Best place online or in store to buy used Rolex

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Grailzee

From Grailzee:

The auction process starts with sellers submitting their watches through the website. We select the most interesting and work with the seller to compile a detailed listing for the watch. Auctions typically run for 7-days. To ensure you can buy and sell with confidence, a 3rd party authenticates and holds every watch in escrow before the buyer wires the seller.

AD's have the Explorer's and Air Kings in the case available for sale. They aren't hard to get and there is no reason to pay over MSRP for one. Go to a few AD's and you will get one.

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Thomas Markle won’t sell you a new one?

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They suck. I've been on the wait list for over a year.

I also would not spend 7k on a 36mm explorer. You can buy a used one for 9k on davidsw. That means the resale value is likely 6 to 7k

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The really old ones have a different look that she doesn't like as much. She wants the one below.

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I am kinda grinning at this because I am betting the "really old ones" you are referencing are 214270 Mark 1 dials, I think of really old EXP 1s as being at least a 1016 or other 4 digit reference.

The picture you posted is a 124270 which is the newest model and has the 3230 movement. She would probably be happy with a 214270 Mark 2 dial since the only difference between the dial and handset is the cornet between the words Swiss Made below the 6. They do have the older 3132 movement but it is certainly nothing to shy away from.

The really trusted secondary market for the new 124270s in unworn condition is still over retail by at least $1k or more. I am probably taking my chances with dealers. Getting on as many "lists" as possible and making follow-ups ever 4-6 weeks. You will find one and likely take a lot less than a year if you use a wide net and stay willing to pull the trigger.

As for telling if one is real you buy the dealer first. DavidSW is about the only one I recommend while there are plenty of others I don't have multiple personal transactions with. Authentication is a minefield and I would only trust even an authorized dealer not to make a false positive unless there caseback is removed. It only takes a second or two when you look at the escapement (unless the Chinese have started using free spring balances which I haven't seen mentioned on watch forums... yet) but can be near impossible with some fakes just examining the exterior.

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have the whole Houston area to shop or online is also an option

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This is easy for someone living in Houston...if you don't want to go the AD route (this is a good "establish a relationship watch", but it may well take several months). The very easy answer is Takuya Watches. Very easy to find in the for sale section of RolexForums. Thanh is one of the best gray dealers there is anywhere, from $100,00K plus watches on down to more attainable stuff. This not a guy you are gonna get rock bottom prices from, but you'll almost for sure be getting a full set and either new or like new watch. I sold him a 2019 full set 39 mm version of the watch just a few months ago.

And the 36 mm is def the best version of this watch. The 36 mm oyster case is perfectly proportioned and the flat, inclined polished bezel frames the dial perfectly.

Watchrecon.

Chrono24 and Bob's Watches are good sources and reputable. You can find this reference for a good price relatively easily.
You need to be aware that the Explorer has gone through some size changes over the years.
They were 36mm from the 1950s to 2010, then were enlarged to 39mm in 2010.
In 2021, they returned to the original size of 36mm, and in 2023, they also released a 40mm version for the first time ever.
So, if you don't like the "vintage" look and you want a 36mm, you need to look for Ref# 124270, that was produced from 2021–2023. They can be had for about $5k at the moment.
Hope this helps.