I started a Rolex riot today...

[dothedo]

Ok...so not really. But a question I asked got me banned from a store today.

So in between errands today, I stopped by a store in the Los Angeles area that sells Rolex. I have been looking to buy a 16613 and since I had some time to kill, I went on a mini scavenger hunt to see what I could find. Let me clarify: The store was not an AD...as much as I would love a new TT Sub, I cannot spend $9000+...so I have to do what I can.

The guy (store owner) was kind of stand-off-ish but once I told him what I was looking for, his demeanor changed completely. He excitedly showed me a black TT with black bezel...the watch also came with box and papers. The watch had a bit of wear on it. Though he never took off the band, the papers stated it was a Y...perfect.

However, the more I examined the watch, the more the bezel looked off. The color was a little too yellowish and something didn't feel quite right. I asked him if it was a "genuine Rolex bezel". He looked at me and said "Yes the bezel is good! The bezel is in such good condition...the watch is 7 years old!" I could tell where this was going so I tried to choose my words carefully: I asked again, "But is it a genuine Rolex part....did this come with the watch when it was shipped from a Rolex factory or has it been changed?"

The guy grabbed the watch out of my hand and said I was too picky. This was within 5 minutes of me walking in. I told him that I had heard opinions that ANY alterations to a Rolex that are not genuine parts make a watch "counterfeit" by Rolex definition...which is why I was asking.

He told me that a bezel is a wear and tear item and that "any used Rolex will have an aftermarket bezel if it is worn". "People understand that a bezel will be changed. Why spend $400 on a Rolex bezel that will damage as easily as an aftermarket?" I told him that I believed him to be incorrect and that I wasn't interested but thanked him for his time. He said that if I wanted a perfect Rolex I "needed to drive to Beverly Hills" and not to step foot in his store because "he's a wholesaler and doesn't even usually deal with the public and this is why."

This was 11 minutes out of my day.

So on my drive back...I wondered to myself if I was incorrect or if he was misleading? I know that aftermarket dials make a Rolex counterfeit. Does this apply to everything on the watch? Does an aftermarket bezel make a Rolex fake?

They obviously sell them...or at least try.

I am so worried about getting screwed that my paranoia has me questioning everything Rolex!!!!!

Would you buy a Rolex with an aftermarket bezel? Should I buy one?!!! I think I can answer my own question but would love to hear some input...


Rob

[MonBK]

If the price was right I would buy it.

You can always replace the bezel insert or the bezel.

[Lol-x]

Buying with an aftermarket 'bezel insert'....well maybe if all else was good.

Buying with an aftermarket 'bezel'....probably not unless the price was exceedingly good and apart from that issue it was being offered at a price I couldn't refuse.

[Dr.Brian]

You made the right choice. It's probably not the only non factory replacement part on that watch.
Name and shame this disgrace.
PS a new (genuine factory) insert is about $100.

[sappie66]

Buying a Rolex with an aftermarket bezel does not make the watch counterfeit. It just means you have an aftermarket bezel. Not sure I would do buy such a watch, unless everything else was good and it was only the bezel that was in issue, at it was a smokin' deal.

Furthermore, I don't agree with him at all when he says all used Rolexes have aftermarket bezels. Never heard of that being the case.

[rosspanics]

If he was this irate over this little point, imagine what else he might be hiding.

Always buy the seller!

[East Bay Rider]

I'd stay away from him and his store. He doesn't care about the product he's selling. If you care about originality, how could you trust this guy? HIS product wasn't unoriginal, YOU were too picky.
Bah! Leave him in the dust.

[Tri-Tip]

I'd stick with an AD, even for a used watch. I was at Ben Bridge last weekend, and they are having a pre-owned Rolex sale next month in their Northridge location. I assume it travels from store to store.

[marcinthemiddle]

Whoa. The guys are right- the dude was shady...
Glad you walked out.

[BB83]

I would never buy from someone who was defensive and wouldn't honestly and patiently answer my questions, whatever they were.

[Brent]

This guy would have lost me when uttered the words "you're too picky". He's asking you to lower your standards to meet his. Not going to happen. Did he offer to lower his price to meet your standards? Didn't think so. You did the right thing by leaving empty handed (watch-wise).

[conrail]

Originally Posted by dothedo

I know that aftermarket dials make a Rolex counterfeit.

Would you buy a Rolex with an aftermarket bezel? Should I buy one?!!! I think I can answer my own question but would love to hear some input...

Rob

Not true, it doesn't make it a counterfeit. However, whether you want one with an aftermarket bezel is up to you. Nothing wrong with it - certainly affects resale value, but theres nothing wrong with it. Personally I'd stick with all original (except my Daytona clear display back of course :) You picked up perfectly upon the fact that he didn't give you a straight answer with respect to whether the bezel was original or not - I'd steer clear of this scumbag.

Happy hunting!

[oboshoe]

"I asked him if it was a "genuine Rolex bezel". He looked at me and said "Yes the bezel is good! The bezel is in such good condition...the watch is 7 years old!"

An honest answer would have been "Yes it is a genuine Rolex bezel." or "No it is very good aftermarket", or "I don't know"

HIs answer was non-responsive and a classic example of trying to mislead you.

