Got the call… but watch is scratched

[L8r]

Uhm….no. You’re on vacation, they’ve refused discounting or even giving you a small amount of merchandise, they don’t see any more of a long term relationship than you do.
From their perspective, if you don’t buy the souvenir at full pop, some other inebriated sucker on vacation will.
You’ll find another watch, Rolex makes millions of them.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by rmlovett1

Since you haven’t purchased it, I’d let them polish it then make your decision. A light bracelet polish isn’t difficult (well…it shouldn’t be) for an AD.
If it’s not perfect after the polish job, walk away/wait for the next one.

x2

[Mr. Superlative]

Hard pass. Rolex watches are expensive at any level. If the scratches are made by you, that is an entirely different story. I'm not keen to buy a brand new watch, with scratches on the case which were caused by someone else. Even with a light polish, I'd still ask for a minimum 10% discount.

[dddl]

My AD has always given me a 10% discount and I bought my wife an OP just a month ago. And it was brand new in the box w/ all the stickers in tact...

[Vanyo]

Looks like a tiny scratch which you will make a lot when commence with wearing the watch. I would take it unless get something disrespectful from the AD staff. Buying with AD should be a pleasant experience. If you don’t get it, it is not worth it.

[Calatrava r]

Years ago, jewelry stores called that "shop worn" and most people really didn't care. But discounts were common then too.

[Roger Lococco]

Is this a demo watch?


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[RichM]

Welcome to the Rolex Forum. I’d pass. If that’s a new watch it should be scratch free. You mentioned a number of them and one deep one. A brand new watch should not need polishing.

Tell them you’ll pass and wait for another. I would also start looking for another AD.

[Dauntless]

I had a similar situation with an Explorer. I ended up taking the watch. Two months later, the AD called me and offered me a Submariner Date. I think he was concerned and attempted to make it right.

[SubDate]

I think it is terrible how many people in this thread are saying take it. You are purchasing a luxury item for a lot of money at an authorized dealer and that is the only place it is supposedly guaranteed to be new. I feel if we start accepting watches like this, it just continues the problem and lowers the standard for ADs.

Don’t be desperate. You are paying for new, get new.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Dauntless

I had a similar situation with an Explorer. I ended up taking the watch. Two months later, the AD called me and offered me a Submariner Date. I think he was concerned and attempted to make it right.

Worked out well for you. They won't even give the OP a free Rolex cap.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by rmlovett1

Since you haven’t purchased it, I’d let them polish it then make your decision. A light bracelet polish isn’t difficult (well…it shouldn’t be) for an AD.
If it’s not perfect after the polish job, walk away/wait for the next one.

^bingo^^. Since they are so confident about their ability to polish those out, let them do it on their dime and then you decide. At this point it’s a damaged watch. If you went through the considerable trouble and time of trying to buy through an AD you would at least expect the watch to be new. I guarantee this won’t happen with one of our respected sellers like Thann, Patrick, etc….

[KevNev]

Originally Posted by Goldmansockz

Got the Call… for a scratched watch?

Got the call today for Silver 126000. Was incredibly excited given the AD reached out to me only a few days after requesting this piece. I get to the private room and am shown the watch but immediately notice the number of hairline scratches all over the bracelet. I brush it off and figure the watch will be scratched up in a few months anyway but then I notice a very deep scratch above the case on the bracelet (second pic). After some back and forth… the best they can do for me is to polish the watch when their service guy is in a few days and sell it to me then. I tried asking for a discount and was told no. Then asked if they could throw in some merch and was told no. Polish is best they can do. Almost got the feeling they were annoyed with me asking for these things.

So many mixed emotions here. How did this scratch get there? Were they trying to pull a fast one on me? A bit annoyed as it’s obvious they were clearly selling me an exhibition model.

Either way, I really want this watch and have waited forever for it. For context, I’m on vacation and put the request in at an AD here to try my chances. I’m leaning towards purchasing the watch once they polish it but I feel like this whole experience has been soured for me. What would you guys do?

If you got a call only a few days after requesting the watch, how is that waiting forever for it? Pass on the watch and wait for a new one.

