I just popped my Rolex cherry!
Discussion
So I've been wanting to scratch the Rolex itch for quite a while now. My aiming point was a £4k ish Submariner 16610 but this was not set in stone. After researching online suppliers I felt the need to touch and hold potential purchases before parting with cash so I paid a visit to Birminghams Jewellery Quarter this morning.
First watch that jumped out at me was a 1994 GMT Master Pepsi up for £3800 - but on closer inspection it had suffered a little bit too much wear and tear for my liking (nothing major, just lots of small dings and the bezel seemed to be seized solid).
I looked at a lovely 2011 GMT-Master Ceramic which was in mint condition and up for £4,200.... but it was without any papers and the seller didn't seem..... well let's just say I don't think I'd have much come-back if it turned out to be dodgy.
I briefly looked at a 116610LV (Green Bezel Sub) but at £5k it was out of my price range. (plus if I was going to spend £5k I'd probably go the extra and get ceramic).
A 1998 Sub 16610 for £4,100 which was tidy. The downside was that you could see where it had suffered a ding which had been polished out and didn't quite look right. It was a 1994 with one service certificate from 2002 and otherwise in mint condition... Tempting but not quite for me.
Next up was another 16610 from 1994 for £4050. Came with paperwork showing original sale was in China. No service paperwork but a promise that it had been serviced in house prior to going on sale (um, ok)
Then I came across a 14060 non-date sub. 1997 paperwork with a 1996 serial number. Very clean condition, but you can see it's not been refurbed prior to sale. One or two tiny scratches on the bracelet and the tiniest imperfection on the crystal when you look against the light. Original Rolex box and outer, swing tag, original guarantee paperwork, calendar card, pouch, even the original shop model tag. A complete package. I can't honestly I prefer the non-date over the date Sub, but I'm reasonably neutral. On the one hand I like the symmetry of the non-date dial - on the other hand I like look of the date cyclops as well.
But this watch was up for £3495, which I thought was a decent price. After a little negotiating the dealer came down to £3425....... at which point, the deal was done! So there you are - I have scratched the itch and popped my Rolex cherry, I'm over the moon with my purchase... and it cost me £575 less that I budgeted for!
It needs a service at some point soon as there was no paperwork suggesting a service has been done...... so any recommendations? Also what should I budget for?
First watch that jumped out at me was a 1994 GMT Master Pepsi up for £3800 - but on closer inspection it had suffered a little bit too much wear and tear for my liking (nothing major, just lots of small dings and the bezel seemed to be seized solid).
I looked at a lovely 2011 GMT-Master Ceramic which was in mint condition and up for £4,200.... but it was without any papers and the seller didn't seem..... well let's just say I don't think I'd have much come-back if it turned out to be dodgy.
I briefly looked at a 116610LV (Green Bezel Sub) but at £5k it was out of my price range. (plus if I was going to spend £5k I'd probably go the extra and get ceramic).
A 1998 Sub 16610 for £4,100 which was tidy. The downside was that you could see where it had suffered a ding which had been polished out and didn't quite look right. It was a 1994 with one service certificate from 2002 and otherwise in mint condition... Tempting but not quite for me.
Next up was another 16610 from 1994 for £4050. Came with paperwork showing original sale was in China. No service paperwork but a promise that it had been serviced in house prior to going on sale (um, ok)
Then I came across a 14060 non-date sub. 1997 paperwork with a 1996 serial number. Very clean condition, but you can see it's not been refurbed prior to sale. One or two tiny scratches on the bracelet and the tiniest imperfection on the crystal when you look against the light. Original Rolex box and outer, swing tag, original guarantee paperwork, calendar card, pouch, even the original shop model tag. A complete package. I can't honestly I prefer the non-date over the date Sub, but I'm reasonably neutral. On the one hand I like the symmetry of the non-date dial - on the other hand I like look of the date cyclops as well.
