About to Purchase First GMT and have questions...

[klamathpro]

Hi all, new to the community. I'm about to purchase my first Rolex and I have chosen a used V series GMT. I found one at a local certified dealer with paperwork and box for $6750 + tax. My problem is I used his loupe and compared the used V with a new random serial number GMT and the datewheel on the new one has roman numeral 1's and a flared 2 like I see in most Pics and on Rolex's website. But the used one does not have roman numeral 1's and only a subtle flare on the 2. Additionally, the green roman numeral GMT MASTER II has less of a flare on the I's. The logo and everything else on the dial are spot on and I have no doubt that the case and strap are genuine, but it worries me that the date wheel numbers are slightly off. It's an earlier serial, possibly 2008, but sold in 2010 by the same dealer. He said the previous owner upgraded and originally bought it from them.

Did early V's have a different date wheel? They won't crack open the case because they said it needs to be properly resealed and said they have to charge $90 to get the Caliber verified as legit. Should I go ahead and get this done? Anything else I should ask or look out for?

Thanks Guys.

[imono]

For the money I'll cough up a little more and buy brand new from the trusted sellers here.
And you get everything that comes with it.

[salem65]

I don't have an answer for you, but if you have any doubt or question the authenticity in any way, you must walk away from it. The lingering doubt will be at the back of your mind every time you put it on.

[T. Ferguson]

I'm sure some guys will come along and know more about any variations in the date wheel or dial fonts. Sometimes there are some across model "years" that are no big deal. But if this is something that might bug you, just don't do it. You just don't want to have any doubts, especially if this is your first expensive watch. You want to love everything about it.

What is the date on the warranty card? If the watch is from 2008 you will be looking at service sooner than on a new one. You can find new or like new with all materials for not too much more than that from one of the regarded sellers here - considering that you will probably not pay sales tax or need service for a while.

[tkc324]

For that price... Find a trusted seller and buy it on the forum. You will not regret it.

[Speed]

Agree with others too much. I'd pass.

[klamathpro]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

What is the date on the warranty card? If the watch is from 2008 you will be looking at service sooner than on a new one. You can find new or like new with all materials for not too much more than that from one of the regarded sellers here - considering that you will probably not pay sales tax or need service for a while.

The warranty card is from 2010, but the low serial indicates a 2008 build date. I would like to purchase from a dealer that's local, and I have to see it in person. There's no way I'd ever wire money to anyone. But no one seems to go any lower than retail around here. If there's a reputable dealer within 150 miles of metro Detroit that would give me a deal new or used, I'm willing to drive. I just refuse to pay $8450 for a GMT.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by klamathpro

The warranty card is from 2010, but the low serial indicates a 2008 build date. I would like to purchase from a dealer that's local, and I have to see it in person. There's no way I'd ever wire money to anyone. But no one seems to go any lower than retail around here. If there's a reputable dealer within 150 miles of metro Detroit that would give me a deal new or used, I'm willing to drive. I just refuse to pay $8450 for a GMT.

You're over thinking this.. Is the Dealer an Authorized Dealer ?? If so, why are you fretting over a slight variance in a datewheel font ?? It is well known that fonts vary all over the place for no particular rhyme or reason... They have more than one ink stamping machine..


The low serial does not indicate a 2008 build date.. Rolex has not been producing watches sequentially for decades (source, Dowling-Hess, Best of Time; 2002).. V was first seen in 2008, so most would actually have been from 2009 and 2010, just what the warranty card indicates (it is physically impossible to have produced them all in a single year or two)..

[klamathpro]

Originally Posted by Tools

You're over thinking this.. Is the Dealer an Authorized Dealer ?? If so, why are you fretting over a slight variance in a datewheel font ?? It is well known that fonts vary all over the place for no particular rhyme or reason... They have more than one ink stamping machine..


The low serial does not indicate a 2008 build date.. Rolex has not been producing watches sequentially for decades (source, Dowling-Hess, Best of Time; 2002).. V was first seen in 2008, so most would actually have been from 2009 and 2010, just what the warranty card indicates (it is physically impossible to have produced them all in a single year or two)..

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is an AD. Would not budge a penny below asking price. I know the dealer truly believes it's legit, I'm just trying to get the reassurance that it is. If I can find someone that has a V without roman numeral 1's to verify that the datewheel did change, it would seal the deal as it's near mint.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by klamathpro

The warranty card is from 2010, but the low serial indicates a 2008 build date. I would like to purchase from a dealer that's local, and I have to see it in person. There's no way I'd ever wire money to anyone. But no one seems to go any lower than retail around here. If there's a reputable dealer within 150 miles of metro Detroit that would give me a deal new or used, I'm willing to drive. I just refuse to pay $8450 for a GMT.

As Tools mentioned, if the warranty card says 2010, the watch is from 2010, and that is the year that you would use as a baseline for when you might want to service it. The serial only indicates the year that watches with that case stamp (in this case "V") started to appear. And just because Rolex subsequently started stamping cases with a "G" in 2010 doesn't mean that they stopped manufacturing watches with "V" case stamps immediately when the G's started to come out. G's and randoms were hitting dealers and being sold at the same time and there are still G serials in stores. Wouldn't surprise me if there are some V serials of certain models in dealers. And if they sell this year they are 2013 watches.

As far as you wanting to buy only locally and handle the merchandise first, that's entirely up to you and I respect that.

[travisb]

Buy new from a trusted seller here and save yourself the worries.
They'll ship it right to your door.
No sense in spending all that money and being left wondering if it's 100% legit.

[klamathpro]

I'm going to pass it up and get in on a group discount at another AD on a new one. If all goes well I should be able to get a new one for nearly the same price. I might even opt for a TT. Thanks, guys.

[Camel]

When in doubt - walk away !

[klamathpro]

I'm glad I walked away from this used GMT, I think I dodged a bullet. I just took home a brand new G serial TT LN SUB for $10,400 locally with tax and will be picking up a random serial GMT for $6800 new, out the door, both with full Rolex warranty with my name on the cards, so no worrying. It's amazing that it's possible to get new ones at the same price as used from the right dealer. (My lips are sealed so don't ask) I guess it's who you know when it comes to discounted watches.

Thanks to those that helped make this happen, you know who you are.

[Trouble15]

Glad it turned out well, congrats on your two new references!