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Old 2 March 2008, 03:58 AM   #1
sjt
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UK preowned dealers?

Sorry for asking this as I am sure it has been asked before. I have been extensively searching past threads, but the search facility leaves a bit to be desired (see later).

I'm vaguely considering a second hand 14060 or a 16600 and have been looking at the second hand dealers in the UK (where I live).

I have found:

Blowers http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk - these look to be well thought of.

watches.co.uk - Swiss Watch Company in chiswick - I cannot find much on the forum as the search cannot distinguish betwen "watches.co.uk" and "watches" so consequently returns thousands of hits! Not very useful.

watchfinder.co.uk - it seems that these have mixed reactions

second time round - again it seems that these also have mixed reactions

I have seen that the accepted wisdom is to buy the dealer, and this is what I am trying to research. Could anyone comment on any experience of the above dealers so I can make a reasonable judgement? I am particularly interested in watches.co.uk to see if they are good.

Thanks in advance
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Old 2 March 2008, 04:15 AM   #2
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sjt,

Welcome to the forum..Perhaps some of our UK members will help you.

As to the search function, we are a Forum to discuss and enjoy watches. We are not a shopping service. The search function keys on key words, not on links or dealers.
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Old 2 March 2008, 04:26 AM   #3
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Welcome to TRF!

I know the seller "Second Time Round". They are located at the Gray's Antique Market near Oxford Street, off Bond St. Tube St. in London. They ususally have a good watch selection, but they have been known to "marry" parts without letting the buyer know of this.

You can also do a google search for "David Duggan" + "Burlington Arcade". He is probably the best and most renowned preowned Rolex (and other high-end) watch dealer in the UK.

Best of luck!
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Old 2 March 2008, 04:34 AM   #4
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sjt,

I've dealt with both Blowers & watches.co.uk in the past without any problems although Blowers prices do seem to be a bit on the high side.

A couple of others I have bought from before are www.theoldwatchshop.co.uk & www.ancientandmodernjewellers.co.uk

Dan
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Old 2 March 2008, 04:45 AM   #5
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Welcome to TRF!

I know the seller "Second Time Round". They are located at the Gray's Antique Market near Oxford Street, off Bond St. Tube St. in London. They ususally have a good watch selection, but they have been known to "marry" parts without letting the buyer know of this.

You can also do a google search for "David Duggan" + "Burlington Arcade". He is probably the best and most renowned preowned Rolex (and other high-end) watch dealer in the UK.

Best of luck!
Hi - what does 'marry' parts mean ? - thanks
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Old 2 March 2008, 04:46 AM   #6
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Sorry sjt, but I can't throw any light on the subject, as I have never bought from anybody other then an AD.
But I have heard of the sites you have mentioned, especially Blowers & yes I do think that their prices are quite high.
Good luck with your search,let us know how you get on.
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Old 2 March 2008, 05:09 AM   #7
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Hi!

I bought my 14060m [under 2yrs old] from "Watches of Switzerland" in New Bond st London. Surprisingly, given the location and the fact that they are Rolex AD's the price was fine [including 1yr warranty]. It was certainly comparable with some of the sites you mention.

My advice would be to check out AD's to see if they have taken what you want as a trade - you can be more sure of its originality that way.

Regards

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Old 2 March 2008, 05:14 AM   #8
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I've just bought from secondtimeround and have been very impressed.

Watchfinder also excellent currently selling a piece through them, speak to Matt Bowling he's the director, very very helpful and will get what you want
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Old 2 March 2008, 05:20 AM   #9
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Welcome to TRF, looks like most of the well known sites have already been posted.. let us know how you get on, and please post some pics
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Old 2 March 2008, 05:23 AM   #10
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Look up watches.co.uk based in Chiswick,West London,UK(yes a real shop+web).I've bought twice from here and will never go elsewhere now.They offer fabulous range of new and pre-owned Rolex and are great to deal with,in fact never dealt with better.
I also promise I am nothing to do with these guys!!
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Old 2 March 2008, 05:25 AM   #11
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I would post a "WTB - in UK" ad on the TRF sales forum. You might also try doing the same thing on TZ and TZ_UK (which has been down for a few days).

