Rolex watch appraisal

[revelations]

Got a fellow who has a Rolex watch he wants to trade for my Seadoo (boat's worth about 5-6k$).

Just wondering what the consensus is with these watches. I know nothing about the upper end of the watch market and how close "estimated" appraised value comes close to ACTUAL market value.

I have heard that watches - especially custom - command a very poor price in comparison to the appraised price, sometimes 1/4 of it.

Opposed to the typical Kijiji scammer, I do know the guy is legit (works as a mortage broker), as is the watch, which was appraised in 2007 for $36k. Its in good condition overall and has been customized with bezel and dial diamonds apparently.

Looks like this, but with diamonds all over the bezel and the hour markers.

[A790]

I'd personally walk away since it's been tampered with. However, if you like the watch then you could look into it.

Chrono24.com is a good site to use when trying to get an idea of the market value of a watch.

Have a look here: http://www.chrono24.com/en/rolex/dat...&dosearch=true

[revelations]

No I wouldnt be keeping it - its not my style at all.

But yea, thats the thing about customizations, its only worth something to SOMEONE specifically.

[revelations]

Here is an actual pic of the watch ... (cut off corner)

[A790]

What year is the watch? It's got to be older than 1998.

I'd pass on this deal.

[89s1]

Too many subtle differences in the face.

like where the first pic says "swiss made" down at the 6 this one only says "swiss"

The fonts on the rest of the wording is also slightly off as well as the total lack of roman numerals.

I'd run.

[Danny Meehan]

Reevaluate this person as a whole; when they said it is a real rolex, as one major difference is ALSO the fact that it's missing the horizontal lines decorating the face of the watch.

[taemo]

yeah walk away unless you want to be a hip-hopper

[Pacman]

If it was all stock, it would be worth around $3k or so on the used market maybe 3.5k if it's got the box and original papers. If it were to be appraised for replacement value, it would probably be 9k as that is what a new tu tone datejust would cost.

No idea on the diamond bling....but as you mentioned earlier, it's now worth what someone will pay for it as it's been modified.

Now way in hell it's worth anything close to the 36k appraisal he's claiming.

It's an old watch. Those "T"'s on either side lf the "SWISS" means the dial uses tritium for the lume. Rolex stopped using that in 1995, but it could very well be from the 80's or older. Is the front crystal sapphire glass or plastic?

[Impreza]

^ No way that appraised for $36k. TT Datejust's have pretty brutal resale...

[revelations]

Awesome, thanks guys.

[turbotrip]

the watch without the diamonds is worth around $3k

[revelations]

Yea thats what I've found as well. The question really comes down to:

Is the watch even worth $5-6000?

[shakalaka]

You got details of your seadoo? I know someone looking for one. Feel free to forward me the details and I will pass it on.

[rage2]

I don't think it's even a real Rolex, I can't match that dial to any of the 70's and 80's era. Will wait for a vintage rolex expert to chime in though.

[A790]

Originally posted by 89s1
Too many subtle differences in the face.

like where the first pic says "swiss made" down at the 6 this one only says "swiss"

T SWISS T refers to the Tritium used for Lume. It appeared on pre-1998 Rolex's.

[ga16i]

Originally posted by revelations
No I wouldnt be keeping it - its not my style at all.

But yea, thats the thing about customizations, its only worth something to SOMEONE specifically.

...

Yea thats what I've found as well. The question really comes down to:

Is the watch even worth $5-6000?

As someone else mentioned before, I'd expect a stock second hand two tone datejust on jubilee to go for around $3k, they start at roughly ~$10k new.

Modifications basically sucks as it makes the watch no longer match what the model number engraved on the case says. Since you're not planning on keeping it, I don't think it'll be an easy sale to squeeze $5~6k from it at all. It'll be a nightmare trying to convince potential buyers that it's legit.

Edit: Another thing to watch out for... have you seen this watch in person and do you know if it's the classic 36mm men's size? It'll be even harder trying to sell it off if it's any smaller.

Note on the Tritium that people have mentioned. If it's still truly Tritium, try shining the watch in the sun for a few minutes and then bring it inside. If it's glowing like a mofo compared to before sunlight exposure, then definitely another reason to stay away. It's either been relumed or the dial was complete shite in the first place. Tritium doesn't react to light that way.

[rage2]

Originally posted by revelations
No I wouldnt be keeping it - its not my style at all.

So if you're not keeping it, and you're not a watch expert, why are you taking the risk of helping him sell the watch? Tell him to sell the watch, give you cash, done.

If you know nothing about watches, you're going to get ripped off. Happens everyday.

[Cos]

.

[ga16i]

Originally posted by Cos
Yeah. That is a rep 99.9% based on half a photo. He would be getting your seadoo and you would be getting a $150.00 watch.

Flat datejust dial and the band looks flimsy. You really want to know? Look at the gold on the links, if they are just covered or coated or you see seams it is fake. If it is a solid gold piece it could be real.

That thing should be quite heavy too.

Need more pictures to be sure. Should wind smooth, take pictures of the crown and the lugs, the back, and the WHOLE face. Also the clasp and band.

How can you tell? The gold bits do have a nice deep yellow look to it. I don't think the jubilee bracelets have solid gold links in them. The bits that are gold are hollow like a hoop that you can see through, and jubilee bracelets are no where near as hefty as a president and are quite flimsy feeling. They should even rattle a bit, because of the hollow end links.

That said, taking this watch in hopes of getting $5-6k out of it is still not a good idea, just not for the reasons stated above.