Buying a Rolex that has been sitting in a safe for 9 years

[997.2]

Hi guys

I have the opportunity to finally purchase my dream watch, a 14060M. Found a nice example that has literally been worn 3 times. It's a 2005 watch (D serial?)
that has never been serviced. It was taken into the jeweler once a year to get polished (he just did it every year to renew the lifetime warranty, the watch looks unpolished) and they tested it and said it didn't need service and was accurate.

In this case, would you guys be fine with a watch that hasn't been serviced in so long because it hasn't been worn much? Or would you use it as a bargaining tool and legitimately service it?

I am thinking if it keeps good time, and passes a water test, why service it?

I would love opinions on this. Thanks so much guys

here is a pic, looks legit to me

[domrusso10]

I would have it pressure tested and run it for a day and track the time. If everything checks out, go for it and enjoy your new watch! Some watches to decades without service and run perfectly.

[Solo118]

+1 definitely make sure it is waterproof. If the same watchsmith can determine if it needs a cleaning or not, that would be great.

If it's good to go then enjoy it!

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by solo118

+1 definitely make sure it is waterproof. If the same watchsmith can determine if it needs a cleaning or not, that would be great.

If it's good to go then enjoy it!

+2

[Angrypuppy]

If it keeps good time and it passes a pressure test, don't bother servicing it.

[thewatchguy93]

If its only been worn 3 times in 9 years, why was he having it polished once per year?


With regards to servicing, a watch sitting still for such an amount of time can seize and develop corrosion internally. Unlikely, but possible.


Best of luck,
Dino

[azguy]

You don't need to service it, have it pressure tested and wear it to death. When it stops have it serviced.

[johnbeth]

If its been polished every year. I wouldn't touch it because it's been polished since 2005 every year. That is 9 times. . That's a lot! Just my honest opinion.

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

How could it be polished annually since 2005 and look unpolished. Hopefully you mean they just rubbed it with a cloth and didn't actually refinish it... which would be unnecessary if only worn three times. If it works within spec and passes a pressure test buy it, wear it and get it serviced a few years down the road.

[FTX I]

Strange story.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

If its been polished every year. I wouldn't touch it because it's been polished since 2005 every year. That is 9 times. . That's a lot! Just my honest opinion.

yup thought the same thing

[Time Exposure]

Yes, I would use the fact it hasn't been serviced as a bargaining chip. In reality, I wouldn't have it serviced if it kept acceptable time. There are arguments on both sides about the need for service. As for me, I rarely keep watches long enough to have them serviced.

[Psmith]

It would be worth taking the back off to check all is well, and then pressure testing.

Perhaps the yearly polish was just a clean/buff and not a refinish.

With respect to an earlier poster, I would not wait until a watch malfunctioned before servicing it (in fact by then you would be repairing it). Preventative maintenance is only required every 5 - 7 years.

Does it come with the original documentation?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Strange story.

I'll go along with that..

[Jocke]

I have open the watch and look at the movements condidtion, change all gaskets and do a pressure test. If it runs ok, just enjoy it.

[Planar]

Originally Posted by jocke

i have open the watch and look at the movements condidtion, change all gaskets and do a pressure test. If it runs ok, just enjoy it.

👍

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by Time Exposure

Yes, I would use the fact it hasn't been serviced as a bargaining chip. In reality, I wouldn't have it serviced if it kept acceptable time. There are arguments on both sides about the need for service. As for me, I rarely keep watches long enough to have them serviced.

All gaskets and seals deteriorate over time and can cause leaks. It's just an inherent property of the material. Temperature also plays a factor. Was the safe in a temperature controlled climate? If it hasn't been serviced in 9 years, it would be worthwhile to have it done. Yes, use this as a bargaining chip. If everything checks out, you can wear it for another 9-10 years with no servicing and have peace of mind.

[997.2]

Ahh guys sorry he did not say every year it was POLISHED but cleaned. I do not imagine it was polished every year. Thanks for the input. His watchmaker says its good to go so I will just get that documentation for verification. Expect an incoming in the next week or so.

[Rashid.bk]

A few concerns, probably not. Better options are abundant.

[Lees23]

Seems fishy.

[DiamondJack]

In my experience, people selling any item inevitably elaborate on the story behind the item in question to make it sound more attractive to the prospective buyer.

In the case of watches, that's the "unworn" watch ..... "hardly used", "only worn on special occasions", "a safe queen" etc etc. Ultimately, all you can do it consider the condition and make your own mind up based on that condition......everything else is just hearsay ...... Unless there is paperwork to substantiate any claim which is rarely the case....

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by 997.2

Ahh guys sorry he did not say every year it was POLISHED but cleaned. I do not imagine it was polished every year. Thanks for the input. His watchmaker says its good to go so I will just get that documentation for verification. Expect an incoming in the next week or so.

Did the guy have a dirty safe?

[sco]

Oils dry and migrate... I would want a full service.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

In my experience, people selling any item inevitably elaborate on the story behind the item in question to make it sound more attractive to the prospective buyer.

In the case of watches, that's the "unworn" watch ..... "hardly used", "only worn on special occasions", "a safe queen" etc etc. Ultimately, all you can do it consider the condition and make your own mind up based on that condition......everything else is just hearsay ...... Unless there is paperwork to substantiate any claim which is rarely the case....

Yeah Steve is right, forget any story, judge it on merit. If it keeps good time I wouldn't service it, negotiate the best price and make sure you trust the seller.

[Investr]

why would any jeweler polish a watch every year that is never even being worn? id pass......

[boost2perfection]

A watch should never be fully polished more than 2-3x in it's lifetime imo. But if everything checks out and the price is right i guess go for it... Pressure test it and what others have said above

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

If it keeps good time and it passes a pressure test, don't bother servicing it.

Originally Posted by azguy

You don't need to service it, have it pressure tested and wear it to death. When it stops have it serviced.

Attachment 558668

Originally Posted by Tools

I'll go along with that..

Originally Posted by Lees23

Seems fishy.

Originally Posted by 997.2

Hi guys

I have the opportunity to finally purchase my dream watch, a 14060M. Found a nice example that has literally been worn 3 times. It's a 2005 watch (D serial?)
that has never been serviced. It was taken into the jeweler once a year to get polished (he just did it every year to renew the lifetime warranty, the watch looks unpolished) and they tested it and said it didn't need service and was accurate.

In this case, would you guys be fine with a watch that hasn't been serviced in so long because it hasn't been worn much? Or would you use it as a bargaining tool and legitimately service it?

I am thinking if it keeps good time, and passes a water test, why service it?

I would love opinions on this. Thanks so much guys

here is a pic, looks legit to me

the rolex sitting is fine but the whole story isn't. i'd pass.

[sdiver68]

If the cleaning/maintenance check was done once per year there should be documentation of that fact. Also, is the lifetime warranty transferable? Again, there should be documentation. In the real world (non-WIS) there are plenty of safe queens and special occasion watches that were never serviced.

The value of the watch, IMO, is the value of the condition and model minus the cost of 1 movement service.

[captainnice]

Originally Posted by Investr

why would any jeweler polish a watch every year that is never even being worn? id pass......

[blue lion]

As mentioned earlier oils, gaskets, etc need to be replaced every so many years. If the watch checks out otherwise, and you can get it for a good price do so. But I would get it serviced if I bought it.