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RollieNZ · 1 February 2010, 07:54 AM

Greetings fellow TRFers,

I've noticed that, more often than not, when sellers are advertising a Rolex they very rarely state what the original date of purchase of the watch was.

This is sometimes known where the watch is accompanied by original papers or a store receipt.

They post photos of the papers and/or store receipt but with the date of purchase blanked out.

However, they do supply the serial number of the watch, which with a little research can give you an idea of when the watch was manufactured (but not necessarily when the watch was first sold).

My question is - why not state the original date of purchase, if known?

This to me, as a prospective buyer, is a pretty relevant detail.

JRA21 · 1 February 2010, 08:11 AM

This is a very intresting question and I do hope an avid seller will answer your question.

mikelprz · 1 February 2010, 08:17 AM

Good idea. I don't know why. The only point I can come up with: The seller doesn't want a prospective buyer to know < for example> that the 2000 watch they are selling was purchased by them in 2004. Meaning the watch was purchased by them second hand. Or maybe they just purchased just last week, and now flipping the watch to make a profit. In a way, I can understand this, because as a buyer, I don't go into a watch shop and ask how much they got the 2000 model Rolex for. I just ask how much and if they can give me a price break.
This is my best guess on your question. Very good one. Maybe others here will have some input.

haakon59 · 1 February 2010, 08:27 AM

I am guessing that in many cases, the seller just doesn't know, in other words, if they have the papers, they are not looking at them when they post their ad. But I think you make a relevant point. However, if this were to become the standard for posting an ad, someone else will then make the standard that a post without this detail would be "worth less" than a post with the detail, but in practical terms, if you only provide the lot number, this gives you a date range for when it was produced and a this is likely even more relevant than the date you purchased the watch. So I am guessing that in most cases this is the more relevant detail.

Rscmaine · 1 February 2010, 08:29 AM

When I know from the papers, I always list it.

Eurosport · 1 February 2010, 08:32 AM

they are scared of listing upcoming service, which in the first place some actually sell the watch before they have to spend $ on service
i'm not saying all, i'm saying that's one of the reasons ;)

NickD · 1 February 2010, 08:40 AM

Very Good Question,
I have noticed the same thing.Especially on EBay and some grey sites.It is one thing if you don't have the paperwork .But in my opinion because Rolex seldom changes styles
People want you to think it is newer than it really is.
And they can ask more for it.

Mosco · 1 February 2010, 08:47 AM

Most of the times I buy the watch not from the original owner (wholesale shows, collectors, grey market, etc), so i don't know exactly when it was first purchased. However, I ALWAYS list the serial letter, whether it has papers or not. Would be silly not to!

armoredsaint · 1 February 2010, 08:48 AM

are you JJ's troll account?

Bisquitlips · 1 February 2010, 08:51 AM

In my never to be humble opinion, the DOP doesn't really matter. Rolex is a multiple lifetime timepiece. It shouldn't matter when the original DOP was as long as the series / SN is stipulated.

Why would I care when a Rolex was first purchased if I expected it to outlive me and my great grand children.

robsteve · 1 February 2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosco

Most of the times I buy the watch not from the original owner (wholesale shows, collectors, grey market, etc), so i don't know exactly when it was first purchased. However, I ALWAYS list the serial letter, whether it has papers or not. Would be silly not to!

As a newbie, it would save me and probably many others a trip to the serial number database, if you also stated the year that Letter batch code is associated with.

Commas in the price help too. Sometimes I have to do a double take on some of your more expensive watches :) Is that five thousand or fifty thousand

Robert

RollieNZ · 1 February 2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

In my never to be humble opinion, the DOP doesn't really matter. Rolex is a multiple lifetime timepiece. It shouldn't matter when the original DOP was as long as the series / SN is stipulated.

Why would I care when a Rolex was first purchased if I expected it to outlive me and my great grand children.

I can't agree with you on this point.
The first date of purchase gives an indication of wear and tear on the watch.

If the watch was manufactured in 2000, for arguments sake, but not sold until 2008, then I would expect less wear than if it was sold in 2000.
This in turn impacts on the price of it.

