New or older but with all labels on?

[james.long.so3eell@g]

Hi, I don't know whether to buy a new Yacht Master from a shop or from a selling site which is 20 years old but still labelled and unused, any advice please?

[jimcameron]

Confusing post. Is the "Selling Sight" 20 yrs old, or is the YM 20 yrs old?

If the YM is 20 yrs old, I would be suspicious that it has been "unused" all that time. If it has been unused all that time, it will need a service from Rolex, or a very trusted watchmaker.

Does the 20yr old watch have all documentation as to who has owned it, purchased it, etc. You need box and papers bro.

[james.long.so3eell@g]

The YM is 20 years old from a very well known website supposedly with all papers and labels but am leaning towards a 'brand new' one from a jewelers I think.

[Callmepeshy]

I'd be suspicious about a 20 yr old watch that has never been worn, doesn't seem plausible. More likely polished and refurbed and sold and 'new'.

[rmagoo57]

Originally Posted by james.long.so3eell@g

Hi, I don't know whether to buy a new Yacht Master from a shop or from a selling site which is 20 years old but still labelled and unused, any advice please?

New at MSRP for a newbie. A 20 yr old NOS for a collector that knows the watch and current market pricing.

[brandrea]

New from an AD is always my preferred.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by james.long.so3eell@g

The YM is 20 years old from a very well known website supposedly with all papers and labels but am leaning towards a 'brand new' one from a jewelers I think.

I bought a new old stock Breitling a few years ago. It was a Chrono-Matic 44mm from 2008-2009. Very short production run, but I really liked the retro-70s vintage look to it. The watch had bascially sat in the safe of an AD for years. They weren't terribly popular models as most would simply buy a Navitimer.

The watch had a few (very minor) hairlines on it. These were presumably from being tried on a few times or in the display. The reason I bought the watch (at a huge discount) was because the AD had sent it back to Breitling for a full service. It came in a modern Breitling watch box with a modern warranty card matching all the correct serial numbers, etc. So it was like they dusted off a 15 year old watch, serviced it, and repackaged it. I probably would not have bought it if those steps weren't taken.

[enjoythemusic]

If you are a vintage collector and also plan to get it immediately serviced by Rolex... then yes go vintage. Just remember to factor in the servicing cost at Rolex.


Personally, i'd choose the new one.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by brandrea

New from an AD is always my preferred.

This.

[Calatrava r]

I would buy a new one.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Callmepeshy

I'd be suspicious about a 20 yr old watch that has never been worn, doesn't seem plausible. More likely polished and refurbed and sold and 'new'.

It can happen.

Not 20 years old, but I bought a fully stickered NOS 16600 last year with a 2010 card that had been bought and stuck in a collector's safe.

[htm998]

You could consider getting a new watch.

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by Callmepeshy

I'd be suspicious about a 20 yr old watch that has never been worn, doesn't seem plausible. More likely polished and refurbed and sold and 'new'.

it's called New Old Stock (NOS) and they exist.

Tony @ SDWatches has a large collection of NOS and is a very reputable seller.