I've not used any of the dealers mentioned above but I have been to see David Duggan in Burlington Arcade. I found them very helpful and reasonably priced. I would avoid the other vintage Rolex dealer in the arcade (can't remember the name, but it's the one with all the date specific watches in the window) as they are over-priced and very, very pompous, rude and not at all helpfull. The guys at both Duggan London outlets were really helpful and not pushy.

Hope this helps in some small way.

Cheers and good luck.
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Old 2 March 2008, 05:37 AM   #12
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I've not used any of the dealers mentioned above but I have been to see David Duggan in Burlington Arcade. I found them very helpful and reasonably priced. I would avoid the other vintage Rolex dealer in the arcade (can't remember the name, but it's the one with all the date specific watches in the window) as they are over-priced and very, very pompous, rude and not at all helpfull. The guys at both Duggan London outlets were really helpful and not pushy.

.
Thats amazing Simon, I found it to be the other way around.

Different days & sides of bed for everyone I suppose.
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Old 2 March 2008, 05:54 AM   #13
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Thats amazing Simon, I found it to be the other way around.

Different days & sides of bed for everyone I suppose.
Oh well, just goes to show what a lottery it is buying on the open market. I think I annoyed the bloke in the arcade by asking too many questions. He must have thought I was a tyre kicker (but I had a large wad of notes in my pocket and really wanted to buy).

I suppose we should say that normal balance has been restored!

Cheers - Simon
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Old 2 March 2008, 06:01 AM   #14
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I have used David Duggan, Ancient and Modern, Dream Watches and Clock-Watches.

All very good in there own way.
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Old 2 March 2008, 06:10 AM   #15
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Thanks to all that replied. Its great that you are so helpful. This has cleared a lot of things up.

I also discovered Dream Watches http://www.dream-watches.co.uk/ - any info on them?

DUH Sorry just saw a reply on them!

I'm guessing marrying parts means swapping bits in and out - bracelets, accessories boxes?

Thanks again and I will let you know how I get on.

Steve
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Old 2 March 2008, 06:21 AM   #16
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Chap called Dane owns Dream-watches. 100 percent ok.
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Old 2 March 2008, 06:36 AM   #17
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I have bought from Blowers quite recently. I have to say that I would not have bought from them if they were just "web based" but they have a bricks and morter operation as well.
They may be a bit pricey but you are getting the re-assurance that you WILL see a watrch for your money!
I would reccommend them and will deal with them again.
What more can I say?
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Old 2 March 2008, 10:07 AM   #18
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Google Darren Reay also...

He has just moved to Marbella I think (VAT issue I guess) but a good buddy of mine has bought and sold watches from him in the past!

J
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Old 2 March 2008, 07:43 PM   #19
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i have also heard good things about Neil at Chronomaster.....

http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/for_sale.htm



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Old 2 March 2008, 07:50 PM   #20
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Hi - what does 'marry' parts mean ? - thanks
To "marry" parts is an expression used to describe the adding of wrong or non-original parts to an item, in this case a watch. The result is a "Frankenwatch" (for instance: dial of the SS Daytona on a WG Daytona or vice versa).
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Old 2 March 2008, 08:12 PM   #21
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Yup - all been pretty much covered really.
I've bought from Mike at theoldwatchshop, Neil at chronomaster, Blowers jewellers (when the father was still the boss anyways!), watches of distinction, Stephen Henderson in Dundee and watchfinder - no probs with any of them.
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Old 3 March 2008, 09:31 AM   #22
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I bought my GMT Master from Mark Worthington Jewellers. Their website seems to be down at the moment but if you do a Google search you'll find their E-bay site. If they don't have what you want they'll try to track one down...they found me a pepsi GMT in a couple of hours.

I had excellent service from them. They will want proof of ID, photocopies of debit card, utility bills etc before completing a deal over the phone.
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Old 21 April 2008, 10:58 PM   #23
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Just resurrecting this thread as I wondered whether anyone had bought from any of these guys?

http://www.deliciouswatches.co.uk/in...=36&type=watch

http://www.thebrandedwatchcompany.co...atchbrandid=18

http://www.thewatchsource.co.uk/Rolex.htm

All of them appear to be based in Hertfordshire and the first two have the same address so I expect they are the same outfit. Any experiences good or bad?
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Old 21 April 2008, 11:09 PM   #24
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If you want to do it online, you can't beat watches.co.uk. Seriously brilliant.
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Old 21 April 2008, 11:49 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjt View Post
Sorry for asking this as I am sure it has been asked before. I have been extensively searching past threads, but the search facility leaves a bit to be desired (see later).