Not choosing any particular TRF sellers - but take a look at these listings as current examples:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=112530
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=107378

RollieNZ · 1 February 2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelprz

Good idea. I don't know why. The only point I can come up with: The seller doesn't want a prospective buyer to know < for example> that the 2000 watch they are selling was purchased by them in 2004. Meaning the watch was purchased by them second hand. Or maybe they just purchased just last week, and now flipping the watch to make a profit. In a way, I can understand this, because as a buyer, I don't go into a watch shop and ask how much they got the 2000 model Rolex for. I just ask how much and if they can give me a price break.
This is my best guess on your question. Very good one. Maybe others here will have some input.

I tend to agree with you on this. Seems logical to me, however, when the
paperwork clearly states the date of first purchase, why bother to keep it secret?

As a prospective buyer, this is one of the first questions I would ask.
It heavily influences the price I would be prepared to pay for the watch.

Maybe some buyers, like Richard, aren't interested in this information.

Where a watch has passed through many hands, or has no original documentation then the point is less relevant.

RollieNZ · 1 February 2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

are you JJ's troll account?

Is it trolling to ask hairy questions?

Mosco · 1 February 2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsteve

As a newbie, it would save me and probably many others a trip to the serial number database, if you also stated the year that Letter batch code is associated with.

Commas in the price help too. Sometimes I have to do a double take on some of your more expensive watches :) Is that five thousand or fifty thousand

Robert

Thx - noted

BASSETHOUNDS · 1 February 2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsteve

As a newbie, it would save me and probably many others a trip to the serial number database, if you also stated the year that Letter batch code is associated with.

Commas in the price help too. Sometimes I have to do a double take on some of your more expensive watches :) Is that five thousand or fifty thousand

Robert

Well , I believe if you are really interested in purchasing a particular watch , you tend to know if it fits in a 4 or 5 digit price range . no ? When looking at a Breguet tourbillon and I see 4 digits and it is not a typ"o" I'll leave it alone ...

mikelprz · 1 February 2010, 07:14 PM

You make another excellent point crtlover.
Enough info should be given about the watch, so that a buyer can make a informed decision to make a buy. Whatever this information that helps you, you should ask. And seller should be as up front as possible.
Blocked out date of first purchase or price,.. Strange to me. I would ask.

mikelprz · 1 February 2010, 07:14 PM

You make another excellent point crtlover.
Enough info should be given about the watch, so that a buyer can make a informed decision to make a buy. Whatever this information that helps you, you should ask. And seller should be as up front as possible.
Blocked out date of first purchase or price,.. Strange to me. I would ask.

mikelprz · 1 February 2010, 07:15 PM

You make another excellent point crtlover.
Enough info should be given about the watch, so that a buyer can make a informed decision to make a buy. Whatever this information that helps you, you should ask. And seller should be as up front as possible.
Blocked out date of first purchase or price,.. Strange to me. I would ask.

mikelprz · 1 February 2010, 07:50 PM

Maybe hiding price and date form X-wife?? !!
haha

RollieNZ · 3 February 2010, 12:53 PM

I thought I might have got a few more comments about this.

Trouble is this is such a busy forum posts get buried very quickly.

marcinthemiddle · 3 February 2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crtlover

Is it trolling to ask hairy questions?

"Troll" "Trolling" "hairy"

springer · 3 February 2010, 01:31 PM

Good question, and one of many that should be asked of the seller.

1 February 2010, 07:54 AM	#1
RollieNZ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: Auckland, N.Z. Watch: Day Date YG Posts: 320	Why do sellers not advertise date of purchase? Greetings fellow TRFers, I've noticed that, more often than not, when sellers are advertising a Rolex they very rarely state what the original date of purchase of the watch was. This is sometimes known where the watch is accompanied by original papers or a store receipt. They post photos of the papers and/or store receipt but with the date of purchase blanked out. However, they do supply the serial number of the watch, which with a little research can give you an idea of when the watch was manufactured (but not necessarily when the watch was first sold). My question is - why not state the original date of purchase, if known? This to me, as a prospective buyer, is a pretty relevant detail.

