|
Post by bklake on Oct 7, 2017 7:23:15 GMT -8
Looking for some guidance on how to sell one of these. A good friend passed away a few months ago and left behind an 18k Rolex Explorer. My knowledge on these will certainly fill more than a thimble but less than a shot glass.
He was the original owner, I knew him when he got it. Never serviced and needs it. It is pretty beat up because he wore it every day. Since everybody involved thinks I'm some kind of watch expert, I've been tasked with finding a new owner.
So, do I leave it just the way it is or send it to Rolex for a service? What is a good venue to sell this? I have already discovered that there are more than a few vultures circling, claiming it is only worth the gold content.
I have no interest in anything Rolex. I could have 20 or 30 nice Seikos for the used price of this thing.
Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
Post by earthphase on Oct 7, 2017 7:54:58 GMT -8
Pics
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2017 8:21:00 GMT -8
Looking for some guidance on how to sell one of these. A good friend passed away a few months ago and left behind an 18k Rolex Explorer. My knowledge on these will certainly fill more than a thimble but less than a shot glass. He was the original owner, I knew him when he got it. Never serviced and needs it. It is pretty beat up because he wore it every day. Since everybody involved thinks I'm some kind of watch expert, I've been tasked with finding a new owner. So, do I leave it just the way it is or send it to Rolex for a service? What is a good venue to sell this? I have already discovered that there are more than a few vultures circling, claiming it is only worth the gold content. I have no interest in anything Rolex. I could have 20 or 30 nice Seikos for the used price of this thing. Thanks in advance. Join a Rolex forum. People there will be able to give you good advice on value and where to safely dispose of it.
|
|
pip
WS Benefactor
Berkshire, UK
Posts: 6,174
|
Post by pip on Oct 7, 2017 11:56:20 GMT -8
Yes, Rolex forum is the place to go Iād say. There are WIS people over there who can help you, they just have more money than most of us is all!
|
|
tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,869
|
Post by tritto on Oct 7, 2017 14:24:47 GMT -8
Yep, you'll get some helpful people at the Rolex forums, they're just wealthier and less likely to rip the caseback off and start modding their watches. š Where are you located? I have an idea you're in Aus? If so I know of a couple of very helpful people that know a lot about Rolex.
|
|
|
Post by bklake on Oct 7, 2017 14:47:39 GMT -8
I'm USA based. I'll see if I can get a picture up this evening.
Not sure if i can suppress my Seiko ways around a bunch of Rolex people. I'm afraid they're going to run riffraff like me out of their forum as quick as they can.
|
|
Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 5,327
|
Post by Adrian-VTA on Oct 7, 2017 15:25:24 GMT -8
18k explorer is probably worth at least $15k or more in good condition.
I would say it's worth getting serviced and restored before moving along. Another thing to consider is they do hold or appreciate in value if retained, so some people use them to park money in a way that beats currency depreciation.
I know people here that would do the job properly but nobody outside AU.
The arguments it's only worth the gold content are nonsense.
Be very picky on who you get to service it, over half of the "Rolex Experts" are terrible hacks.
|
|
|
Post by earthphase on Oct 7, 2017 15:35:25 GMT -8
Is "18k" gold?
'Cause gold Explorers don't exist.
Don't need a Rolex Forum for that.
|
|
|
Post by bklake on Oct 7, 2017 16:03:53 GMT -8
Dateadjust maybe? Ref 18038 I think. As I said, I don't know much about these. I'll post a pic after the kids go to bed.
Edit Insurance paperwork lists it as Gent's Oyster Perpetual. 18K, fluted bezel, gold bracelet, champagne dial, day and date. 31 jewel certified chronometer.
|
|
|
Post by earthphase on Oct 7, 2017 16:28:56 GMT -8
Look forward to seeing it.
|
|
|
Post by bklake on Oct 7, 2017 18:11:41 GMT -8
Picture Attachments:
|
|
Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 5,327
|
Post by Adrian-VTA on Oct 7, 2017 18:35:09 GMT -8
That's not an explorer, thats a day-date or "president"
|
|
|
Post by earthphase on Oct 7, 2017 18:48:06 GMT -8
10k ish. Maybe 12 if you were a reputable dealer and got a rolex service. Sell to a dealer and they'll try and give you 7.5.
