Day date 40mm platinum, meteorite dial with baguette bezel (genuine)

[Asifm89]

Hello.

My lovely wife has purchased me the above and should be arriving in a few weeks. It’s via a friend of a friend who deals in watch re selling.

It’s a 2023/24 model I believe and was purchased slight below rrp of £105,000.

The watch dealer is a trusted dealer however we can’t be too careful.

Please could I have some info on how to verify the piece is genuine.

Check papers, tags, docs etc.
Ask AD or watch centre to open the casing and check the movement?

Any help is much appreciated as this is a once in a lifetime purchase and pretty huge for us.

[SS Oyster]

Take to RSC, but what’s your recourse if not authentic?


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[prnceofpersia23]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Take to RSC, but what’s your recourse if not authentic?


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Good question.

Perhaps due diligence should be done prior to a 6-figure purchase, no?

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

Good question.

Perhaps due diligence should be done prior to a 6-figure purchase, no?

This.

[MRBolton]

I'd bring it to the RSC under the guise of it needing to be regulated. If there's any issue with authenticity then, I'm sure they'd tell you.

[Rollieo]

I don’t think it’s very common to replicate platinum pieces since it’s difficult to replicate the weight.

But it’s a very expensive purchase, and others have said, even dealers have been fooled by replicas these days. So ask your family friend to get it dropped off at an authorized dealer and specify you’d like to get the watch regulated. Go with your family friend when you pick up the piece from the AD, and you’ll get all the paperwork from the service visit as well. Then buy the watch. Doesn’t cost your family friend anything, other than his/her time to drop off and pick up the piece. (Assume it’s under warranty).

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I'd bring it to the RSC under the guise of it needing to be regulated. If there's any issue with authenticity then, I'm sure they'd tell you.

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

I don’t think it’s very common to replicate platinum pieces since it’s difficult to replicate the weight.

But it’s a very expensive purchase, and others have said, even dealers have been fooled by replicas these days. So ask your family friend to get it dropped off at an authorized dealer and specify you’d like to get the watch regulated. Go with your family friend when you pick up the piece from the AD, and you’ll get all the paperwork from the service visit as well. Then buy the watch. Doesn’t cost your family friend anything, other than his/her time to drop off and pick up the piece. (Assume it’s under warranty).

I was referring to the dial. It could be a fake meteorite dial in a genuine watch. If you could spend a few hundred or couple thousand backs and get a good bit more for a watch, some unscrupulous folks are willing to do that.

[Poodlopogus]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I was referring to the dial. It could be a fake meteorite dial in a genuine watch. If you could spend a few hundred or couple thousand backs and get a good bit more for a watch, some unscrupulous folks are willing to do that.

Probably not worth it, margin just too low (especially compared to an aftermarket bezel - see above).

[miamiclay]

My first-instinct worry about this is “arriving in a few weeks.”

If the seller knows the year, then s/he knows exactly what watch he is either holding or can obtain. If he is not currently holding it, then he has reached agreement with whoever is holding it on a price to obtain it for you.

In either case, the watch should be in your hands within a few days, if not overnight.

Regardless, congratulations! I expect it all will work out, and it is a beautiful watch. I love my WG meteorite 18239.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

At this price point especially, you want to buy the seller

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

Good question.

Perhaps due diligence should be done prior to a 6-figure purchase, no?

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to the forum.

At this price point especially, you want to buy the seller

This. Good luck,

[Asifm89]

Thanks for replies.

The seller is a family friend and it’s returnable if any any issues.

What is the RSC? Meaning a Rolex AD?

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Asifm89

Thanks for replies.

The seller is a family friend and it’s returnable if any any issues.

What is the RSC? Meaning a Rolex AD?

This is a Rolex Service Centre. I would definitely go the extra mile and have it authenticated. Especially since you have no experience in the watch world. Then having your trust in a family members friend for over 100k purchase, that’s really risky. Go through the whole process and have it done at the RSC level or even an Authorized Dealer of Rolex. Even if you pay to have this done, it’s mega. I would never have faith in anyone for this large of a purchase.


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[Socal Runner]

If you are asking this question why would you be purchasing a heavy hitter like this through a friend of a friend. Sorry to be harsh but you shouldn't be worrying about authenticity buying such a big watch.

I would start with weight. Look up exact weight and weigh it first, then check the usuals - make sure the serial number and references numbers align properly with the year, etc. Good luck.

[fooey]

Check it's got a sweeping second hand!

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[dannyboy123]

I'd agree with all of the above. Despite this purchase being via a friend with a degree of perceived recourse, I'd wanna be 100% sure it's the real deal - perhaps the friend isn't as au fait with these watches as he makes out/you think?

It's probably fine, but I'd wanna be damn sure IT IS fine, unless you're loaded enough to take the hit.

The sad reality is that there are some great fakes out there. I have a very wealthy client who's into watches and owns loads of big hitters. He recently bought a fairly expensive replica AP RO (try before he buys the real deal) and it is indistinguishable from the real thing. It is waterproof and keeps epic time. This finish is unreal. And this is why you need to be very very careful.

I've never bought grey, and I would, but only where I was absolutely sure of the greys integrity. And that's fairly easy to establish. Whatever I did/do buy grey I'd have authenticated at the earliest opportunity too.

[Poodlopogus]

Originally Posted by Asifm89

Any help is much appreciated as this is a once in a lifetime purchase and pretty huge for us.

My personal philosophy is that if one can afford this watch "slightly below RRP" they can afford RRP and the peace of mind that comes with going the AD route.

While this isn't a piece every AD will have sitting around in the safe, the fact that it can be had below retail suggests that it's hardly unobtainable.

My biggest concern would be that the bezel is in fact aftermarket. As mentioned, the weight of platinum is difficult to fake, and I'm guessing the meteorite dial is also very difficult to fake well. However, Rolex charges a massive premium - nearly $50,000 USD - for the diamond bezel.

No reason to believe someone did this, but it's also the most replicable aspect of the watch and a place where a secondary seller can make some serious margin. Paperwork should indicate whether it's the genuine article, though.

[worldofoyster]

Buy from AD.

Most friends cannot be trusted in front of money.

[WatchTimes]

First it was a friend of a friend and now it's a family friend.....

[Asifm89]

Appreciate the replies.

I will request all the relevant paperwork he has inc receipts of original purchase, tags, booklets inc serial num etc. it should be fairly safe to post these on the forum for feedback.

Also in terms of a reputable RSC of AD, I’m based in the UK, Scotland, Edinburgh.

Any recommendations?