Yes. Bezels are easily replaced with genuine Rolex bezels.. BUT if is trying to pass off a bezel as real, what other components are fake also?

Stay away. This guy is dishonest and a scammer.

[Rani Drama]

That's exactly what my AD warned me against. Buying from other non authorized resellers could lead to a watch with aftermarket non genuine parts on it. he says they salvage the genuine parts and replace them with aftermarket to increase their margins or then resell the genuine parts separately.

[psv]

Sounds like a scumbag to me.

Buy your watch here on TRF instead from a trusted seller.

[dothedo]

Thanks for all the input everyone. *I guess the reason for my concerns is based upon the simple fact that I don't want to get screwed without knowing I'm getting screwed. *I'm fairly familiar with Rolex from an aesthetic standpoint; however when it comes to the "rules of the game" so to speak I'm rookie-ish. *I wouldn't feel like a bad person or like I was cheating if I were to buy a Rolex with an after market bezel, but I'd want to know I was investing my money in the most efficient and intelligent way. *I don't think that buying a watch with anything other that Rolex parts would accomplish that. *In my opinon, you would most likely reduce your resale market. *Disclosing the fact of "aftermarket bezel" doesn't quite have the same ring as "all genuine Rolex parts". *

The price wasn't anything to write home about...had it been I probably would have bought the watch and had this conversation with posted pictures! *

So I guess it really comes down to a "case by case" approach? Ha get it? *Honestly though, I did want to protect my neck and I do remember reading about a Rolex policy stating that any after market parts on a Rolex watch was to be deemed counterfeit and not to be serviced by Rolex or any RSC...this is an ad-lib but something to the extent of "any aftermarket=counterfeit according to Rolex".

[Submarino]

Glad you left. With that guy's attitude I would've not bought it either.

[Mantooth]

I wouldn't have bought a Timex from that joker. Take your business else where.

[Singslinger]

It was wrong of him to generalize and say that everyone with a worn bezel would have it replaced with an aftermarket version. I certainly wouldn't and I believe only a minority of us would. He'd have been better off being honest with you, that way he might still have made a sale. Best to take your business elsewhere.

[Boadicea]

Originally Posted by conrail

Not true, it doesn't make it a counterfeit. However, whether you want one with an aftermarket bezel is up to you.

It might not make the watch counterfeit, but it does tell you a lot about the watch. If it has an aftermarket bezel, it may have other aftermarket parts inside. Then comes the question of who fitted the bezel? If it was the original owner, does this mean he was skimping on service or taking it to non-rolex watchmakers? If it was the shop owner, what else has been changed or swapped around? Stay away!!

This is partly why I will only ever buy new and from an AD. I know it is an expensive way to go about it, but you can't put a price on peace of mind and if something does go wrong, you'll be out of pocket just as much as if you got it new anyway,... or perhaps even more...

[SoCal C4S]

If the seller isn't going out of his way to make sure you are happy with the deal in any way, it is time to walk away.

[esm]

Originally Posted by SoCal C4S

If the seller isn't going out of his way to make sure you are happy with the deal in any way, it is time to walk away.

agreed - this kind of customer service will do no good for his business.

imo, a Rolex with aftermarket parts (as long as there are no Rolex marking/logo on it) is - non-genuine Rolex or a Rolex with non-genuine part(s)

[JIFF1975]

Technically if the part does not have a rolex trademark on it it is an aftermarket (non counterfeit) item. If it has a rolex trademark on it and if it's not OEM it's a counterfeit.

[m5blitzer]

Sounds like a shady character and questionable post sales support in case you had issues. Definitely ALL SALES FINAL deal.

[DCgator]

You did the right thing by walking away. Good on you.

[want to be]

Always go with your gut!

[rolexertion]

You're much better off staying away in any event. The 'gentleman' in question is without reservation a cad, a charlatan, a bounder, a mountebank and a ne'er-do-well. If he spoke the truth once in his life it would likely burn his tongue.

[fc3s2k]

Originally Posted by Rani Drama

That's exactly what my AD warned me against. Buying from other non authorized resellers could lead to a watch with aftermarket non genuine parts on it. he says they salvage the genuine parts and replace them with aftermarket to increase their margins or then resell the genuine parts separately.

X2!
I heard this from my freind in the jewelry business!!
Scary but sOme are true!!

P.s. Which store is it? I live in Los Angeles, so I know which store to stay away from.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Boadicea

It might not make the watch counterfeit, but it does tell you a lot about the watch. If it has an aftermarket bezel, it may have other aftermarket parts inside. Then comes the question of who fitted the bezel? If it was the original owner, does this mean he was skimping on service or taking it to non-rolex watchmakers? If it was the shop owner, what else has been changed or swapped around? Stay away!!

This is partly why I will only ever buy new and from an AD. I know it is an expensive way to go about it, but you can't put a price on peace of mind and if something does go wrong, you'll be out of pocket just as much as if you got it new anyway,... or perhaps even more...

Yea very good point - if the easily-seen bezel is noticeably an aftermarket, what on the insides isn't Rolex!

[TopNotchChach]

He sounds shady.