This forum has indirectly made me very mad!!

[jlovda]

Before I started visiting this website and learning about the Rolexs' in my family I was a naive but happy owner of the watches I purchased. I then saw the listing of serial numbers and year of manufacture.

Sub 5513, Beyer, Zurich, purch. 7/70, SN 204xxxx (1966)
GMT 1675, Wedding present from wife, Chicago jeweler (grey mkt), purch. 4/76, SN 316xxxx (1970)!!!!
Ladies-Date 6916, Oskar Pedersen, Bergen, Norway, purch. 6/83, SN 703xxxx (1981)
Ladies-Datejust 6917, Christ, Frankfurt Airport, purch. 12/84, SN 853xxxx (1984)

Three out of four watches were old stock, especially my GMT wedding present!! Is this just rare bad luck or a common experience? I would assume viewers of this site would be educated. Have you ever been offered a 3-4 year old watch by a dealer and refused?

[2th Dr]

Yep, twice. And neither time did they offer a discount, even though they knew I knew it was old stock. And both times I walked away.

[lobo58]

A Rolex is a Rolex. Two years old, eight years old, forty years old. Embrace it. Roll with it.

[Lol-x]

I got an early "M" series when the current "V" was all over the place.

I was a little annoyed, but it really didn't matter very much at all at the end of the day

[jlovda]

I'm not mad at the watches. I'm mad at the dealers.

[Watchdog]

I wouldn't be too upset over it . . .

All right, I can't lie; I'd be really irritated. Of course, it doesn't make any difference except for the psychological factor. But this can be a powerful component.

For me, it's VERY important to feel I didn't get cheated in any way. I expect, of course, for a dealer to make a fair profit.

But at the end of the day, I want to know I got an AMAZING deal.

So for me to buy a watch three, four, or five years old BNIB--cognizant of the numerous price increases it must have endured since it arrived--it would really bother me.

Also, and this might be even more dumb (but perhaps some of you share my preference), I like some series letters much better than others.

So, when I got my latest Rolex, I insisted on a V series. I knew it was the most current (which I definitely wanted), but I also wanted it because V is my favorite series letter.

To me Rolex is perfection. I want it to be perfect in every way possible.

[chicagowatchman]

Thats why i always order a factory fresh and wait up to 6 months.

[Mr. K]

Buyer beware. But sounds like you have had your watches awhile. The SN may help out with resale a bit to show it is a newer watch, but if you do not sell, don't worry.

Sounds like you have nice watches, if they served you well, then just enjoy.

[newmedia]

If I am buying a watch, I have right to know when it was made and let me decide if I want it.

[Imtiaz]

Originally Posted by jlovda

I'm not mad at the watches. I'm mad at the dealers.

Dealers know that very few buyers are experts. With stock they need to sell the old stuff first.

No different to milk and eggs in the supermarket.

Getting some guidance, asking questions and checking the serial number yourself is the only way.

If you need to get mad, get mad at the lack of knowledge.

But rejoice in the thought that the dealers cannot put one over you any more since you have discovered TRF.

[ayecarumba]

Originally Posted by Imtiaz

Dealers know that very few buyers are experts. With stock they need to sell the old stuff first.

No different to milk and eggs in the supermarket.

Getting some guidance, asking questions and checking the serial number yourself is the only way.

If you need to get mad, get mad at the lack of knowledge.

But rejoice in the thought that the dealers cannot put one over you any more since you have discovered TRF.

Wise words!

[GMTJOHNNY]

Seems grey dealers have such little inventory on hand that all the watches are pretty recent. AD's sit on them I see from my visits.

[thecoinopcollector]

Originally Posted by jlovda

Before I started visiting this website and learning about the Rolexs' in my family I was a naive but happy owner of the watches I purchased. I then saw the listing of serial numbers and year of manufacture.

Sub 5513, Beyer, Zurich, purch. 7/70, SN 204xxxx (1966)
GMT 1675, Wedding present from wife, Chicago jeweler (grey mkt), purch. 4/76, SN 316xxxx (1970)!!!!
Ladies-Date 6916, Oskar Pedersen, Bergen, Norway, purch. 6/83, SN 703xxxx (1981)
Ladies-Datejust 6917, Christ, Frankfurt Airport, purch. 12/84, SN 853xxxx (1984)

Three out of four watches were old stock, especially my GMT wedding present!! Is this just rare bad luck or a common experience? I would assume viewers of this site would be educated. Have you ever been offered a 3-4 year old watch by a dealer and refused?

Nothing to be mad about there . The 5513 and 1675 are both very collectible watches.

[Bisquitlips]

I think I have a rather different take on this subject.

Rolex timepieces are designed to last a lifetime. If a watch is in an AD's case and it is 3 years old, I would not have a problem purchasing it as long as it comes with a full warranty and I could get it at the price it was originally in the year of its manufacture.

That is just me and I understand the controversy about the aged oils in the movement perhaps being an issue and so forth. But again, these are designed to last a lifetime and even several lifetimes with proper care and service.

I would just enjoy your timepieces and the fact that now your watches are desirable vintage pieces.

[swatty]

No use getting mad after all these years . Just wondeing if you a ever had any issues with the watches that were a few years old when you purchased them?
You have a great collection , just enjoy them

[C. Davidson]

Originally Posted by swatty

No use getting mad after all these years . Just wondeing if you a ever had any issues with the watches that were a few years old when you purchased them?
You have a great collection , just enjoy them

x2.

[jtvision]

If the piece has sat in the display case for 4-5 years the lume will not be as bright as a fresh piece. As someone else mentioned, the resale value drops.
I had this happen to me- by choice- when purchasing my D serial DJ almost a year ago. I picked the D over a newer series because I disliked the rehaut print on a dress watch.

[Desperado]

Pretend that you dont know their serials as it doesnt really matter for a Rolex(you will still enjoy this wonderful collection)

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by swatty

No use getting mad after all these years . Just wondeing if you a ever had any issues with the watches that were a few years old when you purchased them?
You have a great collection , just enjoy them

Nothing about the GMT but the Sub lost accuracy about a year after I got it. I complained to Rolex Service and they agreed to do an overhaul without any case work for $25. That was in 1971.

[landroverking]

If given a good discount I would seek out NOS over pre-owned.

[Skullring]

I don't think it is that big of a deal but having said that I would also use the older date to bargain for a discount.

[cmr]

it can be a very big deal and i would be very upset if i got a last years watch without perposly making that decision myself. consider the last style gmt with the new movement my gmt2c has. it made a very big difference.

[allanofcalifornia]

Would love to see pictures of your watches.


Allan