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Old 12 March 2008, 09:16 PM   #1
garry180
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Took a risk bought a watch from eBay !

Hi,

I bought this 2007 submariner date 16610 from ebay (see link below)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...K:MEWA:IT&ih=0

It was a risk and the pictures were not clear but the seller offered to meet me at a Rolex AD. I drove a return journey lasting 7 hours to get to the dealership and my heart sank when I saw the watch, it had a big scratch accross the sapphire glass which I specifically asked about before made the drive.

All other aspects of the watch checked out though and with the help of info from these forums I checked for authenticity myself then the dealer removed the strap and verified serial number to the paperwork.

The seller was genuniely apologetic about the scratch and offered me a £100 discount to replace the glass. I bought the watch for a total of £2150 and took it to Rolex london where I've had the glass replaced on the spot at the St James taking just half an hour, so now I have mint condition 2007 submariner date 16610 with box and all papers for a little under £2250.

I couldn't get hold of a new watch becasue of the demand and shortage of supply which is why I went down this route. With the recent price increase in UK from £2840 to £3090, I think I got myself a little bargain !

What do you guys think ?
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Old 12 March 2008, 10:31 PM   #2
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Welcome to TRF, Garry. Looks like you made a very good deal on eBay.

I have had nothing BUT good experiences on eBay myself:




Other's mileage may vary!
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Old 12 March 2008, 10:44 PM   #3
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Welcome to TRF, Garry. Nice story and yes, it sounds like you did get a good deal.

Like Allan, I have had generally good experiences buying watches on eBay. But you must be very careful when going that route. Rely on the adage: Buy the seller, not the item. Follow that advice and you generally will end up doing well.
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Old 12 March 2008, 10:46 PM   #4
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I like EBay for other goods but definitely not Rolex...no matter how good it might seem...
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Old 12 March 2008, 11:05 PM   #5
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I agree with Allan and Ed. Buying a preloved Rolex takes extra time and work. Buying on ebay increases the due diligence necessary to come out ahead. Both have worked for me after calculating the risk and reward.
If your comfort level is not met buying preloved an AD is always your best bet.
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Old 12 March 2008, 11:23 PM   #6
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Very nice. I bought a beautiful TT Sub on Ebay. It would be hard to get ripped off by meeting someone at an AD.
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Old 12 March 2008, 11:26 PM   #7
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Welcome to TRF!

Sounds like a awesome deal!

Congrats!

Please post a wristshot when you get the time!

Oh, btw.: On Rolex crystals there is a LEC (Laser Etched Coronet) edged into the crystal at 6 o' clock:


(Pic from my Photobucket).

It is not easy to see with the naked eye, but if you use a 10x loupe and not at the 6 o' clock position at an angle in good lighting, you should be able to find the LEC. Another trick - if you want to see it with your naked eye - is to light with a small flashlight from the 12 towards the 6 o' clock position, again at an angle. This will literally make the LEC glow up for you to see with the naked eye.

Now, when you get a crystal exchanged, the service replacement crystal will sport an "S" inside the coronet of the LEC, standing for ("S")ervice.

Here is a pic of it:


(Pic from my Photobucket).
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Old 12 March 2008, 11:52 PM   #8
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That is some gr8 info, Bo... Tx

Got any other little pearls???

Michael.
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Old 13 March 2008, 12:27 AM   #9
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Nice watch, congrats.
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Old 13 March 2008, 12:43 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by mickeydainish View Post
That is some gr8 info, Bo... Tx

Got any other little pearls???

Michael.
I sure do, Michael!

Here ya go:


(Source).

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Old 13 March 2008, 12:52 AM   #11
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Great pic!!! Look so clearly, Bo!!!
And for Garry, WELCOME TO TRF!!!
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Old 13 March 2008, 01:09 AM   #12
nsolga
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excellent purchase.
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Old 13 March 2008, 01:15 AM   #13
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Good deal
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16710-116505-116660-116680-116610LV-216570-126331-116710-114060-126621-TudorGMT-Tudor BB58-Sapphire Speedy Pro-Speedy Rising Sun

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Old 13 March 2008, 02:00 AM   #14
llamaofdoom
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Interesting how people do something...then come to the forum asking for affirmation of their decision...versus getting an opinion ahead of time...

That being said, you like the watch (otherwise wouldn't have bought), you liked the price (ditto) and the seller was a nice guy and gave you some money to cover a replacement crystal (good luck on that from many private sellers).

