Anyone willing to help?

[SL%%]

Hi to all of you. I am a newbie here and am seeking HELP on how to spot a fake Yacht-Master. I wanted to buy a used Yacht-Master preferably the mfg date would be 2000 & above so most likely it would be P, K, Y, F, D, Z starting serial. I know most of you would say why don't I just get the real thing, well, frankly, there are people who will sell their Yacht Master either because they need money, just want to sell it, wants to get another etc etc. To me if I could get a GENUINE one at a good price why not right but I'm not good on spotting a fake Yacht-Master. Can anyone help? If there is a website that you can refer me, I would really appreciate it, if you can give me some advice, its very well accepted. Thanks for the help.

[Rockrolex]

Welcome to TRF, SL. The best way to spot a fake is to buy from a trusted source. Try an AD, first. Many of them will have previously owned Rolexes that they sell at not quite a fraction but less than a new model. Then there are some on-line dealers who are trustworthy.

If you find something on-line you like, you can bring it here and we can try to check it out for you.

[colemanitis]

There's nothing wrong with buying preowned, but you have to know what you're doing, and know who you're buying from. Like Ed mentioned, if you find a particular watch that you're intersted in let us know and we'll take a look. Good luck in your search.

[Lol-x]

One rule is to ensure that the seller has some reputation in selling genuine watches.
Buying from a shop with bricks and mortar that has a reputation does provide some level assurance.
Buying over the internet does have possible pitfalls. You can't always judge what you are getting by a photograph, some photographs of genuine Rolex watches are stolen and used to entice unsuspecting buyers.

[SL%%]

thanks guys, I actually found one on E-Bay, it has a quite impressive reputation but you be the judge:

here goes: http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-YACHTMASTE...QQcmdZViewItem

and another

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolex-18K-SS-Mid...QQcmdZViewItem

I hope am right with this, with the second one, when you look at the last picture, the serial# starts at A81****** but it said that its a 2003 Model. Its quite contradicting because Serial# that starts with A was manufactured on year 1998 but is said its a 2003 model. Quite funny though

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by SL%%

thanks guys, I actually found one on E-Bay, it has a quite impressive reputation but you be the judge:

here goes: http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-YACHTMASTE...QQcmdZViewItem

It's probably the real deal. The seller has a good rep and is part of a well established e-Bay family of sellers.

[ROLEXAHOLIC]

Purchase a good solid reference and do your homework! The one that I use is The Rolex Report

[Tools]

I've heard thet the best fakes can only be detected by taking off the back cover and looking for a Rolex movement.

I recommend this before you pay out any serious money.

Good luck on your quest..

[China Man]

that watch on ebay that you provided the link for does look like the real mccoy. (do your own research first, though!) However, it does look like the watch has been worn quite a bit, as the bracelet looks far from tight ...

[SPACE-DWELLER]

"Buy" the seller first, and if the seller has a good reputation, then the watch.

Welcome to TRF!

[DocD]

Although the watch does look legit, PLEASE notice that this is only a 35 mm watch, which is really a "women's" model or midsize model and may not be the model you are really seeking.

Unless you have a very small wrist, this is a pretty small watch, and may NOT be the Yachtmaster you are really seeking. I just wanted to give you the "heads up" to make sure you were aware that this is not the FULL SIZE Yachtmaster.

Good luck on your search. In my opinion, for a first timer, with little experience, I'd feel much better purchasing pre-owned from a brick and mortar store, where I can try on the watch, touch the watch, etc., and know the reputation of the store and the seller.

[SL%%]

Originally Posted by DocD

Although the watch does look legit, PLEASE notice that this is only a 35 mm watch, which is really a "women's" model or midsize model and may not be the model you are really seeking.

Unless you have a very small wrist, this is a pretty small watch, and may NOT be the Yachtmaster you are really seeking. I just wanted to give you the "heads up" to make sure you were aware that this is not the FULL SIZE Yachtmaster.

Good luck on your search. In my opinion, for a first timer, with little experience, I'd feel much better purchasing pre-owned from a brick and mortar store, where I can try on the watch, touch the watch, etc., and know the reputation of the store and the seller.

DocD, nope am not looking for a FULL Size, am looking for a MID-Size so yup, I have a small wrist. I tried the 40mm and its really huge for me. It really looked big but thanks for the heads up, appreciate that

Anyway, if I really won't feel good buying over the net, I might just get a brand new one. Here in Guam, from an official retailer (http://www.tspguam.com/main/index.php) the price of a brand new YM Mid Two Tone with the regular dial is $6,250 nad I think the Platinum Mid Size is $$5,900 so probably hahahahahahhahaha

[rocastro71]

I would recommend having the watch authenticated by a rolex expert to be sure it's the real deal. There has been so much improvement in technology that a novice like us won't be able to tell the difference between a fake or an authentic rolex. They even sell replicas now that they guarantee to be 100% exact from the original that a jeweller won't be able to tell the difference just by looking at the external features of the watch. Make sure you double check the seller's reputation and money back guarantee. Hope this helps.

[Gaijin]

Check the For Sale Forum here. RolexKing and DFA have some Yachtmasters for sale. Good prices.

[LouCan]

This is a Real YM TT MOP W/New warranty card the size of a cc took 5 wks to get

[SL%%]

Originally Posted by LouCan

This is a Real YM TT MOP W/New warranty card the size of a cc took 5 wks to get

That is Really nice, exactly what I want but IN MID SIZE, my wrist is not really that BIG. If I had a Big wrist I would have wanted to get a TT GMT-II but it all comes in 40mm. I think (pls correct me if I'm wrong) most of the sport models or rolex comes in 40mm for mens and only the YM offers MID size

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by SL%%

Hi to all of you. I am a newbie here and am seeking HELP on how to spot a fake Yacht-Master. I wanted to buy a used Yacht-Master preferably the mfg date would be 2000 & above so most likely it would be P, K, Y, F, D, Z starting serial. I know most of you would say why don't I just get the real thing, well, frankly, there are people who will sell their Yacht Master either because they need money, just want to sell it, wants to get another etc etc. To me if I could get a GENUINE one at a good price why not right but I'm not good on spotting a fake Yacht-Master. Can anyone help? If there is a website that you can refer me, I would really appreciate it, if you can give me some advice, its very well accepted. Thanks for the help.

Hello and welcome to TRF, glad to have you aboard. I just joined yesterday as well!

Here is a good website that I think gives pretty general points in spotting fakes:

http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/rolex_or_replica.html

It is a pretty outdated tutorial nowadays but it still gives you a pretty good idea of what to look for. Some flaws that I have seen on fake Yacht Masters before are that the minute hand is too thin and that there is no maxi dial. In a real Yacht master, the minute hand is slightly thicker compared to that of the Submariner for example, and has a maxi dial. So theres one thing to look for.

The best advice to give when buying is to buy the seller and not the watch. It would be great if you can meet the seller and examine the watch in person. Otherwise looking at the for sale secion of this forum is not a bad place to start looking for good deals. Remember to ask the seller lots of questions and address any concerns you may have. Good luck!

[supermarz]

my best advice is probably try to see the watch yourself at an AD...have a bit of feel on how heavy it is and looked at it closely. this is a much better way than looking at pictures on the internet.
if you're going to purchase the watch through website, make sure it is through a reputable one and im sure alot of members here can recommend which.

in addition, if you are considering on getting the platinum/stainless steel model of yacht master, let me know if you need pictures.... i'm happy to take few shots of mine.
happy hunting