Official Rolex Certified Pre-Owned Program

[rw16610]

I thought it was an April fools article posted on December 1st, but it seems to be a program Rolex might actually implement. Some authorized dealers, particularly in the U.S. have been selling pre-owned Rolex watches for a while. In fact, even in Canada back in 2008 I remember an AD in the Kitchener -Waterloo area had some for sale in addition to new inventory.

The major question becomes pricing / availability of these models. I would love to own a 16600 Sea-Dweller with all accessories, but no idea what pricing will be like or if it will be worthwhile ever trying to get one. The last few years made me give up on this brand.

Only time will tell if this ends up being true or worthwhile for watch enthusiast, but I felt it was worth sharing here.

www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-announces-certified-pre-owned-program

[priamo]

Seems like a good idea. Doesn't Omega have something similar for anyone sending in their watch? Not just an AD.

[Baco Noir]

Hummm, 2 year warranty but doesn’t include service of the watch? Every time I’ve sold one of my higher end watches, I’ve sent it in for service so no one can complain about its condition or how it’s running, and the receipt also provides that authenticity factor. I’m shocked they aren’t servicing them first.

[rw16610]

priamo I'm not entirely sure, especially for Canada. It would make sense for brands or dealers to do this. Actually, the Omega AD I took my watch to (so they could send it to Swatch) does actually sell pre-owned watches. There isn't much to choose from, typically, and they're advertised on their website. No idea if it's an official program or not.

A while back, shortly after I purchased the Planet Ocean Chronograph from a U.S. AD, the one here had a pre-owned PloProf for $10,000 CAD that wasn't listed. I think it was from the owners collection (family business). It makes me grateful in a way that my watch buying days are done for the most part. Also, that through eBay and Chrono24 you can connect with reputable bricks and mortar dealers across the globe.

Baco Noir - Agreed, it's a good practice considering what someone is paying for these. I've bought watches where it ended up needing a service shortly after purchase and it was frustrating to say to least. Waiting so long to get something then having issues that warrant it being sent in for 6-8 weeks is brutal.

If I was (hypothetically) paying top dollar for a "Certified Pre-Owned" watch from a participant in this official program I still prefer a watch that's been serviced with a 2-year warranty vs. them providing a warranty just in case or to fulfill consumer protection law requirements.

My luck with Rolex watches (3185, and 3186 GMT movements) has been 3-year service intervals.

The 16570 Explorer II I purchased in 2010 was originally sold new in 2007 from an AD, and needed a service a few months after getting it due to significant timekeeping issues.

Got that done by a independent, and 3-years later after daily use with me, it needed to be serviced again. At that stage I traded it with other watches towards my 116710LN.

The 116710LN had a similar situation where it was originally purchased new from an AD and less than 4-years in it was sent to the RSC (I have the service papers). About 3-years after that, it needed servicing and now sits non-functional. I'll eventually send it into the RSC but got caught up buying other watches and it became less of a priority.

With all that said, I would for certain want a recently serviced watch if I were buying anything through this program. Maybe that's the case but I didn't find any details thus far.

[priamo]

Ebay has authenticity guarantee watches. Bobswatches are quaranteed authentic by a "WATCHCSA an independent 3rd party of watch authentication". Beckertime has in-house authenticity certification and are being sued by Rolex.

[rw16610]

priamo - That's a great set of points. When I look back to the early to mid 2000s, so much has changed for the better.

On eBay no such programs existed. I also don't recall as many reputable bricks and mortar businesses selling these items on there. Chrono24 and others make it fairly easy to buy with confidence for anyone with a rudimentary understanding of buying the seller.

Every major city also has a place (or several) that deals pre-owned watches. My take on this with those points considered is - Rolex is late to the game here. Sure, they'll make money doing this (lots), but for me this would be more beneficial and enticing several years ago.

If I had unlimited funds, I could go on eBay right now and buy every watch in the Oyster collection, each from different sellers, and have very little worries about them showing up as described a couple days later, with the added later of protection if needed.

However, I guess there will always be people who prefer dealing with the company and it's retailer network. That can be experiential for some, but for me that ship has sailed with the lack of availability. My joy now comes from unboxing at home and owning the watches vs. AD interactions.