Why New? Why pre-loved

[shedlock2000]

I was wondering the other day, why we go out and buy new Rollies from our AD's. Is their anything wrong with our pre-loved watches? Other than purchasing for vintacge or collectors reasons, would anyone consider an older watch?

What downsides are there to buying a used watch from an AD?

[B-ling88]

For me I prefer new not only because it's brand new. Mostly because I don't like the feeling of taking away someone elses pride and joy from them with their precious time pieces. Only acception for me in purchasing 2nd hand would be either discontinued or very rare and hard to get situations.

[ndane]

I, for one, find it as a good way to get a discounted Rolex!

[walds11]

Same here. Let someone else take the intial hit.

Originally Posted by ndane

I, for one, find it as a good way to get a discounted Rolex!

[jdc]

I bought a six year old Pepsi GMT from an AD and had a very good experience. The watch is perfect and was £700 ($1400) under MRSP.
The AD had sent the the watch to a RSC the month before I bought it so it was like getting a new watch. Peace of mind buying from an AD, good price, 11 months left on RSC guarantee - no argument with me

[GMTII Owner]

For my first Rolex purchase, I wanted the experience of owning a new Rolex and buying from an AD. I wanted to be the one and only owner.

For my next purchases, I do plan on buying used to save on the "depreciation."

John

[Dan Pierce]

All my Rolex and Tudors were purchased preloved. The Rolex watches could be bought cheaper so I could afford more than one. The Tudors were purchased used because those models were out of production.
Buying from an AD is the best if you can afford it. Preloved Oysters allow me to own more pieces than if I purchased new.

[seantk]

I like the AD because I know that what I am buying is authentic.

However, if you are knowledgeable and can buy in person with confidence, why not do it and save some money

Sean

[txrob779]

I hope this turns out to me a long thread because of so many opinions. The ONLY reason I bought my Submariner new was because
A. I was weak
B. The AD offered me 12 months no intrest and I put $1500 down

I was on my way to a grey dealer, where I purchased my first Rolex, a pre-owned 1603 from 1977 there a year before. They had a 1998 16610 for sale for $3800 (negotiable). I was on my way to buy it when I stopped into the AD as spilled the beans I was on my way to buy a pre-owned Sub. This grey dealer has in house watchmakers and they offer the same 5 year service as Rolex for about $300 w/2 year warranty. By same I mean clean, oil and adjust (calibrate), polish the case, replace seals and gaskets, refinsh bracelets etc. They have about 200 pre owned Rolex in stock at any given time and they negotiate nicely on all pre-owned.

I can't see ever being able to negotiate several thousand off a new timepiece from a retail AD. I have bought 3 Rolex's and 2 were used (hate that word btw). Now having said that there is indeed a special bond and sense of pride when one purchases a brand new, never worn, in the box, all the plastic on NEW ROLEX. I am going to be in the market soon for another Datejust and I want a SS Oyster bracelet w/ white Roman dial. I'll will buy this one used because im my opinion, only the WIS would even have a clue to it's age and honestly with Datejusts they are virually unchanged for 30 plus years and one can not really tell a 25 year old DJ from 2 year old one. It's all about the money for me.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Imho, nothing beats the feeling of buying a BNIB Rolex from an AD. Besides that, getting full benefit of the warranty and peace of mind are a big plus for me.

[redshirt1957]

For me I try to get good deals on used models and spend the savings on more Rolexs. I either buy from a member here or from a grey dealer that I have a good relationship with.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

For me I try to get good deals on used models and spend the savings on more Rolexs. I either buy from a member here or from a grey dealer that I have a good relationship with.

We two have a great relationship! Give me a Rolex, will ya?

[f16570]

Would have no issue buying pre-loved.
But the first one had to be New, just the fact that it was mine from day one.

[pwrslider]

Never had a NEW....all mine are pre owned.

[Mort]

I have mostly owned pre-loved, including my latest DD and have not had any problems.

I think it all depends on who you buy from. As far as grey or pre owned dealers, as long as they will stand behind their products, I feel pretty safe

[Trurolexer]

Honestly I like to buy a new watch than a pre-owned one. But all depend the situation, and if the pre-owned one look good like Martin's GMT II Pepsi I would go for that pre-owned.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

I...Is their anything wrong with our pre-loved watches?...

