Some advice I got today from a former watch collector

[Etschell]

Buy a used rolex and send it to rsc for $600. Save yourself some money.

Very good advice.

[Dyim]

Just curious. Why former collector?

[superdog]

Sound advice indeed.

[Old Expat Beast]

Send it to RSC Hong Kong for $300 and save even more

[Rebel]

Yep.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Just curious. Why former collector?

He got bored with watches. Still owns a few.

[GB-man]

Yes except for a handful of SS Rolex that sell within ~800 of MSRP. Then I wouldn't want a polished watch for a couple hundred less than new. Ex) 116610LV, 116710BLNR etc

[FTX I]

I'm afraid I disagree. This is not a good advice. No wonder he got bored.

[vintagehartmann]

Wouldn't it make more sense to follow the advice from a current collector who is enthusiastic and following his/her passion? At least that's just my own thought process.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I'm afraid I disagree. This is not a good advice. No wonder he got bored.

Curious why you disagree.

I only buy new these days, but it does appear to me that buying used for a discount and then getting basically a brandy new watch back with warranty is pretty smart.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I'm afraid I disagree. This is not a good advice. No wonder he got bored.

The thrill of spending too much?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by vintagehartmann

Wouldn't it make more sense to follow the advice from a current collector who is enthusiastic and following his/her passion? At least that's just my own thought process.

No. Enthusiasm and passion can get in the way of sound logic and rational thought.

[Rock]

So he's saying that as long as the second-hand watch cost at least a couple of grand less than a new one you have got a "like new" watch cheap?

[Thuilln]

That's exactly what I did with my three favorite Rolex.

[cmcm3]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Buy a used rolex and send it to rsc for $600. Save yourself some money.

Very good advice.

Why send it to RSC if it doesn't need it? Why lose metal from the case and pay for a watch to be serviced if it is in good condition and keeping time?

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by cmcm3

Why send it to RSC if it doesn't need it? Why lose metal from the case and pay for a watch to be serviced if it is in good condition and keeping time?

Why assume you will aitomatically lose metal from the case?

If it only has fine hairline scratches (as many do) the amount of metal removed will be in the microns and completely unnoticable.

Ps - the answer to your question generally is that you get an as new watch with a two year warranty for less than the price new (unless of course its a sought after reference selling at a premium)

[Sublovin]

I kind of agree....
It's a way to have your watch checked and authenticated.
I would actually take it a step farther...take it to a watchmaker that has a parts account. Have it pressure checked and authenticated for less than $200.
To save even more, you can buy watches without all of the nonsense cheap boxes and worthless paperwork.
It works!

[Bluside]

I kind of like buying a new watch that has never been worn by someone else.

The watch I wear the least is the one I bought used.

[slide13]

Originally Posted by Bluside

I kind of like buying a new watch that has never been worn by someone else.

The watch I wear the least is the one I bought used.

Same here. Unless it's vintage of course. I like being the first to wear it so I prefer to buy new at a good price. When we're talking $5k plus for a watch, I'm not going to worry too much about saving that $500 or whatever when I know I'll be happier with a new one. But I do like to get a good deal on my new ones!

[Canefan1]

My guess peace of mind has something to do with it knowing that if an RSC services it, its authentic.

[beshannon]

I prefer to buy new so that advice does not work for me.

[peterpl]

I kind of agree as well. Buy any PM model even from trusted dealers on here - take it home and try to flip it the week after.

You WILL lose a few thousand straight off the bat. Buy a second hand PM piece you "May" be able to flip it for a few hundred less than you paid. You'd be surprised by some second hand mint pieces they look new anyway.

[Chiboy]

I like buying slightly used cars, and I am also happy to have bought a slightly used Daytona. 1) It was two months old and cost less than wholesale, and 2) Although it looked new (thanks DSW), I didn't sweat the first inevitable hairline on the clasp that happened within days.

I can't imagine paying several (or more) thousands extra to have a two month longer warrantee, my name on the card, and the joy of peeling a bunch of stickers off.

However, if the premium for new was $200 instead, I might feel different.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by superdog

Curious why you disagree.

I only buy new these days, but it does appear to me that buying used for a discount and then getting basically a brandy new watch back with warranty is pretty smart.

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

The thrill of spending too much?

I'll try to explain guys. I'm on my third watchmaker. Not because the former two were not good or anything like that, but because they passed away. My first good friend around 1999, and the second, also a wonderful person, around 2008. That's what you get when your friends are much older than you and I miss both a lot. The guys that work on my watches since then simply stop what they're doing to help me. The 14060M I bought two months ago is a good example. I was not in the city and I was told by a friend a guy was selling his watch. We adjudted the price on the phone and I told him to take the watch to my watch guy, he went there the next day, my watchmaker opened the watch, took pictures and called me right away. We talked for around 30 minutes on the phone about the watch, I told him everything I expected, the deal was closed with the seller, and one week later when I got back in town the watch was perfect and ready for me. He charged 300 bucks. So this is just an example. I saved much more than sending to RSC and the watch was ready in a week not two months. I mean, this is how I see any collection. Like the records I collect since I was 13 years old. I "lived" in small record shops all my life. I have friends there. I talk about music there, so the same goes for watches. This advice (OP) is like hey why you spend so much on records, have you heard about deezer and spotfy? Hope I could explain why I disagree.

[RMC12]

I can see the logic in this. Not sure it works with the new Ceramic Daytona's though!!

[AK797]

I try to avoid buying used now, just doesn't feel the same.

[kilyung]

I buy mostly new as you can get big discounts on PM making it about the same cost as used.

[cht]

Easier said then done when people are selling fakes and scamming everyone these days....

[Afrika1]

This is an interesting thread. I buy new and used. If used, the first thing I do send it to the manufacture's authorized service center. The watch is serviced and authenticated and now with a warranty. The cost over new is substantial for essentially a new watch.

Frankly, I would be very hesitant to buy a used Rolex nor buy a Rolex from any source other than an AD. I am not schooled enough to know what to look for in a used Rolex.

I do not own a Rolex, own just about everything else. I am on this Forum to learn before I buy. As an outsider I can say that the rampant counterfeiting of Rolex is the company's best friend and worst enemy. Causes people like me to fear purchasing any Rolex unless from an authorized dealer and also cheapens the brand due to all the fakes out there. As for trusted sellers, I am sure they are honest, however, high quality fakes enter the system and are sold by honest people. Just wish counterfeiters were hung as they are a plague.

[dr35mm]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Buy a used rolex and send it to rsc for $600. Save yourself some money.

Very good advice.

Want a better advice? Buy a Rolex, enjoy the hell out of it, beat it and focus on making memories with it, not which one to get next.