Safe websites to buy used Rolex?

[philcray]

I am considering buying a Rolex for my wife and looking at the previously owned route. I am aware of Dominic Hackett but there is nothing on his website that fits what I am looking for.

There seem to be a few sites that pop up - Watchfinder, chrono24, Watchmaster, chronext etc

Does anybody have any experience of these, opinions, thoughts, other recommended dealers etc.

I am not looking for anything unusual or hard to get, thoughts are something like a 34mm OP Date in steel with white roman numerals and with box & papers. Have seen this one at chrononext which looks ok but a bit older that ideal, budget is c£4k.

https://www.chronext.co.uk/rolex/oyster-perpetual/...

My other thought is to buy brand new as a lot of the newer used ones seem to be the same price give or take a few hundred quid. I am aware of the vagaries of Rolex availability, I bought a new SS Submariner Date back in 2002 which were quite hard to get hold of. Ironically the GMT was widely available back then and you could just walk into an AD and buy one for list (£2,350 at the time as was the Submariner).

Any thoughts welcomed.

[TR4man]

I haven’t had any experience of buying from https://www.miltonaires.com/ but I have certainly spent plenty of time ogling their watches.

I see you are in Lancashire so maybe call in to one of their branches?

[Wills2]

Watchfinder are the best in terms of surety and choice but they charge accordingly.

Owned by richemont and approved service centre for many brands, I've used them loads of times but not cheap.

[Tony1963]

TR4man said:

I haven’t had any experience of buying from https://www.miltonaires.com/ but I have certainly spent plenty of time ogling their watches.

I see you are in Lancashire so maybe call in to one of their branches?

I used them seven years ago when I bought my Daytona. Faultless experience, and they really know Rolex and how to spot the incredibly good fakes. Obviously book a viewing, they don’t sell online or do mail order.

[AmosMoses]

Go with a trusted dealer on Chrono24 and you pretty safe.

I bought my Sea Dweller from a dealer on Chrono24 and it was a breeze.

[MarcelM6]

I've used watchfinder several times, no problems with them and always a bit of room for negotiation.

Dom is excellent, you could ask him to try and source you one?

[philcray]

Thanks for the feedback.

I haven't looked in the window of an AD recently (and obviously can't at the moment....) but what is surprising me on the websites is that all the watches are asking for higher than list price. When I have glanced in shop windows in the past, but not looking for anything specific, the AD's seemed to have window displays full of watches so the type of bread & butter Rolex I am looking for - OP 31 or Datejust 31 in steel with white face - I thought naively would be fairly easy to get hold of (and perhaps even get a bit of a discount for cash...!)

When I bought my last Rolex in 2002 the Submariner was quite rare but most other models seemed to be readily available. It looks like things have changed, I think I will have to hang on till lockdown ends then go and have a look in a few AD's as my Northern blood prevents me from paying over list price...!

[Mezzanine]

Although Dom Hackett might not have stock on his site, might be worth contacting him and telling him what you are after as he can probably help you source something at a better than Watchfinder prices.

[Rameez-Q]

philcray said:

Thanks for the feedback.

I haven't looked in the window of an AD recently (and obviously can't at the moment....) but what is surprising me on the websites is that all the watches are asking for higher than list price. When I have glanced in shop windows in the past, but not looking for anything specific, the AD's seemed to have window displays full of watches so the type of bread & butter Rolex I am looking for - OP 31 or Datejust 31 in steel with white face - I thought naively would be fairly easy to get hold of (and perhaps even get a bit of a discount for cash...!)

When I bought my last Rolex in 2002 the Submariner was quite rare but most other models seemed to be readily available. It looks like things have changed, I think I will have to hang on till lockdown ends then go and have a look in a few AD's as my Northern blood prevents me from paying over list price...!

If your looking for an OP31 or DJ31 i'd suggest go used.

I've bought from forums, eBay and chrono24 all without any issues. Ideally if buying second hand check local pre owned dealers, watchfinder are good but watches are always much more expensive.

You could get a discount on a DJ31 from a Rolex AD but preowned jewellers would probably knock a few hundred off at the very best.

[joropug]

Just had a Breitling delivered via watchfinder. Comes exactly as pictured, letter of authenticity , immaculate condition (was seemingly lightly used 2019 model).

So a thumbs up from me.

I bought a Tag new from Chronext and found them to be very good too.

[Ed T]

Maunder watches in Guildford were Ace when I bought my explorer I from them couple of months ago. They had a lot of Rolexes

I’d buy from them again, thought I’d recommend

[HIS LM]

I bought a 68273 bi-metal white face roman numerals and diamond markers on-line from these guys and the watch was absolutely perfect as described with a 2 year warranty.

Would definitely use again.

https://www.miltonsdiamonds.com/watches-c26?utm_so...

[FarQue]

Rebecca's of Southport are an independent jeweller who sell a lot of pre-owned Rolex. Totally trustworthy in my experience (have purchased 3 x Rolex from them). May be worth a look at their website.

[Miguel Alvarez]

My last vintage two I got from Heuer Boy. Great guy to do business with.

[anonymous-user]

I have bought 3 times from Watchfinder and never had an issue.

But, when I bought my wife a Rolex Datejust last year, I actually just bought it off a jeweller on Ebay. There are loads of jewellers shops or watch trader type people who sell on Ebay.

Buying stuff like that off Ebay doesn't phase me in the slightest. You are fully protected via PayPal and provided the seller has some decent feedback and a proper address/phone number etc it's fine.

I also bought a used Breitling SuperOcean from a private seller on Ebay recently. Again, it was perfectly fine and I saved around £500 compared to what Watchfinder or similar would be charging.

Depends how risk averse you are though

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 17th November 15:16

[Ziplobb]

Giles Waite in Lymington
he has been there for Doncs
i bought my missus a used bi metal datejust for xmas probbakly 12/13 years ago - he describes stuff accurately and you will have it the next day.

[gregs656]

Lord Marylebone said:

I have bought 3 times from Watchfinder and never had an issue.

But, when I bought my wife a Rolex Datejust last year, I actually just bought it off a jeweller on Ebay. There are loads of jewellers shops or watch trader type people who sell on Ebay.

Buying stuff like that off Ebay doesn't phase me in the slightest. You are fully protected via PayPal and provided the seller has some decent feedback and a proper address/phone number etc it's fine.

I also bought a used Breitling SuperOcean from a private seller on Ebay recently. Again, it was perfectly fine and I saved around £500 compared to what Watchfinder or similar would be charging.

Depends how risk averse you are though

Edited by Lord Marylebone on Tuesday 17th November 15:16

I've bought 2 Omegas through Jewellers on eBay. Good experience both times, and much more keenly priced.

[Audis5b9]

Ziplobb said:

Giles Waite in Lymington
he has been there for Doncs
i bought my missus a used bi metal datejust for xmas probbakly 12/13 years ago - he describes stuff accurately and you will have it the next day.

+1

Very nice chap, and fair on price

[WhiskyDisco]

https://www.ukspecialistwatches.co.uk/

Run by a friend of a friend. A trusted buyer and seller.

Another mate of mine bought a watch from Germany through https://www.chrono24.co.uk/

[whiteonyx]

Mike Woods at the Old Watch Shop, Southport

www.theoldwatchshop.com

He is also a PH member and a top block who is a ROLEX expert. I've dealt with him for over 15yrs and has a wealth of knowledge and is highly respected regarding ROLEX watches.