Do all gray dealers inspect out of warranty watches internally before selling?

[Rolexnavi]

I don’t mean a one year old watch….I mean like a 10 year old watch. Do most dealers inspect these internally and open the watch up to make sure everything works properly before selling or is this abnormal?

I’m looking at a watch now where the dealer says their watchmaker does this on all watches before they sell them. Just making sure that is normal or abnormal?

[jb335]

That most definitely does not happen on all or even most. If a watch appears to be running normally, it is not being opened and inspected.

Probably happens more often with very high-end and respectable vintage dealers that are moving $50k+ vintage pieces but definitely not with your run of the mill watches.


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[In-N-Out]

lol. Most gray dealers don’t even know what is authentic or not

[ArtNouveau]

“Grey dealer” is a broad term. A seller specializing in vintage would almost certainly have a watchmaker on retainer. A jeweler that occasionally puts up some used Rolex not likely.

[Andad]

Do you mean a second hand dealer?

[Rolexnavi]

Originally Posted by Andad

Do you mean a second hand dealer?

I mean, yeah, a second hand dealer. It’s a pre-owned watch but not an AD.

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by Rolexnavi

I mean, yeah, a second hand dealer. It’s a pre-owned watch but not an AD.

Exactly that, it is second hand. Grey/Gray/Green/Orange, shades of Teal, a hint of hazy magenta, they are second hand watches. Period.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by jb335

That most definitely does not happen on all or even most. If a watch appears to be running normally, it is not being opened and inspected.

Probably happens more often with very high-end and respectable vintage dealers that are moving $50k+ vintage pieces but definitely not with your run of the mill watches.

This ^. For your average £10K Rolex I'd say close to none of them inspect a watch internally unless it comes to them with an issue.

[Mystro]

Some do, some don’t. The possibility is too varied from dealer to dealer so there can not be any answer to this question. I can say without a doubt that most of our trusted sellers here know a lot, and I mean a lot more than your average AD about the watches they sell.

[WaTmAn]

I also think that only some do that. Sadly.

[Hollie_Rollie]

You mean used watch dealers? Probably not. They just want to make a quick profit, which really isn’t happening anymore


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[ExplorerI]

You can always look for an example with a recent Rolex service card

[Calatrava r]

Bunch of negative comments here. The real answer it is it varies widely with each dealer. Any dealer which offers an in-house warranty for a year will make sure at least on a timeographer that the watch is running presently within specification. Most dealers I have dealt with do inspect the watches to insure they are genuine. One would assume newer watches from known sellers which are complete sets do not receive the same level of inspection by the dealers as would an older watch from an unknown seller.

To suggest used watch dealers just throw stuff on the market is not accurate. Reputation is too critical to maintain an ongoing business.

[Marcjvr]

How long is a piece of string

[77T]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

How long is a piece of string

That’s a good analogy.

For new members with this question like the OP, who want some help, we shouldn’t generalize.

For the OP:
Trust in the seller is paramount- ask specific questions and ask the seller if they will stand by the watch for a year.

Then check the seller’s feedback and judge the sale from that perspective.

I always had my watchmaker open every incoming watch because reputation was important to me. But you have to figure out if this seller is trustworthy - or calculate the cost of a service into your price equation.


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[Bartolo]

There is no "all dealers do anything."

The mantra for decades in the watch world has been, "Buy the seller."

There certainly are many reliable and honest gray market dealers. You should find one of those. That's the key to doing the best you can to ensure your satisfaction.

[WatchSmith]

With the amount of cloned movements out there I think it's imperative that movement inspections are done, and I don't mean a casual glance. It's quite possible the most honest and reputable dealer gets scammed himself and if he flips a watch without a fairly deep inspection it's quite possible he could sell a clone movement or combination clone-genuine parts movement and damage his reputation in the process.

[Barada7]

I imagine the higher end gray dealers are insured against the sale of a replica.

[WatchTimes]

All depends on the Gray dealer.
Some actually have in house service and some don't know what service is.

[sampelligrino]

IMO depends on what level of inspection you're looking for

They most certainly make sure the serial number(s) match the warranty papers or card (so verify authenticity yes)

In my own experience I doubt they test for actual timekeeping accuracy, both on buying and selling.. that's why most watches I buy from trusted dealers that I plan to keep that are 5+ years old, I get serviced..

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Bunch of negative comments here. The real answer it is it varies widely with each dealer. Any dealer which offers an in-house warranty for a year will make sure at least on a timeographer that the watch is running presently within specification. Most dealers I have dealt with do inspect the watches to insure they are genuine. One would assume newer watches from known sellers which are complete sets do not receive the same level of inspection by the dealers as would an older watch from an unknown seller.

To suggest used watch dealers just throw stuff on the market is not accurate. Reputation is too critical to maintain an ongoing business.

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

How long is a piece of string

Originally Posted by 77T

That’s a good analogy.

For new members with this question like the OP, who want some help, we shouldn’t generalize.

For the OP:
Trust in the seller is paramount- ask specific questions and ask the seller if they will stand by the watch for a year.

Then check the seller’s feedback and judge the sale from that perspective.

I always had my watchmaker open every incoming watch because reputation was important to me. But you have to figure out if this seller is trustworthy - or calculate the cost of a service into your price equation.


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Well said

[IGY]

All of them? No.
Some of them? Yes.

So how do you tell? Ask them and ask to speak to their watch maker. You still can't be sure, but at least that is something. Otherwise the best way is by word of mouth / reputation.

However with increasingly convincing "replicas" out there made in Rolex's Chinese factories you are right to be alert to this risk and concerned about it. If there was any doubt in my mind I would 1) not buy the watch or 2) immediately send the watch in to a trusted independent watch maker that can open the watch up and inspect it, then replace the seals and pressure test. I have a guy I know and trust to do this. Otherwise send it in to Rolex to inspect and / or service.

[enjoythemusic]

If I may add to this thread, I suggest you ensure they have / use high-quality trained watchmakers. Quality dealers include a 1 or more year warranty (if /when the manufacturer warranty has expired).