Is Rolex service a factor when buying Pre owned

[MeepHead]

I recently bought a pre owned 1990s Daytona. I paid a bit more than normal because the piece recently came back From RSC. ROLEX service center. It’s polished perfectly. The watch was literally rebuilt and serviced top to end. The AD gave me a 5 year warranty. I could have had a similar piece from another dealer for 5 percent less.

I factored the service into my purchase.

Am I alone in this regard. Am I wrong in this regard. I do not believe so. The convenience for me of having service already done is appealing especially being from Rolex themselves with receipt etc. I welcome thoughts.

[Brian Page]

Good move on your part, nothing like starting with a clean bill of health!

[WiseRat]

Originally Posted by MeepHead

I recently bought a pre owned 1990s Daytona. I paid a bit more than normal because the piece recently came back From RSC. ROLEX service center. It’s polished perfectly. The watch was literally rebuilt and serviced top to end. The AD gives me a 5 year warranty. I could have had a similar piece from another dealer for 5 percent less.

I factored the service into my purchase.

Am I alone in this regard. Am I wrong in this regard. I do not believe so. The convenience for me of having service already done is appealing especially being from Rolex themselves with receipt etc. I welcome thoughts.

You are 100% correct in your thinking. Routine service from RSC on a Daytona is not cheap. So it should be considered when buying a pre-owned piece with unknown service history.

[MeepHead]

Originally Posted by WiseRat

You are 100% correct in your thinking. Routine service from RSC on a Daytona is not cheap. So it should be considered when buying a pre-owned piece with unknown service history.

I saw the receipt from rsc.. it was quite itemized down to each action performed. They gave a two year warranty.. the AD extended it. I don’t foresee problems but I know where the watch is from. In my mind, I have “box and papers” now. (I have the original sales receipt comically but this is better, I’m saying).

[1William]

Good decision. Show us the watch.

[joli160]

Who doesn’t like a freshly serviced watch

[faimag]

I think everybody would prefer a serviced watch and pay a bit more. Some would argue about the polishing/no polishing but that's another story.

[breitlings]

100% it does. I would prefer warranty at Rolex over original service card. It is under warranty and smart sellers buyers realize it has the same function as original service card. Box is a bit different and other paper inserts are really nice. To me box plus inserts plus warranty > warranty > nice watch box plus service card > nice watch > poor watch plus box and service card

[HiBoost]

If 5% is the only premium you paid I wouldn't even consider it a question. If you paid 25% more, then the question would always be whether you should have bought the cheaper one and sent it in yourself, etc. But this seems like a no brainer.

[MeepHead]

I checked the receipt.. oddly enough the watch was NOT polished. It actually states this. It’s a yellow gold piece.

[Goin2drt]

I would have done the same. RSC serviced worth more to me.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by MeepHead

I checked the receipt.. oddly enough the watch was NOT polished. It actually states this. It’s a yellow gold piece.

Not odd at all considering the polish/don't polish topic is a religious matter around here. RSC is covering themselves by documenting this so if it comes back to you with a small scratch they can say "yeah, we told you we didn't polish it". Now, whether or not they are the ones who added that scratch is a different story :)

[Alliy]

I would not mind doing the same.

[Tools]

Any time that you buy a watch that has a proven service, it should be factored in.

However, you should never expect to pay the cost of the service in your pricing.. Sometimes that service can hide a watch that might not have been marketable without it.

As a buyer, I want the choice of what gets done on a well used example.

[Jari from Finland]

Now you will start wearing the watch without worrying to have it serviced.
To pay a little bit extra while buying a serviced watch was a good thing to do.

[SS Oyster]

I do, yes. Not only do you get a freshly serviced watch ... meaning you have another 10 years of wear before the next pricy service, but you also have the peace of mind that it is genuine, you know the rated water proofing is correct (new seals) and likely freshly polished, so all the new marks will be due to your wearing that watch. All goodness in my book and well worth a slightly higher price.

[MeepHead]

This is the piece in question. A new strap is coming as well. I’m getting the same strap (it’s too big now)—dealer is paying and installing, but they want the old strap back which is fine by me. I like that the AD disclosed the service. They aren’t necessarily charging me for it. It’s simply another piece nearby was cheaper (and in worse condition). They discounted a bit but then admitted because of the service they could go no lower. They then showed what they paid for the piece before service. They made some profit but not much.

[Michael T]

I have found that while the service increases the amount of money I have in the watch, that even though I have boxes, books and warranty cards, the liquidity and the to sale improves. The RWSC card is just an additional affirmation of authenticity.

[2nastie]

On a Rolex pre-owned or vintage, I always budget spending $500-$1000 extra on top of whatever I pay to take care of a service, and misc items. As much as I trust Sellers, most of them tend to have their own local watchmarker take a look and perform the work. I trust them with caution unless there is documentation or is a reputable watchmaker that can back up their own warranty on that watch. Not everyone uses RSC (for various reasons).

Might as well be safe and treat it as if I have to perform the service with a watchmarker I know. On strap watches, I always budget $200-300 or more for a new strap. I tend to like that part "fresh" and "new." Can't really clean those.

[ltmgeller]

I usually have all my vintage purchases go to RSC. I'm waiting to till NYC opens back up to bring in my 16618 so I can drop it off and grab a bite at Delfrescos.

[vesnyder]

Good thinking. My biggest concern when buying pre-owned.

[jerryguo]

i prefer original untouched example, which i believe usually commands even higher premium. i think if you want to keep the watch for a long time then getting a serviced one is not a bad idea.


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[IamJacky]

For me, if I were to purchase an older Rolex, I would definitely factor in RSC service. I've had a watch serviced by RSC before and was very, very satisfied with the result.