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Best place to buy a new / cheap / authentic Rolex

Best place to buy a new / cheap / authentic Rolex

Old Jun 19, 2006, 2:13 pm
  #31  
 
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Originally Posted by Fraser
^ Most definitely.

When I was purchasing my watch I went to a fairly small dealer that dealt with quite a number of brands including Rolex, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Patek Phillipe, Breguet and Breitling. The guy I was dealing with even said he wouldn't sell me a Rolex unless I was insistent. The quality of workmanship nowadays is poor and many of the parts are made by outside contractors I went home with a Breitling and have added to my collection a year ago. I am aware of some problems with Breitlings of late but I would advise against buying a Rolex. It says I know nothing about watches but want to look flash. Sorry.
Virtually all watch companies source components from outside contractors.
If anything, Rolex produces more of their parts inhouse or through a subsidiary than most other companies.

Of those brands you mention, only Rolex, Patek and Breguet produce their own movements. Even Patek uses some Lemania movements too. I don't know too much about Breguet.

The vast majority of Breitlings have a Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement or some form of ETA movement perhaps with a chrono module. Breitling doesn't make any of their own movements. I'm not ragging on Breitling. I own a couple myself.

There's plenty to be critical about regarding Rolex, but sourcing components from external suppliers isn't one of them.

To the OP, in Rolex-speak, just about everything they produce except for the Cellini line is an "Oyster Perpetual". Rolex has rather confusing nomenclature. There's an actual model known as the Oyster Perpetual which is a fairly small non-date model. It's almost lady's sized. If you end up buying remotely, make darn sure you know what model you're getting. If that is what you're looking for, you should be able to get a better deal on it than other models.

It's been a while since I followed Rolex prices, but Hong Kong and Singapore have traditionally been good.

If you're brave enough to try the mail order routine, check out the ads at watchnet.com. Check their "good guys" forum too. Watchnet is a timezone.com sibling site. If you got to timezone.com to ask about prices, moderators will send you to watchnet.com.
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 2:35 pm
  #32  
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IWC, Audemars, Jaegar LaCoultre, Omega and many others come to mind as ones that make their own movements.
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 4:30 pm
  #33  
 
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My Rolex is a POS. I have a GMT master that's oyster perpetual. I've had to send it in twice b/c it was not winding itself properly when I was wearing it. I actually am going to send it in again soon as I'm pretty sure it's broken again. The only problem with sending it in is that it takes a long time (sometimes several months) for them to get it back to you, especially if you send it in around Christmas time. The warranty is very short: one year, unless they changed it recently. I will give them props for the out-of-warranty repairs they've made for me. The last time, I only had to pay $80 for parts. They didn't charge me for labor.

Maybe I just have a lemon. A friend has never had a problem with his and he's had it for 6+ years. He has a better model: I have stainless steel and I believe he has the stainless steel with gold in the middle. Of course, those are external differences and shouldn't matter: the internal mechanisms should be the same.

As someone else mentioned in the thread, the watch face crystal is special. It doesn't have a scratch. Another friend of mine has a TAG watch. He was most impressed by how my Rolex face has no scratches while his watch has a ton.

I'm still not sure what your reasons are for buying a Rolex. If you can afford it, I would say spend more money at get a Patek Philippe (sic?).
I bought this when I was younger so my reasons at the time were I wanted to have a cool watch to show off. Of course, now I care less about such things. Here are just some observations I've made over the years:

-Unless you buy a gold or platinum rolex, most people aren't going to notice the watch. People who are clueless about watches will say, "That's cool" but they can't tell the difference between real and fake Rolexes, so having the watch isn't as impressive as having a more expensive brand. (Of course, many people probably haven't heard of those brands either, but everyone recognizes the Rolex name. Among the masses, then, perhaps a Patek would get less recognition.) I used to always get asked, "Is that real?" I would just say, "Yes, it's real" and then I'd explain the sweeping second hand. The only way I know how to tell if a watch is real is to watch the second hand. The Oyster Perpetual second hands sweep in a fluid motion. I've heard that good fakes do this too, so that might not be an accurate way to tell the difference.

-The people who most noticed my watch were people the type of people that you wouldn't want to notice it. For example, when I played poker frequently at the casino, there were only two types of people that noticed. There were a few people that were into luxury items b/c they buy them. There was another set of unsavory characters. One guy was rumored to have gone to jail for home invasion. That guy noticed my watch immediately and was even able to tell me the model and approximate price I paid; all this without really scrutinizing it.

-Despite my problems with it, I guess I'm happy with it. I do feel funny ocassionally when I'm wearing the watch, but wearing some cheap outfit like an old t-shirt, shorts, and sandals.



-

Last edited by rhwbullhead; Jun 19, 2006 at 4:36 pm
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 4:41 pm
  #34  
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Originally Posted by zippyh
Virtually all watch companies source components from outside contractors.
If anything, Rolex produces more of their parts inhouse or through a subsidiary than most other companies.

Of those brands you mention, only Rolex, Patek and Breguet produce their own movements. Even Patek uses some Lemania movements too. I don't know too much about Breguet.

The vast majority of Breitlings have a Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement or some form of ETA movement perhaps with a chrono module. Breitling doesn't make any of their own movements. I'm not ragging on Breitling. I own a couple myself
My apologies, maybe things have changed a little since I bought mine in 2001 but it sounds like more of a long term thing

From what I have read thought the Valjoux 7750 is extremely accurate and stable, more so than the Rolex movements. The ETA movements are also different grades, of which Breitling finish and assemble their ETA movements in their own factory.

