Will Rolex honour warranty if not from an AD?

[nowayman]

Hi all,

This is my very first post and its great to join you all on this forum!!!

I have been thinking about buying a GMT IIc for some time now and I think that now is a good time!!

I was wondering though..... What are the consequences if this piece is not purchased from an AD? I would rather buy from an AD to be honest its just that I have seen sites such as JOMASHOP selling them for approx 1800USD less than here in Denmark....... Thats nothing to be sniffed at. However.... I know that they offer their own warranty but that doesn't mean much to me.

Would Rolex touch it within the two year warranty if disaster strike? Has anyone here bought from a non AD and had a good/bad experience they would like to share?

I am also going to be in Bangkok for the next two weeks for a bit of work but mainly holiday So I would like to check out some stores there. I have been working in and out of Bangkok for a while now and there are some very nice stores there. However I have never been looking before.

Can anyone recommend any "decent" stores to visit? Again, I can look up the AD's but was just curious about the consequences of purchasing from a reputable but not strictly speaking an AD.

I need some wise guidance.........

[sakuraba]

I believe the RSC will check the warranty card, and not whether you got it from an AD or not. The warranty goes with the watch, not the seller or buyer.

Hope this helps.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

I believe the RSC will check the warranty card, and not whether you got it from an AD or not. The warranty goes with the watch, not the seller or buyer.

Hope this helps.

Where I think you could run into trouble is if you buy grey and the watch doesn't come with the card (in which case, run!) or you lose it. Were I to lose my card, I could always call my AD and ensure Rolex had the proper documentation.

[nowayman]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Where I think you could run into trouble is if you buy grey and the watch doesn't come with the card (in which case, run!) or you lose it. Were I to lose my card, I could always call my AD and ensure Rolex had the proper documentation.

So is there a checklist that I should look out for?

This is great info as I wouldn't have thought of that. Unless you are used to buying Rolexes its not always obvious what you get in the box and what to look out for.

Many thanks for the replies guys!

[ersnyder]

I'm not sure about Jomashop but I do know some other "gray" market dealers will issue their own warranty and NOT a Rolex warranty. Rolex will not honor warranty work on a watch they, or an authorized AD, did not issue.

Depending on the integrity of the dealer, that can be OK. I bought a Cartier from Prestige Time without a Cartier warranty and had a problem, Prestige took care of the situation very honorably and I would buy another watch from them without a factory warranty without any hesitation.

[ersnyder]

Sorry, forgot, welcome to TRF!

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

If you have the original Rolex warranty card and if it is not more than 2 years since it is filled up then there will be no problem..

[ersnyder]

I don't think he's going to get a Rolex warranty card.

[PeteNYC13]

Don't forget, in addition to an authorized Rolex Watchmaker, the AD will also have a Rolex Parts Account and likely, more access to repair parts you will need.

-Pete

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by nowayman

So is there a checklist that I should look out for?

This is great info as I wouldn't have thought of that. Unless you are used to buying Rolexes its not always obvious what you get in the box and what to look out for.

Many thanks for the replies guys!

Your watch should come with:
1. warranty card
2. chrono tag (red tag)
3. barcode tag (green tag)
4. inner box with cushion (green)
5. outer box (white)
6. suede cloth
7. service booklet (list of RSCs)
8. GMT booklet
9. bezel protector (sometimes)

I'm sure someone will correct me if I leave out something.

Most important would be the warranty card of course.

Good luck!

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

Your watch should come with:
1. warranty card
2. chrono tag (red tag)
3. barcode tag (green tag)
4. inner box with cushion (green)
5. outer box (white)
6. suede cloth
7. service booklet (list of RSCs)
8. GMT booklet
9. bezel protector (sometimes)

I'm sure someone will correct me if I leave out something.

Most important would be the warranty card of course.

Good luck!

Um most important is the WATCH!

[Chris B]

I've had watches go back to RSC for guarantee work & have yet to be asked for the warranty card/paperwork

As long as ownership is not in dispute, its the watch that matters

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by x06verdm

Um most important is the WATCH!

I knew I missed something!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by nowayman

Hi all,

This is my very first post and its great to join you all on this forum!!!

