Buying Used Explorer Tomorrow - What to Look Out For?

[red.earth]

I've weakened and will be viewing a Z serial 114270 with engraved rehaut tomorrow, available from a private seller, but I'd welcome some TRF advice on what I should look out for.

He's allegedly the 2nd owner, although has the original purchase receipt from 2008 - shown in the photo's I've seen. The watch appears to be immaculate, apart from some minor scratches on the bracelet. The seller doesn't know whether it has ever been serviced - I'm assuming not, but that's no problem as I know a friendly Rolex approved watchmaker. He doesn't know whether it's been polished, either.

His description of the watch is this:

"Rolex Explorer 114270 - 36mm. Bought new in March 2008 from local authorised dealer.

Watch has had light usage - and has never been used as a daily work watch. Condition is excellent, with wear limited to a very few light (and hard to notice) scratches on the bracelet. The bezel, lens and watch-case are immaculate & unmarked. There is definitely no bracelet-stretch.

The watch comes as a complete package with: box and outer box, chronometer tag, brochures and manuals, spare link and pin, Rolex warranty card etc. And the original supplier's invoice. "

I plan to wear my 16570 so I can compare the bracelets - they should look and feel identical, I figure. But any other advice you can offer would be very much appreciated. Thanks. Adam

[Old Expat Beast]

Pics would be most useful. And what's the asking price?

[red.earth]

Poor quality photo's but that's all I've got to by. The watch is a 65 mile drive away so it wouldn't be the end of the world if I turned it down. As for price, could I just say for now that it's below £3k. Thanks in anticipation...

[MonBK]

Looks like you're good to go.

Can't go wrong with a complete package.

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks ok from those pics. Has it got the papers? Closer to 2.5k would be better. I know UK prices are high.

[joli160]

If the watch is indeed as described than you have a very nice full set in which case I would not be bothered too much if the price is on the higher side. Good luck

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

This watch is new enough that the transaction shouldn't be too tricky... plus you already have the 16570 so you're no stranger to correct look and feel of SS sport watches.

[mjclark32]

Looks good to me

[maxbaris]

I think the price is extremely high but the watch seems in great condition. However, if it hasn't been serviced yet, the service time is imminent (assuming that it hasn't been worn every day, the oil may dry up soon; so add another £300-400 on top!) You can get a 39mm Explorer 1 for that kind of money from DavidSW. Just an FYI.

[red.earth]

Thanks for your thoughts. Very much appreciated!

All the 36mm Explorers I've seen available in the UK, many of which are much older ot seem in worse condition, are all consistently £3,500 - £3,750.

DavidSW has one similar to the one I'm looking at available on TRF which, after the exchange rate and excluding shipping to the UK, would still cost £2,750 - and that's not factoring in the potential of 20% VAT import duty on top. In the circumstances, it seems to me that the one I've found seems to be a good find, as long as it really is in the condition it appears to be. It comes with a full set of "papers", including the original purchase receipt from a UK jeweller back in 2008, and a friend of mine will service it so that cost will be much reduced.

All in all, I think it's looking good. Perhaps an incoming thread tomorrow...

[AK797]

Below £3K is very decent, nothing on chrono24 for that price.

[red.earth]

That's what I thought, Neil. My only reservation is that of all the questions I've asked the seller, he has failed 3 times now to tell me whether the movement has been modified and whether the watch has ever been polished. My gut feel is that he doesn't really appreciate what I'm talking about and doesn't want to appear ignorant, but the fact that he has skated over those questions repeatedly is making me somewhat anxious. Hmm...

[Old Expat Beast]

What do you mean has the movement been modified? Not sure I get that one either.

[red.earth]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

What do you mean has the movement been modified? Not sure I get that one either.

That's a fair point, Adam. I must have read once that it's not that uncommon for 2nd hand Rolex watches to contain non-Rolex parts... but evidently I've not posed a very clear question. I did ask whether the watch is all original too, but as I say I've had no reply. I think it was just carelessness on the seller's behalf... but it may not have been.

He's probably an entirely genuine seller and I'm just projecting my fears unfairly, but it's difficult to know.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by red.earth

. . .

He's probably an entirely genuine seller and I'm just projecting my fears unfairly, but it's difficult to know.

I don't see anything wrong with the watch from those pictures.. Sometimes a seller will just get fed up with a buyer being too-much-trouble if they are asking questions that are impossible to answer..

[ssultan]

Just ask David to source you a piece at your price point...worry free acquisition!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by ssultan

Just ask David to source you a piece at your price point...worry free acquisition!

But not tax free. He's in the UK.

[MonBK]

x2, just go get it.

[Danex]

Buy the seller first.
This is fundamental.

[red.earth]

Thanks again for your advice. As for buying the seller, he's got 960 lots of feedback on eBay, 100% of which is positive... So that's encouraging.

[AK797]

If you are buying on ebay you have a lot of protection should the mvmnt turn out to be modded which I think is pretty unlikely on this model.

[Dvenus11]

the watch looks good

[red.earth]

Only snag, Neil, is that I've made him an offer outside of eBay so no comeback via that route. Sounds slightly alarming... but the watch looks good, all things considered.

All advice very welcome, though. Thanks a lot.

[Racerdj]

Good luck and advance congratulations!

[red.earth]

That's very kind, David, thanks. With a bit of luck, it will seem fine and I go ahead and buy it. I won't be able to entirely relax, though, until a watchmaker friend had whipped the back off and checked it's all in order. I hope he's free tomorrow afternoon...

[red.earth]

It has occurred to me that the seller has given me his home address, which is where I'll be viewing the watch, and he wouldn't have done that if there was any deception planned. Should be fine :)

[rusty427]

Certainly looks like a nice watch, good luck.

[Blingtone]

Using PayPal you may still have buyer protection outside eBay.
Great watch by the way same year as mine (pics elsewhere on here on Ostrich RIOS strap) and yes my Polar 16570 has the same bracelet.
In my opinion they're both the last of the 'proper' Explorers.
Wear them well :)

[Silvio Mosiello]

Looks spot on. You can always ask for some clearer photos from the seller. Most people have phones with pretty good cameras on them now. It shouldnt be hard for the seller to send some clearer pics.


Sent from my Motorola Razor

[sea-dweller]

If the seller is reputable, I'd get it.