First time rolex submariner

[Steve Downunder]

Hi,
I am from Australia and new to the Forum and have joined before buying my first Rolex watch, which will be the entry level Rolex Submariner 11610, I thought this Forum would be a good place to start before actually buying, as I know very little about Rolexes.

I intend to buy a new watch to ensure authenticity, this due to the high number of Submariner replicas out there. I also like the relatively new Submariner 11610 design. I have found a person in Australia selling Rolexes on Ebay and although I realise purchasing from a non AD is a risky business, this person is selling a 2015 Rolex Submariner 11610LN, he offers a full refund and says:
GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC, ALL PAPERWORK ACCOMPANIES THE WATCH, but if you're still skeptical, then take it to any reputable jeweler in your area. If any questions arise, upon you returning the watch, I will issue a 100% refund PLUS cost of the services rendered by the jeweler or meet with me at local reputable dealer for an authentication.
The watch has all the original paperwork, warranty card and inner / outer boxes.

I have done research and I am fairly confident I can recognise if a Submariner is original, even compared to the so called "A" grade Swiss replicas, but I am still nervous about shelling out Aud$10,000 for a watch that may not be genuine. Therefore I thought I would ask those with far more experience than I have, if it is worth while buying on Ebay or should I play safe, pay more and buy from an AD. I realise that there will be no 'bargains" if the Submariner is genuine, as Rolex watches have a global price.

The only way I can see anyone able to offer a new Rolex cheaper than a AD here in Australia is if the watch was originally purchased in a Country that does not have sales tax on watches, which is high here in Australia. Am I on the right track? is there anything else I should know before purchasing a new Submariner?

Regards
Steve

[Johny]

entry level

[Steve Downunder]

Entry level as in price, the Submariner 11610LN being one of the less expensive Rolex watches.

[Johny]

a rolex is a rolex.

[Steve Downunder]

I appreciate that, thanks for the help.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Steve Downunder

I appreciate that, thanks for the help.

116610. 16610.

[harshad4005]

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum. I would say 10k is not that cheap as the new one at AD in Melbourne was 10.8k, 6 months wait list though.


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[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Harshard, the best price I have been able to obtain from a non AD is $10,130, so it looks like it may be worth a visit to the AD's here in Melbourne and see what type of deal I can get. I understand there is not much if any negotiating possible with them and there are only four, Grima, Hourglass, Watches of Switzerland and LK Boutique.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

G day Steve
I was looking for a new Submariner when i was up in Sydney but the AD all 3 said it would be a 12 month wait ! I found a 2009 steel Subdate 16610 from a private seller and it it mint with box and papers. Next time i was in sydney i found a brand new Hulk for 11 k from
http://www.glickswatches.com/#!collections/c1i41 He was really good to deal with and no wait.
Here are my two Submariners
Cheers
Troy

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Sorry here they are !
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=427548

[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Troy, nice watches not sure what the wait is in Melbourne for Submariners, will go and check this weekend.

[wrightbrain]

Look around the Classified forum here for sellers in AUS.

We see a lot of fakes on eBay in the Watch Out forum that are in Australia for some reason.

[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Wrightbrain, will do.

[Sublover2166]

Wow. It is unbelievable from myself being in the US hearing all of the wait times for certain Rolex models in Oz. I have heard one year waiting list for a Hulk, there is a wait for a regular Black dial Sub also? Simply cannot understand this. I know certain trusted sellers here on the forum have indeed sold and shipped Rolex to customers in Oz. Something to look in to, as most sellers here at least the big ones can source any watch in a matter of hours of a few days.

[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Sublover2166 and all that have replied to my post, your assistance is gratefully appreciated. It's apparent that I can buy a Submariner 11610 from trusted sources who are not AD's and I may be able to find such within this forum. All good news in particular if I want to avoid the long waiting list for a Submariner 11610 here in Australia.
Regards
Steve

[AK797]

Steve, you don't even know the correct ref number so I would be very cautious about buying from anywhere but an AD, if I were you.

[Steve Downunder]

Originally Posted by AK797

Steve, you don't even know the correct ref number so I would be very cautious about buying from anywhere but an AD, if I were you.

