Reply To: Rolex Submariner — new from AD or a used find?

Yo — short version: insist on the original warranty card (serial and model match), any service/receipts, full-set photos (box, card, endlinks, clasp code) and close ups of the crown, lugs/bezel edge and the serial on the rehaut. Ask for time-stamped pics and a short video of the running watch (date change, winding) — that catches a lot of fakery and hides. If they bail on PayPal G&S or want wire-only, walk.

Price/service: getting one from an AD usually means MSRP but long waits; buying instantly on the secondary often costs ~20–35% over retail (varies wildly by model). A clean used find can be ~5–15% cheaper than the hot-market dealer price if you shop patience. Budget ~$500–$1,200 for a full service (independent on the low end, Rolex factory on the high end). Quick red flags: no papers, blurry pics, mismatched serials, obvious rounded lugs/too-smooth brushing (overpolished), clasp rattle (stretched), aftermarket dials/hands, or pressure to use unsafe payment. Good luck — trust your gut.