Gray market rolex

[jay1988]

JLC Reverso and Sub were AD.

My parents bought/helped me buy them so if they were confiscated for some reason I would be devastated.

From now on though I will buy grey and if it gets confiscated and the shop in question has shut down (come on what are the chances of both happening ?) then I will just live and let live. With my JLC Reverso and my Sub I have everything I could need any way.

[Brenngun]

AD's and trusted sellers on TRF's for new. Other private sellers for some vintage pieces. Never ebay. I'd steer clear of Melrose.

[jphj012]

The problem with Gray Market is that SOMETIMES, some of the parts (external/internal) may be an aftermarket. If you do come across purchasing from a gray market, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you getting it all checked out to see all the parts are authentic.

[77T]

All 3 for me at different times.

[alanc]

Originally Posted by Tools

The Gray Market can be a decent source for good new watches.. Do not confuse the Grey Market, which are legitimate businesses that import new watches in from overseas bypassing the Distributor, with the Internet or used watch sales.

Melrose is not "Grey Market"; it sells used watches and rebuilds - a far different animal..

This hits the nail on the head. Melrose is not Grey Market. Remember the old adage - if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

[AK797]

I wouldnt buy from an AD, Id always look to save 20% plus by buying a gently used watch from a trusted seller here, grey market dealer or even from ebay as long as I can view the watch in person and I have studied the watch and best fakes so I know if its authentic. Worth the effort to save a thousand bucks or two.

[skypilot]

I can't vote unless/until I can check two choices. I bought my first 3 Rolexes from AD's and my last 2 from trusted dealers on this forum and I won't darken the AD's door again. The trusted sellers here saved me a bunch of money and met/exceeded my hopes/expectations in every way.
I don't post much here, I just want access to the trusted sellers.

[Roller07]

AD for me but wouldn't hesitate to buy from someone i trusted

[JGX]

I think the small print on the bottom of every page on the Melrose website says it all really:

Melrose.com' watches ship with aftermarket natural diamond additions and aftermarket replacement bracelet additions. Aftermarket additions void the warranty of new and used Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches sold by Rolex, S.A. or at www.rolex.com or at Richemont, S.A. or at www.richemont.com Rolex or any other listed luxury brand is under no obligation to warranty-service watches sold by Melrose.com through its service locations.

[threemonkeys]

I bought my last watch gently used from an AD. Best of both world's and I saved several thousand dollars. Next one will be grey, though.

[dcash0615]

I have purchased from an AD and gray market.

[Hairdude1]

With all of this info best of luck with your search!

[tomallen]

I purchased from all three.

[mjclark32]

Davidsw and sleep easy

[SALTY]

I voted AD as that is where I purchased most of what I have. I would not hesitate to buy from one of the trusted sellers here if the price was more attractive than what my AD could offer.

[Time2time]

I've bought all 3 from an AD and slept well.

Saying that, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from a trusted seller on here in
future.

[Sam Philip]

Only from AD

[Tan]

I don't see the difference between Grey Market and TRF "Trusted Sellers". Many that I have contacted refer to themselves as dealers. They are not Authorized and should fall under the same catagory as the grey market.

While the instance of getting a fake from a trusted seller is low, there is still that chance. When you purchase from an AD, that chance is nil.

[T. Ferguson]

If you bought your watch from Melrose it is not 100% Rolex. All the Rolex's they sell come with aftermarket bracelets at least.

In the poll I had to put AD but I wouldn't hesitate to by from one of the "trusteds" here on TRF. I don't necessarily consider them grey dealers though.

[financeman]

I did the AD thing on my first Rolex because it was my first and I wanted to make sure I got the real deal and I did not know where else to buy. I also wanted my first one to feel a little special and not something I ordered and was shipped to me.
That being said, I would only buy grey or from trusted sellers on here now because the selection is better and the money you save you can out toward your next watch.

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by Roma315

How many of you have bought from a gray market vs. AD? I found one on a gray market site (Melrose, has anyone purchased from them) for about half of what the AD will charge me for the exact same watch, not including NYS crazy tax.

-GM
Could be fake
2 year warranty
No free first service
half the price


-AD
Guaranteed authentic
4 year extended warranty
First service included
double the price


If I wasn't about to purchase my second house I would of pulled the trigger by now. That down payment could of bought me any watch I wanted.

What means first service free and the 4 years extended warranty? I did not know about it...

By the way, does not exist a new and unworn Rolex half the price...

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by 689maple

I have bought new at ADs Reids and Wick and Greene in Asheville, used from Capetown in Atlanta direct and via Ebay, The Castle Jewelry on Ebay, David and Tony on TRF, Sumpters in Charlotte and Steve Mullholland on here. I get new watches from David and Tony with my name on the card with 2 year warranty and I get warranties from Capetown and Sumpters on what I buy there. I never plan on buying from an AD again. There is no need with TRF trusted sellers who get me the watch I want with my name on the card (if that is important to you) and savings on my purchase without having to travel. (Rolex no longer has ADs in WNC). I see no need to waste my money for the AD experience which for me wasn't that big a deal. The most important ting to me on the secondary market is WHO I am buying from. I have never had a problem and would not hesitate to buy from any of these secondary dealers if they had a watch I want and I have the funds.

We should ask ourselves from where are in the market many new watches in the hands of gray dealers. And not only Rolex.

[Jowatch]

If you know watches, GM is recommended for saving money.

[Tan]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

In the poll I had to put AD but I wouldn't hesitate to by from one of the "trusteds" here on TRF. I don't necessarily consider them grey dealers though.

Why not? They are not Authorized Dealers. If they consider themselves "dealers", they are grey dealers. I think that the volume that they sell takes them outside the realm of being private sellers.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Tan

Why not? They are not Authorized Dealers. If they consider themselves "dealers", they are grey dealers. I think that the volume that they sell takes them outside the realm of being private sellers.

Mainly because I've typically associated grey markets with goods that are imported from one place to another, usually as the result of an opportunity presented by a significant price differential between the two regions for a product.

I don't think of Rolex or the TRF sellers on here has being in that mold. I suppose exchange rate fluctuations may present such opportunities from time to time but I don't think it is the inherent characteristic of secondary sellers of fine watches.

[Tan]

Most "grey dealers", ie: random non-authorized shops, are not importers as you stated above. They source their watches similar to the TRF sellers. While I can appreciate that we get a discount from TRF sellers and that they are trustworthy, that does not change the fact that they are not authorized and are a part of the grey market.

[Roma315]

For the exact date just I want various places have it used and the used price is the exact same price as the AD price minus tax. My choice is made...AD all the way

[Boopie]

Re: what OP said...is it true that the first service at the RSC is free, if the watch is purchased at an AD? I have never heard that.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Roma315

Thanks for all the help. I may go out of state to an AD to save on the 8% tax or buy from a trusted seller here. Glad I asked!