Why buy a NEW Rolex? Why not just buy used?

[CardCollection]

I don't understand the reasoning behind purchasing a new watch.

[AK797]

Sloppy seconds are not for everyone.

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by AK797

Sloppy seconds are not for everyone.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by AK797

Sloppy seconds are not for everyone.

Yes, however pristine used can definitely save some real money. Sloppy anything has some pretty negative connotations. If vintage is what one wants then buying new implies luck and a long wait.

[mkw]

in my case, I have never and will never flip a watch ..they are all keepers, so I want to be the one and only owner

[bmwsubmariner]

Because of the ad experience.

[lig]

My last two purchases were new. I bought them because I have an excellent relationship with my AD and the prices were just about what I would pay from a Trusted Seller here on TRF. No brainer, IMO.

[Urosfan]

Originally Posted by lig

my last two purchases were new. I bought them because i have an excellent relationship with my ad and the prices were just about what i would pay from a trusted seller here on trf. No brainer, imo.

x2

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by lig

my last two purchases were new. I bought them because i have an excellent relationship with my ad and the prices were just about what i would pay from a trusted seller here on trf. No brainer, imo.

x3

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by lig

My last two purchases were new. I bought them because I have an excellent relationship with my AD and the prices were just about what I would pay from a Trusted Seller here on TRF. No brainer, IMO.

[kamek]

Personal preference.

[Furbo]

You probably buy something else only new.. car.. computer.. phone.. ask yourself why do you do that.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by CardCollection

I don't understand the reasoning behind purchasing a new watch.

Am I to understand you never bought a new car, TV, bed, clothes and on and on.......?

[The Libertine]

Because some may like to be the first person to try the watch on, remove the plastics, etc. I purchased my Explorer and Submariner new, and had a great AD experience. I was able to purchase at a slight discount since I was a repeat customer and received complimentary valuations for insurance purposes.

When I got my GMT Coke, however, this model was no longer sold new, so I had to go the used route but worked with DavidSW (TRF trusted seller) to find one in excellent condition.

Ultimately, I had great experiences going the new and used route, and am glad I got the opportunity to experience both.

[lodewijk]

Because I wanna make that new watch "vintage" myself.

[btinl]

I bought all of my Rolex watches new from an AD. I have a good, long-term relationship which enables me to get prices that are better than those offered by the trusted sellers here.

[asmfa5]

Originally Posted by btinl

i bought all of my rolex watches new from an ad. I have a good, long-term relationship which enables me to get prices that are better than those offered by the trusted sellers here.

+1

[ejvette]

When I buy anything I like it to be in "like new" condition and I often find the price difference between a mint used and new item not to be Great enough for me to want to buy used

[chris975d]

Originally Posted by btinl

I bought all of my Rolex watches new from an AD. I have a good, long-term relationship which enables me to get prices that are better than those offered by the trusted sellers here.

This. Unless I'm looking for something out of production, or non-Rolex, my relationship with my AD allows me to buy new at prices the trusted sellers here can't really come close to.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by CardCollection

I don't understand the reasoning behind purchasing a new watch.

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

Then why are Japan and Hong Kong such huge used Rolex markets? I'd estimate Hong Kong to be certainly the largest per capita in the world.

[vman]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Then why are Japan and Hong Kong such huge used Rolex markets? I'd estimate Hong Kong to be certainly the largest per capita in the world.

I suspect those markets rely on tourists. I visited quite a few shops in Tokyo that sold used watches and most customers who were there happened to be from out of the country. According to my Japanese friend and a fellow WIS, many people in Japan prefer new items. Basically, if you can afford it you get things brand new. I am not sure why there is an allergy to buying second-hand, but to each his own.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by vman

I suspect those markets rely on tourists. I visited quite a few shops in Tokyo that sold used watches and most customers who were there happened to be from out of the country. According to my Japanese friend and a fellow WIS, many people in Japan prefer new items. Basically, if you can afford it you get things brand new. I am not sure why there is an allergy to buying second-hand, but to each his own.

