Aging A Watch

[Mr-H]

My brother in law bought a Rotary watch from a local jewelers last November, for £800. Unfortunately within a few weeks he died, and the watch passed to me. Over the last couple of weeks, it has started to lose time, but irregularly, maybe 10 minutes one day, 5 the day after, then nothing for a couple of days. I gave it to a (different) jeweler, who checked the watch out, saying the artery was fine, there was a bit of dust inside which he evidently blew out etc. what surprised me was that he said that in his opinion the watch was not a 'current' model, and that it was either second hand or st the very least, old stock. I just wonder, is it possible to date when a gold watch was manufactured? It was bought 'new' in November 2016, but, is it?

[Fitzer]

I would imagine Rotary could date it from the serial number, or one might even be able to find the information on line. Post a picture and tell us the serial number (on the case somewhere) and I'll have a snoop

[Mr-H]

Thanks, Fitzgerald, any help you can provide would be appreciated. This is a photo of the back of the watch. Don't know how much you can make out, but it does say it's 9karat gold. Price tag is still attached!
http://i63.tinypic.com/xekavb.jpg

[Tilly2]

Why don't you take it to the original jeweler and ask them about it?

[Mr-H]

TBH, Tilly2, my 'informant' is a market trader (of some years and of some standing locally) and I'd rather be fairly sure of my ground before I go 'accusing' someone of miss selling!

[bhg481]

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

Well, someone is still selling it. I still wouldn't have expected it to have dust in it after only a few months.

[emeritus]

Says here that the model has a lifetime Manufacturers Warranty ?

https://www.watches2u.com/watches/rotary/gs11476-03-mens-precious-metals-9ct-gold-case-watch.html

[Tilly2]

I wasn't suggesting that you accused anyone of anything. I suggested the original jeweler because they must be able to give you the background on the watch. They sold it.

[EDDIE51]

£800 seems a reasonable price for that watch if bought from a jeweller. Remember anything bought from a Jeweller has a 100% markup from the wholesale price! It is quite possible it was in stock for a few years before it was sold, that is how jewellers operate.

[Fitzer]

Well it isn't a current model as it isn't on Rotary's website but many online merchants still stock it so it 's not that old. However, your picture would certainly suggest that it's older than 18 months or so, one wouldn't expect that degree of marking in such a short space of time. Also, who chewed the screws, no competent jeweller should have done that. As to the timekeeping, it's a quartz so should keep pretty well perfect time, I'd go back to wherever it was bought but since you've had someone else open it they might be a little disinclined to assist.

[EDDIE51]

^ Yes it will be the same as a Rolex ,if you even let a non registered jeweller or repairer open the case it voids the guarantee.

[fbg40]

Mr H
If it is gold as you say, then there should be some assay marks on the watch - that will show in what year the watch was assayed.
FBG40

[Mr-H]

Just to update on this - took the watch to the original suppliers, they changed the battery, it stopped within the hour! took it back, they sent it back to their suppliers, it was repaired under the lifetime guarantee. works absolutely fine now!!