Jeweler doesn't know about Rolex? Question...

[hnt1987]

I walked into a jewelry store (Authorized Rolex's Dealer) and wanted my Rolex's bracelet to be readjusted. The store is relatively nice selling all the new Rolex models.

He looked at my vintage Rolex's USA C&I 77 bracelet (The rare one without all the fancy Rolex's stamp, and only used for USA = only C&I marking, Rolex USA, and the Rolex symbol); if u know about Rolex's bracelet, u know what I'm talking about.

The jeweler said that the bracelet was a fake because of the lack of Rolex's stamping behind the clasp; he probably did not do much study. I did not want to argue, just gave him a smile. In the end, he adjusted my bracelet and probably thinking "There goes another cheap Rolex (b/c of the bracelet; btw, i like to take ur money"

Anyway, my question is: Is a jewelry store a reputable place for an old-old Rolex to visit?

[mjclark32]

I don't know of the bracelet either, but for me the bottom line would be; he did the work and you're pleased with it so you're all good. Maybe next time you go back you can educate him about the bracelet

[rmfnla]

Most retailers' knowledge is limited to what they currently sell.

Unless your jeweler is a WIS or has sold Rolex for many years it is not realistic to expect him to know about vintage models.

[hnt1987]

:D Thanks guy!

[handsfull]

A jewelry store THAT LACKS A WATCHMAKER is similar to bringing your car to a car wash for a new muffler.

Nearly every 'jewelry store' I've encountered have little to no knowledge of watches in terms of doing anything involving a tool. They might be able to tell you how to wind it....maybe.

There's a reason why watchmakers go to school/submit to a battery of tests to earn their credentials.

[Kyu]

happens often.
They're knowledge is usually basic.
even at some AD's the sales doesn't know too much about the rare ones

[zion_rasta]

Very true. I walked into an AD once and the lady looked at my watch and before I even said hello she said we do not work on fake rolex. She was referring to my 1680 sub.

[77T]

Rare vintage models without Rolex markings on the bracelet can easily stump the average AD counter person. Maybe you got the lower average rate for an adjustment...versus the genuine Rolex bracelet upcharge

[Rodentman]

I heard a Rolex AD get into an argument with customer concerning "self-winding." Dealer asserted that "self-winding" meant you had to wind it yourself.

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by zion_rasta

Very true. I walked into an AD once and the lady looked at my watch and before I even said hello she said we do not work on fake rolex. She was referring to my 1680 sub.

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by hnt1987

The jeweler said that the bracelet was a fake because of the lack of Rolex's stamping behind the clasp; he probably did not do much study. I did not want to argue, just gave him a smile. In the end, he adjusted my bracelet and probably thinking "There goes another cheap Rolex (b/c of the bracelet; btw, i like to take ur money"

Originally Posted by zion_rasta

Very true. I walked into an AD once and the lady looked at my watch and before I even said hello she said we do not work on fake rolex. She was referring to my 1680 sub.

i would've called both out on it, preferably in front of the manager... they insulted a client/customer based on lack of knowledge and suspicion...

when car/watch/electronic sales people make an honest mistake is acceptable, but when they try to embarrass you or insult you I called them out and leave them praying to god they don't get fired.

[ratty]

I wish I knew everything about my business!

I am so, so happy that when it is found that I have made a mistake and don't know everything someone does not feel the need to 'leave me praying to God they don't fire me'!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frankly I find this a VERY VERY sad post and attitude.

[Memphis]

re-read my post, stop being so sensitive...

[ratty]

You think I'm being sensitive..............really?

[caryyee]

AD's typically only deal in new Rolex's. What training the sales people get, would only be on what they sell, Rolex would have no need to train them in models that are no longer in production. But true, no need to brand a watch a fake and insult a customer.

[Gator08]

Originally Posted by Memphis

re-read my post, stop being so sensitive...

Re-read it, and still think that that's not the best attitude to have. When you stoop down to their level, you're no better than they are.

[crowncollection]

i know your bracelet is authentic, i think Caryee above nailed it

[Rolex time is money]

My first Rolex, a Datejust from the 60s or so, I went to a AD to have it checked if its authentic. The watch repairer told me the watch is authentic but the bracelet is fake since its got a USA stamp on it, the boss for that AD store was standing next to him and said "You know its a old Rolex right?" and the repairer mumble something. But thanks to google and TRF I found out that the bracelet is authentic :)

[The GMT Master]

Well, where do you draw the line at knowledge? Dealerships need to know about modern pieces, that knowledge needs to be watertight. They should know about discontinued models too. What about vintage models? Should they know every obscure detail about every reference Rolex has ever made? Sure, it's not nice to have something described as fake when it isn't, but put yourself in the dealer's shoes - Rolex can pull their agency if they're seen to be dealing with counterfeits, far better to play it safe than lose the cornerstone of your business.

At least, OP, the dealership did alter the watch for you - just out of interest, why didn't you correct their mistake? No arguments, I think any reasonable person would enjoy having their knowledge enriched.

