Anyone ever sell a Rolex and then try to find that EXACT watch?

[smallcandle]

I bought my 1st Rolex in December of 1999. My local AD in Wichita had a T series 16700 with pepsi insert that had been sitting in the case since 1996. As it happens that was the exact watch I was looking for so I didn't care (or even think to ask) its age - I just knew it was brand-new and waiting for me!

I wore that watch everday for almost 9 years before making the foolish decision to sell it. In that time I had it serviced one time at a cost of $550 but still managed to make a profit on it. However, as soon as I shipped it off to its new owner I regretted it. Ever since then I keep my eyes peeled for a T series 16700 with pepsi insert. I'm still looking for my baby...

Any other members here ever sell a Rolex only to find themselves trying to buy back their exact watch?

[azguy]

I could see if it was something like a 1967 blue camaro and you sold it and wanted the same car back. But does it really matter if you find another 16700 that was a say a "W" or "U" serial

Good luck anyway in your search

[rr-nyc]

That would be cool if you did find it. The owner of Papa Johns Pizza set out that quest to find a Camaro he once owned and set out a nationwide search

[smallcandle]

Originally Posted by azguy

I could see if it was something like a 1967 blue camaro and you sold it and wanted the same car back. But does it really matter if you find another 16700 that was a say a "W" or "U" serial

Good luck anyway in your search

You're missing the point apparently. For many of us buying our 1st Rolex is a milestone in life. I made the mistake of selling mine and now would like to have the opportunity to have it back.

I don't want just any 16700 - I want mine...

[subtona]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

You're missing the point apparently. For many of us buying our 1st Rolex is a milestone in life. I made the mistake of selling mine and now would like to have the opportunity to have it back.

I don't want just any 16700 - I want mine...

thats life... you don't know how much you loved it, until its gone

sounds like a real challenge with a small window of opportunity to squeeze through to assuage your desire...
what if you found another thread of significance that would broaden you options, perhaps a birth year or some other significant moment?

[Transcon]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

You're missing the point apparently. For many of us buying our 1st Rolex is a milestone in life. I made the mistake of selling mine and now would like to have the opportunity to have it back.

I don't want just any 16700 - I want mine...

That was my exact reasoning one week ago when I bought my 116710 brand new from my AD. Buying my first Rolex was a milestone in my life that I had denied myself for too long, may sound cheesy but to me being the first owner forms a bond with the watch. I wore the same Breitling Chronospace (which I still own and enjoy) for almost 15 years always telling myself that one day I would have a GMT. After only a week I know that I will never part with this watch unless it came down to the point where I was starving to death and had to sell it to survive. There are more watches I hope to acquire over the years and they may come and go but this first one will stay with me forever

[jimbones43]

Would you know it, do you have the serial number?

I know what you are feeling!

[SoftwareDrone]

I'd had my Rolex stolen and am looking for the exact same watch...

[smallcandle]

Originally Posted by jimbones43

Would you know it, do you have the serial number?

I know what you are feeling!

I do have the serial number. My AD was gracious enough to go back in their records and look it up for me. I also sold the watch with all of its bits (boxes, papers, etc...) so hopefully they're all still with the watch.

Perhaps someday we'll be reunited...

[azguy]

ah, I got it you want your watch, not the exact same watch I wish you luck in your search, you never know, that would be a story for the ages It would be even funnier if you remembered some of the scratches and dings and said "hey I did that one"

[moviefreak]

The interesting questiom is how much are you willing to spend extra for that watch... 10k over retail??? How much??

[316lad]

Originally Posted by smallcandle

I do have the serial number. My AD was gracious enough to go back in their records and look it up for me. I also sold the watch with all of its bits (boxes, papers, etc...) so hopefully they're all still with the watch.

Perhaps someday we'll be reunited...

Although I commiserate with you - I've done the same thing with a couple of items - I don't think you stand much of a chance unless you have the financial wherewithal to embark on a major advertising campaign in press, online and elsewhere.
"Hey you, do you have a Rolex with this serial number?", etc.

[GradyPhilpott]

It seems to me that someone on this board did buy back his original watch, but I think he sold it to someone whom he knew and who was gracious enough to sell it back to that individual.

Have you kept any records of the sale and to where and whom the watch was shipped?

[le_baroudeur]

Yes, did you keep record of the sale? Bank? Letter? Town?

[Eric88]

Can't hurt to contact the guy who bought it from you to see if they still have it or get contact info of the next buyer. I'd say it would be quite possible to find the watch via some email sleuthing with the chain of buyers.

I sold a watch under similar circumstances, concerned that I might want it back one day. I told the buyer to please let me know if/when he sold it and to whom. He made good on this and I was in touch with the next buyer to make the same request. I kept track of it through 3 buyers and eventually let it go.

