To Buy Used or New

[TexEd]

I would like opinions/comments please when buying a Rolex watch from the grey market. There are those listed as "unworn" which is basically new and there are those listed as "previously owned". Of course most people would prefer new but when price enters the equation and an "unworn" can be had for perhaps $3k over (just an example) the price for "previously owned" what would one prefer? Would you only consider the fact that you could buy and enjoy a watch for less money than you would pay for "unworn", or would you also want to consider possibly greater future appreciation when buying the higher priced "unworn"?
Thanks in advance.

[SocialMediaUser]

Same as with new/used cars.

For some the knowledge of being owner #1,picking up in store,getting every piece of paper etc is worth some extra $$$

But as of right now this is only "how it used to be" as almost every single Rolex costs more used then new.
And yes every watch on 2nd hand market is technically used as it has already been sold at least once.
Never worn might be,but still a 2nd hand item.

As close to new as possible,unpolished and will all the papers trinkets and boxes is what will hold its value best in the future would be my guess

[dpt.calvin]

Originally Posted by TexEd

I would like opinions/comments please when buying a Rolex watch from the grey market. There are those listed as "unworn" which is basically new and there are those listed as "previously owned". Of course most people would prefer new but when price enters the equation and an "unworn" can be had for perhaps $3k over (just an example) the price for "previously owned" what would one prefer? Would you only consider the fact that you could buy and enjoy a watch for less money than you would pay for "unworn", or would you also want to consider possibly greater future appreciation when buying the higher priced "unworn"?
Thanks in advance.

Condition is all that matters. It’s only new until it’s not. I’d rather save a few bucks on a used watch that no one else would know was used except me.

Are you planning on wearing this watch? If so, “greater future appreciation” of an unworn watch matters not.

Be warned: discussions about value, investment, and appreciation are generally frowned upon here.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Be warned: discussions about value, investment, and appreciation are generally frowned upon here.

LOL. That's all there is here anymore.

OP: to your question. If I were buying pre-owned, (used is such a gauche term for timepieces, I mean watches lol) I would only do so with a dealer who will happily make things right if you do get a dog. And yes...there are some dogs out there.

[Feb_29]

How can you make sure that unworn without stickers is new in secondary market? I only trust that a new watch is when I purchase it from AD in front of me with all the stickers intact. Otherwise there's no guaranty that watch is new.

[TexEd]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

Condition is all that matters. It’s only new until it’s not. I’d rather save a few bucks on a used watch that no one else would know was used except me.

Are you planning on wearing this watch? If so, “greater future appreciation” of an unworn watch matters not.

Be warned: discussions about value, investment, and appreciation are generally frowned upon here.

I understand your comments regarding value, investment, etc., but don't these type of discussions also come into play when purchasing a home, exotic car (ever watch Mecum auto auctions?), stocks, art work, etc.? I enjoy my several Rolex watches, and while I do not purchase with the intent of resell, I do take into consideration the watch at least holding its value. The same can be said for other major purchases.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Feb_29

How can you make sure that unworn without stickers is new in secondary market? I only trust that a new watch is when I purchase it from AD in front of me with all the stickers intact. Otherwise there's no guaranty that watch is new.

True, but one can usually see if a watch is unworn or not.
A small 3x loupe will tell you everything you want to know.

[Feb_29]

Originally Posted by joli160

True, but one can usually see if a watch is unworn or not.
A small 3x loupe will tell you everything you want to know.

Unworn doesn't mean new. And buying on internet is not the same as in person.

[Roger Lococco]

I will only purchase new. In part, I don’t trust prior owners and how they may or may not have cared for the watch.


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[Tools]

Originally Posted by TexEd

I would like opinions/comments please when buying a Rolex watch from the grey market. There are those listed as "unworn" which is basically new and there are those listed as "previously owned". Of course most people would prefer new but when price enters the equation and an "unworn" can be had for perhaps $3k over (just an example) the price for "previously owned" what would one prefer? Would you only consider the fact that you could buy and enjoy a watch for less money than you would pay for "unworn", or would you also want to consider possibly greater future appreciation when buying the higher priced "unworn"?
Thanks in advance.

These are sales tactics and mean nothing.

I would not pay a premium for a watch sold as "unworn", rather than the exact same watch without stickers; actual in-hand condition is paramount.

[JodyHighroller]

I had a BB58 blue that I sold last March to a trusted seller here. I only wore the watch maybe five times so it was mint. The trusted seller put all the links back in and advertised my watch as an unworn example. I’m certain it was mine because the warranty card had a minor ding in it from when I picked up the watch new at the AD. I could spot it out in the for sale ad.

That said, I wouldn’t purchase any watch from a secondary dealer no matter what condition is advertised. Just my own thoughts.

[Prestige_Swiss]

Originally Posted by Feb_29

How can you make sure that unworn without stickers is new in secondary market? I only trust that a new watch is when I purchase it from AD in front of me with all the stickers intact. Otherwise there's no guaranty that watch is new.

Very true. I think a factor not mentioned comes down to who you are doing business with. Trust is big. There is a dealer that I have done business with and I know for certain new is new with him however I know other greys where that line is blurred unfortunately. Again, trust. There are players that mess it up for others.

[Rolex.Journey]

I think paying a premium for unworn is a complete waste…. Wearing a watch out 1 or 2x and you will get some minor hairline scratches - are those 2 wears worth 3k in premiums? Hell no.


I typically only go grey for discount discontinued models that are from decades ago.


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[shaunylw]

I wouldn’t buy unworn examples without stickers from most dealers, because i don’t believe them. There are so many of these guys getting worn pieces in, then touching them up and reselling them. I would rather buy a worn example in great shape. I’ve bought a few from Takuya and every time he says it’s in great shape, i know that means it’s dead mint perfect. Same with Kringkilly on the omega forum. Good condition usually means absolutely mint with these guys. You want to find the dealer that undersells the condition.

