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Rolex?
- Thread starter SF
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My (obvious) advice is to buy one only from an authorised Rolex dealer. It is tempting to buy one from eBay, however there are so many fakes, some exceptionally good it just isn't worth it. Plus there are a lot of stolen ones around which can be a problem should it ever need to be repaired as they are all serial numbered and can only really be repaired by either an authorised Rolex repair specialist or Rolex themselves.
They are lovely watches though, especially Mens Beadset Bezel Rolex Day Date Super Presidents at Discount Prices If you like a bit of bling
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My only advice is don't buy it in the UK.
They're a lot cheaper in the New York or Hong Kong, to the point where it's actually cheaper to:
>> fly out for a long weekend and stay in a hotel and buy one
versus
>> just buying one here in the UK.
Also, I'd buy a totally classic model, like a steel Submariner Date, as it'll last you longer than a seasonal model - ie it'll still look great in 20 years, whereas a fashion one will look very dated - take a look in a secondhand watch shop for what dates and what doesn't.
Best of luck.
They're a lot cheaper in the New York or Hong Kong, to the point where it's actually cheaper to:
>> fly out for a long weekend and stay in a hotel and buy one
versus
>> just buying one here in the UK.
Also, I'd buy a totally classic model, like a steel Submariner Date, as it'll last you longer than a seasonal model - ie it'll still look great in 20 years, whereas a fashion one will look very dated - take a look in a secondhand watch shop for what dates and what doesn't.
Best of luck.
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You know DB they say there's only one worse thing than a fake Rolex... and that's a real one ;-)
To be fair they're nice looking watches, although not my cup of tea.. Saying that I'd wear a classic Rolex no problem. Have a look at the Steve McQueen one here, very nice watch IMO. The URL is a bit misleading though ;-)
Collecting Rolex Sports Watches
If you do your homework you can buy a timepiece that will not only last you the rest of your life (and your childrens) but will be going up in value and not down. It isn't uncommon for certain brands of limited edition watches to double in value in less than five years. Only high end watches normally though, eg. Patek Philippe, Blancpain etc.
To be fair they're nice looking watches, although not my cup of tea.. Saying that I'd wear a classic Rolex no problem. Have a look at the Steve McQueen one here, very nice watch IMO. The URL is a bit misleading though ;-)
Collecting Rolex Sports Watches
If you do your homework you can buy a timepiece that will not only last you the rest of your life (and your childrens) but will be going up in value and not down. It isn't uncommon for certain brands of limited edition watches to double in value in less than five years. Only high end watches normally though, eg. Patek Philippe, Blancpain etc.
Go for it, Rolex's are great watches. I have a basic Air-king but looks very classic and shiny! I quite fancy a Seadweller Deep Sea but the RRP is a touch over 7k! As already mentioned there are good savings to be made overseas. I purchased all of my watches in Hong Kong which worked out way cheaper than the UK.
There's a very good Rolex forum - Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum. There are some nice second hand buys to be made if you do your research.
There's a very good Rolex forum - Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum. There are some nice second hand buys to be made if you do your research.
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Sorry dot, Customs people are not thickos, I wouldn't count on that to be honest. A wealthy pal of mine regularly purchased a Rolex each visit to a client near Losone. On one return, he was nabbed at Customs, they confiscated his watch, and within an hour of holding him, they found out the shop he'd bought it from, and how much was paid. To this day, he's convinced that Customs have access to the Rolex database, and did a check against the serial number. He had to pay duty on the UK retail list price because he'd already denied posting back the invoice, and the threat of tracking back past purchases too. They didn't follow those up, but he still sh1t himself for about a month thinking about the bill for at least a dozen other watches!
Oh, and they're lousy time keepers DB. If you really want one, buy a vintage Rolex or two (depending on your budget) from a good dealer. Keep about £1k aside and buy a Movado Museum, paper thin and deadly accurate. I've had both brands as gifts, and flogged the Rolex Submariner about a year after getting it, everyone assumes you're wearing a fake anyway!
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Hmm. During one period of my life I frequently had to move packages of Rolex for export to the Middle East.
I know the mark-up on the things is big - it might be worthwhile to see if you can find a few people that want one, then buy wholesale.
I would imagine that "five to test the market" would be a suitable order ...
I know the mark-up on the things is big - it might be worthwhile to see if you can find a few people that want one, then buy wholesale.
I would imagine that "five to test the market" would be a suitable order ...
Wow great guys keep it comming, loads to consider.. Second hand or new looking about 6k max would prefer all gold. crabfoot had a good idea but would need others who would want one, and then we would all have different tastes.
Its def a watch for life.... and to pass on...
Its def a watch for life.... and to pass on...
aZooZa
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Huge coincidence. I'm just waiting on confirmation of a price of £4950 for the new SDDS. There's no way you'd need to pay £7k for it. The SDDS (Sea Dweller Deep Sea) is a new model introduced in 2008 and is just a completely stunning feat of engineering with minimalist 'bling' factor. It's waterproof to 13,000 feet (really handy this weather) but it's 17.5mm thick and weighs 220gm, so quite a 'wristful'.
