Grey Market w/5-year Rolex Warranty

[amnstjohn54]

Have you ever seen grey market dealers that offer a Rolex warranty card dated the month you buy the watch and signed by an AD; giving you a full 5-year Rolex warranty? I just ran across a company that claims just that. They are a Trusted Seller on Chrono24 and have 100% positive reviews on eBay. Thoughts?

[RobearH]

I just bought 2 watches from Takuya a TRF reseller and got all of the above as well as my name on the card...so yes.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=520886

[RichM]

Originally Posted by RobearH

I just bought 2 watches from Takuya a TRF reseller and got all of the above as well as my name on the card...so yes.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=520886

Same here and I know the warranty is good because I sent the watch in to be regulated.

[stone_gossard]

yes, bought my subC and the card stamped with AD details but blank on "name". date stamped on october 2016, and i bought on november 2016. grey dealer gives their shop 5 years warranty and i believe i am also covered by Rolex waranty since the watch and warranty card stamped with AD details.

[jbsmith]

Yes. In fact sometimes they are even drop shipped from AD with my name and current date. The larger grey dealers have great relationships with ads.

[Left wrist]

yes the warranty is valid. the only thins is at least in NYC, sometimes they are difficult with international warranty cards. if its a US ad stamped its no issue not even if the name is different. I've heard in other parts of the country there are no issues.

You should be OK. Most watches dont need to be serviced until year 5 or 6 anyway.

[Ledesc]

I don't know what to think:

https://blog.toolwatch.io/watch-tips...olicy-updated/

[BravoOne]

Well if that is the case I'm out the balance of the warranty on my recently purchased DJ. Don't blame the seller, and in fact it makes for an easier decision regarding how it may be serviced and modified in the near future. As others have mentioned, short of real mechanical issue, these watches should not incur service prior to the five years from date of initial sale.

It will be interesting to see how this impacts the grey market pricing on late model watches.

[Chadridv]

All depends on if you trust what the seller tells you. If Thanh Do tells me the warranty is good to go, then I'm good to go. I don't think he's really a "gray" dealer though. David, Thanh Do and other TRF trusted sellers are a little more like brokers or middlemen. Jomashop is a gray dealer and I seriously doubt you'll get a Rolex warranty from them.

[nicha123]

I bought an ap offshore from a grey market dealer and had a problem with it and they sent it back to ap and repaired quickly. They get watches direct from ad and can discount them more than manufacturer allows. Manufactures force watches down ads throats that they cant afford or dont want and grey market ddealers heip tbe to reduce inventory.

[blue16613]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

All depends on if you trust what the seller tells you. If Thanh Do tells me the warranty is good to go, then I'm good to go. I don't think he's really a "gray" dealer though. David, Thanh Do and other TRF trusted sellers are a little more like brokers or middlemen. Jomashop is a gray dealer and I seriously doubt you'll get a Rolex warranty from them.

With all due respect, I disagree. If the seller is not an AD then the seller is "gray."

Maybe there are "shades of gray" in terms of how the watches are sourced and relationships of the sellers to ADs but gray is gray..... and with gray come some risks. The trick is to minimize those risks and this is where the reputation gained here by some of our trusted sellers is so important. Also why folks must keep letting us all know which trusted sellers have done well by them and which have let them down.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by blue16613

With all due respect, I disagree. If the seller is not an AD then the seller is "gray."

Maybe there are "shades of gray" in terms of how the watches are sourced and relationships of the sellers to ADs but gray is gray..... and with gray come some risks. The trick is to minimize those risks and this is where the reputation gained here by some of our trusted sellers is so important. Also why folks keep letting us all know which trusted sellers have done well by them and which have let them down.

I concur.

I love the trusted sellers we have here... But, the definition of Grey Market is a market that is not officially authorized by the factory.

That means they can't get allocations directly, and I can't complain to Rolex USA or Rolex SA because of a purchase gone wrong.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I concur.

I love the trusted sellers we have here... But, the definition of Grey Market is a market that is not officially authorized by the factory.

That means they can't get allocations directly, and I can't complain to Rolex USA or Rolex SA because of a purchase gone wrong.

For lack of a better word the whole situation is a "gray" area lol.

I mean we're not talking about a purchase gone wrong here (as you put it), were talking about warranties. The definition of Grey Dealer has been all
Over the board in the past, but the typically a gray dealer provides a brand new watch with all the original packaging, minus the warranty card and corresponding warranty.

You can easily buy from a trusted seller on TRF that comes with your name on the warranty card and a valid/active warranty.

[AK797]

Sellers here are resellers with watches bought directly from ADs and unworn. Grey implies more that it has no warranty from Rolex, or it's imported illegally and no taxes were paid.

[GreenLantern]

The definition of Grey Market is not grey. As much as I want to put our trusted sellers in a different bucket than Jomashop or Watchmaxx. Thankfully, our trusted sellers aren't large businesses, so they're able to provide us with AD stamped warranty cards without Rolex cracking down like they would if Jomashop did that on the regular.

Grey Market is defined by a market that isn't factory authorized. Period.

There's no grey area in that definition. :)

[blue16613]

Guys-

My understanding, from Rolex, is unless an AD is willing to say "I sold that watch to that man (or woman)" the validity of the warranty is at risk. It says so right on the warranty card.

Risk does NOT mean Rolex will not honor it. As we all know, most often they will. But, it is not an absolute certainty and if a "dialogue" ensues between the buyer and Rolex, the buyer may be disappointed.

If the trusted seller who sources the watch as pristinely as the above posts detail has his AD willing to stand behind him in the manner described above (unlikely) then all is great. But, if the AD won't do it then the watch's warranty is at risk.

