What should I know about buying an estate Rolex? I’ve been advised not to because Rolex won’t service them or provide parts to let anyone else service them.
(Think of yourself as superman and a Rolex dealership as Kryptonite)
Kryptonite is a fictional material that appears primarily in Superman stories published by DC Comics. In its best-known form, it is a green, crystalline material originating from Superman’s home world of Krypton that emits a unique, poisonous radiation that can weaken and even kill Kryptonians.
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Franz Rivoira TheWatchManual.com
https://www.quora.com/profile/Franz-Rivoira
“Estate” Rolex models – that is, old models not anymore in production – are usually better serviced outside the official Rolex network, as the official policy of the company is to refurbish them in any way they see fit – usually destroying their true value.
This is not something new – they have always done that – and act in this way to protect their brand and how it is preceived. Rolex has absolutely no interest in anything else. This means that when you go to a Rolex authorized service center, you relent your rights over the timepiece that you own.
And this means that the pieces that they remove/exchange/upgrade are NOT given back to you. To make an example, if you find an estate Rolex timepiece, maybe an interesting one having a tropicalized dial and a worn but serviceable bezel, and give it back to the authorized network, they will take out the dial and the bezel to replace them with new ones, with the true value of your vintage Rolex essentially destroyed.
The service on these timepieces, though, is questionable. Not in the meaning that is not expertly done. But as every good watchmaker could do that, especially if we consider old watches which were very similar to other high-end watches in the industry.
So, please do not be fooled in believing that only Rolex centers can effectively service Rolex timepieces, because it isn’t so – especially for vintage watches.
If there is something wrong with the movement, however, now that would be a different thing altogether. Broken elements need to be either fixed or replaced, and while Rolex restricts the delivery of spares of new movements to the independents, it cannot do anything to curb what is already on the market.
There is a brisk trade of movement parts between independent watchmakers, and this is what saves the vintage trade. Plus, independent watchmakers know how to replace one part with another with minimal modifications, so a good artisan could rescue your estate Rolex model without the Jolly Green Giant intervening.
My advice is to find the best independent watchmaker that you can in your home city or nearby, and entrust them your watch service needs. Once you get a true professional, you’ll get results, without having to worry too much about the hype that Rolex’s marketing department issues around to discourage people from resorting to independents.
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Captain Convey Watch Comment
I have heard it said, “fake watches are for fake people”.
Then the ad says, “be authentic, buy real”.
Watch manufacturers and those that profit from them want to
take advantage of you by making you think you got to spend
big bucks on a “quality watch” which is authentic.
This is saleman BS!
I say, “be authentic, buy whatever you want.”
That could be a replica also.
A replica is a real watch. Its called a replica because that
is what is. Its not the real watch.
It is a much better buy.
That doesn’t mean its better watch automatically.
For instance a Rolex is a quality made watch that costs
thousands. But its OVERPRICED!
The watch at this web link https://wristova.com/product/explorer-40-reference-224270/
is a beautiful replica. Its an authentic Rolex replica.
It is a cool looking watch that is worth the money.
Rolex doesn’t want you to buy this watch.
They would have you believe you must, must buy the
real deal.
Then you along with their expensive watch makes you
“authentic”.
Total saleman BS!
Buy a replica if you want.
Buy a watch that looks like a Rolex but doesn’t have the
Rolex logo like I did.
Its not a replica but looks similar.
I am going to pay $89.75
The Addiesdive Model AD202302 is the Perfect Watch.
It looks just like a $7,500 Explorer Oyster Perpetual Watch except for the Rolex logos on the watch.
It costs $89.75 with free shipping on Amazon.
Visit the Addiesdive Store.
https://www.amazon.com/ADDIESDIVE-Stainless-Sapphire-Luminous-Waterproof/dp/B0BZ4G74RF
My advice. Take a Rolex that was given to you as a gift.
Don’t buy an authentic Rolex when you can buy a replica
that looks almost exactly the same.
Don’t worry about the fact its not a real Rolex.
Have fun wearing the Rolex replica.
Don’t be played for a Rolex sucker who spends thousandson an authentic Rolex because you think that is what you
should do.
Buy this watch.
The Addiesdive Model AD202302 is the Perfect Watch.
https://www.amazon.com/ADDIESDIVE-Stainless-Sapphire-Luminous-Waterproof/dp/B0BZ4G74RF
It just happens to look similar to a Rolex.
There are others from Addiesdive that are also quality watches
that make Rolex look like some type of scam.
Wear this watch with pride.