Why buy a NEW Rolex? Why not just buy used?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Not everyone sells their stuff in pawn stores, they pawn it and then get it back later. Ideally am talking about conservative nature of asians in using used stuff and you are trying to differ on that. Well if you don't want to believe that majority Asians are that conservative in this matter, you are free to believe.

And if you want to generalize about an entire continent containing half the world's population, you are also free to do so. I am offering a balanced and realistic opinion based on having lived in East Asia for almost three decades.

[foodle]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Not everyone sells their stuff in pawn stores, they pawn it and then get it back later. Ideally am talking about conservative nature of asians in using used stuff and you are trying to differ on that. Well if you don't want to believe that majority Asians are that conservative in this matter, you are free to believe.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

And if you want to generalize about an entire continent containing half the world's population, you are also free to do so. I am offering a balanced and realistic opinion based on having lived in East Asia for almost three decades.

Maxy location: Texas
Old Expat Beast location: Hong Kong

I'm pretty sure I know who has a better insight into asian culture

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

Really? I live in Asia and the second hand market is through the roof on watches!!! Buying, Selling and flipping is what happens daily here.

[iazrollie]

With new watches you are pretty much guaranteed the provenance.

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by lig

My last two purchases were new. I bought them because I have an excellent relationship with my AD and the prices were just about what I would pay from a Trusted Seller here on TRF. No brainer, IMO.

[Stewartu]

I buy used whenever possible.

[macduffi]

Originally Posted by CardCollection

I don't understand the reasoning behind purchasing a new watch.

How much can you purchase a used SubC for?

[macduffi]

Originally Posted by Tools

I agree. Simply a trolling question to generate comment, nothing more.

Personally I don't understand why so many are willing to buy somebody else's castoffs..

Love your avatar.

[macduffi]

Originally Posted by tjspark

The price difference between like new and brand new is not significant enough for me to want preowned.

Agreed! That is my point. Couple hundred, I'll buy new.

[jhightower77]

Can someone tell me the price of a GMT II steel with a black face and green GMT hand from an AD?

[Ed Man]

I bought both of mine new. I have no problem with used but I enjoy the new purchasing experience with my AD. My next purchase may be used.

[viper9669]

For vintage and discontinued models yes, for current models new would be better.

[Muzz]

Originally Posted by macduffi

Agreed! That is my point. Couple hundred, I'll buy new.

More like in excess of 10k on gold pieces, but hey to each their own.

[GradyPhilpott]

If no one bought new watches, then there wouldn't be any used watches.

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I should read the thread first.

Originally Posted by del101

If no one buys new then there will be no used ones

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by Muzz

More like in excess of 10k on gold pieces, but hey to each their own.

That depends on your relationship with an ad. Some members on here have talked about 25 to 30 percent off brand new on gold watches. When you look at the prices here on the forum they are pretty close.

I've purchased used here on the forum and have also purchased brand new from an ad it's all about price for me. Whoever gives the best price gets the sale

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

Obviously you haven't explored the 2nd hand & vintage watch scene in Asia...Particularly in Japan and Hong Kong.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Not everyone in Japan can afford to buy new, though, and the used market there is thriving. I have been to Japan more than 20 times and see plenty of Japanese shopping for used watches. And in HK, where I live, I don't think I have ever seen a tourist in a used Rolex dealer (and I spend a lot of time in them), they are always full of locals, with the occasional expat.

Yep, for the most part...USUALLY you don't see tourists in the used Rolex dealers in Hong Kong, but actually the last time I was at the lovely shop right beside the TST post office there were three Japanese fellas trying on pieces.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Yep, for the most part...USUALLY you don't see tourists in the used Rolex dealers in Hong Kong, but actually the last time I was at the lovely shop right beside the TST post office there were three Japanese fellas trying on pieces.

Of course, they would be Japanese, just to illustrate our point

Is that the small shop with the long glass-top cabinets on the left as you walk in? They seem quite ok once you get chatting, and fair prices, too.

[Jake B]

Well, I buy used for the most part, since most of the watches that I've wanted are out of production now, but I did buy my 114060 Sub-C brand new from the AD.

The 114060 was a gift to myself celebrating 1 year in business for my company & also the year anniversary of the birth of my daughter, so I wanted it to be "special"

[eeh100773]

It's a matter of preference, as has been stated in earlier posts.

A new Rolex or a preowned Rolex is just that: it's a Rolex. Get what you can afford. Do NOT over extend. Enjoy the watch and WEAR IT!

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Of course, they would be Japanese, just to illustrate our point

Is that the small shop with the long glass-top cabinets on the left as you walk in? They seem quite ok once you get chatting, and fair prices, too.

That's the one It's one of my favourite shops. Always some interesting vintage pieces in there. Their prices are definitely fair and I've bought, sold & traded a handful of watches since I first passed through the door in 2010. Last thing I bought there was my black Milgauss.

[Old Expat Beast]

Have you been up to Kwong Wah Street off Dundas Street in YMT recently?...quite a few new places opening there lately.

[ExplorerChris]

For me I wanted an Explorer II either the 16550 or 16570 and since they are no longer available from an AD I sourced out a pre owned one that had been serviced by Rolex Canada less than 3 months before I purchased it.
It came complete with service papers, hang tags, manuals and inner and outer boxes and for less than 4k all in I was very pleased with the decision to pull the trigger.
If I ever get the chance for another Rolex it will be a TT Sub 16613 Blue sunburst dial and I will source that one out the way I did my Exp II

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Have you been up to Kwong Wah Street off Dundas Street in YMT recently?...quite a few new places opening there lately.

I haven't....Thanks for the tip! I've been in Canada for the past three weeks but getting back to HK on Thurs so I'll check it out soon.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jake B

I haven't....Thanks for the tip! I've been in Canada for the past three weeks but getting back to HK on Thurs so I'll check it out soon.

Yes, do! There's about a dozen dealers up there now, including one or two who have moved out from Sino Centre recently. Some are overpriced (there's a branch of Vintage Concept, for example), but others like Samson Lau's Chak Sam Trading Co. are very reasonable. Great for a browse anyway.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Yes, do! There's about a dozen dealers up there now, including one or two who have moved out from Sino Centre recently. Some are overpriced (there's a branch of Vintage Concept, for example), but others like Samson Lau's Chak Sam Trading Co. are very reasonable. Great for a browse anyway.

Wow, a dozen! Okay, great....Big thanks, Adam

[lipjin]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Have you been up to Kwong Wah Street off Dundas Street in YMT recently?...quite a few new places opening there lately.

Thanks for the top Adam. Will go for a quick browse.

And I buy used

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Wow, a dozen! Okay, great....Big thanks, Adam

Originally Posted by lipjin

Thanks for the top Adam. Will go for a quick browse.

And I buy used

Happy to share! Just don't go before 3pm as some of these guys are late starters.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by dyims

Why marry a non virgin and not virgin?

Wow, this thread just keeps getting classier & classier.

[Mr. K]

Buy new whenever possible, but have bought a few 5-6 used Rolex in my time. 3 were OQ because they were no longer in production.

But I typically buy new because I will be the first one to own and wear the watch. no display items for me. If you are going so far as to buy a Rolex, it feels good to go that last step and buy it new.

But I'm always open to used if it is a screaming deal.