First time poster - thanks for reading

[RonMel]

I have been chasing my Daytona PANDA unicorn for several years now and have decided to bite the bullet and purchase 'grey' as I have spoken to ADs who laugh at me and my AD that I have bought 3 Rolexes from has gone under due to the owners death and family running the business out of business.

I reached out to a few dealers and one had a 2019 vintage (I waited 2 days and lost it) and another has a 2020 vintage. They all say complete with box/papers. The one in play is in Hong Kong and I really worry about fakes - I simply do not have the eye that many of you do and to drop 20K+ on a watch with a MSRP of $13k I better be buying the real deal.

Normally I would walk it into the Rolex building in Manhattan and ask them to certify it for me (they charge me but piece of mind is worth it) but with COVID and the current nonsense I cannot do this.

C24 is the 'broker' for Panda #2 and they guarantee authenticity - what would the hivemind suggest in this case? Buy it and hope that C24 has vetted the seller? Is a watch with a provance of Hong Kong any more or less likely to be faked?

Thank you all for reading this and for humoring me....I am finally in a position to buy my holy grail Rolex and really appreciate the advice.

[Jmbarrack]

Hey buddy. Fellow tri-state area member here.

I'll try to help as best I can. The way Chrono24 works is that it has an escrow service. You pay Chrono24, they hold the money until the watch is delivered and verified you're satisfied, then the funds are released to the seller.

The hang up for me based on what you're telling me is the fact that the watch is in Hong Kong. Not so much due to it potentially being non-authentic, because that can happen buying from anywhere, but more the logistics of shipping and verifying authenticity during a pandemic. It's an added layer of stress and headache that when this much money is involved, you just don't want to add to a situation.

My suggestion would be to purchase something domestically and a little closer to home. There are a lot of secondary market dealers in the NY/NJ area and in counties north and west of the city things are starting to open up. There are also plenty of trusted sellers on this forum and others like DavidSW which have what you're looking for. Make sure you search the forums for recommendations of sellers. The question is always if it's at the price you're looking for.

I think that you can find something for around the $20k mark. Just make sure you do your homework.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Jmbarrack

the logistics of shipping and verifying authenticity during a pandemic. It's an added layer of stress and headache that when this much money is involved, you just don't want to add to a situation.

+1. Piece of mind is critical and at a time like this, look at other options that might give you piece of mind. Good luck!

[ArtNouveau]

Welcome to the forum. If you're ready to bite the premium price bullet I would simply wait a few more weeks and go shopping for one in the Diamond District once it's reopened. There will be plenty to choose from and you will be able to see and touch them before paying, not to mention walking out with it that day.

PS: a white dial steel Daytona is not a Panda, it's a white dial with black rings around its subdials. A Panda would have full black subdials.
Happy hunting.

[Hutrmila]

If 20+ goes up to around 25.000 $ then look at https://www2.europeanwatch.com/cgi-b...=Rolex+Daytona

... possibly there is some room for negotiating price ... these guys seem to be honest traders and shall provide you expected service ... good luck


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[Hutrmila]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Welcome to the forum. If you're ready to bite the premium price bullet I would simply wait a few more weeks and go shopping for one in the Diamond District once it's reopened. There will be plenty to choose from and you will be able to see and touch them before paying, not to mention walking out with it that day.

PS: a white dial steel Daytona is not a Panda, it's a white dial with black rings around its subdials. A Panda would have full black subdials.
Happy hunting.

Good point ... Newman’s panda is definitely shooting waaaay above 20K


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[m3tek44]

I completely understand your situation and was similar situation like you. If you need recommendation check out reputable grey guys HQ Milton (Scott), takuyawatches (Thanh), and thetimepiecegentleman (Anthony). i have personally purchased all my watches from three guys and without a doubt they all all 100% genuine.

[m3tek44]

Originally Posted by m3tek44

I completely understand your situation and was similar situation like you. If you need recommendation check out reputable grey guys HQ Milton (Scott), takuyawatches (Thanh), and thetimepiecegentleman (Anthony). i have personally purchased all my watches from three guys and without a doubt they all all 100% genuine.

Here is my daytona purchase from Gentleman Timepiece month ago.

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[RonMel]

Thank you all and M3Tek- SPECTACULAR Seriously!

