Mismatched serial number, full set purchased from grey market dealer

[Vetracer]

Hello all

I’m feeling a little deflated today. I decided to consolidate a few watches to buy another and after posting pictures of the watches to a grey market dealer, he pointed out that the serial number in the punched paperwork for one of the watches, didn’t match the serial number shown on the guarantee card I got from the grey dealer I purchased the watch from in 2019.

Regrettably, I took off the bracelet and discovered that the serial number engraved between the lugs was different to that stated on the paperwork!

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box, papers, service receipts, the Rolex anchor and instruction booklets all from 1995. At the time, I paid a premium for this.

I have a reasonable watch collection almost entirely bought from authorised dealers. Lesson learned, please ensure you don’t take it for granted that the concealed serial number on a vintage watch matches the serial number on the paperwork. In the case of Rolex, insist they remove the bracelet and check the serials for a match yourself.

I’ve contacted the grey market dealer today and I’m waiting to hear back from them tomorrow. My expectation when I speak with them tomorrow is that they will refund me the current retail market value of the watch. Is that what you’d expect too?