What do you think? Rolex 16710 Legit or not?

[VinnieVegas]

I have an opportunity to pick up a T serial 16710, coke bezel insert, at a what I consider to be a very good price. I've wanted one of these for a long time and the seller says it is 100% authentic, but he doesn't have much of a track record so I'm a bit hesitant.

Then again, every seller has to start somewhere.

Here are some pics. Any observations regarding authenticity? See any glaring suspicious things about it? It looks to be in good condition, and has box and manuals.

I'd genuinely appreciate any insights or observations? I'm still developing an eye of this kind of stuff, but I would benefit from the insights of more skilled and experienced people.

Thanks!

Vince

[trumpedaces]

Looks good!

[crowncollection]

Looks good

[Britexpat76]

NIce watch

[jvmartin]

All is well.. just make sure its the watch that you will be receiving :-)

[Tridor]

Looks right to me.

[watchabout]

If it's not ebay or some other mass seller perhaps you can ask for the serial #?


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[watchabout]

Out of curiosity, what is the price they're asking?


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[VinnieVegas]

Thanks, everyone. I don't have as informed opinion as many others but it looked OK to me, too. Thanks for posting!

[Rockrolex]

Looks OK to me. I compared it to the black bezel GMT-II I am currently wearing and couldn't find any problems with it.

Good luck with the purchase.

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by jvmartin

All is well.. just make sure its the watch that you will be receiving :-)

JV, yes that's the thing. This is listed on an online marketplace and the guy doesn't really have any posting history. His reference is somebody without a posting history too, and both accounts are of relatively recent vintage.

He insists on bank wire. I suggested he post the item on ebay, allow me to pay via Paypal and I'd even cover his ebay & paypal fees. That gets me both ebay and paypal protection if he doesn't deliver, or delivers a toy that isn't the watch photographed. He hasn't got back to me.

Just too many question marks for me. I think my suggestion was in good faith and not out of line. I'll see if he gets back to me, but I have had deals with a few guys here with a good track record, and the peace of mind is worth the added money, mostly because I really have no recourse except suing the guy in his jurisdiction if something goes wrong, and even then all I have is a judgment I have to collect on, which is another hassle.

We're of like mind - with no significant track record to speak of, I don't know if this is the item I will actually get. Thanks!

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by watchabout

If it's not ebay or some other mass seller perhaps you can ask for the serial #?


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Yes, good idea. But if he's not honest, he could just deceive me about the serial, and if I get nothing, or a toy, I still have no recourse except for suing and collecting a judgment. Too much of a hassle. Thanks for the post!

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by watchabout

Out of curiosity, what is the price they're asking?

Hey, friend.

He originally posted it two weeks ago for $ 4,000, but no takers (not surprising with his lack of a track record), and has recently bumped it down to $ 3,800.

Thanks!

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Looks OK to me. I compared it to the black bezel GMT-II I am currently wearing and couldn't find any problems with it.

Good luck with the purchase.

Thanks, I am relatively inexperienced but it looked ok to me, too.

Too many question marks here, so unless he accommodates me and gives my purchase some added security, I'm passing.

[Rockrolex]

Vincent, if you are buying from someone you don't know, be very careful. I suggest you contact one of the trusted sellers here to see if they can get you what you want. Remember, if the price appears too good to be true, it usually is.

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Vincent, if you are buying from someone you don't know, be very careful. I suggest you contact one of the trusted sellers here to see if they can get you what you want. Remember, if the price appears too good to be true, it usually is.

Rock, I agree. And I also trust my gut. My gut says the price is a bit too good, and lack or solid references makes it more of a gamble.

It's not like a 16710 is particularly rare - several will likely show up here or on TRF, for example, at fair prices from reputable, well referenced sellers.

I did my background check and he comes up lacking. I don't know him so I can't say for sure or otherwise defame him, but too many question marks. So like I just posted, I am passing on this one.

We're of like mind, friend. Thanks!

[watchabout]

Price is too low for a 16710, plus the seller insisting on bank wire is a huge red flag for me. I'd walk away.

There's s good GMT coke available here now for $5050, can't remember the seller's name. It's $1200 more, but you're far better protected.


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[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by watchabout

Price is too low for a 16710, plus the seller insisting on bank wire is a huge red flag for me. I'd walk away.

There's s good GMT coke available here now for $5050, can't remember the seller's name. It's $1200 more, but you're far better protected.

We're of like mind. Too many question marks. I am passing.

I suggested a way we could do the deal and I'd get protection, and even offered to pick up his ebay/paypal fees for the trouble, but he hasn't responded.

Thanks for the tip, I will check out the forum for the posting about the 16710!

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by watchabout

Price is too low for a 16710, plus the seller insisting on bank wire is a huge red flag for me. I'd walk away.

There's s good GMT coke available here now for $5050, can't remember the seller's name. It's $1200 more, but you're far better protected.


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Far better protected - Does trf offer a guarantee?

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[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

Far better protected - Does trf offer a guarantee?

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No, but the sellers on TRF I dealt with were all sellers with many, varied references and a history on the forum.

[watchabout]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

Far better protected - Does trf offer a guarantee?

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Depending on the seller, there are some that are a very safe bet. No idea if they offer a guarantee, though.

I meant it more in the sense that sellers here have references and are willing to accept different payment methods and face to face transactions, but mostly here you can ask around and check the who's who section.



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[Brizzybrad]

I also just passed on this one. Better safe than sorry. IMO I think it's probably ok but I'm not going to be the one to find out.

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by Brizzybrad

I also just passed on this one. Better safe than sorry. IMO I think it's probably ok but I'm not going to be the one to find out.

Friend,

Yes, thought about this one a bit. The seller has several watches on sale and they all seem to be photographed in the same setting. The watch does look genuine. But the lack of posting/selling history, insistence on bank wire, the excellent price, and no convincing references made me stay away.

I'm going to keep an eye on this seller, though. It's possible he gets some good references from experienced posters. I think you (and I) did the right thing in passing on this.

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by watchabout

Depending on the seller, there are some that are a very safe bet. No idea if they offer a guarantee, though.

I meant it more in the sense that sellers here have references and are willing to accept different payment methods and face to face transactions, but mostly here you can ask around and check the who's who section.

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References are nice but nothing beats buying new at an AD for the security of knowing the watch is both authentic (not a fake or a franken watch) and not stolen.

To some extent you can mitigate fake and franken - - but I am not sure what happens if you find out seven years later when you take it in for service that your "new" watch was stolen and it is confiscated.

Its just not worth it to go looking for a trusted seller 7 years from now . . . . .

[VinnieVegas]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

References are nice but nothing beats buying new at an AD for the security of knowing the watch is both authentic (not a fake or a franken watch) and not stolen.

To some extent you can mitigate fake and franken - - but I am not sure what happens if you find out seven years later when you take it in for service that your "new" watch was stolen and it is confiscated.

Its just not worth it to go looking for a trusted seller 7 years from now . . . . .

You really have no recourse except to track the person down and file a civil lawsuit. When you win (the SoL probably started running when you discovered the fraud), you now have to collect on the judgment.

It's a lot of trouble and expense to recover a few thousand dollars. But the only way to get a 16710, for example, is from the secondary market. It's just the way it is.