Confession time - I myself very nearly made a fool of myself on a couple of occasions. I had a customer come in with a Day-Date on a Bark bracelet - I'd never heard of such a thing before and almost called it out as a fake. Luckily, I saw sense and double checked with my boss, who very helpfully pointed out that it was indeed genuine, and belonged to a particularly good client. Another time, I almost fell into the Oyster Quartz trap ("but Rolex don't make quartz watches") The fact is, how do you learn about vintage stuff in the course of your daily work as a salesperson? The training material (at least when I was there) was pretty much non-existent for the modern stuff, let alone anything vintage. You have to be a WIS to want to find out about it, as knowing the clasp code on a vintage watch will not help you sell one of the watches you have in stock

Just a few thoughts from the other side of the fence

Chris

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by Gator08

Re-read it, and still think that that's not the best attitude to have. When you stoop down to their level, you're no better than they are.

should see some of the responses I get at certain stores when I wear my watches.
Maybe it's my age or the way I dress
(I dont wear suits ! and to me suits doesn't always mean financially stable!)

But as the sales who is about "Service" the correct thing to do would be any comment that is negative .. keep to them selves.
Weither someone with a fake really walked in or not, The customer should be treated as they were potential buyer.
even if they have to turn away a customer because of whatever reasons, they should always add an apology with the rejection.

I had being ignored, mocked , looked down on. Just because of my outer image or because of my budget.

I my self treat all people equally. Small buyers large company buyers (TJX)
I treat them the same, why ? because who ever walks through that door is a hard earner like my self. if not they work even harder.

and in my book anyone who works hard for money earns my full respect !

but.. that's just me..

[joe100]

You can't know everything about everything. No excuse to say fake right off the bat though.

[Knappo 1307]

Post pictures of your band, I'd love to see it...

[varld]

In my opinion, it was quite rude of the gentlemen to comment fast about the bracelet being fake, he was probably hoping you would spend more money by buying a new bracelet for your watch.

my two cents

[endwahl]

Definitely agree with the above two posts. If I were in the jewelers position, even if I was sure the watch was a fake, I would probably just smile and be rather evasive about it rather than point it out as a fake in front of other people. You could always joke about it privately with your coworkers later.

[Kyu]

Originally Posted by endwahl

Definitely agree with the above two posts. If I were in the jewelers position, even if I was sure the watch was a fake, I would probably just smile and be rather evasive about it rather than point it out as a fake in front of other people. You could always joke about it privately with your coworkers later.

the point finger and giggle privately is fun sometimes ! but not cool out in open ! lol

[hnt1987]

Originally Posted by Rodentman

I heard a Rolex AD get into an argument with customer concerning "self-winding." Dealer asserted that "self-winding" meant you had to wind it yourself.

The price to adjust a Rolex's bracelet is $75 + tax... He did not know anything about my bracelet except the word "C&I", he charges me only $24 for adjustment. I'm digging cheap price service for a vintage rolex bracelet =] hahaha

[John in MA]

Originally Posted by hnt1987

He looked at my vintage Rolex's USA C&I 77 bracelet (The rare one without all the fancy Rolex's stamp, and only used for USA = only C&I marking, Rolex USA, and the Rolex symbol); if u know about Rolex's bracelet, u know what I'm talking about.

The jeweler said that the bracelet was a fake because of the lack of Rolex's stamping behind the clasp; he probably did not do much study.

Anyway, my question is: Is a jewelry store a reputable place for an old-old Rolex to visit?

Hmmmmmmm. Kind of answered your own question.

if u know about Rolex's bracelet, u know what I'm talking about.

I didn't know about the C&I bracelet till I got my 7016 a few years ago. Makes sense he wouldn't if he wasn't knowledgable about vintage.

Calling it out in a smug way is poor form. Is that what he did?

[hnt1987]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well, where do you draw the line at knowledge? Dealerships need to know about modern pieces, that knowledge needs to be watertight. They should know about discontinued models too. What about vintage models? Should they know every obscure detail about every reference Rolex has ever made? Sure, it's not nice to have something described as fake when it isn't, but put yourself in the dealer's shoes - Rolex can pull their agency if they're seen to be dealing with counterfeits, far better to play it safe than lose the cornerstone of your business.

At least, OP, the dealership did alter the watch for you - just out of interest, why didn't you correct their mistake? No arguments, I think any reasonable person would enjoy having their knowledge enriched.

Confession time - I myself very nearly made a fool of myself on a couple of occasions. I had a customer come in with a Day-Date on a Bark bracelet - I'd never heard of such a thing before and almost called it out as a fake. Luckily, I saw sense and double checked with my boss, who very helpfully pointed out that it was indeed genuine, and belonged to a particularly good client. Another time, I almost fell into the Oyster Quartz trap ("but Rolex don't make quartz watches") The fact is, how do you learn about vintage stuff in the course of your daily work as a salesperson? The training material (at least when I was there) was pretty much non-existent for the modern stuff, let alone anything vintage. You have to be a WIS to want to find out about it, as knowing the clasp code on a vintage watch will not help you sell one of the watches you have in stock

Just a few thoughts from the other side of the fence

Chris

I told him it was a rare C&I bracelet model made for Rolex USA only; he just keep insisting it's not real, probably 2-3x. I don't see any point to argue. So, I just paid him to readjust my supposedly "FAKE" bracelet. Get a cheap price too! 24 buck rather than 75 dollars for adjustment

[Rikki]

A few days ago a customer called and told me he was metal detecting in the water and found a ceramic sub, the crown was missing and there was salt water in the watch but the dial still looked readable and not in terrible shape he brought it to a Rolex AD and they couldn't tell him if it was real or fake so he drove an hour to me and unfortunatley it wasn't real but a very good copy. The movement was a pile of rust so the story had a happy ending hehe. Rikki

[hnt1987]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Post pictures of your band, I'd love to see it...

Folded link Rolex USA C&I #77 Bracelet.