But this watch was up for £3495, which I thought was a decent price. After a little negotiating the dealer came down to £3425....... at which point, the deal was done! So there you are - I have scratched the itch and popped my Rolex cherry, I'm over the moon with my purchase... and it cost me £575 less that I budgeted for!
It needs a service at some point soon as there was no paperwork suggesting a service has been done...... so any recommendations? Also what should I budget for?
24 hours on and I am still chuffed to bits with my purchase. Over a 24 hour period, it has gained just one second - considering it's the non-COSC version, and it's 17 years old, I reckon that is pretty impressive. Over the next few days I'll see what it's power reserve is like. Any idea what PR these are supposed to have from factory?
I'm still researching where to get it serviced. Someone on another forum did suggest though, that based on the condition and the accuracy, it has most likely had a refurb and service at some point in its 17 year life. Does anyone know if Rolex would tell me if they have done any work on it in the past?
Anyway, on with the photos :
There are only two 'dings' on the watch - you can see one of them here on the crystal, just below the 57 minute marker
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And this is the other ding. I have to say, in reality, this is tiny and almost impossible to see with the naked eye!
I'm still researching where to get it serviced. Someone on another forum did suggest though, that based on the condition and the accuracy, it has most likely had a refurb and service at some point in its 17 year life. Does anyone know if Rolex would tell me if they have done any work on it in the past?
Anyway, on with the photos :
There are only two 'dings' on the watch - you can see one of them here on the crystal, just below the 57 minute marker
[/url]And this is the other ding. I have to say, in reality, this is tiny and almost impossible to see with the naked eye!
Helicopter123 said:
38911 said:
Helicopter123 said:
You could have had my mint 2008 16610 sub with date for a fraction more.
Cheers - sadly my crystal ball hasn't been functioning too well recently !That said, what do you mean by 'a fraction more'?
Helicopter123 said:
38911 said:
Helicopter123 said:
38911 said:
Helicopter123 said:
You could have had my mint 2008 16610 sub with date for a fraction more.
Cheers - sadly my crystal ball hasn't been functioning too well recently !That said, what do you mean by 'a fraction more'?
I saw a few 16610's of similar age and condition for the same sort of money at the Jewellery Quarter yesterday but they weren't for me. I think mine for £3,425 with a 12 month dealer warranty and all the original boxes/tags/paperwork etc is the right deal for me.
Couple of updates.... Since setting the time on Saturday, it's gained just 1 second after three days! Chuffed to bits.
During that three days I checked the Power Reserve by leaving it face up - I gave in to temptation after 37 hours as I wanted to wear it, but it was still going strong.
So accuracy is spot on and the PR is at least 37 hours. The black ring seal on the crown looks fine as far as I can tell..... so not sure whether to get it serviced or not.
Next on the checklist is a call to the Rolex 'stolen hotline' tomorrow to check it's not been nicked.... I'm also hoping they will tell me whether they have had it in for service at any point in its 17 year lifetime. You never know...... :-)
During that three days I checked the Power Reserve by leaving it face up - I gave in to temptation after 37 hours as I wanted to wear it, but it was still going strong.
So accuracy is spot on and the PR is at least 37 hours. The black ring seal on the crown looks fine as far as I can tell..... so not sure whether to get it serviced or not.
Next on the checklist is a call to the Rolex 'stolen hotline' tomorrow to check it's not been nicked.... I'm also hoping they will tell me whether they have had it in for service at any point in its 17 year lifetime. You never know...... :-)
Well the 'stolen hotline' number I had been given (01322 553454) appears to be no longer in service. However I've just rung Rolex Head Office and they put me through to the service department who looked up the serial number on their system and confirmed that (a) it's not flagged as stolen - and (b) it's only been in to Rolex UK for work once, and that was back in 1997 (when it was first sold) to be regulated.
They were actually very helpful, I have to say...
They were actually very helpful, I have to say...
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