[Chozn1]

I almost did this. My first Rolex was a frankenwatch, so I don't really consider it my first. My real first is my Bluesy. It remains the only mainstay in my collection and has seen many others come and go. I was dying for a TT GMT ceramic a few years ago and made a deal to trade my Sub towards it. It literally kept me up that night, and I had to tuck my tail between my legs and tell the seller I just couldn't do it. He was very gracious about it and got my business later on another outright buy when I had the funds.

[Postnikov]

When I bought my first GMT Master, it was because I liked the look when I saw one on someones wrist (I am an AP fan). On my wrist I did not liked it - so I sold it. After some time and having seen again some on others wrists - I bought it again. To be honest: I like it more seeing it than wearing it. Funny!

[stusrt]

I am seriously considering going after a UN I sold on ebay a couple years back -
very rare - it was stupid to sell it in the first place.

And I want that exact one back also!!!
the guy who bought it loved it so much, I doubt I'll get it back

[redsrover]

Not a Rolex, but the IWC Mark XII I sold last year I have wanted back since the package left my hands. I tracked down the buyer in Germany just a week ago but sadly he's sold it to someone else.

I'd like to have that particular Mk XII back because I had serviced it just before selling and it was pristine.

Red

[smallcandle]

I actually contacted the buyer of the watch a couple of years ago in the hopes that he would still have it and be willing to sell it. Unfortunately he had already sold it himself and that was where the trail went cold.

As far as how much I'd be willing to spend to have my exact watch back - that's a very good question. And one that I've asked myself more than a few times. However, its hard to answer that question until I'm actually faced with getting her back. In the meantime, I just make sure to stop and look closely at any and all 16700's I see for sale...

[rulessapt]

I bought my first new Rolex 3 days ago, a 116400 Milgauss.
For some years I lusted after a GMT, swore it would be my first new Rolex.
Never looked at Subs, nearly fell for a GMT MasterII during the time.

Then times changed (no more new Masters) and the Milgauss was released. I was torn between the two.
The Milgauss won.

Whilst not knowing the future, it is very unlikely I'd sell the Millie. There are others which could go if needs be or I became sensible, all of a sudden.
But that Rolex and a precious JLC Reverso will always be with me.

There's not one watch I've owned and sold that I would go to lengths to find once more. I consider those that went through my hands to be fortunate experience, equally to the subsequent owners.

Feel for you Brian, I hope it can come back to you, if you feel you need it that badly.
Assuming the watch were located, what if a subsequent owner loved it just as much, it could be tough to part them and how would you feel if the current custodian declined to sell to you?

[smallcandle]

Originally Posted by rulessapt

Assuming the watch were located, what if a subsequent owner loved it just as much, it could be tough to part them and how would you feel if the current custodian declined to sell to you?

I would have no problem letting the current owner keep it if they had a genuine love for the watch. However, in today's world, I would be surprised if that were actually the case.

[sleddog]

I am guilty of that crime Brian...
Never again!!

[BXNupe]

My first Rolex was a pre-loved SS Sub that I purchased as a graduation gift to myself. Roughly half of the purchase price came from my mom. Thirteen years later, after getting the okay from my mom, I flipped it for a new Pepsi GMT which I HAD to have. Every now and again I regret the decsion to let my first Rolex go and contemplated trying to hunt it down...but never took any steps to do so primarily because my then AD is now out of business. To "fix" the problem, I bought a Sub LV and asked my mother to provide me with a quote to be engraved on the back. This great suggestion was made by TRF! I love the quote and the watch. Both the LV and the Pepsi are now keepers because they both spawn from my first Rolex. As an aside, I bought another 16610 but sold it given that in some ways I felt it was duplicative of the LV, and I don't have the bank to be able to double up on references.

[Andad]

I buy watches. I have never sold one.

Probably why I can never decide what to wear.

[petesjag]

There is actually a film on you tube about a guy who sold his patek and spent years looking for it, found it at auction and bought it back..its a promotion film from patek...if you do some looking, you will find it..
I sold my black daytona to upgrade to a tt panda which i love..I then really started regretting selling the ss. After a Long search and much patience i have her back..she wont get away again..

[jmsrolls]

I have sold and re-bought the same watch several times over the years.

Most recently I sold my Explorer II and a while later, the purchaser contacted me asking permission to use my photos of the watch in a "for sale" posting on the sales corner. I saved him the trouble by buying it back.

Fr. John†

[desertcop204]

Yep, but I'll do you one better....

I foolishly traded my first Rolex (16610) in 2001 toward another watch and later regretted it. I have the serial number and actually contacted my AD to see if they had records of who bought mine. Unfortunately they moved in the meantime and all the old records are archived. I did however just buy a new DD II from them, so maybe if I ask extra nice they'll try and go through those records and find out who has it so I can try and buy it back. I'd love to get my first one back!

[smallcandle]

I just hope where ever 'she' is that her owner wears her daily and proudly! It would be a shame if that watch spent its days in a safe or drawer... But perhaps our paths will cross again one day.