Rolex warranty - no card ?

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Chilly Coconut

Wow. This may come as a big surprise to the hundreds of members who purchase BNIB from the grey market sellers on TRF classifieds, thinking they are getting valid warranties.

Resellers and the grey market are two distinct entities that are often confused.

At present the majority of what is described as a 'grey market watch' are actually just 'legitimately purchased' watches being resold. The card is stamped and swiped and the warranty is valid.

The grey market refers to watches sold outside of the official sales agreement ie an AD or brand selling en mass to discount retailers or resellers. As these watches are purchased by the reseller on the understanding that they are 'grey' they are aware there is no manufacturer's warranty attached to the watch as the conditions of sale were not met (Distributer-AD-End customer).

The term grey is used for a reason. This is a grey area in law. It is not illegal to do, however you are going to be unsuccessful in trying to use the law to force a manufacturer to honour a warranty in such a case. Going grey has it's pitfalls and its benefits (discount). This being said the number of proper grey market pieces has been dwindling due to the demand being as high as it is. This is where the resellers (professional and amateur alike) have come in and filled the gap selling watches at a premium.

Not all resold watches are grey but all grey watches are resold

[Evoss]

I talked to the London RSC about different scenarios and they dont really care if you have warranty card/proof of purchase etc... for a service. If you pay, they'll service it.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Evoss

I talked to the London RSC about different scenarios and they dont really care if you have warranty card/proof of purchase etc... for a service. If you pay, they'll service it.

That’s not the question.

The question is in the OP’s initial post. Would you be denied free repairs under the warranty if you did not produce a receipt with the warranty card.


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[Evoss]

Originally Posted by 77T

That’s not the question.

The question is in the OP’s initial post. Would you be denied free repairs under the warranty if you did not produce a receipt with the warranty card.


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Ah yeah, apologies you are correct. You should not need to produce proof of purchase if the warranty card was activated in line with Rolex sales. (swipe, name and dated).

[GBD]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Actually, no. The warranty terms are quite specific and have helpfully been reproduced in a post earlier in this thread. Technically the card is required.

The guarantee is valid only if (1) the watch has been sold by an Official Rolex Retailer; (2) the guarantee card has been completed in full by the Official Rolex Retailer at the time of purchase; and (3) the guarantee card is presented with the watch, either to an Official Rolex Retailer or to an Official Rolex Service Centre.

Thanks for reposting the warranty terms. Having the card is a stipulation per the stated terms, but in practice you don't actually need it, as long as the watch is within the warranty period. For instance, someone might lose the card, but that doesn't invalidate the warranty, as the card is just a representation of the warranty and not the warranty itself.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by GBD

Thanks for reposting the warranty terms. Having the card is a stipulation per the stated terms, but in practice you don't actually need it, as long as the watch is within the warranty period. For instance, someone might lose the card, but that doesn't invalidate the warranty, as the card is just a representation of the warranty and not the warranty itself.

Absolutely. That’s why I posted “technically the card is required”

If Rolex wanted to, warranty work could be refused without the card

[carguy67]

I just had my 1yr old Daytona fixed at RSC NYC after it ceased to function. I have a valid legit warranty card, watch was purchased from a jeweler who was not an AD. Rolex SC in NYC DID NOT and WOULD NOT honor their warranty, I had to pay $890 to have it fixed. The woman I spoke to at RSC NYC would not even acknowledge that the name of the AD on the card, David Rojas in Portugal, even exists, even when I told her I was looking at not only their website, but also on the Rolex website as well. Bottom line is this, they should honor the warranty for any watch they manufacturer that is within the warranty period, no matter where, or from who, it is purchased. Of my other 2 watches, the seadweller lasted 20yrs before service, and the Oyster is still going strong at 13yrs. Maybe I got a lemon but it works now, still don't think I should have had to pay a dime though.

[RFBHD]

My AD in Philly sends all repairs to Dallas...even though NYC is 90 miles away.. sounds like the Texans are much more laid back