Mismatched serial number, full set purchased from grey market dealer

[Vetracer]

Hello all

I’m feeling a little deflated today. I decided to consolidate a few watches to buy another and after posting pictures of the watches to a grey market dealer, he pointed out that the serial number in the punched paperwork for one of the watches, didn’t match the serial number shown on the guarantee card I got from the grey dealer I purchased the watch from in 2019.

Regrettably, I took off the bracelet and discovered that the serial number engraved between the lugs was different to that stated on the paperwork!

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box, papers, service receipts, the Rolex anchor and instruction booklets all from 1995. At the time, I paid a premium for this.

I have a reasonable watch collection almost entirely bought from authorised dealers. Lesson learned, please ensure you don’t take it for granted that the concealed serial number on a vintage watch matches the serial number on the paperwork. In the case of Rolex, insist they remove the bracelet and check the serials for a match yourself.

I’ve contacted the grey market dealer today and I’m waiting to hear back from them tomorrow. My expectation when I speak with them tomorrow is that they will refund me the current retail market value of the watch. Is that what you’d expect too?

[Calatrava r]

I would expect that too. Watch was totally misrepresented as to its status. I would also think your dealer back in 2019 took the bracelet off to check everything out.

[JSolution]

They are absolutely not going to give you more than what you paid for it I would think, I certainly wouldn’t expect it. Difficult issue to resolve from the sellers point of view considering it was three years ago but it’s definitely their fault, you’re very lucky they’re still trading!

[paxjedi]

Refund the difference? I doubt that.

On the other hand, the seller might just offer to give you back your money that you paid in 2019. He can certainly sell the watch for a much higher price now, papers or none. Unless its a fake, or unless you paid an exorbitant price in 2019, you are still better off today for buying that watch four years ago. I wish I bought watches then...


.

[sensui]

You're not getting anything back most likely. Usually there's a grace period and the best is they'll refund you when you send the watch back to them.... Which is clearly way below today's market..... Ask me how I know this lol..... This is what got me to stop trading with a certain dealer. But it's understandable somewhat.... I never take any dealer's words for granted. Check everything after you have the watch.

[skipstar]

I have a different take, they might say that they can’t prove you didn’t swap the watch in the last few years and that this is your problem and only your problem. I obviously hope that they don’t do this but I wouldn’t be surprised.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[thenewrick]

Always a risk when buying 2nd hand. Curious to hear how it turns out but I wouldn’t expect anything.

Reality is there’s many folks on the forum who bought a fake or misrepresented watch from a Grey and don’t even know it. Just part of the game.

[2001jesper]

A good grey will refund. But why should they refund you more than you paid?

... Given that its a franken, then its likely worth less, so be careful about asking for current retail

[Tricolore66]

You bought a used watch three years ago and unless there was something in writing on your bill of sale indicating that the watch had the original bracelet matching the warranty card then I don't think you have much recourse. The watch could have had the bracelet replaced by RSC at some point between 1995 and 2019. My father used to have his watch sent to RSC every few years and though his jubilee bracelets always seemed to look fine to me I'm sure they replaced it at least twice in a couple of decades.

If this was important enough to you it's something that you really should have checked right when you received the watch, or had the dealer check prior to paying them for it.

It's unfortunate, but the dealer really doesn't owe you anything, and if the watch is worth significantly more today than it was when you bought it, in spite of the non-matching bracelet, you should really consider yourself lucky.

Originally Posted by Vetracer

Hello all

I’m feeling a little deflated today. I decided to consolidate a few watches to buy another and after posting pictures of the watches to a grey market dealer, he pointed out that the serial number in the punched paperwork for one of the watches, didn’t match the serial number shown on the guarantee card I got from the grey dealer I purchased the watch from in 2019.

Regrettably, I took off the bracelet and discovered that the serial number engraved between the lugs was different to that stated on the paperwork!

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box, papers, service receipts, the Rolex anchor and instruction booklets all from 1995. At the time, I paid a premium for this.

I have a reasonable watch collection almost entirely bought from authorised dealers. Lesson learned, please ensure you don’t take it for granted that the concealed serial number on a vintage watch matches the serial number on the paperwork. In the case of Rolex, insist they remove the bracelet and check the serials for a match yourself.

I’ve contacted the grey market dealer today and I’m waiting to hear back from them tomorrow. My expectation when I speak with them tomorrow is that they will refund me the current retail market value of the watch. Is that what you’d expect too?

[Tricolore66]

This is an excellent point.

Originally Posted by skipstar

I have a different take, they might say that they can prove you didn’t swap the watch in the last few years and that this is your problem and only your problem. I obviously hope that they don’t do this but I wouldn’t be surprised.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[train-time]

I would be surprised if they did anything for you considering the sale took place back in 2019 and you are just noticing this issue now. Seems way beyond a normal inspection and return period. Good luck with this.

[Tim Plains]

You bought it in 2019? Don't expect anything, and frankly, it's not realistic to expect them to. You should have caught this within the first few days.

[Flstfirider]

How off is the serial number? Could it be a filing / inventory error on the Grey dealers part during packaging and shipping? Maybe they have the proper papers and accidentally sent the wrong one by mistake?

[Vetracer]

Originally Posted by Flstfirider

How off is the serial number? Could it be a filing / inventory error on the Grey dealers part during packaging and shipping? Maybe they have the proper papers and accidentally sent the wrong one by mistake?

