Faz (Login Faz99Master) VRF Member from IP address 204.101.160.61
Hi all,
I purchased a Rolex last March. It was described as all original without a service history. Obviously, I expected to have the watch serviced since the seller disclosed that he didn't know when the watch was last serviced. I received the watch and ir seemed to be as described. It operated OK. The winding crown was stiff and rough and the watch was loosing more and more time as the days went by.
I decided to send it to my watchmaker for a service a few weeeks after I received the watch. At this point it was loosing 35-40 seconds per day. Since he had a full book, he couldn't get to my watch until early May. He wrote me to let me know the movement was in very rough shape and that it likely had seen water. He also said that the balance had been tweaked. Some of the balance wheel screws had been filed down in an attempt to get a better rate out of the watch. In the end, he told me that the balance needed to be replaced. Since this is a caliber 1570, the balance is not readily available and extremely expensive on the secondary market.
My watchmaker found a source and got the balance for my watch. The watchmaker he dealt with has a Rolex parts account and said that my dial was refinished...The watch was described as "all original". I know it's been a while since I got the watch but by the time I managed to get things straightened out, these major issues appeared. Here was the ad...
"Gorgeous Rolex xxxxxxxx ref. xxxxx c. 19xx in stainless steel case with xxxxxx...watch is overall in excellent condition..original dial with silver gilt printing1570 hacking movement working well..I have not timed or serviced this watchappears to keep good time according to my phone....2.5M serial is clearly visible as is the ref#on original Rolex folded link bracelet dated 1/71this watch is stunningpictures don't do it justice.$2000 plus shipping"
I obviously got screwed but what to do? Address the issue with the seller or eat it?
This message has been edited by LunetteVerde from IP address 203.116.22.139 on Aug 1, 2011 7:51 PM This message has been edited by LunetteVerde from IP address 203.116.22.139 on Aug 1, 2011 7:51 PM
I buy, sell and collect quite a few watches. When I buy 30-40 some times 50 year old watches I know there is always the chance it will need work (service) In a watches life who knows what kinda watchmaker worked on it and what parts he used as it is impossible to tell until you take it all apart. The movement could simply need a cleaning or it could need every part in the book. I dont think a seller is a fault if he sells a used watch with or without service history in good faith in as is condition and down the road it breaks. Now if he knew and doctored it up to sell it then there is a BIG problem in my book. I bought a 1969 Camaro years back and driving home the motor blew up on me.No oil. There was no signs of a leak in the freshly cleaned engine and we checked the oil before we bought it. I went back and the guy told me it drove fine all the 2 years he had it I guess it was its time he said. I was pissed as could be but what could I do?
This message has been edited by greekbum from IP address 69.22.100.205 on Aug 1, 2011 8:06 PM
There are many honest people that buy and sell all sorts of productscars and watches have been discussed here. There's the guys that simply buy and sell; the guys that buy junk, or need work, items for reconditioning and finally the guys that buy less than average items to sell to the two sellers already mentioned or the unsuspecting user/buyer. All of these guys will reveal different information about the items they are selling. Remember, it's a used product.
So, this is a very difficult question and one that goes back to knowing the seller, and references. However, even the most stellar seller will on occasion have problems. In most cases those 'good' guys willwithin reasonmake good on a bad product. But, how much time is too much to report back to a seller a problem? I don't know of anyone that can answer that question. Remember, it's a used product.
I've sold many watches and have run into a few 'bad eggs' in buyers. They complain about things that were either disclosed or so minimal that looking back, had I known the buyer better, I would never sell to them no matter the profit. Remember, it's a used product.
So, not only do I suggest getting to know the seller, but when spending thousands on a watch be honest with yourself. No one knows you better than you, and if you are a complainer or a perfectionist, then I suggest buying a new watch. Remember, it's a used product.
In my opinion, Yes, you should take up your issue with the seller.
I think that you believe that there was a misrepresentation of the condition of the dial and the movement. You don't know if it was intentional or not.
I would give the seller a chance to react to the news. It would certainly expose what level of satisfaction they want you to have from the deal and how they do business.
The passage of time wouldn't change my desire to buy what I expected, or if I was a seller to have sold what I said I was selling.
You can assume there was profit in the deal for him/her and they might be willing to share some of the cost of repairs or hidden defects. So I would suggest talking openly about what you found out.
Did you contact the seller at all?..if so what did he say?
August 2 2011, 1:08 AM
whether its a year or 5 years,if the dial is refinshed then it should be returned without question..
hopefully you can work it out easily before reputations get tarnished and ill will ensue's over a relatively cheap watch (no disrespect toward your time-piece)
Thanks to all for very to the point and objective comments..
August 2 2011, 1:58 AM
The seller seems to be reputable. A long time presence on TZ. I wont push it but will let him know what happened since I got the watch and wait to see what he says.
