Chrono24

[Radim]

Dear members,

I have found a watch on Chrono24 and would like to see if anyone ever mad e a purchase there? Is it safe? What do you need tjj on now/ask before commit to buy? Can the watch be fake or this is covered by Chrono24? I am in Au and the seller is from USA.

How about customs? Will they hit me with additional cost on arrival?

Rolex Submariner 124060. Comes with papers, box 2022 year asking AUD 17 000

Thank you very much.

[4rnold]

I have, but I would be carefull with buying from another continent. Since you will pay a LOT for customs and import fees. Besides that, chrono24 is a snake pit.

Be very carefull

Unless you buy something 'unique', buy in you own country

[Trailboss516]

I would avoid, I just think it opens up so much of a hassle and headache. I can make a long list of things I question that C24 does, including labeling someone as a "private client advisor" who self-identifies as a content marketing manager on a professional networking site.

Giant roll of the dice, good luck.

[Harry-57]

I use C24 to locate watches, then I contact the seller via their website. It's a good starting point shop window and separates the serious sellers from the time wasters. I have only bought from UK sellers with brick and mortar stores who I can visit before buying and I've never paid the C24 advertised price.

I would not buy something to be delivered from overseas, I think this multiplies the risk too much. If you don't know the reputation of the seller and you can't handle the watch before you send funds you're always taking a chance, but at least C24 will hold your funds until you authorise payment.

Imports will get hit by tax unless your consignment slips through. It's unlikely but it's a bonus if it happens.

[Mr Ben]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I use C24 to locate watches, then I contact the seller via their website. It's a good starting point shop window and separates the serious sellers from the time wasters. I have only bought from UK sellers with brick and mortar stores who I can visit before buying and I've never paid the C24 advertised price.

I would not buy something to be delivered from overseas, I think this multiplies the risk too much. If you don't know the reputation of the seller and you can't handle the watch before you send funds you're always taking a chance, but at least C24 will hold your funds until you authorise payment.

Imports will get hit by tax unless your consignment slips through. It's unlikely but it's a bonus if it happens.

Exactly this - C24’s fees are not insignificant so you may also be surprised how much the dealer will knock off the price if you are able/ willing to visit the store, view and pick up the same watch and pay by bank transfer/ similar. Same with eBay.

[Radim]

Thank you all for such a prompt replies! I would also prefer to see the watch in person before buy but there is not much available in Sydney, AU. I was lucky to obtain two Rolex from AD but it looks like Submariner is another level and the wait is huge if any:)

[Mystro]

Yes, but you still need to be careful of who is selling. I didn’t have any issue but it was with a well known dealer that also sells on Chrono24.

[Andad]

No duty is payable on watches to Oz but GST is payable on the value of the watch including freight and clearing costs.

I would estimate Aus$1800.

[Podmornica]

Just hold on until the November 2023, you will get that plain sub within a day at your local AD.

[Radim]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

Just hold on until the November 2023, you will get that plain sub within a day at your local AD.

Do you mean pre owned? I do not think I will be able to afford that…

[Podmornica]

Originally Posted by Radim

Do you mean pre owned? I do not think I will be able to afford that…

No, I mean brand new at MSRP. Demand is falling fast with each passing day as mamas basement flippers realized there's no profit for them anymore on some models. The ADs are digging deeper and deeper down the list to sell a watch. What used to be a first call sells the watch is now 5th or 10th for some basic models like Datejust and Submariner. By the year end with all the stock market collapse that's coming hardly anyone will want to cash out a 10K for a plain Sub

[Radim]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

No, I mean brand new at MSRP. Demand is falling fast with each passing day as mamas basement flippers realized there's no profit for them anymore on some models. The ADs are digging deeper and deeper down the list to sell a watch. What used to be a first call sells the watch is now 5th or 10th for some basic models like Datejust and Submariner. By the year end with all the stock market collapse that's coming hardly anyone will want to cash out a 10K for a plain Sub

I hope you are right!

[MJZRolex]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

No, I mean brand new at MSRP. Demand is falling fast with each passing day as mamas basement flippers realized there's no profit for them anymore on some models. The ADs are digging deeper and deeper down the list to sell a watch. What used to be a first call sells the watch is now 5th or 10th for some basic models like Datejust and Submariner. By the year end with all the stock market collapse that's coming hardly anyone will want to cash out a 10K for a plain Sub

I don't think so.

[Giangos]

Originally Posted by MJZRolex

I don't think so.

You will be surprised, he is right.
Lists are getting shorter, people are declining. It might not get to the stage of walk in a buy from the display case, but it’s changed a lot and will continue to do so for at least the rest of the year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jessiecopeland]

I have bought 5 or 6 watches from chrono24.
I trust them, I have never had an issue.

