How to Not Get Ripped Off When Buying a Nice Watch
The market for used or older watches is a market that is as old as watches themselves, and isn’t going anywhere. There are certain goods, like watches and jewelry, that will keep on through the centuries, as vintage wares like that often increase in value and appreciate as the calendar flips forward. Because of that, there are experts in watches and jewelry, and if you are fancying yourself a new watch, you will have to interact with those who know way more about the field than you. You are at a disadvantage when purchasing a watch, but you don’t have to be in the dark, or get ripped off. Here is a brief 101-level crash course in what to look for when buying a nice watch.
1. Credible Seller
If you are walking down the streets of New York and a fellow has a table with a lot of beautiful-looking Rolex watches, and he says they are at a huge discount for whatever reason, there is a greater than zero, and not less than 100% chance that they are either stolen, fake or even more likely, both. A fake Rolex is a fun present to yourself or someone who gets that it’s fun gift, but they will not last like a real Rolex or offer any sort of resale value. If an offer from a particular vendor seems too good to be true, it is. You get what you pay for in the world of watches.
2. Documented History of Repair
That said – you can get a deal still if you’re willing to assume a modicum of risk. A lot of vendors will sell Rolex watches that require some work and they don’t feel like doing it. Or they will sell watches that have had work done on them. Getting a refurbished watch like this is not necessarily a bad move. There are places available in the world that do great work on rolex repairs and have a reputation for such work. There’s a website called Watch Buyers Group that will let you send your watch in, and they will repair it and return it. They do amazing work that is guaranteed, and you can send your watch to them with confidence. So if you see a nice watch that is being sold really cheap because there’s something wrong with it, know that you can get it repaired to be as good as new.
Be on the look out for fakes. If a Rolex is being sold for $20, you know they are fake, but they are not pretending that it’s real. There’s a huge difference between buying a fake that you know is a fake, and then buying a fake that is being sold as a real Rolex. A few simple things you can do to try to discern whether the watch is fake is to listen for ticking. Rolex watches do not tick like others, and if you hear loud ticking when put to your ear, you are not holding a Rolex. Also, the engravings must be absolutely perfect. Never has a Rolex left the manufacturer with any engraving imperfection. They are extremely meticulous. Also, if the price seems like it’s way too little, you are not buying a Rolex.
