Help me make a fair offer please?

[AdvocatusD]

I am looking at two ten year old men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust watches.

Both are bimetal (steel and gold) and the upside is that they are complete with boxes and papers appear in excellent condition. Downside is that they both require a service upon purchase.

(1) Has a mother of pearl face and the oyster bracelet - what do we think this is worth?

(2) Has the standard white face with a jubilee bracelet - what do we think this is worth?

(3) I have only ever bought watches from dealers before, and was wondering if there was any conventional wisdom when buying privately. I intend to have the watch checked and certified as original before purchase, but other than that, no real plans.

(4) For someone London based, what's the best place for a Rolex service? Approximate cost?

I am not sure whether the faces and bracelets make a difference, but more detail the better with these things I suspect.

I want to make a fair offer to the parties concerned, but equally don't want to pay over the odds given it is a private sale, and not from a dealer and will lack the obvious benefits that brings.



Many thanks to you all.

Edited by AdvocatusD on Wednesday 18th May 15:43

[audidoody]

>4) For someone London based, what's the best place for a Rolex service? Approximate cost?



http://www.watches.co.uk/watches/repair-watches/gu...

£240 Plus VAT with year warranty (just had mine in for service. Came back as new)

[AdvocatusD]

Thank you. Hopefully there will be some contributions to the other questions.

[ross-456]

From my POV 1) and 2) are just matters of personal taste and are unlikely to have much variation in price. I like the Oyster bracelet but you may prefer the Jubilee however we may well offer similar sums for watches that have the bracelets which we prefer.

For 3), I've purchased a fair few of these watches (Rolex) privately and my approach varies depending on whom I'm buying from. As a minimum I run them through the Rolex lost/stolen register, but have occasionally had a specialist remove the back of the watch for a look around.

A Datejust is one model I've never purchased but those advertised by specialists that are like the ones you're looking at (assuming box and papers present) seem to be ~£2,400, so I'd be thinking £1.5k - £1.9k for a private sale depending on condition and how motivated the seller is.

Hope some of this maybe be useful to you. Let us know how you get on.

[AdvocatusD]

ross-456 said:

From my POV 1) and 2) are just matters of personal taste and are unlikely to have much variation in price. I like the Oyster bracelet but you may prefer the Jubilee however we may well offer similar sums for watches that have the bracelets which we prefer.

For 3), I've purchased a fair few of these watches (Rolex) privately and my approach varies depending on whom I'm buying from. As a minimum I run them through the Rolex lost/stolen register, but have occasionally had a specialist remove the back of the watch for a look around.

A Datejust is one model I've never purchased but those advertised by specialists that are like the ones you're looking at (assuming box and papers present) seem to be ~£2,400, so I'd be thinking £1.5k - £1.9k for a private sale depending on condition and how motivated the seller is.

Hope some of this maybe be useful to you. Let us know how you get on.

Many thanks Ross. Yes, box and documents apparently present and correct.

I can't seem to find a datejust at that price (£2,400) or I would certainly be interested! Could I trouble you for the links you may have come across?

[ross-456]

Difficult to find watches the sort of age you are looking at. This is up for an asking price of £2,650 but is a few years younger than the ones you have seen, so my logic was, a few years older + your negotiation skills would get you to ~£2,400.

http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/Rolex_Steel_Dat...

Alternatively, 16yrs old for £2,150 inc. Box & Papers...

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Datejust-Watche...

[AdvocatusD]

ross-456 said:

Difficult to find watches the sort of age you are looking at. This is up for an asking price of £2,650 but is a few years younger than the ones you have seen, so my logic was, a few years older + your negotiation skills would get you to ~£2,400.

http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/Rolex_Steel_Dat...

Alternatively, 16yrs old for £2,150 inc. Box & Papers...

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Datejust-Watche...

The watch is bi-metal not just steel, so I suspect my offer will need to be closer to £3,000.

[ross-456]

AdvocatusD said:

The watch is bi-metal not just steel, so I suspect my offer will need to be closer to £3,000.

Doh, missed that bit!
I'll keep an eye out though and let you know if come across anything.