I have had Rolexes since the 70's. My first was a new Air-King date model (now rare) and I have had a couple of Presidents in 18K, another Air-King, an 18K Submariner with blue dial and a couple of others models.
Word of warning. I bought my first President in the 80's in Rolex's main dealer Bucherer in Geneva. I wore it through customs and posted the box and papers. All no problem. Then a couple of weeks later, I had to make a business trip to Italy. Upon my return, customs spotted it on my wrist and pulled me over. I got a REAL grilling about it. Of course I told them I had bought it in London recently. They wanted the receipt. I didn't have it. They wanted to know the name of the shop and I told them I didn't recall immediately. They said they would take me to the shop. Their next statement was that they would take the watch apart there and then, and then tell ME where I bought it. Upshot was that I came clean and the watch then went into the Queen's Warehouse at Heathrow pending payment of duty and £1250 in fines. The watch at that time was £4,000 so I wasn't best pleased.
I had to make a trip back up to LHR with the cash a few days later to retrieve it and pay the fines and duty. A very expensive mistake.
These days, customs are even more wise to all this stuff. If you really want to try it on, do remember that currently the exchange rate $/£ is such that it makes little difference. Don't put ALL the papers and the box in ONE package. The x-ray teams know the footprint and given that your address (or that of your 'mate') will be on the package, expect a visit. You can check all the prices on eBay from US sellers - it ain't worth it.
Depending on how much you want to spend, I agree with Ty - anything from a classic Submariner in SS to one in 18K. Models to avoid are those that are bling - I know the 18K is bling - but it's solid 18K gold. As long as you keep away from jazzy dials and diamonds, you'll be fine. They don't hold their value like a 'staple' model. Also keep away from the Yachtmaster and anything bimetal (gold and steel combination).
For me, the best Rolex currently would be one in the Sub/Sea range; but don't get a Sub that has no date function. If you buy second-hand, you should have the watch examined for authenticity. Rolex keep a database of stolen watch serial numbers, so you ought to have it checked with them. They will fax you confirmation that it's not stolen. If it IS stolen, you will of course lose your money if you've parted with it.
Best of luck - let us know what you eventually buy!
I have had Rolexes since the 70's. My first was a new Air-King date model (now rare) and I have had a couple of Presidents in 18K, another Air-King, an 18K Submariner with blue dial and a couple of others models.
Word of warning. I bought my first President in the 80's in Rolex's main dealer Bucherer in Geneva. I wore it through customs and posted the box and papers. All no problem. Then a couple of weeks later, I had to make a business trip to Italy. Upon my return, customs spotted it on my wrist and pulled me over. I got a REAL grilling about it. Of course I told them I had bought it in London recently. They wanted the receipt. I didn't have it. They wanted to know the name of the shop and I told them I didn't recall immediately. They said they would take me to the shop. Their next statement was that they would take the watch apart there and then, and then tell ME where I bought it. Upshot was that I came clean and the watch then went into the Queen's Warehouse at Heathrow pending payment of duty and £1250 in fines. The watch at that time was £4,000 so I wasn't best pleased.
I had to make a trip back up to LHR with the cash a few days later to retrieve it and pay the fines and duty. A very expensive mistake.
These days, customs are even more wise to all this stuff. If you really want to try it on, do remember that currently the exchange rate $/£ is such that it makes little difference. Don't put ALL the papers and the box in ONE package. The x-ray teams know the footprint and given that your address (or that of your 'mate') will be on the package, expect a visit. You can check all the prices on eBay from US sellers - it ain't worth it.
Depending on how much you want to spend, I agree with Ty - anything from a classic Submariner in SS to one in 18K. Models to avoid are those that are bling - I know the 18K is bling - but it's solid 18K gold. As long as you keep away from jazzy dials and diamonds, you'll be fine. They don't hold their value like a 'staple' model. Also keep away from the Yachtmaster and anything bimetal (gold and steel combination).
For me, the best Rolex currently would be one in the Sub/Sea range; but don't get a Sub that has no date function. If you buy second-hand, you should have the watch examined for authenticity. Rolex keep a database of stolen watch serial numbers, so you ought to have it checked with them. They will fax you confirmation that it's not stolen. If it IS stolen, you will of course lose your money if you've parted with it.
Best of luck - let us know what you eventually buy!
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Customs sound extremely clued up on rolex watches and yet cocaine will be cheaper than sugar soon....it is nice that there priorities are right 
aZooZa
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I think there are quite a few people that fall for it if the scammer prices them right. The fakes are down to a fine art now. Take a look at www. watchma ker9 . tv (remove spaces, I'd hate to give them a backlink).lol yes it was a joke
do you think many people still fall for this scam??
i met a bloke in a service station the other day, he had a box full of them.
poor chap had just lost his job and needed some cash so he was selling them for £40 each!! he even showed me the catalogue and they are worth thousands!!
Claud Valentinis
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