Milgauss advice for a novice PLEASE

[grassman]

Hello,

I am a novice at this, so please go easy on me! I bought a black Milgauss in 2016 from a Rolex Boutique in Selfridges in 2016. I paid £5,500.

It was stolen from me in October 2021. Taken by a professional thief, from my wrist inside, or nearby a bar in Mayfair. I LOVED that watch. It was insured for the £5.5k, so I have recouped that, and I immediately went back to the dealer and registered my interest in a new one.

3 months later, and no sign of one coming in stock. It has also risen to £7,300 in price. I keep asking the dealer, to no avail. So I am thinking about buying one from the grey market, but am a bit nervous and would appreciate some advice.

For example:

- Are there any sites with good/bad reps that I should be aware of? I am currently looking on Chrono24
- Are there any countries that I should be nervous about buying from? What about Hong Kong for example?
- Does it matter if the watch is older, say a 2009 model, if it is in good condition with all the paperwork?
- Any other tips or advice before I dive in would be massively appreciated!

Thanks!

[sss205]

Chrono24 would work. You could also go with a trusted seller on this forum. I'm sure DavidSW would have one.

[Miker86]

Be mindful that if you don’t buy it from the UK you’ll have VAT to pay on arrival - 20%.

[nat]

I can vouch for DavidSW.

[grassman]

Originally Posted by Miker86

Be mindful that if you don’t buy it from the UK you’ll have VAT to pay on arrival - 20%.

Thanks for the heads up. How does that work exactly?

[Vetracer]

Hi OP

I can see you are based in Surrey, UK. My advice to you is to use Chrono24 as a relative price guide and NOTHING MORE. Only buy watches from grey market dealers who have good reputation on Instagram, Trustpilot, Google review and word-of-mouth.

Here are some grey market dealers in the UK I've either used myself or someone I know has used with 100% success:

Trotters (Gt Winchester Street, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
Colebys Jewellers (Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
Royal Exchange Jewellers (Royal Exchange, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
WatchTrader (Manchester)
Watches of Whitby (Whitby)
Robinson Jewellers (Leicester)
Watchfinder (Royal Exchange, London - nearest tube Liverpool St. I didn't know until recently that they price match!)
CharlesFish (Harlow and Chelmsford)
Watches & Passion (Grays Antique Market, Mayfair, London)
Milton Diamonds (Liverpool)
BQ Watches (Radlett)

Please do your own research and best of luck finding your replacement watch.

[Ceb]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

Hi OP

I can see you are based in Surrey, UK. My advice to you is to use Chrono24 as a relative price guide and NOTHING MORE. Only buy watches from grey market dealers who have good reputation on Instagram, Trustpilot, Google review and word-of-mouth.

Here are some grey market dealers in the UK I've either used myself or someone I know has used with 100% success:

Trotters (Gt Winchester Street, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
Colebys Jewellers (Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
Royal Exchange Jewellers (Royal Exchange, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
WatchTrader (Liverpool)
Watches of Whitby (Whitby)
Robinson Jewellers (Leicester)
Watchfinder (Royal Exchange, London - nearest tube Liverpool St. I didn't know until recently that they price match!)
CharlesFish (Harlow and Chelmsford)
Watches & Passion (Grays Antique Market, Mayfair, London)
Milton Diamonds (Liverpool)
BQ Watches (Radlett)

Please do your own research and best of luck finding your replacement watch.

This.

Please also note that you'll be paying anywhere from 8K-10K depending on age and condition

[Bob the brush]

For peace of mind, and no sleepless nights I would take advice and go with a trusted seller, I have heard so many tales of woe regarding watch sites including, but not exclusively, chrono 24, I'm sure many deals go terrifically well, but I just wouldn't bother. In the UK, I have purchased a couple of pre owned Rolex watches from Giles t/a Oakleigh watches, found him a pleasure to deal with, an honest trader, and would have no hesitation in recommending him, I believe he will try to source a watch for you, so he may be able to get you a Milgauss. Give hime a ring.

[grassman]

Thanks everyone, some great advice here!

[Slow Lane]

Can you elaborate on how it was stolen? Mayfair is certainly upscale and would attract con-men and more skilled thieves but I am not sure how this happens without physical compulsion or intimidation. I'm not asking to open the scab but genuinely interested in how to avoid this for me or my better half.

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

Hi OP

I can see you are based in Surrey, UK. My advice to you is to use Chrono24 as a relative price guide and NOTHING MORE. Only buy watches from grey market dealers who have good reputation on Instagram, Trustpilot, Google review and word-of-mouth.

Here are some grey market dealers in the UK I've either used myself or someone I know has used with 100% success:

Trotters (Gt Winchester Street, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
Colebys Jewellers (Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
Royal Exchange Jewellers (Royal Exchange, London - nearest tube Liverpool St)
WatchTrader (Manchester)
Watches of Whitby (Whitby)
Robinson Jewellers (Leicester)
Watchfinder (Royal Exchange, London - nearest tube Liverpool St. I didn't know until recently that they price match!)
CharlesFish (Harlow and Chelmsford)
Watches & Passion (Grays Antique Market, Mayfair, London)
Milton Diamonds (Liverpool)
BQ Watches (Radlett)

Please do your own research and best of luck finding your replacement watch.

Having seen how Trotters operate, I would avoid them like the plague. They are for people who don’t care for watches.
The dial swaps, ‘custom’ dials, iced out watches, inflated prices, polishing every watch for no reason, bezel swaps. Who knows what you’re buying?!

[Hendrikus]

A second suggestion for Giles at Oakleigh Watches. And/or Dominic at Hackett Watches. Both are top blokes and will source you what you want.