The paperwork and service receipts match because the language on both matches. The serial number is nothing like what’s stamped on the watch.

I suspect the paperwork was switched in error by the dealer and there’s an equivalent buyer out there with my paperwork.

I’ll update when I get a resolution.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

You bought a used watch three years ago and unless there was something in writing on your bill of sale indicating that the watch had the original bracelet matching the warranty card then I don't think you have much recourse. The watch could have had the bracelet replaced by RSC at some point between 1995 and 2019. My father used to have his watch sent to RSC every few years and though his jubilee bracelets always seemed to look fine to me I'm sure they replaced it at least twice in a couple of decades.

If this was important enough to you it's something that you really should have checked right when you received the watch, or had the dealer check prior to paying them for it.

It's unfortunate, but the dealer really doesn't owe you anything, and if the watch is worth significantly more today than it was when you bought it, in spite of the non-matching bracelet, you should really consider yourself lucky.

I think OP was talking about the serial no. of the watch not matching the serial no. on the warranty card, it had nothing to do with the bracelet.

You will be lucky if you can get the refund the same amount that you paid for, don’t ask for more.

[jimcameron]

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box

Has Rolex ever provided Wooden Boxes?

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

Hello all

I’m feeling a little deflated today. I decided to consolidate a few watches to buy another and after posting pictures of the watches to a grey market dealer, he pointed out that the serial number in the punched paperwork for one of the watches, didn’t match the serial number shown on the guarantee card I got from the grey dealer I purchased the watch from in 2019.

Regrettably, I took off the bracelet and discovered that the serial number engraved between the lugs was different to that stated on the paperwork!

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box, papers, service receipts, the Rolex anchor and instruction booklets all from 1995. At the time, I paid a premium for this.

I have a reasonable watch collection almost entirely bought from authorised dealers. Lesson learned, please ensure you don’t take it for granted that the concealed serial number on a vintage watch matches the serial number on the paperwork. In the case of Rolex, insist they remove the bracelet and check the serials for a match yourself.

I’ve contacted the grey market dealer today and I’m waiting to hear back from them tomorrow. My expectation when I speak with them tomorrow is that they will refund me the current retail market value of the watch. Is that what you’d expect too?

Sorry, but unless there are some big circumstantial details we're missing here, theres absolutely zero chance the dealer will refund the current market value of the watch. They will likely offer to refund you the amount you paid and nothing more, but thats likely less than current market so you're better off just enjoying the watch as it or trading/selling it as a naked piece which im guessing is still more than what you paid anyway. Good luck!

[m j b]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Has Rolex ever provided Wooden Boxes?

Yes, but I don't think as recently as 1995.

As for the OP's question: No. No, for all the reasons stated above but mostly because after 3 years, that's just not a reasonable expectation.

[911991]

Purchased in 2109? you may get lucky and the dealer will refund what you paid for it in 2019 provided its in same condition when you bought it.

But the dealer IMHO doesn't is not liable after 3 years (caveat emptor:the principle that the buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is made.) But its worth a try, they can only say no Good luck

[dannyp]

My first asks would be that the 2019 dealer check their records, to see whether the proper papers are still somewhere in inventory (doubtful), or if they could contact whomever they sold the watch corresponding to your papers to, in the event of a simple mixup (slightly less doubtful).

If dealer sent two sets of papers (one from Rolex, one from them) that didn't match, they either made an honest mistake, or are the stupidest crooks ever. I'm betting on the former, for now.

[911991]

Also, as long as the watch is not a fake and you like it, keep it, wear it, and dont worry about the matching serial numbers...

[Vetracer]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box

Has Rolex ever provided Wooden Boxes?

Yes, wooden boxes were the norm back in the days. I have others bought from authorised dealers before 2000.

[asiparks]

If the “market value” of the watch had gone down in the past 3 years and you wanted a refund, you’d be happy taking less than you paid?
Can’t imagine why you’d think you’re entitled to a refund of the watches value today.
End of the day, you should have thoroughly checked everything back in 2019

[rmwill]

First thing I do is take the bracelet off to validate the numbers. If you ever bring it into an AD for service, they first check the numbers.

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by Vetracer

The paperwork and service receipts match because the language on both matches. The serial number is nothing like what’s stamped on the watch.

So the card and the service receipts have the same serial, which differs from the watch? Oof.

[GRabens]

Too much time has passed to identify this mix-up. Unfortunately I think you will probably be out of luck. Buyer beware.

[nyyankees]

Subscribed. I have wondered about how a dealer would handle a situation like this you run into years later. I have heard of some dealers here who have made good on wacky similar situations. I wish the same for you.


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[kbutler1]

My guess is that is was a mix up by the dealer or they just dubiously said B&P included hoping that you wouldn't check to see if they actually matched the watch.
Either way, not sure if the dealer is really going to do anything here.
Good luck!

[johnwigan]

Why do they not match? Stolen? Fake papers? Buy from an AD. People are are going to get all kinds of problems in the coming years. Rolex has attracted the attention of all the wrong people. Commiserations, pay inflated price for a dodgy Rolex. Really, better to pick another brand.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

The watch is stunning and was accompanied by a perfect wooden box

Has Rolex ever provided Wooden Boxes?

Yes, till around 2005.