How does replacing a clasp affect resale?

[Brovsko]

Hi Gents,

I was wondering if anybody could shed some light on how replacing a clasp may affect the resale value of a particular piece. Obviously a new clasp may not correspond to the same year as the watch so would this be seen as a 'frankenwatch'? I'm speaking specifically about purchasing a clasp directly from Rolex.

Thanks in advance for any insight.


- Brovsko

[Tomas Eriksson]

depends on the watch

[Brovsko]

Originally Posted by Tomas Eriksson

depends on the watch

I'm talking about modern, non-vintage pieces.

[koryong]

If it's a modern non-vintage, the year usually has marginal impact on the watch's value. When it eventually becomes a vintage, the differences might be more though I doubt very much more too. Current Rolex clasps are a non-issue - I think these are all random now without a clear date code.

If you look at today's vintages, apart from the really early clasps & bracelets, it's easy & cheap enough to find a nice used clasp from the 70s & 80's to match the watch's year.

Also if the clasp is a service replacement from RSC, it's not considered a Franken coz it's all legit.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Brovsko

I'm talking about modern, non-vintage pieces.

IMO if you're replacing a clasp on a five digit model with a direct replacement from Rolex, there wouldn't be an issue as long as you had the paperwork showing it. Same for a Glidelock or Easylink on the newer models

[77T]

Originally Posted by Brovsko

Obviously a new clasp may not correspond to the same year as the watch so would this be seen as a 'frankenwatch'?

Since you said it’s a modern reference, if it was made after the random s/n’s began then nobody would know since the random clasp codes can’t be deciphered.


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[Widows Son]

Just keep the old one, if you sell the watch leave it in the box.

[watchwatcher]

Concur with what's been said above. To look at it another way, just picture an ad for a vintage watch being sold today. If it had language to the effect that the clasp had been replaced with a factory OEM of the era, would that have any affect on pricing? Especially if the old clasp was included in the sale? I wouldn't think so.

And that's not even a fair comparison with vintage and modern pieces...

[joli160]

Very little if any

[Seibei]

Frankenwatches are terrible, but there is no need to take the fear of them to panic like levels. If the clasp is correct, then the watch is not a frankenwatch. If you feel the need to replace the clasp, feel free. You will probably not be allowed to keep the old one though.

[Gtecko]

Originally Posted by joli160

Very little if any

+1

if your Rolex 5 digit clasp was not functioning or was damaged, you could buy a new one with a random clasp code. yes it will not match the original watch year however depending on who you sell it to, wouldn't matter to much as most bracelet have code, marking with years.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Brovsko

. . Obviously a new clasp may not correspond to the same year as the watch so would this be seen as a 'frankenwatch'? I'm speaking specifically about purchasing a clasp directly from Rolex.
. . .

No.

A new clasp is no more a "frankenwatch" than a new crystal or fresh gaskets would be.

[Brovsko]

thanks for the replies and thoughts on this.

[fewwords]

Watch will immediately lose 90 percent of it‘s value.