I have been thinking about buying a GMT IIc for some time now and I think that now is a good time!!

I was wondering though..... What are the consequences if this piece is not purchased from an AD? I would rather buy from an AD to be honest its just that I have seen sites such as JOMASHOP selling them for approx 1800USD less than here in Denmark....... Thats nothing to be sniffed at. However.... I know that they offer their own warranty but that doesn't mean much to me.

Would Rolex touch it within the two year warranty if disaster strike? Has anyone here bought from a non AD and had a good/bad experience they would like to share?

I am also going to be in Bangkok for the next two weeks for a bit of work but mainly holiday So I would like to check out some stores there. I have been working in and out of Bangkok for a while now and there are some very nice stores there. However I have never been looking before.

Can anyone recommend any "decent" stores to visit? Again, I can look up the AD's but was just curious about the consequences of purchasing from a reputable but not strictly speaking an AD.

I need some wise guidance.........

Well to be perfectly honest there are not many watches any brand have any need for warranty work in the warranty period.If there are it is a very small number then mainly for very simple things like regulation.Myself would take the save $1800 every time, the most important is getting a genuine watch.And yes some grey dealers offer a warranty as good sometimes better than Rolex own.Then once out of warranty Rolex will quite happily take your money for service or repair they will not care where you bought it from.

[Boadicea]

I heard that the warranty needs to match the name on the card. Both of mine were not marked with my name, just the date and the AD details, but I guess if they did happen to put a name on it, it would only be valid under that name.

If you're buying used, buy the SELLER and not the watch (well, but the watch too, lol). There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and even if the watch is genuine, it could be stolen and you'll only find out when you send it in for a service one day and they send you a letter back instead of your watch.

I personally will only buy new and from an AD. Here in the UK, the prices between new and used are usually only a few hundred pounds (even on non SS models) so I see no point in getting used. I *could* buy cheaper from non AD's but I'm just not willing to take the risk. The way i see it, I am spending a little extra on peace of mind!

[Jackxv]

Don't just buy in Bangkok, there's a risk with Customs when returning to Arhus or Kopenhagen, not even mentioning the many fakes.

There are a few grey dealers around here in Holland who will sell it to you for about these prices brand new, EU watch and full 2year guarantee on your name :

116710 from 4500 to 4850 Euro
116713 from 5800 to 6000 euro
116718 from 14500 tot 15500 Euro

Jack

[nowayman]

Thanks for the replies guys!!! Very good things to consider.

I only want to buy a brand new one. There are some amazing watch boutiques in Bangkok. I wouldn't be worried about buying a fake as I would never purchase from a dodgy looking store.

You can just tell when you are in a place that is trustworthy. That place however may not be strictly an AD. I used to have a Breitling AD in my home town in Denmark. they were an AD for 18 years. Its only just recently they stopped becoming and AD but still have inventory...... I don't believe that just because you are at present not an AD, mean that you are not a trustworthy dealer. Most reputable stores have nothing to hide.

As for getting the watch back to DK...... I will wear it home and then simply post the box home behind me. Customs cant charge you for an empty box.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well to be perfectly honest there are not many watches any brand have any need for warranty work in the warranty period.If there are it is a very small number then mainly for very simple things like regulation.Myself would take the save $1800 every time, the most important is getting a genuine watch.

My Omega SMP (bought new from an Omega AD) had to go back to Omega for warrenty work TWICE during it's first two years for the same fault as well........ a broken balance spring

[Jackxv]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

My Omega

Thats why he wants a Rolex.....


If the watch is too "new" looking at customs at the Airport they might ask you about it.

Don't think you'll get a super bargain because the Euro is much lower then back in December.

Jack

[InVision]

Welcome to TRF.

Pretty simple 2 year Rolex warranty is with card with name and properly stamped AD.

My local AD told me last week that he now has to record the watch serial for every Rolex part sold. Worst yet the local Rolex Certified watchmaker cannot work on a watch with a valid RSC warranty, it has to be sent back. For him to work on it would void the 2 yr RSC warranty.

Moral of the story is to buy from someone you want to deal with.

Mike

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Jackxv

Thats why he wants a Rolex.....

Indeed....and it's why I replaced the Omega with a Sub