| Timeless Things | | | | already stopped reading. Those who are interested in |
| This is what I said last year: "You've secretly coveted | | | | the origin of things will appreciate some Rolex lore. |
| your friend's Rolex for years but think you can't afford | | | | According to Stuart Jefferson, an American dealer in |
| to own one. I'll bet financial expert Suze Orman would | | | | pre-owned Rolex timepieces, German born Hans |
| agree with me that with regular savings from your | | | | Wilsdorf created Rolex in Switzerland in 1908. Wilsdorf |
| paycheck each month, and dining out a little less each | | | | claimed the brand name had no meaning whatsoever. |
| week, you could own an affordable pre-owned man's | | | | But by 1926 he had made the reliable little movement |
| or lady's Rolex to last your lifetime and the next." In | | | | waterproof. One day, frustrated by not being able to |
| today's market, I'm still saying it. | | | | open an oyster, he called his new creation the Oyster. |
| With timepieces like Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, | | | | The Movement Behind the Genius |
| Cartier, Tourneau or Rolex, pre-owned doesn't mean | | | | At the time of Charles Lindbergh's historic flight across |
| Barbara Streisand's "Second Hand Rose, Second | | | | the Atlantic in 1927, the market-wise Wilsdorf hired |
| Hand Clothes" metaphor. Pre-owned means | | | | English Channel swimmer Mercedes Glietz to wear his |
| somebody owned it and traded it in for a different or | | | | new waterproof Rolex Oyster. After swimming over |
| more expensive model. Often the "pre-owned" watch | | | | 15 hours, the lady was exhausted while the watch |
| will have never been worn. | | | | kept on ticking-accurately and on time. Lindbergh, Glietz |
| Owning a pre-owned Rolex is like having a vintage | | | | and the Oyster had made history and world headlines. |
| automobile that is meticulously cared for. It won't lose | | | | That Devil is still in The Details |
| its value, and most probably will increase over the | | | | Unless you do the research, you will be scammed |
| years, depending on the model. Forgive the cliché | | | | online and off. You can buy Rolex knockoffs that will |
| but Rolex really is the gift that keeps on giving. In fact | | | | look authentic, but you won't know the difference |
| there is a huge market for pre-owned high-end | | | | unless you do your homework. |
| timepieces ranging in price from five and six figures to | | | | For example, a Rolex made prior to the mid-1990s will |
| affordable models for middle class watch lovers or | | | | have tiny holes on the sides where the bracelet |
| collectors who are still members of the shrinking middle | | | | attaches to the case. From 1995 onward they are |
| class. | | | | called "no holes case" models and cost more, a minor |
| What You Should Know | | | | detail but a break point in pricing. Many people order |
| A pre-owned original Rolex must carry a certified | | | | custom models that have pearl faces, diamonds or |
| warranty with factory model and serial numbers. In | | | | other expensive add-ons. An important point because |
| mint condition including the bracelet, it should look | | | | custom models cannot be warranted unless they |
| pristine when you open the box. No, I don't sell them. I | | | | come directly from the factory. |
| have a passion for all kinds of timepieces from vintage | | | | A factory original will guarantee no "after market" |
| to the present and love prowling for them. When your | | | | parts. Depending on date of manufacture some original |
| automatic, Swiss-made Datejust Oyster Perpetual | | | | models will have the serial number between the lugs, |
| needs a bath, it can take one with you in warm soapy | | | | or a sticker on the back of the case. They come in |
| water or join you for a swim. On her honeymoon, a | | | | stainless steel, 14k and 18k gold and a combination of |
| friend of mine wouldn't part with her wedding gift; she | | | | both. There's so much more to know about Rolex, but |
| took everything off except her Rolex. | | | | I'll leave the rest to you for "somewhere in time and |
| The Genius Behind the Movement | | | | the Internet. |
| If you don't give a rat's tail about this subject you've | | | | |