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Never buy a Rolex from a moving target.
Make your purchase from someone who has demonstrated longevity, financial stability and expertise in the fine watch industry. They will be there when you need them. Sellers that do not offer their clients financial recourse may include: most auctions, unknown private parties, many pawn-shops, and a majority of newly established businesses.
With the growth of the web there has been a proliferation of start-up Rolex vendors. Many may have good intentions, but most of them will not remain in business. Be aware that sometimes problems involving ownership or authenticity can surface years after your purchase.
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The serial # on all Rolex Oysters is stamped on the side of the case at the 6 o'clock position.
Capetown is
not an authorized Rolex jeweler.
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Of all the watches ever manufactured in the world, Rolex is the one that is most often stolen. Since the companies inception, almost every Rolex ever produced is inscribed with a model number and its own unique serial number. In the most popular Oyster line, the model number is stamped on the side of the case at the twelve-o-clock position and the serial number is stamped on the side of the case at the six-o-clock position. This number can be checked against Rolex's sales and production records to determine the watch's manufacturing date, country of origin, and original purchaser.
Additionally, when the serial number has been duly noted on a purchaser's bill of sale or appraisal, it helps establish the legitimacy of the timepiece and is considered a prima facie form of identifying your possession in case of theft or loss.
Note: sophisticated forgers as well as unscruplous dealers can alter serial numbers well enough to fool most novice dealers as well as the general public. Of course, if the serial number has been removed, you are looking for Rolex's in all the wrong places.
Remember, even if you are a buyer in good faith, if the watch you purchased is determined to be stolen as evidenced by its serial number, it must be returned to its rightful owner. If you have made your purchase from a "here today/gone tomorrow" type of business, you have no recourse!!! Even if you have made your purchase from a seller that is still around, but you do not have a bill of sale that reflects the watch's serial number, you have no way of proving that the timepiece in question was the one that was actually sold to you. This could leave you in a very precarious legal position. You are in possession of a stolen watch without clear evidence proving that you didn't steal it.
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Don't base your purchase of a pre-owned watch solely on its price.
All pre-owned watches are not equal. Some have been lovingly cared for and scrupulously serviced, while others have been worn with reckless abandon. They can not be valued as a commodity. Condition, authenticity, generation, service, warranty, good title, and reputation of the seller are the overriding considerations that should concern a novice buyer. In other words, the watch you're considering should be purchased from an established, ethical, and knowledgable seller. Additionally, the watch should have an adequate performance warranty. Be wary of "bargains." The quality pre-owned watch market is very competitive and generally only a small amount of money separates the right deal from the wrong deal. In the final analysis, not the price, but the seller's reputation, longevity, technical know-how, and extent of warranty leads the wise consumer in making the proper choice. By buying the right watch, from the right company, you will enjoy a lifetime of use.
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Always get it in writing.
Protect yourself. As previously mentioned, all legitimate Rolex watches, whether new or pre-owned, have a unique serial number and model number stamped on the case that should be duly recorded on all sales receipts. (If these feature have been tampered with or removed, run for the door.) Should a future claim of title or authenticity arise, these identifying numbers give you incontrovertible evidence of purchase.
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Insist on a comprehensive warranty.
The prescient buyer of a Rolex watch, whether new or pre-owned, is aware that all things mechanical need periodic attention, and will request the seller to state in writing the extent of their warranty. (If the warranty is for less than a year, it would be prudent to get it inspected by an expert before finalizing the sale. Remember, you don't want to be the victim of costly deferred maintenance.)
Almost every seller of a pre-owned Rolex, whether a private party or business, claims that the watch was just serviced. Talk is cheap. In reality, the restoration of pre-owned Rolex watches is an expensive, arcane art. Very few private parties will spend the hundreds of dollars required to rehabilitate a watch they intend to sell. As well, very few businesses can provide you with evidence that they have the costly infrastructure in place to properly bring these mechanical masterpieces back to showroom-fresh and factory-perfect condition, much less the qualified service technicians and interest to provide warranty service to the buyer on a timely manner. Remember, get it in writing.
Capetown's elite staff of dedicated professionals and our 30 year reputation of excellence is your assurance of fast, high quality, warranty service.
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Check out the seller's commitment to future service.
Who will provide the ongoing scheduled maintenance that all Rolex watches require every four years? Because the exacerbating dearth of qualified watch repair professionals worldwide is creating high prices and long down times, it would be wise to have a friend in the business. Thousands consider Capetown to be their friend. (Click here to view The Coming Crisis in Watch Repair).
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