AD Authentication...?

[Mthwatch]

Hi everyone...

I'm getting a Z serial Rolex 14060M in a few days...I have no doubt that it is completely authentic...but - say I had a nagging suspicion (which I really don't have) and I wanted to take it somewhere to have it authenticated, what could an AD do besides open it up and take a look? Will AD's do this? I've heard some stories where they've refused to open them up...does anyone have experience with this?

As an aside, I wanted to have it pressure tested, so perhaps I can just have them replace the gaskets while they're at it if they open it up...I don't think you could just re-use the same gaskets once opened, is that right?

Thanks

[ijen0311]

I brought "blusey" into my AD after I got it from Buz to show it to them (and brag about my sweet deal). The AD offered to authenticate it but I passed - not worried about it - but he said he would check between the lugs and open up the back if I had wanted him to. Good luck

[swish77]

I assume the watch isn't under warranty anymore and you bought it used, yes? So, you could do what I did in a very similar situation with my new (used) Sub: Go to the service desk at an authorized dealer (I went to Tourneau in Manhattan) and tell them you're going on vacation and you want to have the watch pressure-tested to make sure it won't leak when you jump in the pool. They did it for me as a courtesy while I waited. They didn't open it up, but they put it into a machine for a couple of minutes to make sure the watch is still watertight. (It passed). They also put it on a machine to check the accuracy of the watch. While this doesn't address your concerns about the authenticity of your Sub, if it's a fake, the AD should know right away before even pressure-testing it. Presumably they'll tell you and they won't put it onto any of their fancy machines. I had called Rolex HQs and they told me they wouldn't check out my watch if it was no longer under warranty, but they did offer to service the watch for $700! Gee, thanks!

[Mthwatch]

Great info - thanks guys. I had kind of planned on going the pressure test route. Good to know that others have pulled this kind of thing off.

[emmagee]

A couple of weeks ago I posted something similar, asking if I could drop by the RSC, I'm in Dallas, and have them authenticate a watch. At the time I posted I was considering buying a local watch and was going to meet the potential seller at the RSC, however, in the end, I did not pursue the watch. Someone indicated you could go by the RSC, ask for a service estimate and they would do the same thing and not charge you for it, sounded like a pretty good plan to me.

Well, I ended up buying a 116710 GMT IIC from an out of town seller, and while he had good references, I wanted to watch checked out, so I went by the RSC and asked for a service estimate. The lady working the desk has never struck me as overly friendly on my past visits and this time was the same. She said the watch was too new and if there was a problem I could leave it, she then asked me if I just wanted to know if it was real, and I answered in the affirmative. She jumped on me for misleading her, and told me that they could check it out, but would charge me $150 just to open it up, to verify a Rolex movement was inside and it would take a week or so. I told her that was OK I would run it over to Bob Ridley, one would think a long time employee of the RSC would know who Bob is, she acted like I said I was going to take it to Sears. Said she had no idea who Bob was, emphasizing his name, and if he didn't work for the AD there was no way he could be anything but a complete hack. I walked out and will not return unless it is warranty work, mind you, I've had 3-4 watches worked on at RSC in the past, always a walk-in.

I didn't have time to run to Arlington on Sat to see Bob, so I made a call to a fairly large pre-owned Rolex dealer very close to my house, Dallas Watch & Jewelry, and asked them what they would charge to open my watch up. He told me to simply open up the watch there would be no charge and he was glad to have his watchmaker do it and said he would do it on the spot if his watchmaker was in, he was in on Sat so I was on my way. As an FYI, this was the first time I'd ever spoken to thme on the phone or stepped into their shop. They opened it up, I talked Rolex's with the guy I spoke with on the phone and was on my way in about 15 minutes, nice folks and I appreciate them helping me out. Next time I'm in the market for a pre-owned Rolex I will certainly pay them a visit.

[bodybump]

go have it appraised....and have writeen report for your copy...i just did one today...

[bodybump]

but since your getting it at an Authorize dealer..then you dont have to be affraid...make sure its AD not GD.....

[diggity]

Originally Posted by bodybump

go have it appraised....and have writeen report for your copy...i just did one today...

+1 this is what I do. Have it appraised for about $100....

[jon84gt]

Thats the way businesses should treat people, especially when it comes to dealing with high end watches! Now you are a customer of theirs! Bravo for Dallas watch and jewelry. You have to treat everyone as a potential customer. I cant understand why people dont get this. I have answered simple questions for people over the years and made sure that I was as nice as I could be to them and several have called back and gave me business. Thats just the way it works! Jon

[Mthwatch]

Originally Posted by bodybump

but since your getting it at an Authorize dealer..then you dont have to be affraid...make sure its AD not GD.....

Actually, I bought it from a very, very reputable guy from the sales forum here!

I have no cause for doubt but I DO want to have it pressure tested (its a Sub, and I'm in the water a lot) and I was thinking about having it authenticated simply for reassurance.

[Mthwatch]

Originally Posted by jon84gt

Thats the way businesses should treat people, especially when it comes to dealing with high end watches! Now you are a customer of theirs! Bravo for Dallas watch and jewelry. You have to treat everyone as a potential customer. I cant understand why people dont get this. I have answered simple questions for people over the years and made sure that I was as nice as I could be to them and several have called back and gave me business. Thats just the way it works! Jon

Completely agreed. It is at times astounding...the lack of customer service can be amazing.

[scottschoe]

Most AD's will not authenticate your watch....if you get lucky they might offer it for a fee. The two shops I called for appraisal purposes said they don't inspect the movements.

[emmagee]

Originally Posted by jon84gt

Thats the way businesses should treat people, especially when it comes to dealing with high end watches! Now you are a customer of theirs! Bravo for Dallas watch and jewelry. You have to treat everyone as a potential customer. I cant understand why people dont get this. I have answered simple questions for people over the years and made sure that I was as nice as I could be to them and several have called back and gave me business. Thats just the way it works! Jon

I agree 110%. It takes almost no time to pop the back of a watch off, and I certainly don't mind paying someone to do it, but either refusing to do so or charging an astronomical fee does nothing but leave a bad taste in a potential customers mouth. As I said, unless it is warranty work, I will not step foot in the RSC Dallas again, I would MUCH prefer to give Bob Ridley my business.

[jon84gt]

I got lucky and met an authorized rolex repairman a couple of years ago. If I ever have any doubt or just a question in general I can count on him. If anyone on here is in need of anything rolex in the Knoxville Tn. area his name is Bo Atkins @ four winds jewelers. I have had him authenicate a few for me in the past. He does charge a fee but it is well worth it if you are in question. Jon

[jon84gt]

I got lucky and met an authorized rolex repairman a couple of years ago. If I ever have any doubt or just a question in general I can count on him. If anyone on here is in need of anything rolex in the Knoxville Tn. area his name is Bo Atkins @ four winds jewelers. I have had him authenicate a few for me in the past. He does charge a fee but it is well worth it if you are in question. Jon

[jon84gt]

I got lucky and met an authorized rolex repairman a couple of years ago. If I ever have any doubt or just a question in general I can count on him. If anyone on here is in need of anything rolex in the Knoxville Tn. area his name is Bo Atkins @ four winds jewelers. I have had him authenicate a few for me in the past. He does charge a fee but it is well worth it if you are in question. Jon