marked, a hairline scratch appears yet you've touched nothing or at least you think you haven't.

Watches scratch easily, it is all about being used, so how is your 2009 watch mint? Unless it hasn't been worn by anyone, ever. I would find that surprising.

But as long as you're are happy OP, that is all that matters. Enjoy your watch and wear in good health.

I have to agree
Sound strange honestly a watch from 2009, never used and in mint condition...too good to be true...
But after all, if you are happy with It just enjoy your new rollie and wear it...it's really a nice watch!

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Stickers can be added by the seller, the watch can be polished before it gets to you, that the watch is mint is their description only.

The question that you should be asking is how is a 2009 watch that has had two previous owners still be 'Mint'.

You can take a brand new watch from your Rolex AD out of its box put it on your wrist and wear it and within minutes it is marked, a hairline scratch appears yet you've touched nothing or at least you think you haven't.

Watches scratch easily, it is all about being used, so how is your 2009 watch mint? Unless it hasn't been worn by anyone, ever. I would find that surprising.

But as long as you're are happy OP, that is all that matters. Enjoy your watch and wear in good health.

I can totally believe a Rolex watch has changed hands twice and still have some stickers on it. Sticker removal wasn’t “automatic “ just a few short years ago and there have always been “collectors” aka hoarders who buy every latest model with zero intention of wearing it. And then eventually pass it on to someone like minded.
I see the huge collections people on this forum sometimes have and there’s no way they all get much wrist time. I’m up to five which is probably too many but at least I am wearing them all in rotation.

[S’portEye]

I hear ya. I just got a patek 5226g and literally put a scratch on it the first day of wear.

[GONZO2LR]

Pictures are just that, pictures! Put it on your wrist and wear it 24/7. Set the time on a watch website. Check it everyday....you say you trust the dealer, if you question it..then send it back...it's not worth the mindset....you either trust the seller or you dont!!!!

[ROLEX MAN]

Please don’t forget this particular Milgauss GV.

Was brought out with a green glass in late 2007 as a 50th year celebration edition of the Milgauss.

This new glass was the bee’s knee’s to produce!

A lot of people bought them over RRP.

In the hope they would be rare!

As time went by we learnt different!

Eventually they could be bought under RRP as safe queens.

And I did, took stickers off to enjoy.

[watchnewbie]

Thanks again for the advice everyone. The watch has now arrived.

One 'slight issue' is when I put it on my wrist I'm not 100% sure it's right for me.

I expected it to 'pop' and me to feel that feeling, but I'm not really.

There is a high chance I will have to send this back :(

It could be that it's quite different from what I usually wear - Tudor BB54 and my Grand Seiko Shubun and Junghuns Max Bill.

I remember I um'd and argh'd about the Junghens and Tudor and now I love them. When i first saw and put my Grand Seiko on in the store I was amazed.

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by watchnewbie

Thanks again for the advice everyone. The watch has now arrived.

One 'slight issue' is when I put it on my wrist I'm not 100% sure it's right for me.

I expected it to 'pop' and me to feel that feeling, but I'm not really.

There is a high chance I will have to send this back :(

It could be that it's quite different from what I usually wear - Tudor BB54 and my Grand Seiko Shubun and Junghuns Max Bill.

I remember I um'd and argh'd about the Junghens and Tudor and now I love them. When i first saw and put my Grand Seiko on in the store I was amazed.

It's because you didnt choose the Z-blue dial reference. THAT milgauss would've had your jaw hitting the floor, such a beauty. If you DO send it back and you still want a Milly, get the Z-blue version. I promise you wont regret it