1 February 2010, 08:11 AM	#2
JRA21 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Joshua R Asch Location: NY, Brooklyn Watch: Sub Posts: 293	This is a very intresting question and I do hope an avid seller will answer your question. __________________ *JRA*

1 February 2010, 08:29 AM	#5
Rscmaine "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Nat Parkinson Location: Maine, USA Watch: me pull a rabbit.. Posts: 1,196	When I know from the papers, I always list it. __________________ When the alien spaceships actually landed, to everyone's surprise, it turned out that the world's governments had not been hiding anything. They were just as clueless as the rest of us!

1 February 2010, 08:47 AM	#8
Mosco "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Greg Location: Cincinnati Watch: I like to... Posts: 18,567	Most of the times I buy the watch not from the original owner (wholesale shows, collectors, grey market, etc), so i don't know exactly when it was first purchased. However, I ALWAYS list the serial letter, whether it has papers or not. Would be silly not to! __________________ Instagram - @CaliberSwiss *“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” - Hunter S. Thompson*

1 February 2010, 08:51 AM	#10
Bisquitlips 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Richard Location: USA Watch: YM Deep Space Posts: 12,501	In my never to be humble opinion, the DOP doesn't really matter. Rolex is a multiple lifetime timepiece. It shouldn't matter when the original DOP was as long as the series / SN is stipulated. Why would I care when a Rolex was first purchased if I expected it to outlive me and my great grand children. __________________ Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM

1 February 2010, 08:17 AM	#3
mikelprz Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Batman Posts: 452	Good idea. I don't know why. The only point I can come up with: The seller doesn't want a prospective buyer to know < for example> that the 2000 watch they are selling was purchased by them in 2004. Meaning the watch was purchased by them second hand. Or maybe they just purchased just last week, and now flipping the watch to make a profit. In a way, I can understand this, because as a buyer, I don't go into a watch shop and ask how much they got the 2000 model Rolex for. I just ask how much and if they can give me a price break. This is my best guess on your question. Very good one. Maybe others here will have some input.

1 February 2010, 08:27 AM	#4
haakon59 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,571	I am guessing that in many cases, the seller just doesn't know, in other words, if they have the papers, they are not looking at them when they post their ad. But I think you make a relevant point. However, if this were to become the standard for posting an ad, someone else will then make the standard that a post without this detail would be "worth less" than a post with the detail, but in practical terms, if you only provide the lot number, this gives you a date range for when it was produced and a this is likely even more relevant than the date you purchased the watch. So I am guessing that in most cases this is the more relevant detail.

1 February 2010, 08:32 AM	#6
Eurosport Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: around the world Posts: 20	they are scared of listing upcoming service, which in the first place some actually sell the watch before they have to spend $ on service i'm not saying all, i'm saying that's one of the reasons ;)

1 February 2010, 08:40 AM	#7
NickD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: nick Location: Pittsburg PA. Watch: Rolex Sub. TT Posts: 52	Very Good Question, I have noticed the same thing.Especially on EBay and some grey sites.It is one thing if you don't have the paperwork .But in my opinion because Rolex seldom changes styles People want you to think it is newer than it really is. And they can ask more for it.

1 February 2010, 08:48 AM	#9
armoredsaint "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bubba Location: Ohio, USA Watch: GMT Master IIc SS Posts: 318	are you JJ's troll account?

1 February 2010, 07:14 PM	#17
mikelprz Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Batman Posts: 452	You make another excellent point crtlover. Enough info should be given about the watch, so that a buyer can make a informed decision to make a buy. Whatever this information that helps you, you should ask. And seller should be as up front as possible. Blocked out date of first purchase or price,.. Strange to me. I would ask.

1 February 2010, 07:15 PM	#19
mikelprz Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Batman Posts: 452	You make another excellent point crtlover. Enough info should be given about the watch, so that a buyer can make a informed decision to make a buy. Whatever this information that helps you, you should ask. And seller should be as up front as possible. Blocked out date of first purchase or price,.. Strange to me. I would ask.

1 February 2010, 07:50 PM	#20
mikelprz Banned Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Batman Posts: 452	Maybe hiding price and date form X-wife?? !! haha

3 February 2010, 12:53 PM	#21
RollieNZ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: Auckland, N.Z. Watch: Day Date YG Posts: 320	I thought I might have got a few more comments about this. Trouble is this is such a busy forum posts get buried very quickly.

3 February 2010, 01:31 PM	#23
springer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,195	Good question, and one of many that should be asked of the seller. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

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