Isn't the correct reference number for a SS Submariner with the black bezel 11610LN ?

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by steve downunder

isn't the correct reference number for a ss submariner with the black bezel 11610ln ?

116610ln

[Nadim]

I would go to an AD
Good luck

[madmax21]

Congrats... no problem buying from a reseller just make sure you buy from a trusted seller and if your worried have it authenticated at Rolex. If your in Canada let me know I can help you get a great deal...

[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Sublover2166, it is the 116610LN I am after, I note that in these forums and elsewhere it is sometimes referred to as 11610LN, I suspect as in my case more of a typo than anything else.
I am off to see the four Melbourne Rolex AD's tomorrow, it will be interesting to see the prices, discounts and waiting times I am quoted and if they try to sell me a 11610LN 8-)
Regards
Steve

[george023]

I went into the LK boutique in Sydney last week and they told me the wait on a Sub no date was 4-5 months and Sub date was a year! They said they are given one a month which goes to clearing backlog.

Told me that I would find the same at the three nearby ADs so didn't even bother. Might get on a plane to HK, Japan or Singapore. Have a holiday and get a Sub straight away.

[joli160]

Forget buying on Ebay would be my advice, Trying to save a few hundred on a 10K watch does not make a lot of sense. Just buy from your AD and have your patience tested

There is no entry level Rolex

[Timsen]

Originally Posted by joli160

Forget buying on Ebay would be my advice, Trying to save a few hundred on a 10K watch does not make a lot of sense. Just buy from your AD and have your patience tested

There is no entry level Rolex

I 2nd that as my uncle has a YG DD but he still wear his old Air king with roman numerals from time to time, each Rolex has their character which can be worn better for different unique occasions.

[Steve Downunder]

Originally Posted by george023

I went into the LK boutique in Sydney last week and they told me the wait on a Sub no date was 4-5 months and Sub date was a year! They said they are given one a month which goes to clearing backlog.

Told me that I would find the same at the three nearby ADs so didn't even bother. Might get on a plane to HK, Japan or Singapore. Have a holiday and get a Sub straight away.

Thanks, I travel regularly and could have recently bought a Submariner in Asia, it's actually no cheaper as you have to declare the watch to Australian Customs and pay the duty and GST when re entering Australia. I don't fancy the idea of not declaring the watch and then having it confiscated by Australian Customs who are to their credit pretty keen, I think honesty is the best policy.
The main advantage of an OS purchase is they have them in stock, so if I can't buy one from an Australian AD this may be an option, I will need to crunch the numbers and work out the price of an OS compared with a local purchase. Or alternatively consider purchasing a new or near new watch from a reputable non AD.

I appreciate all the help I am receiving from members of this forum.

Regards
Steve

[Psmith]

Welcome Steve

Crazy wait times back in Aus - good luck with the hunt.

[watchwatcher]

What exactly is the cost savings from the ebay seller?

[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Psmith, yes they appear to be crazy waiting times in Australia, hat concerns me with a one year wait is exchange rate variations, economically we live in a volatile world, it'd hard to be predict what currencies may be worth in a years time, so the notion of local or an overseas purchase is a real conundrum and could make a significant financial difference.

Watchwatcher, I am not sure of the cost savings from an Ebay seller, will only be able to determine this after visiting the 4 Melbourne AD's. Right now it appears the saving would be around $800 and the long Melbourne waiting time avoided.

Regards
Steve

[RichM]

Hello and welcome Steve. I'm new here myself. I too, find it hard to understand waiting lists but it is what it is. I would buy from an AD anytime if the saving on EBay was $800. Having piece of mind with a warranty is worth the $800

Why not give this a try, go to your AD and tell them that you are ready to buy a Sub on line from EBay and you would like to bring it in to have them authenticate the watch. I wouldn't be surprised if all of a sudden the AD finds one for you.

Just check out all the fakes in the "Watch Out" section. I wouldn't chance it.

Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

[Steve Downunder]

Thanks Rich, might give that a try and will definitely look in the "Watch Out" section which I wasn't aware of.
Regards
Steve