Overall, I think you had a good experience.
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Old 13 March 2008, 02:29 AM   #15
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Garry, welcome to the forum, it appears that you have got yourself a good deal.
I pt ex my sub against the S/S GMT IIc and I managed to get £2,100 for it.
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Old 13 March 2008, 02:34 AM   #16
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Hi Garry. My heart sank with yours when you mentioned the undisclosed scratch after a seven hour drive. I did the same thing myself on monday; a face-to-face from ebay at an ad after a three and a half hour drive. My experience was excellent (sea dweller) and I'm glad to hear yours was too!! Jonathan
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Old 13 March 2008, 03:05 AM   #17
scottschoe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garry180 View Post
Hi,

I bought this 2007 submariner date 16610 from ebay (see link below)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...K:MEWA:IT&ih=0

It was a risk and the pictures were not clear but the seller offered to meet me at a Rolex AD. I drove a return journey lasting 7 hours to get to the dealership and my heart sank when I saw the watch, it had a big scratch accross the sapphire glass which I specifically asked about before made the drive.

All other aspects of the watch checked out though and with the help of info from these forums I checked for authenticity myself then the dealer removed the strap and verified serial number to the paperwork.

The seller was genuniely apologetic about the scratch and offered me a £100 discount to replace the glass. I bought the watch for a total of £2150 and took it to Rolex london where I've had the glass replaced on the spot at the St James taking just half an hour, so now I have mint condition 2007 submariner date 16610 with box and all papers for a little under £2250.

I couldn't get hold of a new watch becasue of the demand and shortage of supply which is why I went down this route. With the recent price increase in UK from £2840 to £3090, I think I got myself a little bargain !

What do you guys think ?
Was the movement ever checked?
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Old 13 March 2008, 03:32 AM   #18
BuffaloRolex
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Looking forward to the pics...
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Old 13 March 2008, 03:43 AM   #19
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It looks like you have the whole situation in hand, Garry.

£2250 for a Z 11610 seems a very good price indeed. It is unlikely to EVER be worth less and just think of the pleasure you will have with such a classic Rolex sport model.
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Old 13 March 2008, 07:57 AM   #20
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Tx for the pearls, Bo.

I will cherrish them always, cuzzin!!!

Lesson learnt: I will never post such a comment again... it just opens me up to such abuse!!!

Last edited by mickeydainish; 13 March 2008 at 08:00 AM.. Reason: spellin
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Old 13 March 2008, 08:12 AM   #21
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You did very well - in many ways

Hi Garry and welcome,

I think you did very well and I'm glad you are pleased with your purchase. As already said, you did the right thing meeting this bloke but you did even better by taking the watch straight to St James service centre as you will (unwittingly) have had the watch checked against the lost / stolen register. You will also now be on record as the registered owner. Also, I'm sure they will have checked that everything is visually OK when they changed the crystal.

Cheers - Simon
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Old 13 March 2008, 10:38 AM   #22
sherwin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER View Post
Welcome to TRF!

Sounds like a awesome deal!

Congrats!

Please post a wristshot when you get the time!

Oh, btw.: On Rolex crystals there is a LEC (Laser Etched Coronet) edged into the crystal at 6 o' clock:


(Pic from my Photobucket).

It is not easy to see with the naked eye, but if you use a 10x loupe and not at the 6 o' clock position at an angle in good lighting, you should be able to find the LEC. Another trick - if you want to see it with your naked eye - is to light with a small flashlight from the 12 towards the 6 o' clock position, again at an angle. This will literally make the LEC glow up for you to see with the naked eye.

Now, when you get a crystal exchanged, the service replacement crystal will sport an "S" inside the coronet of the LEC, standing for ("S")ervice.

Here is a pic of it:


(Pic from my Photobucket).
Does this apply to ALL crystals? and when was this started. ie. what year?
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Old 13 March 2008, 12:23 PM   #23
daunwaun
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Great Find
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Old 13 March 2008, 08:28 PM   #24
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Welcome to TRF, Garry
Congratulations on getting the ULTIMATE Rolex.

Cheers Paul
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Old 13 March 2008, 09:39 PM   #25
marshallr47
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Congrats on the purchase Gary. You got a pretty good deal. Enjoy the new Rollie.
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Old 14 March 2008, 03:16 AM   #26
garry180
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Thanks

For all the posts, I think somebody mentioned that if I had the movement checked. I didn't know what to check exactly but I got the thumbs up from the Rolex dealer and it has been to Rolex UK to change glass, I'm assuming they would have told me if something was wrong.

Anyway, on a more contributary note, before I bought the ebay watch, I sent asked friends who were going to the US and Hong Kong to check prices for me. The newer version of my watch with engravings/serial on inner bezel can be apparently purchased from AD in HK for around £2400. I think the exchange rate is in our favour. I will keep you all posted but could be worth a trip to the far east !
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