This is a never ending discussion here and one where we will likely never reach a full consensus. But since people who are looking at spending thousands of dollars are using what they read here as a significant component of their due diligence I think we should try to provide them with the most accurate information possible.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by blue16613

Guys-

My understanding, from Rolex, is unless an AD is willing to say "I sold that watch to that man (or woman)" the validity of the warranty is at risk. It says so right on the warranty card.

Risk does NOT mean Rolex will not honor it. As we all know, most often they will. But, it is not an absolute certainty and if a "dialogue" ensues between the buyer and Rolex, the buyer may be disappointed.

If the trusted seller who sources the watch as pristinely as the above posts detail has his AD willing to stand behind him in the manner described above (unlikely) then all is great. But, if the AD won't do it then the watch's warranty is at risk.

This is a never ending discussion here and one where we will likely never reach a full consensus. But since people who are looking at spending thousands of dollars are using what they read here as a significant component of their due diligence I think we should try to provide them with the most accurate information possible.

That's not in line with my understanding. Especially because pre-owned Rolex sales are a big deal, and Rolex wants them to be (makes their brand more valuable). Rolex is synonymous with currency.

As long as the warranty is scanned by the AD and activated, it is valid.

[nicha123]

The thing is i know exactly what ad the watches are coming from to the reseller

[blue16613]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

That's not in line with my understanding. Especially because pre-owned Rolex sales are a big deal, and Rolex wants them to be (makes their brand more valuable). Rolex is synonymous with currency.

As long as the warranty is scanned by the AD and activated, it is valid.

Let me take this interesting conversation from what we "understand," which may vary, to what we actually do.

What I am about to describe is what I do. And, for me, it works very satisfactorily. I do not suggest, recommend or propose anyone else do as I do. I am just reporting my own practice.

When I decide to make my purchase from an AD, it is "game over," so to speak in terms of the warranty and any concerns. Easy......

When I decide to use a trusted seller (of which we have many to choose from) who is claiming his watch is "brand new," I ask for a warranty card in my name, stamped and swiped by a US AD, dated on the date of the shipment to me. If the watch has been pre-owned, I ask for a valid, stamped, dated and swiped warranty card. Preferably with the original owner's name visible but it is not a deal breaker if it is obliterated.

IMPORTANT: In both situations I then ask the trusted seller to provide me with an additional "side letter" assuring me that in the event Rolex will not honor the warranty, for whatever reason, they will cover the cost of any necessary service while under warranty. Essentially, I am asking the trusted seller for their own warranty in addition to the one they are providing from Rolex. It never fails.....for whatever reason (figure it out for yourself) there are those who will do it and those who won't. I make my purchase from those who do.

Interested in all your thoughts. But, you are not likely to change my practice. As they say, "works for me."

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by blue16613

Let me take this interesting conversation from what we "understand," which may vary, to what we actually do.

What I am about to describe is what I do. And, for me, it works very satisfactorily. I do not suggest, recommend or propose anyone else do as I do. I am just reporting my own practice.

When I decide to make my purchase from an AD, it is "game over," so to speak in terms of the warranty and any concerns. Easy......

When I decide to use a trusted seller (of which we have many to choose from) who is claiming his watch is "brand new," I ask for a warranty card in my name, stamped and swiped by a US AD, dated on the date of the shipment to me. If the watch has been pre-owned, I ask for a valid, stamped, dated and swiped warranty card. Preferably with the original owner's name visible but it is not a deal breaker if it is obliterated.

IMPORTANT: In both situations I then ask the trusted seller to provide me with an additional "side letter" assuring me that in the event Rolex will not honor the warranty, for whatever reason, they will cover the cost of any necessary service while under warranty. Essentially, I am asking the trusted seller for their own warranty in addition to the one they are providing from Rolex. It never fails.....for whatever reason (figure it out for yourself) there are those who will do it and those who won't. I make my purchase from those who do.

Interested in all your thoughts. But, you are not likely to change my practice. As they say, "works for me."

I don't personally operate exactly like this but I very much agree with and would encourage potential buyers working with trusted Sellers to simply ask questions and agree on terms. It's not complicAted whether it's david, Thanh Do, Oscar, Patrick, etc., ask if the watch is covered, if not, ask if they will cover it, if not, agree or don't agree to the deal. Its truly (and obviously) your decision. No one is forcing you, so ask questions, do your homework and confidently agree.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by jbsmith

Yes. In fact sometimes they are even drop shipped from AD with my name and current date. The larger grey dealers have great relationships with ads.

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

That's not in line with my understanding. Especially because pre-owned Rolex sales are a big deal, and Rolex wants them to be (makes their brand more valuable). Rolex is synonymous with currency.

As long as the warranty is scanned by the AD and activated, it is valid.

The warranty card from my understanding isnt scanned or activated for warranty purposes at all. Its scanned if said AD wants to re order another of the same watch. Rolex doesnt keep track/records via the plastic warranty card. Thats why its important to have the card stamped with the AD info on it and also a buyers name with date on it if its ever sent in for Warranty work.

[Gaijin]

Yes. just bought from a grey here. Dated but unsigned card. Just shy of 5 months left on the warranty.

[phil40000]

Yes my watch came via a 'grey' dealer with full 5 year warranty and the card in my name. The watch had to go back to Rolex for a warranty tweak so I know it's all good.


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[Xerxes77]

Yes
IMO that grey market it's connected with AD!
Without AD can't exist!

[joli160]

Yes, my 116619LB from watchexpress