Maybe the anti-trendwhore in me prefers the Breitling because I feel I'm not like everyone else out there looking for a decent watch and making my first stop a Rolex...
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 5:22 pm
  #35  
 
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Originally Posted by Analise
I bought mine tax free from Tourneau (at that time, by shipping it to NJ, I avoided the tax). I financed it over 24 months without interest as long as I paid on time which I did.
Are you sure the interest charges weren't rolled into the price?

M8
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 7:32 pm
  #36  
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Originally Posted by rhwbullhead
As someone else mentioned in the thread, the watch face crystal is special. It doesn't have a scratch. Another friend of mine has a TAG watch. He was most impressed by how my Rolex face has no scratches while his watch has a ton
My Breitlings have these faces too, I'm trying to remember the name of the crystal (anyone with a Breitling Chronolog catalogue can look it up )

I'm surprised TAGs don't have scratchproof faces, my brother has just bought a TAG Monaco so I'll have to ask him.
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 8:00 pm
  #37  
 
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Originally Posted by Fraser
My Breitlings have these faces too, I'm trying to remember the name of the crystal (anyone with a Breitling Chronolog catalogue can look it up )
sapphire
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 8:02 pm
  #38  
 
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Originally Posted by Serge1977
Any suggestions? I've found the US to be almost half the price of the UK (through exchange rates) but does anyone have any experience with this?

Much appreciated!

Serge

If you're not averse to looking at vintage watches (and I would look that way for my next Rolex), I have had good experiences with bernardwatch.com and watchseller.net. The biggest advantage to a vintage Rolex is that you will probably be able to sell it for what you paid for it. After an initial depreciation, Rolexes hold their value incredibly well.
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Old Jun 19, 2006, 8:12 pm
  #39  
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Originally Posted by winkydink
sapphire
Should have known that Especially since light bulbs look blue in their reflection in the face of the watch.
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Old Jun 20, 2006, 7:49 am
  #40  
 
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Originally Posted by Fraser
I'm surprised TAGs don't have scratchproof faces, my brother has just bought a TAG Monaco so I'll have to ask him.
The Monaco chronographs have acrylic crystals. The ones in precious metals might have saphire though. The non chrono Monacos have saphire I think.

Saphire crystal is a pretty standard feature of higher end watches.

Saphire crystals are very scratch resistant. Just watch out for diamond rings.
The disadvantage of saphire is that they can shatter or chip. But it takes a good hit for that to happen.

Acrylic crystals scratch fairly easily but they can be buffed out. Plus they don't shatter and they're much less expensive to replace than saphire.
Some fairly expensive watches still use acrylic crystals for historic reasons such as the Omega Speedmaster Pro.

I believe all modern Rolexes have saphire crystals.
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Old Jun 20, 2006, 7:51 am
  #41  
 
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World of Watches - South Africa (CPT)

I got a great deal at World of Watches on a Breitling Aerospace Platinum with platinum band in Cape Town back in 2003. The combination of exchange rate and willingness to haggle over the price along with the tax reclaim on departure at Johannesburg bought the total price down to $1050. WOW only sell high end watches with all the correct documentation.
I'd also like to second the comments on the durability of the sapphire crystal finishes, they are amazingly durable.

- Tim
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Old Jun 20, 2006, 7:53 am
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Martinis at 8
Are you sure the interest charges weren't rolled into the price?

M8
Completely sure. The watch had cost X. I finished paying X in 2 years without any interest. It was a promotion Tourneau was running after Christmas one year.
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Old Jun 20, 2006, 8:06 am
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Analise
Completely sure. The watch had cost X. I finished paying X in 2 years without any interest. It was a promotion Tourneau was running after Christmas one year.

Was it a mail-order or in-store purchase?

I'd be surprised if they would do a mail-order on a
Rolex.
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Old Jun 20, 2006, 8:48 am
  #44  
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Originally Posted by zippyh
The Monaco chronographs have acrylic crystals. The ones in precious metals might have saphire though. The non chrono Monacos have saphire I think.

Saphire crystal is a pretty standard feature of higher end watches.

Saphire crystals are very scratch resistant. Just watch out for diamond rings.
The disadvantage of saphire is that they can shatter or chip. But it takes a good hit for that to happen.

Acrylic crystals scratch fairly easily but they can be buffed out. Plus they don't shatter and they're much less expensive to replace than saphire.
Some fairly expensive watches still use acrylic crystals for historic reasons such as the Omega Speedmaster Pro.

I believe all modern Rolexes have saphire crystals.
Thanks ^ To be honest, I'm not sure which Monaco he has yet
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Old Jun 20, 2006, 9:56 am
  #45  
 
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Go to the most reputable place you know of that will stand behind its products and services. When I spend this much on a watch I dont look to save a few/several hundred upfront just to be disappointed later and have no one there to help. So avoid ebay and anywhere else where you either do not know the brand of the store well or do not know the people from a non-major brand well.

Tourneau is a good example of a solid store with a good selection and fairly knowledgable sales team. Some of the people in there really know there stuff while others are part-timers that are there just b/c they can't find a good job elsewhere. It's best to build a little relationship with one of their better career people and then you'll be taken care of in terms of quality of product & service for the long-term.
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