Yacht-Master old vs new buy advice

[Micha1983]

I am looking to buy a gold Rolex Yachtmaster 40mm with white dial.

Since my budget does not allow me to buy a new or almost new watch, I need to look at the "older" ones.

Offcourse there is a big price difference in watches with scratches and 99% ones. When I buy my watch, I will send it to Rolex for service (in the EU). This is where a few questions rise:

- When I buy a YM with tritium dial and hands, will they be switched when serviced? Is this free of (extra) charge?

- Will the watch gets good polishing to make it look like new (when possible offcourse)? And what about the bezel?

The fact that tritium on a white dial looks very yellow (I dont like that) out weighs the fact that my YM looses any collectors value when the tritium gets switched. But when I am charged with a new dial and hands, it is cheaper to just buy the newer style in the beginning.

Thank you very much for your input!

Micha
Netherlands

[joli160]

It all depends what you want really.
Have it serviced by W&V Alkmaar than you will not loose the dial and hands, probably Heetman and ADC will not change these either.

But since you are into the YM than you have to deal with probably some scratches on the blasted area of the bezel. If you want it back like new than the best option imho would be RSC Koln or Brussel.
They are very good in refinishing the YM bezel.
In Koln they do change any radio active dial and hand, Brussel I am not sure.
The nice thing from having it serviced by the RSC is that you get a new 2 yr Rolex Warranty card. Buying one without papers would than be a good option financially.

[Micha1983]

Thanks Joli,

in this case I prefer the dial/hands switch. But my question is really: does Rolex charge me extra for the switch?

[joli160]

Yes they will if they change it and they keep the old ones. At least in Koln they do. I think this policy may has something to do with German law.
What the policy is in Brussel RSC I don't know, perhaps Brussel is the way to go. I did read on the Dutch forum about some classics being serviced there.

I once contacted ADC and asked if they could service my YM and refresh the Bezel. They said they could but I was not comfortable discussing this with a nice saleslady who did not have a clue what I was talking about, so I skipped on it and live with the scratches.

[sigguy]

The other thing to be aware of is that Rolex updated the 16628 between the U and A
series and put the heavier end links on it. The U-series and before have lug holes
in the case and shorter end links; the A-series and later have no lug holes and solid
end links. If you look carefully at pictures you will notice that the newer end links
actually stick out slightly from the case lugs where the older ones do not. If you would plan on replacing the dial, I think you'd be better off looking for a newer one (A-series
or later) because they will charge you to replace the dial and hands.

[Micha1983]

I just found am older model (with lug holes) for USD 12k. I allready bought an original dial and hands (new style) for USD 400,-

I think I have to make this deal because of the price.

I take the watch to Rolex for service and switch the old dial for the new. Then I have a like new YM, only with lug holes in the case.


What do you think?

[Micha1983]

Guys? I have to decide in 2 hours. Help is appreciated ��

[sigguy]

Sorry, didn't see your question until now. $12k is a good price assuming it is in
decent condition. What did you decide?

[acr]

That's a good deal, I'd go for it assuming you like the lug holes and the chamfered lugs.

[Kyu]

I actually prefer the older YM over the new ones

RSC won't switch unless they don't have the part for it

[Micha1983]

Update:

I did not buy the watch. In real live the watch was not as clean as promised. Something was wrong with the bracelet. It was very loose and I had my doubts if Rolex could restore it to my satisfaction when serviced.

I am searching for this watch quite a while now and don't want to buy something asap just because the price is right.

If somebody sees a nice YM without lugholes: I'm your guy ;)

Thanks

[m j b]

Good for you - don't settle for less just because it's a good price. Best of luck in your search.