Sorry for your loss and so frustrating when insurance covers only what you paid, not what it will actually cost you to get one now.

[Alex71168]

Sorry to hear your news. How do they get it off your wrist without knowing?

Watchfinder are reputable but possibly slightly more expensive. They will do a deal if you ask. 2 year warranty and are backed by Richemont. I have purchased a couple from them with no issues.

Trust the seller and the watch should be fine.

Good luck let us know how you get on.

[wuyeah]

Any well known reputable dealer from this forum who located in UK can help you out? My Rolex if from gray dealer are all from TRF well known dealers. Price isn't the prettiest but I do trust forum dealers more than other gray dealers. Chrono24 price isn't pretty as well why choose that route?

[grassman]

Well I was in the bar, it was packed. Then I left to get a cab. I spoke to a guy on the street to ask him where the nearest cab office was, he was 'friendly' with his arm around me, pointing down the road. I went in the direction he suggested, saw a drunk girl collapsed on the floor and helped her up, her friends gathered round and thanked me. Then a few minutes later I noticed it was gone, as were the girls. I don't exactly know what happened, but I was devastated. It would have been fine if there wasn't a godamn shortage, as I was insured (albeit only for the £5.5k). I wasn't even drunk, yet someone robbed me without me even noticing!

Of course, I contacted the police. As it turns out, the street I was on is a CCTV 'dark zone' due to budget restraints! And the CCTV in the bar was not clear enough to even pick me up!

Anyway, I have now reserved one at one of the dealers recommended above, whilst I go back to the boutique for one last time later on tonight. Should they not give me any glimmer of hope, I will buy the one I have reserved.

[harvey]

Glad you weren’t hurt during it being stolen.

Would you consider buying grey now…at the same time as putting yourself on a list with an AD? When the new watch comes in via the AD, sell the grey one…

[Alex71168]

Originally Posted by grassman

Well I was in the bar, it was packed. Then I left to get a cab. I spoke to a guy on the street to ask him where the nearest cab office was, he was 'friendly' with his arm around me, pointing down the road. I went in the direction he suggested, saw a drunk girl collapsed on the floor and helped her up, her friends gathered round and thanked me. Then a few minutes later I noticed it was gone, as were the girls. I don't exactly know what happened, but I was devastated. It would have been fine if there wasn't a godamn shortage, as I was insured (albeit only for the £5.5k). I wasn't even drunk, yet someone robbed me without me even noticing!

Of course, I contacted the police. As it turns out, the street I was on is a CCTV 'dark zone' due to budget restraints! And the CCTV in the bar was not clear enough to even pick me up!

Anyway, I have now reserved one at one of the dealers recommended above, whilst I go back to the boutique for one last time later on tonight. Should they not give me any glimmer of hope, I will buy the one I have reserved.

A couple of months ago we had a gentleman leaving the village shop and was stopped by two Eastern European girls to conduct a survey the next thing he know his Rolex had gone as had the girls! So you’re not alone. All a bit worrying. It just amazes me how they can slip it over a hand and one doesn’t realise.

[Alex71168]

A few here but not cheap, again they will do a reasonable deal if you are paying outright.

https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Milgauss/watches

[Harry-57]

According to C24 the going rate for my Z Blue is now north of £10k. I love my Milgauss. There's nothing else quite like it. But a £10k watch it is not.

It's gutting when something like this happens. It's reassuring to know that insurance will cover it. I've been speaking to my AD about this recently. It varies, but plenty of insurers will pay out MSRP on a current model. This would have worked for you but doesn't work on a grey purchase at over MSRP. Sounds like your insurers came up short. Someone like Ripe might be worth a word with when you have your replacement.

[grassman]

Originally Posted by harvey

Glad you weren’t hurt during it being stolen.

Would you consider buying grey now…at the same time as putting yourself on a list with an AD? When the new watch comes in via the AD, sell the grey one…

Yes, that is exactly what I will do. I've been registered with the AD for 3 months now, and won't tell them I'm buying grey, and just stay registered. I've reserved a 2017 model for 8.5k, boxes and papers included, which feels like a good deal.

[Slow Lane]

Thanks for the details, everyone needs to be aware of these scams - drunk girl falling over with friends sounds like a way to trigger any man's chivalrous instincts. I recall many years ago being told that in certain continental countries a traveler might "throw" or "pass" a baby to you and when you catch it you are skinned of your wallet by an accomplice. These people spend a lot of time thinking about these ruses and we need to be somewhat cynical which is unfortunate. Sorry this happened to you!

[Smurf_75]

Hi Grassman. BQ watches is not far from you and they have 2 in stock. They may even do you a deal.

[grassman]

Thanks, but i ordered mine from Milton Diamonds, arrives tomorrow!!

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by Alex71168

A couple of months ago we had a gentleman leaving the village shop and was stopped by two Eastern European girls to conduct a survey the next thing he know his Rolex had gone as had the girls! So you’re not alone. All a bit worrying. It just amazes me how they can slip it over a hand and one doesn’t realise.

I think they pop a spring bar, but could be wrong..

A friend was attacked in Mayfair recently for his watch. I'd sure the restaurant staff tipped the gang off. He fought them off but his wife took a pasting..

[OrangeSport]

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/196...stealing-gang/

[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

I think they pop a spring bar, but could be wrong..

A friend was attacked in Mayfair recently for his watch. I'd sure the restaurant staff tipped the gang off. He fought them off but his wife took a pasting..

I remember that incident. Horrible

Things in the USA are not much better - take Los Angeles for example. You much always be alert even in Beverly Hills these days. Forget wearing a Rolex walking down Melrose unless you just want to be robbed. It's turned into a big flea market and is full of undesirables.