UPDATE POST #187
Hi guys,
Looking for a little bit of advice if possible, please bear with me :)
I purchased what seemed like a very nice 1675 GMT from John at UK SPECIALIST WATCHES (
www.ukspecialistwatches.co.uk) but since I received the watch its been a bit of a rollercoaster to say the least.
Now, I have been looking for a 1675 for a good few months now but I am far from any kind of vintage Rolex expert.
I spoke to John's assistant before xmas regarding a 5513(after struggling to find a GMT) but after some deliberation I decided to stick to my guns and hold out for the right GMT to come along.
So it seemed like fate when I was contacted by UK SPECIALST WATCHES late Jan 2016 saying they had taken a 1675 GMT into stock and would I be interested in some pics. I was pretty excited as in the pictures at least it seemed very, very good, the only concern I had was over the slightly puffy lume plots.
I spoke to John over the phone on 3 occasions and asked about said lume plots, he stated that the dial hadn't been relumed and infact was perfect. (he actually stated it was impossible to re-lume vintage Rolexs)
So, to cut a long story short I completed the purchase and the watch was sent RMSD on Friday the 22nd of January. Upon receiving the watch I was immediately suspiscious of the lume, looking very wobbly in real life, so much so that I called John after having the watch for ten minutes and again asked if the dial had been relumed? Again his answer was no and infact that this watch is one of the best dials he has ever seen. Taking his expert opinion on board I said I would take a few hours to consider the dial and call him back. After a few hours of inspecting the watch I decided that I was happy with it, trusting his opinion. I emailed him stating that I was happy with it and id call him on Monday 25th of January to arrange a free service that he had kindly offered.
Over the next few days my suspicions about the dial just wouldn't leave me, so I posted a thread on VRF asking for opinions on the dial. Low and behold, every reply from what has been confirmed as very well respected forum member confirmed that the dial had infact been relumed and they were 100% certain that It was not an original finish.
I went straight back to John at UK SPECIALIST WATCHES(Wednesday 27th) with my concerns and asking for a full refund.
He stated that he disagreed with everyone else and would not accept that the dial had been relumed. He stated the watch was now my property and that was end of the matter as far as he is concerned. Just to be clear, the reason he will not accept the watch back is because I have replaced the jubilee strap with a brown leather JPM strap, stating that this in his opinion is mauling the watch, very strange indeed!
My complaint is that he has sold me a watch that is not as described and now he will not accept liability for that .
What would you guys do ?
Where do I stand now?
What do you think of the dial?
More pics in post #55
Euan Begbie.