Service Watch Before Selling?

[ref1655]

a colleague is selling his 20 year-old GMT to upgrade to another model.

it had been serviced by RSC every 5 years except for the last 10 during which it was unworn.

his question...should the watch be serviced prior to advertising it or should the servicing be left up to the new owner/buyer? the watch runs but whether its accuracy or water resistance is still up to spec remains unknown.

lastly...if opting for a servicing, should the approximately $750 servicing cost be added to the asking price?

having never sold a Rolex, I couldn't provide an answer/response.

[El Cascarrabias]

Accuracy is easy to determine. Wind it, set it and check it over a period of time. Say, a week.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by ref1655

a colleague is selling his 20 year-old GMT to upgrade to another model.

it had been serviced by RSC every 5 years except for the last 10 during which it was unworn.

his question...should the watch be serviced prior to advertising it or should the servicing be left up to the new owner/buyer? the watch runs but whether its accuracy or water resistance is still up to spec remains unknown.

lastly...if opting for a servicing, should the approximately $750 servicing cost be added to the asking price?

having never sold a Rolex, I couldn't provide an answer/response.

You will never recoup the $750 for a service when you sell it. Let the new owner take care of that. A good watchmaker can throw it on a Timegrapher and check water resistance. That is good information to know before you list it, and cheap to have done.

[fskywalker]

It does not makes sense unless the watch is defective / not running

[avilhena]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

It does not makes sense unless the watch is defective / not running

[ref1655]

thx for the feedback...selling a used Rolex is apparently different than selling a used car that has sat dormant for an extended period of time.

[mjclark32]

Wind it up and see how it's keeping time. If it's erratic (and assuming he discloses that) I imagine the buyer would factor in a service with their offer.

[watchwatcher]

I would leave a service up to the potential buyer...and reflect that in the price.

[madmax21]

Service may allow him to sell it quicker but it doesn't make sense to pay to service it

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by ref1655

a colleague is selling his 20 year-old GMT to upgrade to another model.

it had been serviced by RSC every 5 years except for the last 10 during which it was unworn.

his question...should the watch be serviced prior to advertising it or should the servicing be left up to the new owner/buyer? the watch runs but whether its accuracy or water resistance is still up to spec remains unknown.

lastly...if opting for a servicing, should the approximately $750 servicing cost be added to the asking price?

having never sold a Rolex, I couldn't provide an answer/response.

Hi

I have bought 3 pre owned Rolex and on every occasion I took them into the AD for a service on the day that I bought them.

I factored the cost of the service into the price of the watch.

I prefer to service the watch myself because there is 100% certainty that it has been done and 100% certainty that it is genuine.

I would advise leaving the buyer to service it.

Regards

Mick

[DCgator]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Hi

I have bought 3 pre owned Rolex and on every occasion I took them into the AD for a service on the day that I bought them.

I factored the cost of the service into the price of the watch.

I prefer to service the watch myself because there is 100% certainty that it has been done and 100% certainty that it is genuine.

I would advise leaving the buyer to service it.

Regards

Mick

Agree with this; getting a pre-owned watch serviced once in my possession is also my practice.

[japenney]

I agree i would prefer to service myself. However, it would not deter me from purchasing if documentation of service is provided.

[Daytona88]

absolutely leave it to the buyer. While there is value to buyers having an RSC service card with the sale, it is probably not $750. Many will be price driven as a primary factor and you could price them out as prospective buyers. You will capture everyone if you keep the price lower.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by Daytona88

absolutely leave it to the buyer. While there is value to buyers having an RSC service card with the sale, it is probably not $750. Many will be price driven as a primary factor and you could price them out as prospective buyers. You will capture everyone if you keep the price lower.

I like this advice for you OP. Do not service but be open about the excellent service history of the watch when selling. People like knowing a watch has been looked after.

[Thailawson]

Does he have papers? Is it a full set?

Maybe consider service if he also needs RCS papers.

[Token74]

Bearing in mind that lots of people buy Rolex without having any clue about servicing, sell it without getting it services and let the price lands where it lands.

[WaxedElvis]

Personally I think there are several factors to consider beyond price and recouping the $750 service cost. I'd consider pre-sale service if it's not a full set (i.e. papers) as that gives a higher level of confidence to a buyer with RCS paperwork post service. Does the seller have the papers from prior service (and were the past services done a RCS or an independent?) If selling on the open market, with no prior positive feed back or reputation, it may make in much easier to sell. If I wanted to move it quickly, worry less about authentication issues with a potential buyer in some other location, it might be worth it. It reduces the potential for a scam with a buyer asking for the ability to return if not authentic or advertised condition, with service the seller has current proof of both from an independent source and authority. I haven't looked, perhaps other have or know, but a check of the FS forum here or other sites might show what to expect price wise between the two options. I know if I was considering buying from an unknown over the internet with no feedback or reputation and RSC documentation was provided on a used watch, recently serviced and now under warranty by Rolex I'd likely pay more. If the buyer is educated enough to factor in the cost of RSC service in their offer - it's a wash.