Buying a Rolex that has been sitting in a safe for 9 years

[Lime]

Strange story. In short stay away likely worn alot and polished for that reason

[dysondiver]

mmm , ok , but its the life time warranty twist that would make me wonder what is going on here.

[HogwldFLTR]

It could be that the jeweler required the watches be maintained on a yearly basis; obviously no reason to polish a watch which doesn't need polishing. It the watch is keeping good time, looks good and passes water resistance testing then why not? If it's all there and the price is good I say go for it given that it meets your requirements. As far as sitting in a safe, I've certainly seen new watches sold with four to five years of age. The guarantee begins upon sale; few blink an eye at the thought of a watch sitting in a store before sale.

[rozyd]

Originally Posted by 997.2

Ahh guys sorry he did not say every year it was POLISHED but cleaned. I do not imagine it was polished every year. Thanks for the input. His watchmaker says its good to go so I will just get that documentation for verification. Expect an incoming in the next week or so.

Incoming im the next week or so? Is the watch coming from another country? Seems fishy... Lots have warned you to walk.... Lots of red flags here...

[997.2]

I don't understand why everyone would pas. The watch came with a lifetime warranty on the condition it's checked once a year. It is CLEANED once a year I should not have said polished. The watch looks good. I think I will buy it.

[997.2]

Originally Posted by rozyd

Incoming im the next week or so? Is the watch coming from another country? Seems fishy... Lots have warned you to walk.... Lots of red flags here...

The timeline depends on me and my $$

[Tools]

Originally Posted by 997.2

I don't understand why everyone would pas. The watch came with a lifetime warranty on the condition it's checked once a year. It is CLEANED once a year I should not have said polished. The watch looks good. I think I will buy it.

People are just responding to the somewhat unusual story.

"Cleaning" doesn't mean much unless it is backed up with details. I would find it extremely odd that anybody, or any jeweler, would actually "clean" the movement; that would make no sense at all. So, we are left with exactly what "cleaned annually" means.

But still, that is irrelevant if the watch is in good condition visually and comes with assurance from the original Dealer and the price is decent. If it has not actually been serviced with the seals changed and oil freshened, it's something that you should think about doing in the next few years.

[tegee26]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

In my experience, people selling any item inevitably elaborate on the story behind the item in question to make it sound more attractive to the prospective buyer.

In the case of watches, that's the "unworn" watch ..... "hardly used", "only worn on special occasions", "a safe queen" etc etc. Ultimately, all you can do it consider the condition and make your own mind up based on that condition......everything else is just hearsay ...... Unless there is paperwork to substantiate any claim which is rarely the case....

VERY WELL SAID!

Have it serviced IMHO...........

[997.2]

Originally Posted by Tools

People are just responding to the somewhat unusual story.



"Cleaning" doesn't mean much unless it is backed up with details. I would find it extremely odd that anybody, or any jeweler, would actually "clean" the movement; that would make no sense at all. So, we are left with exactly what "cleaned annually" means.



But still, that is irrelevant if the watch is in good condition visually and comes with assurance from the original Dealer and the price is decent. If it has not actually been serviced with the seals changed and oil freshened, it's something that you should think about doing in the next few years.

Right. I will fight for documentation. I believe it's a Surface clean. Not inside. Just the outside case and bracelet. I could have phrased this much better. Does that change anything? Thanks everyone.

[997.2]

PICS:

looks good to me?
(I am untrained!!)

[Rock]

In any second hand purchase, it depends on:
What you KNOW about the item & what you can FIND OUT about it.
Relevant factors are: trust in the seller, inspection of the item, whether the history as related to you makes sense.
A 'back-off' inspection and accuracy test by an independent expert should be consistent with the appearance of the watch as 'unworn' & 'unpolished'.
Good Luck.

[johnbeth]

My thoughts are that the lack of pictures posted of the watch face itself makes it even more suspicious. ..... i hope I'm wrong. .

[997.2]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

My thoughts are that the lack of pictures posted of the watch face itself makes it even more suspicious. ..... i hope I'm wrong. .