[JenaG]

As more and more inventory is getting shipped to Rolex ADs,, they are selling the watches in the case, the so-called “exhibition watches”. That’s obviously what you got.

Take it or leave it. Your choice!!!

[CarlOver]

If they will polish the watch and then you can decide, then maybe. Otherwise I’d pass on this one.

[hojlund]

as long as your AD promise to polish it, it's fine.

[Zach69SS]

I would want a new one, remember the polish will remove some of the stainless steel forever. Very strange situation with a brand new piece from the AD? They all come with stickers and the bezel protector from the factory. They should just replace it for you.

Just like a car it’s only original once. But I understand that this something that you really want. So you will have decide if you are willing to accept it.

[Flypanam]

Exhibition watches tend to get lots of fine micro scratches on the clasp and polished parts of the watch, and that seems to be the case here, regardless of the deeper scratch. It's not a new watch.

[rajurama]

No discount then its a pass for sure no matter how minor is the scratch, you deserve a fresh piece. You waited long try somewhere else this dial is not that rare.

[SublimeZ06]

Pass. I wouldn't trust them to make it right without damaging it further.

[joli160]

It’s not on the case and rectify a minor scratch like that takes only a few minutes.
There is no risk that they screw up if they don’t touch the case.
I’d have no problems with the proposed solution

[cdmorenot]

This is going to happen more and more. This is not one of those my "AD SAID" comments... I have seen it with my own eyes. Those exhibition pieces are handled by hundreds of people before they're sold.

My brand new Panda came with handling scratches on the links that aren't protected from the factory. I had to either take the scratches or give up my Daytona allocation.

My wife's Candy Pink OP was allocated to us but I couldn't pick it up for two months. During those two months it accumulated scratches on the bezel from other customers handling it.

Not much I could do as both pieces are highly sought after. Pre installed scratches from dealer.

[Car32]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

This is going to happen more and more. This is not one of those my "AD SAID" comments... I have seen it with my own eyes. Those exhibition pieces are handled by hundreds of people before they're sold.

My brand new Panda came with handling scratches on the links that aren't protected from the factory. I had to either take the scratches or give up my Daytona allocation.

My wife's Candy Pink OP was allocated to us but I couldn't pick it up for two months. During those two months it accumulated scratches on the bezel from other customers handling it.

Not much I could do as both pieces are highly sought after. Pre installed scratches from dealer.

This, if ADs are selling exhibition watches that are handled, these "shop worn scratches are inevitable and it's up to you to decide how/what scratches are acceptable.

Wouldn't have this been the norm pre craziness when watches sat in cases for sometimes year and got handled? I started buying pieces in 2016 when things were only starting to get a little crazy, but back then I was asking for a new copy that hadn't put in display case yet which they obliged...

[KatGirl]

Sounds like it was an exhibition piece for awhile, and got scratched. I would not be fussed over that little scratch. Up to you, if you want to take it or not. As hard as it is to get “the call”, I’d take it.

Kat


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[Gabik]

Originally Posted by RichM

Welcome to the Rolex Forum. I’d pass. If that’s a new watch it should be scratch free. You mentioned a number of them and one deep one. A brand new watch should not need polishing.

Tell them you’ll pass and wait for another. I would also start looking for another AD.

I completely agree.
It's strange that you even had a question about buying a new scratched watch.....

[brucethemanlee]

pass

[enjoythemusic]

That scratch is exactly where i tend to bang up things. We could call it 15 minutes if you let my wife wear it.

OP: Is this timepiece going to be worn daily, occasionally, rarely, or is it destined for a museum or ???

PS: Here's my SkyD. Hmmm, maybe you should try the Jubilee bracelet as it tends to 'hide' scratches better. Just a thought OP as polished links are... polished.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

You relinquished your rights when you accepted it. Since then the scratch could have been made by you.

If they accept a return, return it and wait. If you think you can move past this (minuscule) scratch. Keep it.

It does not sound like he has purchased and taken possession yet.

But you are 100% right if he had. Can't put the toothpaste back in the tube.

[jb335]

I'd heavily lean towards passing on it. Especially since it's not the hardest watch to obtain. They'll get you another one eventually.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If you haven’t purchased the watch yet you can walk away.

I’d pass

This.