Where to buy used 16610 sub in London?

[phwtan]

Hi,

I live in London, and I'm looking to source a used 16610 (post 2002 series with no lug holes, head only or entire watch). I'm not fussed about the condition as I would like to "restore" it as a hobby.

London has a few used watch dealers and antique market dealers that stock 16610s in and around the Bond St area and the city.

Does anyone know where these people source their watches? I've been told by a few of the antique dealers that it's "through the trade", but I don't know what specifically they are referring to.

I've read that it's possible to source a 16610 head from the US for about USD$3800....is that price possible in London?

Thanks!

[Mick P]

phwtan

In the nicest way possible, I genuinely suggest you give this idea up.

The very fact that you are asking these basic questions denotes that you have no working or commercial knowledge of Rolex what so ever.

You are not going to "restore" it as a hobby, you are more than likely going to bodge it up.

Watchmaking is a skilled trade that takes years of training and also lots of specialist tooling and you have neither.

Better to buy a good example and wear it with pride.

Regards

Mick

PS I am only saying this in a spirit of helpfulnes and counsel.

[phwtan]

Hi Mick,

I appreciate the advice. I can see how my posting could have been misinterpreted. I have no intention of doing the restoration work myself! Essentially, I'm after a 16610 that's been somewhat neglected or in poor condition at a reasonable price. I would then send the bracelet to Michael Young for restoration and get the head serviced at RSC in St James, replace the bezel insert, etc. I know enough to know that I would totally botch up restoring it on my own!

The issue I have is that I have seen many 16610s in high end antique markets in London and other used watch shops selling for between £3500 to £4200 (depending on whether there are papers or not), while I've read on forums that they can be purchased for USD$3800 onwards in the US. I'm not particularly keen on paying a 40% premium simply because I'm on the other side of the pond, but I'm also not keen on transferring $3800 and up across the Atlantic with no avenues for recourse if the watch does not meet expectations or is a high-end replica.

So I figure, these antique dealer and used watch dealer types must source their watches from somewhere.

What I'm trying to find out is where a that I can cut out the middleman.

Cheers,

Paul