Yes the owner is not what I would call 'tech savvy' but from my interactions with him I am convinced it is legit, I will be getting more photos of the bezel and face as well as the crown because those pics were lacking. I will update the TRF naysayers in about a week once thanksgiving blows over. Thanks for the opinions and those of you who PM'd me with encouragement.

[997.2]

Originally Posted by azguy

You don't need to service it, have it pressure tested and wear it to death. When it stops have it serviced.

Attachment 558668

why is your coronet smaller than the one in my pic?

[toneafficianado]

If you feel good about the seller then I say Buy It but then get a service. I bought a recently serviced 14060M earlier this year [also my dream watch] and it hasn't missed a beat. It's an M serial. Fantastic models to wear daily . Service it for peace of mind. It's probably the dearest watch you've ever had in front of you..mine was at the time!

[Racerdj]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

If it keeps good time and it passes a pressure test, don't bother servicing it.

My opinion too. Great find. BTW it looks great picture wise.

[997.2]

Originally Posted by Racerdj

My opinion too. Great find. BTW it looks great picture wise.

thanks!

[997.2]

Originally Posted by toneafficianado

If you feel good about the seller then I say Buy It but then get a service. I bought a recently serviced 14060M earlier this year [also my dream watch] and it hasn't missed a beat. It's an M serial. Fantastic models to wear daily . Service it for peace of mind. It's probably the dearest watch you've ever had in front of you..mine was at the time!

thanks! I am passionate about the model too. cheers

[Lees23]

Does it seem odd that the only pictures that are blurry are the pictures of the face? Also that the hands are covering a majority of the "Rolex". Something just seems strange here. I am a skeptical person though. Have you googled anything about fake rolexes? Some are so good that AD's can't tell them apart.

[mjclark32]

Looks good in the additional pictures.
Go with the seller to the AD and have it verified and pressure tested

[sco]

Originally Posted by 997.2

I will update the TRF naysayers in about a week once thanksgiving blows over. Thanks for the opinions and those of you who PM'd me with encouragement.

You came to a public forum with a bit of an unconventional story and asked for opinions. You got what you asked for. Would it have been better if everyone here said "GO FOR IT!!" "You can't lose with that one!" etc? Call the members naysayers, but it was only for your own good.

Enjoy your purchase.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by sco

You came to a public forum with a bit of an unconventional story and asked for opinions. You got what you asked for. Would it have been better if everyone here said "GO FOR IT!!" "You can't lose with that one!" etc? Call the members naysayers, but it was only for your own good.

Enjoy your purchase.

[azguy]

Think about it........ if a watch has been worn 3x's in 8 or 9 years what seriously has to be cleaned and what jeweler gives a "lifetime" warranty on anything, especially a watch they are probably not even qualified to service.

[997.2]

Originally Posted by azguy

Think about it........ if a watch has been worn 3x's in 8 or 9 years what seriously has to be cleaned and what jeweler gives a "lifetime" warranty on anything, especially a watch they are probably not even qualified to service.

Davidson and Licht

[jenniferjanef]

IMHO.. I hope you are not paying anything close to the current 114060.. If me, I will just buy the current model with the ceramic bezel and the much improved bracelet is a big plus to me.. Good luck. .. jen

[fizz54]

i'd use the service as a negotiating tactic and have it serviced. Give you the peace of mind, and ensure your getting a solid deal.

[Explorador]

The bracelete does not look like SEL to me. Looks more like previous tuna can clasp. 2005 was SEL Time.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Explorador

The bracelete does not look like SEL to me. Looks more like previous tuna can clasp. 2005 was SEL Time.

Not on the 14060.

[rozyd]

To me the case and bracelet pics look good. Still Skeptical about the blurry watch face pics and why the hands are obscuring the printing. But it's your money. Do what you want with it.

[Lees23]

Originally Posted by rozyd

To me the case and bracelet pics look good. Still Skeptical about the blurry watch face pics and why the hands are obscuring the printing. But it's your money. Do what you want with it.

My thoughts exactly..