I also have used Catiwiki for 4 watches.

If you do your due diligence you should be fine.

[rootbeer7]

Use it wisely and it’s a great way to locate watches & build up knowledge. I would contact any dealers directly once I’ve found what I want.

[Skabadi]

On a similar note would you sell on chrono24 as a private seller?

[waterman1]

I just used for first time recently but only to purchase an older model IWC Aquatimer with no papers, so relatively inexpensive.
But experience ended up being great.
I would use caution on there, ask questions, go slow.

[KY..]

Similar to eBay, I’ve used C24 for purchases of older rare watches from other countries where I know what I am getting.
I would hesitate to buy modern there since you can usually find modern watches closer to home.

[Drand]

I have made a purchase from Chrono24 and it was okay. But that doesn't mean there are no risks from making purchase there. Besides, mine was within the same continent.
Personally, I won't make a purchase from another continent unless it's a special one and in this case "special" is relative.

[Edb5020]

Originally Posted by Drand

I have made a purchase from Chrono24 and it was okay. But that doesn't mean there are no risks from making purchase there. Besides, mine was within the same continent.
Personally, I won't make a purchase from another continent unless it's a special one and in this case "special" is relative.

There are no risks withe Chrono24, the money goes into an escrow and the dealer is not paid unless the customer is satisfied. 14 day return policy too. I cannot think of a safer way to purchase a watch.

[talkingbollox]

Originally Posted by Edb5020

There are no risks withe Chrono24, the money goes into an escrow and the dealer is not paid unless the customer is satisfied. 14 day return policy too. I cannot think of a safer way to purchase a watch.

Not true. Some transactions are released from escrow automatically as soon as courier confirms delivery, so the customer has no say on when the funds are released.

It happened to me. The watch was swapped out at the courier depot. I had an inkling something wasn't right as the package wasn't delivered by a liveried vehicle so I filmed the unboxing. The funds were released when the package was confirmed as delivered (not by me). C24 asked me to initiate investigation/claim with the courier, even though I was not party to the delivery contract. C24 even had the gall to call me a scammer. Law enforcement agencies were not interest.

Long story short - I was refunded only after the supplier (an EU bricks and mortar store) got paid insurance proceeds.

Never again on C24.

[rohada]

Originally Posted by talkingbollox

Some transactions are released from escrow automatically as soon as courier confirms delivery, so the customer has no say on when the funds are released.

I wonder if this a country thing. As a seller in the US, I've waited as long as 7 days which enacted the auto release of funds, because the buyer did not confirm receipt (to release the funds) any earlier, even though the carrier did confirm delivery, which starts the 7 day clock. Other times, the buyer confirmed delivery within a day or so of receipt and the funds were released. I've never experienced what you did. So, I wonder if it's a country specific issue relative to the escrow process.

Have any US based C24 buyers here had the funds released prior to the "up to 7 day hold" without your consent? Just curious.

[Trailboss516]

Originally Posted by talkingbollox

Never again on C24.

Your story is exactly the reason I have no interest in using C24 other than to see if I can find cool shots of a watch I'm looking for. Happy to stick with my lovely AD.

[Radim]

Thank you guys. I will keep an eye on Au market and hopefully we Sub will show up soon.

[faimag]

I have, and all went smoothly. But as always, trust the seller and do your research.

[domi1]

watch out for taxes.

[Heraklion]

It's a lot of money to use in an environment with such risks. Escrow or not, there are all kinds of traps. For that kind of money, go for a trusted dealer.

[lemonicity]

Find a trusted dealer. Chrono24 = risks

[nGage7962]

Radim, I have 4 chrono24 experiences to relate.

1. Sold Tudor Heritage Chrono Monte Carlo. Shipped Sydney to Tasmania. All went 100% OK

2. Was looking for a BNIB or close Rolex DJ41 TT. Found a Sydney Grey Dealer on 24 with one. Contacted them directly and did the deal in person at an independent watch maker for validation. 100% happy.

3. Sold a Micro Brand watch I bought from the US (LumTec M24) to a guy in France. Watch hit French customs who notified buyer. Buyer failed to do what was needed to clear it through customs. 3 months later watch was returned to me. A total PITA. I had all the evidence to show the buyer was at fault. Chrono24 made the buyer cover my shipping and insurance. Not a very good experience, but only good things to say about Chrono24 in this case

4. Was looking for a BNIB unworn Rolex DJ31 TT for my wife. Found a Sydney Grey and contacted them directly. Deal done same day once again at independent watch maker. Watch had only been purchased 5 days prior.