Dirty hands?! is this normal?

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by cht

Sorry to hear this experience.
But, facts are, you did by a used watch.
The scratched hands may have been from someone opened the watch and had to manipulate the hands for whatever reason, or it very well could have came like that from Rolex. Who knows for sure?

I’d relax…either way, the hands have some scratches, but the watch works and functions just fine and you still have warranty.

Hands are easily replaced, often removed for service, and not some unheard of process unique to mechanical watch ownership that devalues the watch in any way.

If I bought a 6 month old used Ferrari and I saw some panels had scratches in the engine bay, whether it came like that from Ferrari or a mechanic had been in the engine bay, who knew…but the car worked just fine, I would be ok with the dealer agreeing to fix it for me and it wouldn’t tar my ownership.

Relax a bit…it’s an amazing watch…and will be an amazing watch with new hands…remember unfortunate things happen and that’s life…but how you choose to deal with them defines you.
I practice every day to let go of the small things.

I would normally agree with this logic but not in this case. Trotter's told him he was purchasing an "unworn" watch. In other words, brand new even though the warranty card was filled out ~ 6 months prior. And two, they opened it up but did not disclose this at first. It shouldn't have these scratches unless they did something to it or it came that way from the factory. I agree that taking it to an RSC might be the best move to ensure he got what he paid for.

[emtee]

One question I have is are Trotters a Rolex AD or authorised repair centre? If the answer is no how are they able to order new hands direct from Rolex (their words) as I thought Rolex restricted the sale of genuine parts to the aforementioned?

[Auric Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by emtee

One question I have is are Trotters a Rolex AD or authorised repair centre? If the answer is no how are they able to order new hands direct from Rolex (their words) as I thought Rolex restricted the sale of genuine parts to the aforementioned?

Lol they’re not, that’s why some were questioning where these new hands were coming from. I’m guessing they’re sourcing aftermarket hands or they’re going to swap them from another DJ41.

[emtee]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

Lol they’re not, that’s why some were questioning where these new hands were coming from. I’m guessing they’re sourcing aftermarket hands or they’re going to swap them from another DJ41.

Pretty much what I was alluding to.

If the OP can’t get a refund by playing nice then I would submit the watch to RSC and if the report confirmed that the watch was not as advertised (unworn and therefore by definition untampered with) then I would be taking them to the small claims court where he would almost surely win. It’s unlikely they would let it get to a hearing as they would know they don’t have a leg to stand on if the OP had that RSC report to submit as evidence.

[VonSomething]

Stand firm on a return and your money back. Go to an Authorized Dealer and wait it out. You can wait 3-12 months for a black Datejust to be allocated.

There are so many issues here I don't even know where to start.

1) You've overpaid. waaay too much, even for a grey dealer.

2) With 90% certainty, they swapped the dial for a black one to fill your order. This is common practice by many grey dealers. (I have watched a tons of behind the scenes of the grey market)

2) With them opening up the watch, even just by unscrewing the caseback, your official Rolex warranty is VOID!

3) The reference number doesn't indicate the dial colour, only the model + which bezel it has on. There's no way to prove this originally came with a black dial. It's extremely unlikely.

4) I've seen Trotters youtube content. It's not my choice of people to do any type of business with, I can't possibly fathom why anyone would.

5) They absolutely must honor the return. Get a lawyer involved.

6) You will never be happy with the watch, and they can't possibly fix that. You will always have a "tampered" with watch at the end of the day. That's not a feeling that you want for your first Rolex..

7) Whatever they do, the Rolex warranty is already voided at this point.

8) They have lied and lied and lied to you. They can't "place an order with Rolex" for new hands. Only certified Rolex service centers can do so.

Again, a Black DJ isn't something that should be super hard to get from an AD. It's your first Rolex, don't go grey unless you can absolutely guarantee it's brand new. Which you almost never can, at least not as a 'newbie'.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by VonSomething

1) You've overpaid. waaay too much, even for a grey dealer.

While this is not wrong, the OP would do well not to bring it into the discussion whatsoever. Then it just looks like a case of sour grapes. Did he overpay? Absolutely. Did he care about that if that was the only issue? Seems a resounding "no" on that one. On these things it's important never to muddy the waters.

[SS Oyster]

Hands are made of 18ct gold so they can’t tarnish. Someone messed with those hands, so it shouldn’t have been sold as new by any AD.


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Hands are made of 18ct gold so they can’t tarnish. Someone messed with those hands, so it shouldn’t have been sold as new by any AD.


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It was a grey dealer……


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[HogwldFLTR]

I hate to say how many times I've clicked on this thread. Each time I forget what it's about. I must add that I always wash my hands before eating.

[Horationelson]

This is a misleading action (and therefore a prohibited unfair practice) under Regulation 5 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/...7/regulation/5

Amongst other things (including misleading omission under Regulation 6)

Happy to assist you pursue action against Trotters.

Right to unwind contract within 90 days, right to discount/damages. Take these cowboys to the cleaners - the law is on your side here.

[joli160]

Seller is offering to fix it as he should.
That’s all there is to it, get it fixed and enjoy it

[rolexgs]

Originally Posted by joli160

Seller is offering to fix it as he should.
That’s all there is to it, get it fixed and enjoy it

Trotters said they would fix the watch themselves by replacing the hands(but they are not rolex authorized watch maker). the question is, can they guarantee that this will not void the 5 years warranty by rolex?

[harvey]

Originally Posted by rolexgs

Trotters said they would fix the watch themselves by replacing the hands(but they are not rolex authorized watch maker). the question is, can they guarantee that this will not void the 5 years warranty by rolex?

