Rolex valuation

Author
Discussion

boyse7en

Original Poster:

7,115 posts

172 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
A friend of my father-in-law died recently, and his widow is sorting out the will etc.

He has left his three Rolexes to his three grandsons, but to make sure that all is equitable the widow wants to know that they are all worth a similar amount.

So she has been to a local independent jewelers/watch shop for a valuation. He wants to charge her £150 to value the three watches, plus 1% of the estimated value. This seems a bit of an odd way to do it,, is the more he inflates is valuation the more money he charges.

Is this a normal process for this sort of thing or is she better going elsewhere? Bear in mind she is an elderly widow living in North Devon, so we are a long way from a Rolex dealer.

Stupot123

312 posts

115 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
That's not acceptable.

I had to get my collection valued by a jeweler for the house insurance, I'm sure it was £20 for the first, £10 each for the others.

What I would suggest would be better in this instance would be to submit online value requests to Watchfinder or WOS.

Granted these will be trade values, but they are going to be comparable if its just to work out if some are more valuable than the others.

944 Man

1,814 posts

139 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
It is certainly how it used to be, but I’d be surprised if anyone would accept the practice now.

NDA

22,326 posts

232 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
You could post up pics of the three on here - lots of knowledgable folk who could give you a decent ballpark.

Alternatively, if you know the model numbers, take a look on watchfinder or chrono24 for current values.


The G Kid

851 posts

130 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
I had a 1960's Rolex valued by Mappin & Webb fairly recently. I think it was £100, and they sent it off to Rolex. Got a nice pack of info from them all about it. The 1% of value charge seems a pure scam!

RiggaTheMighty

144 posts

81 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
That's pretty close to market value these days.
The guy I use charges £65 for the first item, then it reduces for each item after that.

But you get a folio for each watch with photos and descriptions, etc. with the valuation.
£150 is pretty normal for this service as there is a lot involved.


Super Sonic

7,250 posts

61 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
NDA said:
You could post up pics of the three on here - lots of knowledgable folk who could give you a decent ballpark.
Not allowed. There is a rule against posts asking for valuation.

NDA

22,326 posts

232 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
Super Sonic said:
NDA said:
You could post up pics of the three on here - lots of knowledgable folk who could give you a decent ballpark.
Not allowed. There is a rule against posts asking for valuation.
Ooops, didn't know that.

AyBee

10,671 posts

209 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
NDA said:
Alternatively, if you know the model numbers, take a look on watchfinder or chrono24 for current values.
Given the purpose, presumably an approximate valuation is all that's needed in which case a look around a couple of websites should give enough of an idea, i.e. a couple of hundred either way is not an issue?

hungry_hog

2,394 posts

195 months

Wednesday 4th September
quotequote all
Her or a helpful person should be able to get a good idea from Chrono24.

Take the bottom dealer price with and papers

RiggaTheMighty

144 posts

81 months

Thursday 5th September
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If all you need is an idea of value, rather than a valuation and to know that your plan is fair, feel free to email me and I can help you out.
I am a Watchmaker with over 30 years in the trade & I have 3 clients who run Watch & Jewellery shops that buy and sell pre-loved watches.

Happy to be of assistance if you need. smile

ZesPak

24,918 posts

203 months

Monday 9th September
quotequote all
Super Sonic said:
NDA said:
You could post up pics of the three on here - lots of knowledgable folk who could give you a decent ballpark.
Not allowed. There is a rule against posts asking for valuation.
Not just that, fakes wouldn't be spotted. On older watches, originality of the movement and condition etc are all things that can't be seen on a couple of pictures, especially if there's anything really special in there.

The 1% valuation fee seems like a complete scam though. Why would he get commission on whatever number he throws at you?

the-norseman

13,375 posts

178 months

Monday 16th September
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Me and sister had our 2x Datejusts done recently by a Rolex AD, he asked for a "paper donation" in the charity box, think we chucked £100 in.

Ours are 1999 and 2002 models, the valuations come back basically the RRP to replace them for the closest thing you can buy new these days.

Badda

2,896 posts

89 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
RiggaTheMighty said:
That's pretty close to market value these days.
The guy I use charges £65 for the first item, then it reduces for each item after that.

But you get a folio for each watch with photos and descriptions, etc. with the valuation.
£150 is pretty normal for this service as there is a lot involved.
There’s not though is there? They make out there’s a lot but it’s to justify their charges. It’s just a mass produced watch.

Badda

2,896 posts

89 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
the-norseman said:
Me and sister had our 2x Datejusts done recently by a Rolex AD, he asked for a "paper donation" in the charity box, think we chucked £100 in.

Ours are 1999 and 2002 models, the valuations come back basically the RRP to replace them for the closest thing you can buy new these days.
And you paid £100 to be told that? Bizarre.

the-norseman

13,375 posts

178 months

Monday 16th September
quotequote all
Badda said:
And you paid £100 to be told that? Bizarre.
Well we didn't know that was going to be the valuation and also 2x documents were produced that could be submitted to insurance if needed, sisters insurance insisted on it. Mine didnt.

z4RRSchris

11,517 posts

186 months

Wednesday 18th September
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any reccommodations for a london valuer?

hungry_hog

2,394 posts

195 months

Wednesday 18th September
quotequote all
the-norseman said:
Well we didn't know that was going to be the valuation and also 2x documents were produced that could be submitted to insurance if needed, sisters insurance insisted on it. Mine didnt.
I can understand it on an obscure watch (e.g. Rolex Patriot, double red, Peruvian) where an expert eye is needed, if these are Sub, datejust etc, it seems mad

the-norseman

13,375 posts

178 months

Wednesday 18th September
quotequote all
Its the house insurance that is insisting on it.

GuigiaroBertone

148 posts

12 months

Wednesday 18th September
quotequote all
z4RRSchris said:
any reccommodations for a london valuer?
If you're in town, go to Burlington arcade and take it into Maunders, David Duggan and the Vintage watch co. They're all within a minute of one another. They'll all verbally give you a trade price- just don't expect a written insurance valuation without paying for the privilege.