[Mendota]

In my case, I had to buy from a secondary dealer when I bought in August of 2020. I was looking for the OP36 with the blue Explorer dial and it was just impossible to find anything. That wasn't a watch that you would just find sitting in a case in this environment. I ended up purchasing from a great dealer in Atlanta who used to be a Rolex certified watchmaker in NYC for 30 years before retiring from Rolex and moving down to Atlanta.

He had a really fantastic condition watch from 2015 and it had everything - all of the boxes, hang tags, warranty card, booklets, you name it. The previous owner had bought it at the Wynn AD in Vegas and when he traded it in with my dealer, the guy said he just never really connected with it so it primarily sat in his watchbox and didn't get worn very often. I paid 15% less than what MSRP was at an AD for a new OP36, no sales tax, and free shipping. I was thrilled and finally had my first Rolex after decades of chickening out. Within 2 weeks, Rolex announced they had discontinued my dial and changed the model number to the 12 series. Suddenly secondary prices for my watch started going up almost overnight.

Now the prices are just ridiculous and I would never pay that much for my same watch if I had to replace it out of my own pocket. I had absolutely no clue that this would happen, though. I just knew that I always loved the 114270 Explorer and this was an overall better watch, plus I loved the blue dial and found it more interesting. I started looking in the summer, found this deal, and pulled the trigger. I had no clue that within weeks Rolex was going to discontinue the dial and all of this would happen. I am so glad I didn't wait any longer.

There are so many great dealers and sellers here on the forum if you are looking for an older reference, and I would also buy from my dealer again if I wasn't looking for something new at an AD.

[rmlovett1]

If you’re looking for something with 0 marks anywhere…you’d be very lucky to get that from a grey dealer, even if advertised as new or unworn. If your expectations aren’t perfection, and and you’re ok with some hairlines, be thorough with the seller in asking questions and buy pre-owned. If buying new from grey dealer….same advice…be thorough with questions

[NachoNeal]

I'm okay with used.
I own two that I bought new. And I own two that I bought used.
I love them all the same.

[ProCoach]

I bought a "LNIB" full set 116520 from a trusted seller here on TRF. Upon receipt of the watch, it was "LNIB." When I am the first one to scratch it, I like that. I didn't pay much of a premium for this, but I did pay more than other, similar watches advertised that were definitely NOT anywhere close to "mint." Get good pics and buy the seller, not the watch...

[DD58]

I never believe unworn. It’s just a way to charge more. Sticker can be put back on and boxes can be rewrapped. I truly don’t even trust the gray market. I’ve seen to many franken Rolex’s out there. Or just out right fakes.


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[Gab27]

I bought used and am happy with the $5,000+ that I saved as a result. It a Submariner. It is designed to take a beating and it was a watch I intended to wear every day (which I do), so it gets cosmetically damaged. As long as the movement is healthy and any cosmetic refinishing has been done properly, I'm happy.

I could have bought the same watch with stickers on it for $5,000 more and the end result would be exactly the same.

[Bestdj777]

All of my Rolex watches are used. I’m not rich so it is the only way I am getting them. And, as I’ve found with used cars, I feel more comfortable using something that already has that first scratch in it.

[TunaTuna]

I think only silly people pay more to buy new or unworn watches from second hand dealers. Why pay more when the watch will be used once you put it on and show scratches in a few weeks?

I used to always buy pre owned because it was cheaper, now of course that's not the case.

[nyyankees]

It’s really all about what your preference is. If you want to save some money preowned is a great way to go if the condition is acceptable to you. Look at the pics and ask the right questions to make sure you’re getting what you want. And you can put that added money somewhere else, maybe even into another watch. Unworn is great too! I’ve done it both ways and both ways were fine. You just need to decide what satisfies you.


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[ce027772]

Originally Posted by TexEd

I would like opinions/comments please when buying a Rolex watch from the grey market. There are those listed as "unworn" which is basically new and there are those listed as "previously owned". Of course most people would prefer new but when price enters the equation and an "unworn" can be had for perhaps $3k over (just an example) the price for "previously owned" what would one prefer? Would you only consider the fact that you could buy and enjoy a watch for less money than you would pay for "unworn", or would you also want to consider possibly greater future appreciation when buying the higher priced "unworn"?
Thanks in advance.

One of my concerns about buying pre-owned watches is the risk of unknowingly buying a stolen watch. I wonder if grey dealers verify whether a watch is in any database of stolen watches.

[justin81]

Two words: urinal splashback.

[waterking]

Originally Posted by justin81

Two words: urinal splashback.

[brandrea]

To me it’s all whooie whooie. Unless it’s from an AD and I see it being de-stickered in from of me, it’s not a new watch

[Calatrava r]

Virtually, all Rolex watches sold on-line came from ADs having been sold and titled to someone. So, they are all "used" regardless of condition. If you can get a watch from an AD, you should do so, to avoid the crazy used market prices. More and more threads are appearing here where folks were able to obtain new watches from ADs after just a few months. ADs are getting watches and selling them. It's not impossible on most models just need the correct attitude and timing luck.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by ce027772

One of my concerns about buying pre-owned watches is the risk of unknowingly buying a stolen watch. I wonder if grey dealers verify whether a watch is in any database of stolen watches.

This is more of a concern with smaller unknown dealers with the newer watches. On the older watches, more than 5 years old or there about, the problem is a bigger concern for any dealer. The key is to buy from large concerns who will refund, at any time, the full purchase price a piece they sold that turns out to be stolen, no questions asked, even if the watch in question is being held by some authority or watch manufacturer.

[dpt.calvin]

It’s only new until it’s not.