Not everyone in Japan can afford to buy new, though, and the used market there is thriving. I have been to Japan more than 20 times and see plenty of Japanese shopping for used watches. And in HK, where I live, I don't think I have ever seen a tourist in a used Rolex dealer (and I spend a lot of time in them), they are always full of locals, with the occasional expat.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Not everyone in Japan can afford to buy new, though, and the used market there is thriving. I have been to Japan more than 20 times and see plenty of Japanese shopping for used watches. And in HK, where I live, I don't think I have ever seen a tourist in a used Rolex dealer (and I spend a lot of time in them), they are always full of locals, with the occasional expat.

Yep, for the most part...USUALLY you don't see tourists in the used Rolex dealers in Hong Kong, but actually the last time I was at the lovely shop right beside the TST post office there were three Japanese fellas trying on pieces.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Then why are Japan and Hong Kong such huge used Rolex markets? I'd estimate Hong Kong to be certainly the largest per capita in the world.

Originally Posted by vman

I suspect those markets rely on tourists. I visited quite a few shops in Tokyo that sold used watches and most customers who were there happened to be from out of the country. According to my Japanese friend and a fellow WIS, many people in Japan prefer new items. Basically, if you can afford it you get things brand new. I am not sure why there is an allergy to buying second-hand, but to each his own.

Yeah, that is quite true. You buy Rolex only when you can afford one. Asia is quite conservative, they would never buy something from pawn shops or someone selling their watch deeming they are in trouble. They don't want their troubles carry onto them!

Not my thoughts but thats how the thought process is over that side. Similarly there is no market for cars in Japan, all used cars are exported outside Japan.

Also, I understand buying heavily used watches for 2nd, 3rd Rolex but not your 1st watch which basically means, you really can't afford to own the watch yet and better wait for some more time.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Yeah, that is quite true. You buy Rolex only when you can afford one. Asia is quite conservative, they would never buy something from pawn shops or someone selling their watch deeming they are in trouble. They don't want their troubles carry onto them!

Not my thoughts but thats how the thought process is over that side. Similarly there is no market for cars in Japan, all used cars are exported outside Japan.

Also, I understand buying heavily used watches for 2nd, 3rd Rolex but not your 1st watch which basically means, you really can't afford to own the watch yet and better wait for some more time.

Then why are Asian cities full of pawn shops?

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Then why are Asian cities full of pawn shops?

Not everyone sells their stuff in pawn stores, they pawn it and then get it back later. Ideally am talking about conservative nature of asians in using used stuff and you are trying to differ on that. Well if you don't want to believe that majority Asians are that conservative in this matter, you are free to believe.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

Really? I live in Asia and the second hand market is through the roof on watches!!! Buying, Selling and flipping is what happens daily here.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

Obviously you haven't explored the 2nd hand & vintage watch scene in Asia...Particularly in Japan and Hong Kong.

[jjm1970]

I've only purchased new because I consider all of mine heirlooms of the future. When they are passed on I want the stories that go with them to be only mine - then passed to a child, relative or close friend. Then they will look at it and know that it was something that meant a lot to me. It was something that I had to save and plan for before purchasing on a soldier's salary. Some of them have jumped out of airplanes on my wrist, or been to exotic locations, meet interesting people.

For the same reason, I don't flip watches. I carefully considered each before I purchased it with every intention of never selling it, only giving it away one day. Sometimes I go months and months without wearing one, especially when I get a new one. But I still have a lot of affection for the earlier ones, and the stories that go with them. And then some days the old ones spark some memory I have of them, and I want to wear them more. Like the GMT II, my first Rolex. I have worn it while stocking shelves at Costco, where I worked while I was in college. It has been on wrist during airborne operations, in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and South America. It doesn't get a lot of wrist time now, but it will always be in my collection. And one day it will be daughter's or brother's or nephew's. I know they'll appreciate that I purchased it new and will cherish that it has only been in our family.