I wouldn't waste the time and effort of service unless it will be retained by the family for sentimental reasons.
Great watch. The full kit is awesome. The leather box alone is very sought after. What's in the second box?
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,663
|
Post by HiBeat on Oct 7, 2017 20:00:42 GMT -8
I know a thing or two about dress watch Rolexes. That would be something under $10,000 full retail, give or take, whether or not you had it serviced. It's an older model but unfortunately not old enough to actually be in the stratosphere. Like most solid gold old Rolex bracelets, I see a lot of stretch.
Now here is the hard part - finding an honest Avenue for you to get full retail.
Honestly, my advice given the situation, is to find a watch dealer who buys Rolexes. There are several good ones here in northern New Jersey. Let them take the risk and let them make the margin between wholesale and Retail.
The last thing you need is to deal with a total scammer. A ton of people will buy that watch, substitute aftermarket parts so they can get the real one, and basically destroy it, and then find a way to return it or make it your fault and get all their money back if it was PayPal.
PM me for reputable dealers in northern New Jersey if you take my advice and just let a watch dealer sell it to the next owner.
I don't think many people over on the Rolex Forum would buy the watch from you given your feedback is zero and post count and join date.
|
|
|
Post by philsinclair on Oct 8, 2017 13:37:08 GMT -8
Hi. Obviously anyone who says this is gold value only is a predator and not a friend. I would send the the watch to Rolex as it will get a full service and warranty. Their service includes a bracelet service and since the last service is some time ago it will probably need at least one wheel in the train to be replaced, the first wheel does usually suffer from wear quite quickly. The bracelet prices last time I looked were $22k.
The boys on time zone vintage Rolex are a good crowd and most submariner owners have Seiko divers. James Dowling aka Mr Rolex has always been as big a fan of Seiko as Rolex.As far as selling the watch, ask plenty of questions and do heaps of research to find its value.
To remove the risk for both parties, use an escrow agent.
Cheers Phil
|
|
|
Post by bklake on Oct 8, 2017 19:37:06 GMT -8
Any idea what a service costs on these? How does one get it to Rolex?
My only experience with Swiss watch service is on my Fortis. Let's just say that it came back worse than when I sent it in. And it took them a year to complete the job. That was from the authorized service center in the US.
|
|
|
Post by bklake on Oct 8, 2017 19:41:38 GMT -8
The other box is the box for the leather box. If that doesn't make sense it's the Guinness talking.
|
|
|
Post by philsinclair on Oct 8, 2017 21:01:42 GMT -8
Hi. It goes through a Rolex authorised dealer. Rolex do not supply parts to anyone else. I would talk to them as much as possible but they do charge for a quote. I would be very surprised if the service from Rolex would be anything but exemplary. They are not just another Swiss watch dealer. The hype is very much dependant on the service. The cost is dependant on the amount of work required. I previously misquoted the price of a new bracelet as I was thinking of a different brand gold bracelet, $10k would be closer to the mark. There is a fellow in Hong Kong who services the bracelets for $500 but uses a.m. parts. Hope this helps. Cheers Phil
|
|
tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,869
|
Post by tritto on Oct 9, 2017 0:40:17 GMT -8
Rolex does supply parts to independents, they just need to be certified. I think the term is CW21. Join a good Rolex forum and they'll refer you to some good independents if you prefer that to Rolex service centre. I've seen LA Watch Works spoken well off. I believe a standard Rolex service, including polishing, runs to about $700US. They may or may not rebuild a stretched bracelet though.
|
|
eeki
Timekeeper
Posts: 510
|
Post by eeki on Oct 9, 2017 9:45:26 GMT -8
If you are going to sell the watch, I don't think you will get your money back from having it serviced, unless it's not running at the moment, or unless the vintage Rolex market is somehow different from other brands.
|
|