Proof that it is business as usual for Official Rolex Retailers following the brand’s acquisition of Bucherer comes today from Watches of Switzerland Group, which has announced that it has started selling certified pre-owned Rolex watches in the UK.
Watches of Switzerland Group’s American operation has been part of the programme since July.
The Rolex CPO programme allows Official Rolex Retailers to resell watches with a two year international Rolex guarantee after they have been through a rigorous authentication and servicing process by qualified technicians at the retailer and Rolex’s UK service centre.
Rolex does not allow watches less than three years-old to be certified as a measure to stop Official Retailers getting embroiled with grey market pieces.
Every watch that passes inspection is issued with new ‘wax seal’ tabs and a Rolex Certified Pre-Owned two-year guarantee.
The first showrooms offering the Rolex CPO watches will be Watches of Switzerland’s London locations in Knightsbridge and on Regent Street; Watches of Switzerland in Brighton; plus Goldsmiths stores in Nottingham and at Sheffield’s Meadowhall.
“We are proud to continue to work closely with Rolex and to offer Certified Pre-Owned timepieces in the UK, having already experienced a positive reception in the US. We look forward to presenting an extensive offering in our showrooms and also online, continuing to offer our clients the opportunity to purchase in confidence and experience our expertise and excellence,” says Brian Duffy, CEO of the Watches of Switzerland Group.
Pre-owned Rolex prices
Customers are being charged a significant premium for the certification and the Rolex guarantee by Watches of Switzerland.
A Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520 (steel-on-steel with a steel bezel) is advertised for £23,950 online at Watches of Switzerland.
The listing does not say which year the watch is from, but the model was discontinued in 2016.
A 2004-dated version of the same watch, with box and papers, was sold by Watchcollecting.com for £15,000 in June.
Does anyone know with these approved watches do they come with the original warranty cards or papers or do they just come with the new 2 warranty card so that it is impossible to know the original purchase year of the watch.
Good question. My understanding is that if watches have original box and papers, those will remain with the watch. This will be in addition to the new guarantee card and tags.