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

[fsprow]

Welcome. There are many great resellers in the greater NYC area. I highly recommend Gabriel Allen at Watches Off Fifth in NYC. A fine fellow, completely honest and has the goods to go with it. Tell him Frank sent you.

[Calatrava r]

Never heard the word "unicorn" used in connection with a Daytona. What does it mean? I know the name "Panda" referred to the all WG Daytona with white dial and all black sub dials but is now used for all white dial models on any metal.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Never heard the word "unicorn" used in connection with a Daytona. What does it mean? I know the name "Panda" referred to the all WG Daytona with white dial and all black sub dials but is now used for all white dial models on any metal.

Unicorn just means that it is impossible to capture, like a real life unicorn is




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[RonMel]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Never heard the word "unicorn" used in connection with a Daytona. What does it mean? I know the name "Panda" referred to the all WG Daytona with white dial and all black sub dials but is now used for all white dial models on any metal.

Its a mythical beast - that some claim to have actually seen. With the way that ADs act you would think the Daytona was a magical timepiece...

[RonMel]

FYI - Just called Anthony at thetimepiecegentleman - great guy to talk to and he had what I was looking for in hand.


Thanks again for the hook-up. a 2020 Daytona on his way to his new wrist...

[campfire]

Welcome to the forum. And congratulations on the new watch. Looking forward to the incoming. Have fun.

[m3tek44]

Originally Posted by RonMel

FYI - Just called Anthony at thetimepiecegentleman - great guy to talk to and he had what I was looking for in hand.


Thanks again for the hook-up. a 2020 Daytona on his way to his new wrist...

Glad to help and please share few photos once you have the watch in hand. Anthony is definitely trustworthy.

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[Jmbarrack]

Originally Posted by RonMel

FYI - Just called Anthony at thetimepiecegentleman - great guy to talk to and he had what I was looking for in hand.


Thanks again for the hook-up. a 2020 Daytona on his way to his new wrist...

Nice! Congratulations. Glad you were able to join here and get some good advice.

[AlexFrank]

Welcome to TRF man, its a great place to have something in common to discuss here.
Well most places are reopening now so I would hold on for a little while until you can be fully satisfied. I like peace of mind as well

[RonMel]

Can't post photos / links yet - trying to get to the magical 10 posts. but I do have my 116500LN on my wrist a mere 28 hours after my post, your great advice and a Anthony hook-up.

[RonMel]

Todays purchase - thrilled.....

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by RonMel

Todays purchase - thrilled.....



Attachment 1140829

Congrats!


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[Dancingpriest]

Hey, welcome on board...I hope you find what you looking for. But be careful!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Jmbarrack

Hey buddy. Fellow tri-state area member here.

I'll try to help as best I can. The way Chrono24 works is that it has an escrow service. You pay Chrono24, they hold the money until the watch is delivered and verified you're satisfied, then the funds are released to the seller.

The hang up for me based on what you're telling me is the fact that the watch is in Hong Kong. Not so much due to it potentially being non-authentic, because that can happen buying from anywhere, but more the logistics of shipping and verifying authenticity during a pandemic. It's an added layer of stress and headache that when this much money is involved, you just don't want to add to a situation.

My suggestion would be to purchase something domestically and a little closer to home. There are a lot of secondary market dealers in the NY/NJ area and in counties north and west of the city things are starting to open up. There are also plenty of trusted sellers on this forum and others like DavidSW which have what you're looking for. Make sure you search the forums for recommendations of sellers. The question is always if it's at the price you're looking for.

I think that you can find something for around the $20k mark. Just make sure you do your homework.

100% agree with this advice

Unnecessary risk/hassle for a marginal difference in price.

[jimcameron]

Beautiful

[Muxi]

Congrats!

[sgwatchguy]

Originally Posted by RonMel

Todays purchase - thrilled.....

Attachment 1140829

Congrats! Awesome watch. Enjoy

[socalwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

Unicorn just means that it is impossible to capture, like a real life unicorn is




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Nonsense. I have a pet unicorn.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by socalwatchcollector

Nonsense. I have a pet unicorn.

Nice!

I have a Patek 5711 blue dial, which is basically the same thing

Haha jk


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