Watch face and guarantee card don't match,

[Crosswit]

Hi all,
I live in the UK and was all set to buy a new Rolex Datejust 36mm with bi-colour jubilee bracelet with champagne, baton dial. I went to a reputable jewellers who holds the franchise for Rolex in a large shopping centre and they ordered it in. I have just been to the jewellers to buy the watch but before parting with my hard earned cash I thought I'd check the watch against the guarantee card. Although the serial number and model number matched there was a discrepancy in that the watch itself has a champagne dial with batons but the guarantee card said "WHITE ROMAN NUMERALS". I even photographed it as proof. The salesman said that they had been having a problem with the new cards and if I bought the watch he'd sort it out and get a new card for me! I politely refused saying I wasn't happy to buy the watch and take it when the card does not match up. He is going to look into it and contact me tomorrow. I don't know what's going on as I thought there would only be one of these cards for a specific watch and it would be impossible to obtain another card from Rolex. Please could someone give me some advice? Should I accept the watch if he manages to come up with a new card or does this sound dodgy and should I go elsewhere? Thanks in anticipation for any replies.

[Tools]

Datejust dials and hands are changed all the time. Rolex won't likely issue a new card unless it matches their records, so it seems that if you have a card that matches in the end it shouldn't matter if they had to install the parts you ordered.

[Ken B]

I had second thoughts on this.. a few questions..
How long did it take for them to get you your watch? special orders should take 6-8 weeks. If the distributor didn't have the exact watch you wanted they could have modified the piece. The salesmans comments would leave me a tad worried about his ethics.

[datejusting]

I agree with you, I would not accept the watch until the warranty card agrees with the watch.

[iWally]

better of asking DavidSW or any other trusted sellers! But in response to your question. I would not take the watch from the jeweller as you said it yourself, only one warranty card per rolex.

[sigguy]

Good decision to wait on the purchase; the only leverage you have is the sale.

Personally I'd prefer, as the first retail purchaser, to have the card match the
configuration I purchased. As Larry said, people do change dials all the time and
that's fine, but IMO that should be your decision at a later date.

Let us know what they say ...

J

[Danex]

I would walk away. An AD purchase should provide impeccable provenance.


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[summerjack]

Originally Posted by Danex

I would walk away. An AD purchase should provide impeccable provenance.


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x2

[lamnyc]

Fishy.

[aleeboy]

Sounds weird for a brand new rolex from an AD. The warranty card should match the watch no questions. Now, if we are talking about pre-loved, I see no issue as my explorer 2 now has a white dial which is not the original black dial reference that was sold.

[Rock]

Am I correct in thinking that what we are suggesting here, is that the AD modified an in-stock TT DJ white Roman with a Champagne stick dial to meet the order specification the OP placed with them?
If so, I would regard this as rather dishonest unless it was first approved by the buyer.
I would absolutely want the paper to match the spec. on a new watch.

[Crosswit]

Thank you so much for all your replies and help. Ken B it only took him 2 days to get the watch in. Salesman phoned this morning saying he'd just got off the phone from Rolex UK and they would be issuing a new card as an administrative error had occurred on the switch over from the old card system to the new type of cards. Rolex had checked the watch on their system and it all checks out. I hope he's telling the truth and I'm not being naive as after all this is probably from one of the most prestigious jewellers here in the UK.
I've attached a copy of the photo I took of the card and after trawling the web last night, found that if the serial number starts with G (as this one does) it was made in the first half of 2010. Please does anyone have any further thoughts as I would value any further comment. I'm very new to all this as you probably realise and buying as a special present for my husband's 60th. I don't want to feel there is something untoward about the watch and get that horrible sinking feeling after I've bought it.

[Crosswit]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone it's much appreciated. I tried to post 10hours ago including a picture of the warranty card with blacked out serial number but for some reason post has not appeared! Maybe for some reason I'm not allowed to do that? In answer to your question Ken B it only took the salesman 2 days to get the watch in.
Well, the salesman did call this morning and said that he'd been in touch with Rolex UK and they are supplying a new card as there had been an "administrative error" on their part when they changed the system from the old cards to the new ones. Rolex he said checked the watch on their system and it should not have "White Roman Numerals" on the card and a new one is being sent which he should have on Thursday. I hope that I can trust this and am not being taken for a ride but can only say this jewellers is probably the most prestigious in the UK.
As you probably realise I'm new to all this and buying the watch as a special 60th birthday present for my husband. I would really value any comments on the above. Thanks.

[Crosswit]

Sorry almost forgot to add that the serial number begins with G - after trawling the internet I found that means the watch was produced early 2010. Is it normal for them to have a brand new watch in stock for that long?

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Crosswit

Sorry almost forgot to add that the serial number begins with G - after trawling the internet I found that means the watch was produced early 2010. Is it normal for them to have a brand new watch in stock for that long?

Your info is incorrect. G serials began being seen in 2010 and have been running concurrent with the random serials. The only thing the G tells you is the watch can't be any older than 2010. It can certainly be newer than that.

But to answer your question in general terms, it is not unusual for a DJ to be around for a couple of years or more before being sold. The reason for this is that while the DJ is a popular watch there are many dial configurations available for the DJ. So it is not unusual for a DJ to sit because a buyer has to walk in to that specific store that wants that particular one (white roman, champagne stick, etc.). On the other hand, Subs usually don't sit around that long for this very reason - lack of all those choices.

[sigguy]

It is true that Rolex changed the card design in the last year or so; that
part is plausible.

As for G-serial number, they *started* making them in 2010. As T-ferg says,
it's entirely reasonable that a G-serial (especially a late one G8xxxxx,
versus say G0xxxxx or G1xxxxx ... they do seem to use the numbers in
batches, roughly in order) will be factory-fresh.

Only other thing you could do, I suppose, would be to get the store
manager involved. Explain the situation and your concerns, with the sales
person present, and see what transpires; if you're comfortable with how
they handle the situation then great.

At this point, you're getting a new watch with the correct dial, card,
and paperwork so you will be covered for warranty, etc. regardless.

Hope this helps,

J