Ask an Insider Thread

[DJJon]

Chris,

I have found this thread to read like a great book. I always smile when I see a new post and hurry to the Last Page to see what new insight you have offerded.

Surfing to read TRF almost daily can be very rewarding and addicting. A major part of this obsession for me has been hoping to see an update to your epic, monumental Ask an Insider Thread. It is a compelling part of this obsession.

Thanks for all you have done for all of us TRF members.

[w4rmk]

Originally Posted by tommyyu

Hi Insider, can you help me on my recent purchase?

I just bought a ladies datejust, black dial. (Rolex Ladies WG & SS Black Stick DateJust 79174). I bought it around $3,200 from a LA dealer. The dealer says it's a 2003 model, K serial. I received it in perfect condition.
However, when I went to a local watch shop to prove authentic, the owner told me that I paid too much one this one although it's 100% authentic.

It's still in the return period, so I wanna know is the price really too high?
If so, how much one should pay for a watch like this?

Thanks for your time

The price you paid seems to be in line retail prices you'd expect at an aftermarket watch shop/jeweler. Here are some sample 79174's I found along with prices:

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=227307
http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=544269
http://www.bobswatches.com/ladies-us...del-79174.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAeUJr9S5XQ

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Craig,

I think it may just be that the cal. 3186 has a slightly different construction to the cal. 3130. The GMT IIc is quoted as having the same c. 40 hour power reserve, so it may be that there's a slightly different clutch mechanism on the mainspring. I wonder if any technical geniuses have the definitive answer?

All the best,

Chris

Thanks, Chris. It is weird because I've never maxed out on turning the crown. It just keeps a winding...

[tommyyu]

Originally Posted by w4rmk

The price you paid seems to be in line retail prices you'd expect at an aftermarket watch shop/jeweler. Here are some sample 79174's I found along with prices:

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=227307
http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=544269
http://www.bobswatches.com/ladies-us...del-79174.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAeUJr9S5XQ

Thank you so much for the research!

I guess the price I paid is just ok, given it's from a big dealership and I got 3yrs warranty from them (probably not gonna use it anyway).

Thanks again!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Hairdude1

Thank you for what you had done/answered in this thread!

It's been my pleasure

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by ArcticMoose

Congratulations! Anything watch-related?

I'll get one last question in before then, I guess.

I've heard from someone who has spoken with an AD about it that newer ceramic TT Subs have a darker blue color than the first ones that left the factory in 2009.

I can imagine you've seen a few come and go, is this something that you can confirm or deny?

I've been offered a place at the head office of a large fashion and home chain here in the UK, so although watches play a small part in their business, it's unlikely that I'll be dealing with them directly. Even if I was, it's mainly their own brand fashion pieces, so it'll be very different to what I'm used to now

Well, to tell the truth, we haven't bothered stocking the blue for a long time, I think we've only ever had the one in, and it was pretty difficult to move on. The black seems to be the right choice from a sales point of view - as such, I can't actually remember the last time I handled a blue ceramic Sub! Afraid I can't confirm or deny this one

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by KZZN

I'll get one last question in too, in that case :) And once again, thanks for this thread, and thanks for answering my previous questions - it's all very much appreciated.

How often have you seen someone bring an Oysterquartz in for servicing, in your time there ? I'm just curious to get some kind of feel for how many Oysterquartz owners come through the doors, relative to the Oyster Perpetuals.

I've only ever handled one Oysterquartz, and that was fairly soon after I had first started actually. It's pretty rare for one to come in, I guess they're a relatively niche item!

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by a l e x

Hi Chris,

Which Milgauss has been the most popular? I'm going to buy the white soon and think its by far the nicest! I suppose like you said, it's definitely a love/hate thing!

Where in the UK are you? The only AD near me closed recently so on the look out!

Thanks.

Hi Alex,

By a long way it's the GV - we sell the odd black dial, and the white dial is the least asked about. Ironically, it's my favourite of the Milgauss range too, it's completely bonkers, I love it for that!

As for where I am, a PM is on its way

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by tommyyu

Hi Insider, can you help me on my recent purchase?