…they don’t have in-house watchmakers…they outsource as far as I know.

[VonSomething]

Originally Posted by rolexgs

Trotters said they would fix the watch themselves by replacing the hands(but they are not rolex authorized watch maker). the question is, can they guarantee that this will not void the 5 years warranty by rolex?

It's already void at this point. As soon as they even unscrew the caseback.

[rolexgs]

Originally Posted by VonSomething

It's already void at this point. As soon as they even unscrew the caseback.

Good, then just refund the OP. Shame on Trotters.

[rolexgs]

Originally Posted by Horationelson

This is a misleading action (and therefore a prohibited unfair practice) under Regulation 5 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/...7/regulation/5

Amongst other things (including misleading omission under Regulation 6)

Happy to assist you pursue action against Trotters.

Right to unwind contract within 90 days, right to discount/damages. Take these cowboys to the cleaners - the law is on your side here.

are you a lawyer?

[Horationelson]

Originally Posted by rolexgs

are you a lawyer?

Guilty

[Walter Sobchak]

I can confirm that Trotters sell legit goods. This fella sold me a cushty 13 carat day date. Lovely Jubbly.

[LewisDouglas]

UPDATE:

After inspecting the hands with a loupe and finding them to be utterly f**ked, i contacted Trotters - During this grace period as i arranged to see them the watch actually started losing time despite being wound and only 6 months old.

The second hand kept sticking at 6th dial and wouldn't move without a tap or shake. Unbelievable.

By this point my patience had completely diminished, my first time owning a rolex was tainted and now with a broken/faulty watch i found myself 12k in the hole.

Today I rang the guys at Trotters and said I'm driving 150 miles and im coming into the store and want this sorted today.

Upon arrival I was apologised to profusely and was told i could pick any DJ in the store I wanted and have a straight swap. They also gave me a bottle of champagne to further appease me along with 2 free[ATTACH][/ATTACH] leather travel cases that retail for £45.

My eye was immediately drawn to this 2021 bi-colour with a Wimbledon dial, box and papers. and yes, im in love.

Still on that AD waiting list, but this will more than do in the meantime.


I want to again thank everyone for your helpful comments and support during this time, i don't know what the lads at trotters did to fulfil my original order; perhaps a covert dial swap or maybe meshed random pieces of multiple watches? Who knows, but now i have this pristine DJ and i'm super happy.





Hope to be posting in here more!

Thanks again everyone!

[huncho]

Originally Posted by LewisDouglas

UPDATE:

After inspecting the hands with a loupe and finding them to be utterly f**ked, i contacted Trotters - During this grace period as i arranged to see them the watch actually started losing time despite being wound and only 6 months old.

The second hand kept sticking at 6th dial and wouldn't move without a tap or shake. Unbelievable.

By this point my patience had completely diminished, my first time owning a rolex was tainted and now with a broken/faulty watch i found myself 12k in the hole.

Today I rang the guys at Trotters and said I'm driving 150 miles and im coming into the store and want this sorted today.

Upon arrival I was apologised to profusely and was told i could pick any DJ in the store I wanted and have a straight swap. They also gave me a bottle of champagne to further appease me along with 2 free[ATTACH]Attachment 1379138[/ATTACH] leather travel cases that retail for £45.

My eye was immediately drawn to this 2021 bi-colour with a Wimbledon dial, box and papers. and yes, im in love.

Still on that AD waiting list, but this will more than do in the meantime.


I want to again thank everyone for your helpful comments and support during this time, i don't know what the lads at trotters did to fulfil my original order; perhaps a covert dial swap or maybe meshed random pieces of multiple watches? Who knows, but now i have this pristine DJ and i'm super happy.





Hope to be posting in here more!

Thanks again everyone!

glad it worked out and good on them for allowing you to do a straight swap into any DJ you wanted

[Rolex1982]

Congrats and good to hear you are happy with the outcome!

This is a beauty also!

[LewisDouglas]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

Congrats and good to hear you are happy with the outcome!

This is a beauty also!

Thank You! It is what it is, again I felt it was important to be transparent with everyone here with the conduct at trotters. yes it was certainly a f**K up, but it was somewhat remedied.

You can all make your own assumptions with the info provided.

[SteveY]

Originally Posted by LewisDouglas

Thank You! It is what it is, again I felt it was important to be transparent with everyone here with the conduct at trotters. yes it was certainly a f**K up, but it was somewhat remedied.

You can all make your own assumptions with the info provided.

Very please it has been resolved in your favour, surely is a beauty

[drrd]

Originally Posted by LewisDouglas

Thank You! It is what it is, again I felt it was important to be transparent with everyone here with the conduct at trotters. yes it was certainly a f**K up, but it was somewhat remedied.

You can all make your own assumptions with the info provided.

Well done for sorting it out and congratulations on the new watch.

Good you posted back here with the update. Not great but I’d also be pleased with the final outcome.

[Calatrava r]

Sounds like this is a first-class store who handled everything professionally.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Sounds like this is a first-class store who handled everything professionally.

Yes, indeed it sounds like the initial sale was sloppy (not checking the quality of the watch before providing to the OP), as opposed to the dealer trying to pull a fast one of some kind. Judge not by mistakes but by how they are handled.

[dannyp]

So long as you were able to confirm that it was indeed untampered with I would say you got a good deal there. And if/when AD calls with your watch of choice you’ll almost certainly get back every penny you paid on this one (if you decide to sell and not keep both).

[White Collar Boy]

Great outcome. Congratulations on that Wimbledon Datejust. Happy it is sorted for you.