First Time Datejust Buyer - Looking for Info

[clettray]

Hi Folks,

First time Rolex buyer - looking to buy a Datejust circa late 90's.

Looking for the expertise of yourselves - first off, what should I look for when buying a used Datejust - any red flags, obvious things to check, etc?

Secondly - how do I know if the watch has been modified? I'm due to look at several watches next week - each two two tone, jubilee bracelet; I'm erring toward a dial with numerals rather than stick, in either white, black, blue or champagne. Can you tell me if all of these colours are standard with the numerals please - or to get those colours, would the watch have had to have been modified?

Thanks all,
C

[kieselguhr]

Welcome to TRF.

Here is my advice when buying used as someone new to Rolex and watches in general. I initially started by having the same mindset as you. Learn about the watch and ensure that I knew what to look out for. When I was ready, I purchased a watch at a great price locally thinking everything checked out. Low and behold I take it to my AD to have the Rolex watchmaker check out and it had a lot of aftermarket parts used in the movement, incorrect dial, and aftermarket crystal. I couldn’t return it as it was sold as is. It ended up costing me more financially and was a frustrating experience.

Of course knowing all the fine details is important. However, I believe it is more important to buy from a reputable business. Good luck to you OP

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Of course knowing all the fine details is important. However, I believe it is more important to buy from a reputable business. Good luck to you OP

Here it is in a nutshell.

I have a local guy who gives me great deals and stands behind his products.

I'm pretty knowledgeable, but I don't know everything and I can't open every watch I buy to check out the movement, besides, not being a watchmaker, it wouldn't do me much good.

Knowing that I'm buying from a man who has a reputation to protect and who treats me well when doing business gives me a lot of peace of mind.

As an example, I bought a 16570 from him some while back and the mainspring broke the next day. I took it back to him and off it went to be serviced and all at no additional cost to me.

[clettray]

Thanks for your thoughts both!

Simple, yet pertinent advice, which lead me away from the shop that had originally caught my eye after a read around, to somewhere with far better reputation... and subsequently a two tone 16233 tapestry dial.




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