I just bought a ladies datejust, black dial. (Rolex Ladies WG & SS Black Stick DateJust 79174). I bought it around $3,200 from a LA dealer. The dealer says it's a 2003 model, K serial. I received it in perfect condition.
However, when I went to a local watch shop to prove authentic, the owner told me that I paid too much one this one although it's 100% authentic.

It's still in the return period, so I wanna know is the price really too high?
If so, how much one should pay for a watch like this?

Thanks for your time

Originally Posted by w4rmk

The price you paid seems to be in line retail prices you'd expect at an aftermarket watch shop/jeweler. Here are some sample 79174's I found along with prices:

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=227307
http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=544269
http://www.bobswatches.com/ladies-us...del-79174.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAeUJr9S5XQ

Originally Posted by tommyyu

Thank you so much for the research!

I guess the price I paid is just ok, given it's from a big dealership and I got 3yrs warranty from them (probably not gonna use it anyway).

Thanks again!

Another problem solved Thanks for answering this one, it's one I wouldn't have known the answer to

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by DJJon

Chris,

I have found this thread to read like a great book. I always smile when I see a new post and hurry to the Last Page to see what new insight you have offerded.

Surfing to read TRF almost daily can be very rewarding and addicting. A major part of this obsession for me has been hoping to see an update to your epic, monumental Ask an Insider Thread. It is a compelling part of this obsession.

Thanks for all you have done for all of us TRF members.

I'm glad you've enjoyed the thread so much, Jon, thankyou for your kind words!

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

Thanks, Chris. It is weird because I've never maxed out on turning the crown. It just keeps a winding...

It could be a GMT-specific quirk...I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the winding motion seems a bit smoother on the GMT compared to some other models

Chris

[The GMT Master]

Well, I've got the start date for my new job - June 6. Just a little over a month left, folks

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well, I've got the start date for my new job - June 6. Just a little over a month left, folks

What will we do without you,who will we turn to,oh no,we`re lost.

D-Day no less,how historic !

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by MoBe

What will we do without you,who will we turn to,oh no,we`re lost.

D-Day no less,how historic !

You can bombard my little brother with questions instead

[Lanfor]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

You can bombard my little brother with questions instead

Thanks Chris

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Lanfor

Thanks Chris

Speak of the devil! Your ears must have been burning Matt :P

[Lanfor]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Speak of the devil! Your ears must have been burning Matt :P

They certainly are...

[tommyyu]

hi guys. i have another question about the datejust.

i bought a ladies 26mm datejust K serial (2001-2003), black dial and white words on.
then i compared it with my men's air king 34mm, also K serial, black dial and white words on.

i noticed the words on the ladies datejust is significantly darker than the words on the air king.

is it normal because the smaller size of the watch? or is it because the words get darker throughout time which means my air king is newer than the datejust?

thank you for reading

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by tommyyu

hi guys. i have another question about the datejust.

i bought a ladies 26mm datejust K serial (2001-2003), black dial and white words on.
then i compared it with my men's air king 34mm, also K serial, black dial and white words on.

i noticed the words on the ladies datejust is significantly darker than the words on the air king.

is it normal because the smaller size of the watch? or is it because the words get darker throughout time which means my air king is newer than the datejust?

thank you for reading

I wouldn't worry about it too much - the exact paints, font sizes, font types etc. change quite a lot when it comes to Rolex, particularly so with different watches

Chris

[tommyyu]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I wouldn't worry about it too much - the exact paints, font sizes, font types etc. change quite a lot when it comes to Rolex, particularly so with different watches

Chris

Thank you so much for the quick response!

No worries any more

[Toivonen]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Guys like TRF members are my worst nightmare! In seriousness, the ones who take a very close interest in the watch do require more attention, but that's what they expect. I like to tailor my interaction to suit each customer, you get a feel for how much information (and what kind) of information to pass on.

I have had it in the past where, for example, a customer says he's not happy with the alignment of his bezel. I'll take a look at it, even under magnification, and won't find anything wrong with it, but I won't argue if the customer insists. I'll pop it back down to the manufacturer, and let them see if they can see the issue better than I can. With any issue on a watch, we will always pursue a course of returning it under guarantee to the manufacturer. We will only replace the watch if there is something terminally wrong with the watch, that a guarantee service doesn't fix. We've had to replace a watch relatively recently from another brand, but that was mainly due to a serious design problem with the movement itself, so much so that the manufacturer has now removed that model from sale - indeed, the customer had problems with the replacement too, and asked for a refund, which we obliged without argument. Needless to say, we're looking to drop the brand now. We've certainly not had such serious problems with a Rolex, at least in the three years I've been working at the shop.

