Real or Rep?

[ABQAnthony]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-1979-v...72.m2749.l2649

Won this auction (didn't pay the buy it now price), and now i'm seeing a few odd things...

1: Dial - can't seem to find any authentic rolex bearing this dial. I do find a replica website where it looks pretty close.

2: Caseback - There appears to be a comma after Rolex in "Montres Rolex, S.A" every other 16000 stamped case back i've seen there is no comma.

3: Caseback - I have seen listings and websites with and without patented?

3: S/N engraving appears to be very shallow in the photo but it's hard to tell.

The seller offers no returns but of course eBay does cover counterfeit items and I did pay with my C.C. The seller has been very responsive thus far and think he'd honor a return if needed for a legitimate reason.
Feedback very much appreciated!

I will have the watch in hand by Thursday afternoon and can take better photos.

[Dr.Brian]

They really polished the life out of the bracelet, and it is not finished correctly.
Case is polished as well, but doesn't look as bad.
Movement is rough. Looks like water damage to me.
I'd have passed.
Dial looks like aftermarket diamonds as well.
However if it keeps good time and you like it, go for it.

[breitlings]

It may not be water tight looks like pitting on the casebook.

[ABQAnthony]

Thank you guys for the replies so far! I'm a newbie for sure so all advice is appreciated. Anything to lead to question the authenticity?

[breitlings]

I am not sure about the hands and dial. but I would politely ask if you can walk away from the deal. I would even offer the seller to keep some money. this isn't like a lug has been over polished, this is like a new mid-case, maybe a new movement or at least an overhaul, unknown hands and dial. I would try to walk away from this one if you can. Check out bobswatches.com. Their watches may have some issues, but overall very clean.

[GLADIATOR]

Why anyone would buy a watch with photos like that. I do not know.

Dial looks aftermarket.
Movement probably genuine, but no photo of balance wheel to 100% confirm it.

[ABQAnthony]

A little over zealous i think. I honestly put in a "best offer" that i thought would surely be auto declined due to the amount and it was accepted... Also figured with Ebay guarantee, PayPal guarantee and paying with a Chase C.C i'm fairly safe. Overall I agree with you that the photos are fuzzy and hard to discern. "No returns" on Ebay doesn't really mean no returns (or so I read many many times).

Figure if it's in horrible shape i'll offer to make the seller whole (refund minus his shipping cost), his account gets credited any fees, and I pay return shipping. Small risk I figured for the amount of purchase if it turned out to be decent.

QUOTE=GLADIATOR;7835588]Why anyone would buy a watch with photos like that. I do not know.

Dial looks aftermarket.
Movement probably genuine, but no photo of balance wheel to 100% confirm it.[/QUOTE]

[Andad]

Pass.

[tyler1980]

As far as authenticity i can't tell, however it always amazes me than someone would actually purchase a watch if they had even the slightest question about if it was authentic or not. Regardless of buyer protections it is still a hassle to get your money back.

[GavinBrx]

Blurry pictures is always a tell despite anything else to the contrary you should have walked away.

[crowncollection]

Dials aftermarket for sure, bands overpolished, model 16030. Movements ok imho. Case is on fair condition


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by ABQAnthony

Thank you guys for the replies so far! I'm a newbie for sure so all advice is appreciated. Anything to lead to question the authenticity?

Gutfeel says its legit; I like looking at 70s legends... this one is so shiny I needs shades.

If you're happy with it, that's all that counts.

[mementomori1983]

I can't comment on authenticity, but that watch looks like it's been polished into oblivion. That alone would make me pass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[socalwatchcollector]

Would pass on this as well

[GLADIATOR]

Sadly, he already bought it.
But movement and case appear all genuine

[dysondiver]

why oh why ask after youve bought it ,,,,

but welcome to the forum.

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

why oh why ask after youve bought it ,,,,

but welcome to the forum.

[AnthonyABQ]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

why oh why ask after youve bought it ,,,,

but welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by GLADIATOR

Ya, in hindsight that was a dumb move...I guess i'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how it checks out. I think I gave too much credit to his feedback and "absolutely beautiful" comment on description and discounted the photos that look over exposed rather than over polished. There are a couple of things in the photos that upon very very very high zoom look out of place that I will verify tomorrow. Either way i'll post better pics.

This guy has been pretty pleasant to deal with and a longtime member on ebay, so if my suspicions check out then I hope he'll quickly resolve the issue.

Thank you again everyone for your feedback it's greatly appreciated.

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by AnthonyABQ

Ya, in hindsight that was a dumb move...I guess i'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how it checks out. I think I gave too much credit to his feedback and "absolutely beautiful" comment on description and discounted the photos that look over exposed rather than over polished. There are a couple of things in the photos that upon very very very high zoom look out of place that I will verify tomorrow. Either way i'll post better pics.

This guy has been pretty pleasant to deal with and a longtime member on ebay, so if my suspicions check out then I hope he'll quickly resolve the issue.

Thank you again everyone for your feedback it's greatly appreciated.

I think you are good, as long as you are happy with after market dial.
Enjoy your first Rolex
Adam

[AnthonyABQ]

it seems like somehow I've managed to create two usernames?? Is there a MOD or someone I can PM? I should only have the "ABQAnthony" username, as when I first signed up I did this one, but never received a verification e-mail so I setup the other. Sorry about that! I'm not typically this stupid...jeez what Rolex fever does to a person lol

[ABQAnthony]

Update:

Received the watch. I actually didn't mind the polish so much, what I did mind is that the polish was so overdone that it interfered with logos, the dial had bubbles in it, there were a couple of deep scratches and a few deep chips and a few concerns regarding authenticity. I messaged the seller through eBay with pictures and he accepted a return. I did offer to pay return shipping, he declined and footed the bill on that so he seems like a decent guy. He apologized for not noticing the defects and now i just wait for him to receive for a full refund.

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by AnthonyABQ

it seems like somehow I've managed to create two usernames?? Is there a MOD or someone I can PM? I should only have the "ABQAnthony" username, as when I first signed up I did this one, but never received a verification e-mail so I setup the other. Sorry about that! I'm not typically this stupid...jeez what Rolex fever does to a person lol

This account has beed deactivated, you can still use your pledge account.

[ABQAnthony]

uh oh - BANNED lol thank you Adam.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

This account has beed deactivated, you can still use your pledge account.

if u guys are running vbulletin there should be an admin function to merge 2 logins into 1... at least it did afaik back when I was saddled with that thankless task

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by ABQAnthony

I will have the watch in hand by Thursday afternoon and can take better photos.

Did u take any pics of your own whilst it was in your possession?

[ABQAnthony]

Originally Posted by tamiya

Did u take any pics of your own whilst it was in your possession?

Yup, here they are. Spoke with seller on the phone last night, think he's telling the truth and he got taken on another sale. Really nice guy, feel bad for him but still need my refund. This watch was very hard to photograph.