Amazing first time Rolex experience!!

[bankerX]

Hi all,

I just want to share with you my first Rolex purchase experience.

I was looking to buy a WG datejust with white dial and Roman numbers. I was a little sceptic to buy one off ebay. Especially after reading all your posts about avoiding to buy off ebay if you are not experienced enough.

So I took everyone's advice on this forum and decided to buy one from one of the sellers here. And I am glad I did!

I looked for the watch I wanted for several days until I found one being sold by mask1196. This guy is just amazing. I initiated contact and we both agreed on the price. Sent the money and "AS PROMISED" he shipped the watch priority to Canada.

I received the watch this morning and it was unbelievable! It was much more better that the description and the pictures listed did not do justice to the beauty of the watch.

Tried it on and it was too big, so I decided to take it to a Rolex authorized service centre which happens to be next door from where I work.

The service centre is J. VAIR ANDERSON LTD. in Calgary. I called them up and they said I could come between the hours of 12noon and 1pm. (no-lunch) but who cares :)

I walked in the store and met the service guy. I asked him that I just bought this watch and would like to have it resized. He was too nice and offered to help. I gave him the watch and he looked at it from every angle and was like; "this watch has been serviced at a Rolex Service Centre" before. I am not sure how he knew that.

Anyway, he offered if I would like to have the watch tested and I was like yeah sure, then he replies "this will be for a fee", I am like go ahead my friend

First thing he does was open the case back and looking at it with a magnifying glass. The next thing he tells me, this watch has been serviced at the Dallas service centre in 2007. I was like that is great then but how did you know? He goes like they usually leave a mark behind that says it all.

The guy was so nice and he kept talking and sharing knowledge.

Testing Part :

They had a table with about 6 or 7 different machines right next to each other and he started telling me he will test the watch for water pressure, I think he also said humidity? and a few other things. He would put the watch inside one of the machines for some time until it beeps and he keeps repeating this step several times which was kind of exciting and entertaining to watch.

At one of the tests, he said the watch should be about 270 and mine did 300. So I asked is that good? He was like yeah

During the tests, I asked what if I want to buy a leather strap? He answered yes and opened a drawer with dozens of straps and got two out, I think a croc or somethine but they were brown color and I wanted black

He said anyway, these won't fit your watch because your watch needs a 20mm. I was like can't we order one from Rolex? He said they won't sell it to you if your watch didn't originally come with a leather strap...I am not sure if that's true?

He then asked if I would be interested in the aftermarket Hirsch and I was like sure. He showed me a catalog of real straps and I kep going through it until I found one that I liked with a golden buckle. I asked if it is possible to change it for a silver one and he was like sure, I can do that for you.

Now as we talk, the machine would beep and he would run to it, make some changes and put my babe back in ..I loved that! Everytime it beeps, I get so excited...

At the end, and after going through all the tests, he told me he will change the gasket and that the watch is in great shape!
You will probably need servicing in a year or two. And now was the pay time.

I didn't know how much he is going to charge me after going through all the tests....and using all the expensive machines

So he walked me to the register and start telling me, I have done XYX tests (dont remeber the names) and the water test, so the watch is guaranteed against any water defects...etc and if anything happens to it, come back to me along with the receipt and I will be responsible.

After he said that, I was expecting to be charged no less than a couple of hundreds....and guess how much he charged? Twenty five canadian dollars in addition to the Hirsch strap for $34 plus tax. Can you believe that? He also gave me another green bag and a cloth.

To be honest, I felt so bad that he had to spend all this time (about an hour) helping me here and there and I asked if he can add tips to the bill and pay all by CC, he really didnt want any but I kept insisting until he agreed. I paid an extra $50 but I still think this isnt enough for all the time he spent with me and sharing all his knowledge...etc

Last question I asked him was, if you were to buy this watch, how much would you pay for it? He quoted me $3,500 and I paid for it $3,300. He thought that the watch is in great shape and very good condition and this was a great deal.

I am very happy to experience such a FIRST "first class" buying experience and it is all because of the seller mask1196 who was very honest and helpful.

Once again guys, thank you so much for always sharing your experience on the forum and educating newbies. I am becoming addicted to the forum.

Now my next watch would be a TT submariner with black dial. Most probably around December of this year when it is time to get my bonus

I can't wait!

Thank you

[perpetualman88]

fantastic congrats and what a nice gesture to the watchmaker

wear your beauty in great health

and Please post some Pics

[z32turbo]

Great post I'm glad everything went better than expected. Always nice to hear of a good service experience.

[w4rmk]

How about a picture?

[GradyPhilpott]

That's a very smart watchmaker.

Not only does he know his watches, he knows how to treat his customers and how to generate repeat sales and services.

You're lucky to have found him.

[bankerX]

Here are some pictures..My camera is not too good and doesn't do justice!

[jolimont]

congrats mate!! Wear it in good health, and sounds like you have an awesome watchmaker for life

[Speed]

Crisp and clean. !

Nice:-)

[z32turbo]

Looks great!!!

Congrats!!!

[bankerX]

Thanks guys :)
You all own beautiful watches too....

[sirjohnbrian]

Nice watch. You can't go wrong with a classic. It's also nice to know that there's still real customer service out there.

[cedargrove]

Great write up. Congratulations. A very classy watch.

[Vallhalla68]

Beautiful Watch !!! Congrats

[azguy]

Great watch, very versatile

[chicagofan]

Congrats!

[nick c]

nice said

[mbuckley]

great story and nice watch!

[Hairdude1]

Sounds like a great experience! Nice watch!

[HACKNSACK44]

Congrats!!

[gwalker]

I absolutely love the SS jubilee with the WG bezel. That is an awesome watch. Great writeup and pics!!!!

[nch209]

I was sleeping on this one- lucky for you- as I should have snagged this one!!! You did well! Welcome and wear in good health!

[Atomant]

Congrats, a good watchmaker is hard to come by.

[gazp]

Nice story , thanks for sharing and lovely watch too

[Alexth1]

Originally Posted by sirjohnbrian

nice watch. You can't go wrong with a classic. It's also nice to know that there's still real customer service out there.

x1

[Andad]

Welcome to the Forum B.

That is an excellent combination.

It's good the hear that your AD visit was a pleasant memorable experience.

That is how it should be with Rolex.

[bankerX]

You guys are AWESOME! Thanks...

And yes indeed, the watchmaker was a very nice guy, his name is Bryn...If you are ever in Calgary, I would highly recommend that you pay him a visit....

[bankerX]

Oh I forgot to mention, and so is the seller!

[bankerX]

Click here for his linkedin profile.

[TSW]

Congrats!

[Hornett]

Bryn is the certified Rolex tech.