Warranty cards can be replaced if a watch is returned - if it is not as a result of an issue with a watch (i.e. the watch is an unwanted gift, the owner changed their mind etc.), then there is normally a charge of £50 for a replacement guarantee - the process can take a long time too, several weeks, hence we try to avoid it, as it means we have a watch we can't sell in stock. If the problem was serious enough though, Rolex will always look after the customer - they are very good on this, the after-sales care provided by them is probably amongst the best offered by any brand

hi chris,thank you very much for your infos :)

i would like to ask you to explain with more details that procedure,because before reading this post i was sure it was impossible returning the watch or replacing the cards

thank you!

[leica]

Does the new ceramic sub comes with the nifty anchor?

[hard8]

Originally Posted by Toivonen

hi chris,thank you very much for your infos :)

i would like to ask you to explain with more details that procedure,because before reading this post i was sure it was impossible returning the watch or replacing the cards

thank you!

only stockists can get the cards reissued. i.e. they sell the watch, it is returned for whatever reason, so they send it back to rolex who will inspect the watch, undertake any light work on the watch to restore it to "brand new" condition, and issue a new warranty card.

[AMCK87]

Chris, love this thread. Hoping to have a relatively simple question answered that I'm sure someone has probably already asked you.

I keep hearing the the green sub is rare and hard to find, but with a little bit of prodding, every AD seems to have one "in the back." Same with the Milgauss GV and SS Daytonas. Why are ADs reluctant to put them in the showcase? Do you in fact get much less of those models vs. the standard black sub/gmt etc. or is this something that Rolex wants you to do to artificially increase the demand?

Thanks for all your insight and best of luck in the new position!

[Toivonen]

Originally Posted by hard8

only stockists can get the cards reissued. i.e. they sell the watch, it is returned for whatever reason, so they send it back to rolex who will inspect the watch, undertake any light work on the watch to restore it to "brand new" condition, and issue a new warranty card.

Stockist=AD?
i would like to know every possible detail about that from Chris

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well, I've got the start date for my new job - June 6. Just a little over a month left, folks

Chris

Best of luck on your new venture. I am sure you will do well. Thanks for all you have done and keep us TRFers posted.

MrBill

[Toivonen]

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

Chris

Best of luck on your new venture. I am sure you will do well. Thanks for all you have done and keep us TRFers posted.

MrBill

hope he'll answer to me before starting his new work

[watchstuff]

Hi Chris,

Have read your posts from the start of this thread and it's been a great read Thanks for all your insight.

Just a question about the current Submariner Date, I've enquired at my local AD about ordering and putting a deposit down for one before I got my GMT, but they stated a deposit would still not guarantee me the watch?

Would you be able to enlighten us on the allocation process for popular models like the SD? What advice can you give to a customer who would either like to see a watch that you don't have in stock eg like the SD or if I'd made up my mind and wished to place an order for the SD to be able to get one asap?

Thanks for any insight into the buying process.
Cheers.
Dan

[Boothroyd]

Chris, have very much appreciated the info, and as one said, reading the thread is like reading a book. Thank you!

A question about PCL's in general, specifically the to the GMT IIc. Has your shop ever buffed out Polished Center Links for customers, and if so, how has it turned out? Love the GMT IIc, but really dislike PCL's? Any experience with this?

Thanks once again and best of luck in the new endeavor!!

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

I believe it is still a question of 'if' rather than 'then' at present. I do know that Rolex are working on it: I also know that they will only bring it out if they can make a solid, continuous and singular piece of ceramic. Furthermore, I know that they can do red ceramic, and that they can do blue ceramic: the difficulty is getting them together in one piece without the colours bleeding, as the ceramics fire at different temperatures. If it is physically possible for them to create a bi-colour ceramic disc, then Rolex's R&D department will be the guys to discover it

Keep me updated on this. It's one of the few reasons I am holding out on purchasing the GMTIIC as it stands now.