I'm vaguely considering a second hand 14060 or a 16600 and have been looking at the second hand dealers in the UK (where I live).

I have found:

Blowers http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk - these look to be well thought of.

watches.co.uk - Swiss Watch Company in chiswick - I cannot find much on the forum as the search cannot distinguish betwen "watches.co.uk" and "watches" so consequently returns thousands of hits! Not very useful.

watchfinder.co.uk - it seems that these have mixed reactions

second time round - again it seems that these also have mixed reactions

I have seen that the accepted wisdom is to buy the dealer, and this is what I am trying to research. Could anyone comment on any experience of the above dealers so I can make a reasonable judgement? I am particularly interested in watches.co.uk to see if they are good.

Thanks in advance
Blowers has a very good reputation with Paneristi.

I have personal dealings with Dave Duggan & Watches.co.uk (SWC) & prefer Duggans. Duggans give a discount for being a repeat customer, whereas Watches do not. Also, I have had some issues with watches bought from Watches.co.uk.. I find the aftersales service poor and they gave me less on a P/X than they said they said they would.

You can only judge a dealer on how they treat you once they have your money...!
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Old 21 April 2008, 11:54 PM   #26
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I would post a "WTB - in UK" ad on the TRF sales forum. You might also try doing the same thing on TZ and TZ_UK (which has been down for a few days).

I've not used any of the dealers mentioned above but I have been to see David Duggan in Burlington Arcade. I found them very helpful and reasonably priced. I would avoid the other vintage Rolex dealer in the arcade (can't remember the name, but it's the one with all the date specific watches in the window) as they are over-priced and very, very pompous, rude and not at all helpfull. The guys at both Duggan London outlets were really helpful and not pushy.

Hope this helps in some small way.

Cheers and good luck.
Ask for Tony at Duggans. Really polite & patient guy.
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Old 22 April 2008, 12:09 AM   #27
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My problem is that I am after a particular SS DJ which is not that hard to find but with the 2nd hand dealers thay can only sell what they have got in stock. Interestingly David Duggan had the exact model listed, and still do, on their website but when I went down to Burlington Arcade two Fridays ago it had clearly been sold some weeks even before then!

Now second time round have the right model, not sure if it's worn as it has 2008 papers, but for the same price I can get a BNIB one, with full 2 year warranty, from the links above assuming they are legit. Any thoughts?
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Old 22 April 2008, 12:17 AM   #28
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My problem is that I am after a particular SS DJ which is not that hard to find but with the 2nd hand dealers thay can only sell what they have got in stock. Interestingly David Duggan had the exact model listed, and still do, on their website but when I went down to Burlington Arcade two Fridays ago it had clearly been sold some weeks even before then!

Now second time round have the right model, not sure if it's worn as it has 2008 papers, but for the same price I can get a BNIB one, with full 2 year warranty, from the links above assuming they are legit. Any thoughts?
Duggans don't update their website that often (which I think will lose them trade) but watches.co.uk update theirs two, sometimes three times a day!!

Duggans has a book you can go on where they will notify you once the watch you are after comes in.

Tim is very efficient & polite at Watches.co.uk, but just be on guard when dealing with them.

BTW- I am not affiliated with either, just a paying customer & just baseing my opinion on my experiences.
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Old 22 April 2008, 12:24 AM   #29
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Duggans don't update their website that often (which I think will lose them trade) but watches.co.uk update theirs two, sometimes three times a day!!

Duggans has a book you can go on where they will notify you once the watch you are after comes in.

Tim is very efficient & polite at Watches.co.uk, but just be on guard when dealing with them.

BTW- I am not affiliated with either, just a paying customer & just baseing my opinion on my experiences.
Yes your right I would not bother going back to DD as a result.

As the chap said at the time I went down he might get two in that afternoon or none whatsoever for months it just depends.

This is what concerns me now after reading this thread about second time round and marrying parts which is why I would prefer to get BNIB from delicious but hoping they are 100% legit as well.
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Old 22 April 2008, 01:05 AM   #30
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Icon14 check out martin of chelsea

good guy ............. competitive prices and above all very friendly nature!

used to be a regular @ portobello and munich fair.

07885893190 martin ...... there family has a store in strand also and i remember buying a panerai pvd for 1100 pound sterling in 2004 from them
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