The Dangers of Buying Used: Rolex watches with ETA movements Inside?

[theken]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

I had a friend who opened his watch for the first time and discovered an ETA movement inside his submariner. Since many of us purchase used or vintage watches, I was wondering how frequently this happens. Needless to say, RSC London refused to service his watch.

Has this unfortunate circumstance ever happened to you?

Douglas, you refer to this friend in past tense so it sounds like the OP is no longer your friend.
The complexity of changing a Rolex movement to an ETA movement has already been commented on by others in this thread.
Over the past 5-6 years I have bought many new and used Rolexes without ever feeling the need to inspect the movement.
The reputation of the seller as well as marketplace where I choose to shop eliminates for me the possibility that I will discover that the watch will not be 100% genuine and correct.
I will never understand why an inexperienced buyer will purchase a Rolex from a seller without an extensive history of positive transaction feedback.
Can you tell us where your friend bought his Sub and the reference number? If it is an older model, the reference number is engraved between the lugs. Also, did the seller supply any of the original papers.