Noob questions

[andyb28]

Hi Folks,

Further to my earlier post about buying my first Rolex, I have been looking online for the specific Seadweller from 2003 I was looking for. I have found a few, but have some questions, if you dont mind?

Is Chrono24 a safe place to buy watches from?

What does No Holes SEL mean?

Thanks
Andy

[Skip]

Hi Folks,

Further to my earlier post about buying my first Rolex, I have been looking online for the specific Seadweller from 2003 I was looking for. I have found a few, but have some questions, if you dont mind?

Is Chrono24 a safe place to buy watches from?

What does No Holes SEL mean?

Thanks
Andy

While not a Rolex guy,I believe it means no drilled holes in the lugs, and SEL is for “solid end links”

Chrono24 is like most places, you need to “buy the seller”

[andyb28]

While not a Rolex guy,I believe it means no drilled holes in the lugs, and SEL is for “solid end links”

Chrono24 is like most places, you need to “buy the seller”

I see, thank you very much :)

[Wallasey Runner]

Andy,

Chrono24 is no different to the likes of e-bay with many different sellers. Some are bricks and mortar dealers that you will have heard of and some are private individuals. Check if the seller has a website and if so message them direct, it will give you a feel for how they respond etc. You then have the choice of buying through Chrono or direct.

SEL = solid end links.

[Chalet]

I’ve bought two off of C24, but used it as a marketplace, and as others have said - buy the seller!

[boundary546]

It says on chrono24 if the seller is a business or an individual, I’ve bought a few on there over the last couple of years and I look for a trusted seller with a few years history, it says “trusted seller since ____”

[Wallasey Runner]

I first saw my 5512 on Chrono. Checked the seller out and he was indeed a proper dealer with a shop etc. I e-mailed him direct and had several pleasent exchanges. I googled him and his business for any feedback etc and it turns out he is on the Vintage Rolex Forum list of recommended sellers.

Finally, I pinged a link of the actual watch to a few people who I trust and asked for their opinion and they thought the Watch looked good - so I went ahead with the transaction, direct. You could always post details of a specific watch on here and people will help you.

[andyb28]

Right, it makes more sense now. I was thinking this was a chain of shops all over the world.

So, the seller in question is Time4People. Anyone know them?

[ninja2789]

Never heard of them, but I'll share my own experience with Chrono24. Purchased a vintage Breitling from a trusted source. watch arrived but didn't work. Contacted the seller and arranged for service. Two weeks. Three weeks. Finally get the watch back but it's in worse shape than when it started. Turns out the company had no idea how to service the watch they sold me.

Moral of the story is do your homework on the seller before, during, and after the transaction.

[shinn8]

First time Rolex should be bought from Boutique or AD.

[andyb28]

First time Rolex should be bought from Boutique or AD.

I would really like to buy from a boutique and have someone talk to me face to face about it. The problem is I wanted it made in a year that had significance. Which really cuts down your options.

I now have another question it seems. What is AD?

[andyb28]

Never heard of them, but I'll share my own experience with Chrono24. Purchased a vintage Breitling from a trusted source. watch arrived but didn't work. Contacted the seller and arranged for service. Two weeks. Three weeks. Finally get the watch back but it's in worse shape than when it started. Turns out the company had no idea how to service the watch they sold me.

Moral of the story is do your homework on the seller before, during, and after the transaction.

Thats terrible and my worst case scenario as I do not know a lot about watches, other than wearing them and telling the time.

[shinn8]

I would really like to buy from a boutique and have someone talk to me face to face about it. The problem is I wanted it made in a year that had significance. Which really cuts down your options.

I now have another question it seems. What is AD?

If possible, please not to let time constrain be in the way of buying decision, unless the timepiece had discontinued.

For the topic, AD means authorized dealer.

(My apologies for using ambiguous short form.)

[hoganj]

I'm no expert on Chrono24 but as others have said, do your homework on the seller first. They may have a separate website etc. Look for reviews in forums etc. I probably do far too much research on things like this before buying but better safe than sorry etc.

[torsinsit]

Google the seller name first, try to avoid the seller that does not own the website platform

[oliverte]

Weirdly I see ebay and chrono24 as quite different platforms (I.e. one is a generic auction and one is specific to watches) so it is interesting that they are viewed the same!
That said I would always go straight to the seller rather than through the intermediary, chances are they are paying a commission so scope to negotiate harder!

[bwest76]

I am not sure how chrono 24 works?

I’ve seen a watch from this seller on their I like any tips?

https://www.facebook.com/zeitatelier/

https://timepeaks.com/shop/ZeitAtelier/

There’s a German shop with a similar name.