Nice watch buying tips for first timer please?

Angelina-M

Hi gang.

After a truly hellish ten years i'm going to reward myself with a Rolex for my birthday!

I've never had a nice watch and i've been looking at buying a second hand one but to be honest they don't go for much less than new :eek: I do know I want a watch that is intact as it left the factory, I don't want aftermarket upgrades etc.

I am going to go and look at the jewellers this week and pluck up the courage to go into Goldsmiths lol but can anyone give me any tips on buying new against used? Or what about these 'new' old stock I keep hearing about?

Also, steel ones seem to be the same price as the ones with gold in the band... how does that work where steel and gold are equal?

And just how important is it to buy one with a UK warranty card?

I will be buying from the lower end price and will be keeping it forever so any hints and tips greatly received.

Thanks guys

daveyjp

I'd go for a used model from a reputable jeweller. Don't forget expensive watches may need regular servicing and this can cost hundreds every few years.

Angelina-M

daveyjp wrote: »

I'd go for a used model from a reputable jeweller. Don't forget expensive watches may need regular servicing and this can cost hundreds every few years.

Many thanks.

The servicing is a good point. I am finding watches of about six years old that are only going about £800 less than new price. Factor in the servicing when you first get it and you aren't that far off the new price and you have a watch that has not been worn... unless i've got it completely wrong.

Mr_Singleton

Angelina-M wrote: »

Hi gang.

After a truly hellish ten years i'm going to reward myself with a Rolex for my birthday!

Why Rolex out of interest?

Angelina-M

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Why Rolex out of interest?

Well I don't wear jewelry or fancy stuff but I would enjoy a nice watch. Why Rolex? Probably as a child of the sixties I learnt from Dell boy that its quality

sarah1972

Angelina-M wrote: »

Well I don't wear jewelry or fancy stuff but I would enjoy a nice watch. Why Rolex? Probably as a child of the sixties I learnt from Dell boy that its quality

I know someone who has a Rolex and it is £400 a year to service it :eek:

I personally have a Rotary that comes with a lifetime guarantee and I send it off every year for a service which is free.

vacheron

sarah1972 wrote: »

I know someone who has a Rolex and it is £400 a year to service it :eek:

I personally have a Rotary that comes with a lifetime guarantee and I send it off every year for a service which is free.

A full return to Rolex service would be about that much, but you don't need it serviced every year. Every 5 years is fine, maybe 7-10 depending on how often the watch is used.

OP. Before spending your cash though take a look at the dozens of alternatives. If you really want a Rolex (and many do) then great, but they aren't the masterpieces that their advertising suggests.

They are however masters at supply and demand. If you buy from an authorised dealer, expect little if anything in the way of a discount and a wait of a few weeks, months while one is allocated to you. The anticipation adds to the desirability / exclusivity and the advertising talk of months of work going into each watch belies the fact that Rolex actually manufacture around 800,000 watches each year.

The reason for the bracelet disparity is that many 2-tone bracelets (steel and gold) will use rolled gold. Think of this like a thin real gold veneer wrapped around a steel link, so not that much actual gold is used. You could be looking at 15-20K for a solid gold Rolex bracelet which are all generally 18 karat if memory serves.

NOS, or "new old stock" are unworn watches from anything from 10-60+ years in the past. Unworn and exactly as they left the factory, but older designs.
Great for something a little different or if you don't like the way the manufacturer has changed it's designs in recent years.

Angelina-M

sarah1972 wrote: »

I know someone who has a Rolex and it is £400 a year to service it :eek:

I personally have a Rotary that comes with a lifetime guarantee and I send it off every year for a service which is free.

I have never come across anything that says these watches need servicing every year. Some people say every 5 to 10 years but i've read that a lot of people simply keep the watch for ten years then upgrade, often finding that the watch has held it price.

I understand what you are saying but as I say this watch is a reward to me for getting through a tragic period. Its not actually about the money and cost saving.

Angelina-M

vacheron wrote: »

A full return to Rolex service would be about that much, but you don't need it serviced every year. Every 5 years is fine, maybe 7-10 depending on how often the watch is used.

OP. Before spending your cash though take a look at the dozens of alternatives. If you really want a Rolex (and many do) then great, but they aren't the masterpieces that their advertising suggests.

They are however masters at supply and demand. If you buy from an authorised dealer, expect little if anything in the way of a discount and a wait of a few weeks, months while one is allocated to you. The anticipation adds to the desirability / exclusivity and the advertising talk of months of work going into each watch belies the fact that Rolex actually manufacture around 800,000 watches each year.

The reason for the bracelet disparity is that many 2-tone bracelets (steel and gold) will use rolled gold. Think of this like a thin real gold veneer wrapped around a steel link, so not that much actual gold is used. You could be looking at 15-20K for a solid gold Rolex bracelet which are all generally 18 karat if memory serves.

NOS, or "new old stock" are unworn watches from anything from 10-60+ years in the past. Unworn and exactly as they left the factory, but older designs.
Great for something a little different or if you don't like the way the manufacturer has changed it's designs in recent years.

Really useful information thank you.

I do know that there are many watches out there that would be seen by a watch enthusiastic as far superior but I have my heart set on a Rolex. I was shocked when I read they make up to 2000 watches a day. I just thought a couple of guys sat in their chairs putting a watch together:D It didn't put me off though.

I now understand about the bracelet, I was struggling to find any info. It makes sense with the rolled gold thing. I have to say i've found a rather nice 18 Karat gold one but its really out of my league, but hey you only live once

I'm having such fun finding the perfect watch. I didn't feel like this when I bought my £20 watch!

veruccasalt

If you are thinking of buying from Goldsmiths, do look into converting Tesco points. THey can be used at three or four times face value, cant remember which. I converted several hundred pounds when I bought a Tag watch from them a few years ago, and this Christmas we got my son an Armani watch that was several hundred pounds. Absolutley recommend this route!

Angelina-M

veruccasalt wrote: »

If you are thinking of buying from Goldsmiths, do look into converting Tesco points. THey can be used at three or four times face value, cant remember which. I converted several hundred pounds when I bought a Tag watch from them a few years ago, and this Christmas we got my son an Armani watch that was several hundred pounds. Absolutley recommend this route!

Thanks, that was my first thought, Goldsmiths and Clubcard points. Trouble is I only have £50 worth. I could kick myself now for trading them in last year for 2 times value!!

Its a fantastic deal. Ive just got a Tesco credit card so hopefully will bump up the points with that but too late for my birthday now which is next week.