There is certainly nothing wrong with my four pre-loved Rollies. I have adopted them, and they seem very happy in their new home!

[Bilbox]

No problem to buy a used watch as far as it is in good shape.

My concern is about the authenticity at 100%. So many fakes and frankenwatches that I am afraid to buy from a private seller (even a new watch).

So my choice = an used watch from a pro seller.

[oneillba]

I bought pre-loved and got a great deal on my TT DJ with diamond hour markers. It is a 1990 model and it is in for routine service right now and I am waiting with baited breath for it's return. I ran it a year before I brought it in for servicing. After reading the posts here, I thought it was the wisest thing to do since I didn't have it's service history.

Anyway, when I purchased it I was able to bring it into my local AD for inspection. I did and it passed muster! If I had any reservations I could have sent it back for a refund or exchange under terms of the sale. It doesn't get much better than that! I love it and with the money I saved, I can look at a GMTII.

Maybe some day soon I will go the AD way, since I now have a relationship with one in my home town. It's good to have an AD/Jeweler that you can trust for all watch and all things that go "sparkle". My Miss Jody is interested in all the "sparkly things", that I can tell you for sure!

[sherwin]

this is as good as asking why people buy preowned cars............. just the same as why i buy preowned rolex.

Let someone take a hit on price, I take it in, clean it up, send to RSC, and factor that in mind. As good as new IMO

[Prince]

Originally Posted by seiko.citizen

...Let someone take a hit on price, I take it in, clean it up, send to RSC, and factor that in mind. As good as new IMO

Exactly, Sherwin!!!

[fear]

Vintage watches are always used (there may be exceptions). Hard to get away from that.

[harvey]

as i havent built a relationship with any one AD... i havent got enough trust yet to make me go down the pre-owned/pre-loved route.

but i do have to agree with bo, that there is nothing like buying brand new and peeling off the stickers...

[BillA]

Never bought new from AD (that is one that I kept)

The problem with buying pre-owned in the US is the warranty issue with Rolex USA, Rolex USA only warranties the watch to the original buyer who name is on the paperwork or card, there are potential work arounds on this, but a hassle just the same.

However, given the savings from a reputable seller, can't beat the price.

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by Prince

There is certainly nothing wrong with my four pre-loved Rollies. I have adopted them, and they seem very happy in their new home!

What a perfect collection. Absoloutly may dream collecttin righ there. Classic, timeless and quntisential. Perfect. ongrats on your watches, and thanks for sharing them. Wish i could carry off the TT's

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Imho, nothing beats the feeling of buying a BNIB Rolex from an AD. Besides that, getting full benefit of the warranty and peace of mind are a big plus for me.

What is the full benifit of the warentee BOO? what differs between that and the warentee on a pre-loved?

[MAC4130]

The feel of a brand spanking new watch is incredible just as in new cars that smell of new is awesome! Since it is a fairly large sum of money you invest you want to be assured that the watch will be authentic first off all and that you will have a factory warranty in case something happens and that you might sell it with Box a papers if you want further down the road!
Would I buy preloved? shure I would, if I can be certain that I am getting what I'm buying: an authentic Rolex which has been taken care off and has been serviced and that has Box and papers to go along with it! only under those circumstances I would!
With so many fakes arround it is scary thinking of getting defrauded out there! I heard a story of a guy who bought a Daytona that had an original case and bracelet but the movement was FAKE!!!!

[tutone]

Pre-Loved... I like that! What a classy way to say "used", and probably true for most Rollies. I think everyone would like to buy new (provided you're not looking for a specific vintage model), but if it's real and in good condition, the money you save could be used to go somplace fancy to show off your new (to you at least) prize.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

What a perfect collection. Absoloutly may dream collecttin righ there. Classic, timeless and quntisential. Perfect. ongrats on your watches, and thanks for sharing them. Wish i could carry off the TT's

Thanks for the kind words, Steve. I have always liked the combination of stainless steel and gold - it just seems to cover all of the bases, and works well for me. Here's a closer look at them...

Cheers!!!

[GoldenBear]

I want to be the only one that has owned the watch...Me and me only. Nobody knows what could have happened to it in its prior life. Imagine the grossest and most disgusting thing possible, I mean really awful...and the guy doing it is wearing the watch he is getting ready to ship to you. LOL....Yuck. AD only for me.