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Rolex bought in Irac

watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
A friend of mine bought a Rolex in Irac when he was over there for $30.00. So he sent it home. And when his tour was over he brought it to a local jewlery shop and they wanted to give him $2,500 for it right on the spot , but he wouldn't take. He said this was the only thing he had brought back from Irac that was positive beside's his life.

Comments

  • Spc FergusonSpc Ferguson Member Posts: 2,383 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    dam thats crazy ya usually not to many good things brought back besides your life from this wonderful country.
  • buschmasterbuschmaster Member Posts: 14,229 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    besides the war and all that, I bet some reeeeally crazy stuff has happened there.
  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Was he in Iraq??
  • mrseatlemrseatle Member Posts: 15,467 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Might have been the watch Rummy gave to Saddam back in the 80's.
  • txlawdogtxlawdog Member Posts: 10,039 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Maybe we could get a whole truck load of those?
  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    He probably should've taken the money. My brother in laws, wifes brother was in Iraq for 2 years working a civilian job. (went over for Haliburton as a truck driver. Then changed to a different company putting armour plating on vehicles).
    Anyway, he could get these "good deals" on Rolex's also. 1st he bought his sis & BIL a set. Then they had him pick a set that they gave to my wife & I for Xmas last year.
    Only thing is, I simply didn't believe anyone was giving me a $15K watch as a gift. And I did some online research (some may recall my post here) and learned that they were FAKE Rolex's. GOOD fakes. But fake none-the-less.
    I've considered seeing what a pawnshop might give me for it. So far haven't tho.
  • glynglyn Member Posts: 5,698 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Of course they are fakes,you dont think you can buy a watch anywhere in the world that is worth several thousand dollars for for 30 bucks surely.
  • cheezecheeze Member Posts: 815 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by glyn
    Of course they are fakes,you dont think you can buy a watch anywhere in the world that is worth several thousand dollars for for 30 bucks surely.

    I'd have to agree with this wildly logical statement.
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by glyn
    Of course they are fakes,you dont think you can buy a watch anywhere in the world that is worth several thousand dollars for for 30 bucks surely.



    some of the newer fakes can fool all but those who deals in rolex, they have serial numbers, boxes, and papers, you have to remove the cover and look inside

    1 link to the wrist band is worth more than 30 bucks
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    you guys must have never been to hong kong. fake captial of the world. so if china can do it, ragheads can too. rule of thumb, wherever americans are, fakes will abound based solely on americas desire for things.
    anyway, i learned from my world travels that you must wait a certain time period before you sell items declared thru customs or its considered illegal. tell him to wait a year or so...then let it go if he wants. dont do it right now.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • Jake_S-83Jake_S-83 Member Posts: 2,333 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    easiest way to tell fakes here is the second hand. real rolex doesnt tick, the second hand glides.
  • helicopter_pilothelicopter_pilot Member Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jake_S-83
    easiest way to tell fakes here is the second hand. real rolex doesnt tick, the second hand glides.

    That's a way to spot a cheap fake. A good fake will have an automatic movement instead of a quartz one.
  • steeltoe1978steeltoe1978 Member Posts: 3,248
    edited November -1
    If it is indeed a real Rolex, $2,500 is a ripoff.
  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    quote:Was he in Iraq??


    Yes he was in Irac, he was in the Army. He had stopped by yesterday and we talked for a while. The watch is a real rolex. Over in Irac there was alot of looting going on over there, locals breaking in to store's and stuff. Then they would walk up to U.S. soildiers and sell stuff to them and that's how he bought that watch like many others. His uncle couldn't believe that he was offered $2,500 for it , so he took it to another place and they wanted to give $2,000 for it. At the end of his tour the Gov was only allowing then to bring back only five items, because when the soldiers came back state side they were selling there stuff for alot of money.


    quote:besides the war and all that, I bet some reeeeally crazy stuff has happened there.

    Next time he comes over he is going to bring his laptop and show me alot of pics and vidoes from Irac. He mentioned to me that alot of them are very graphic.
  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,071 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would've figured all the "good" looted stuff would be pretty slim pick'ens by now.

    I do wonder why HK knock-offs would even go to Iraq?

    Morbid thought: I wonder if it was a "reclaimed" Rolex off a foreign journalist or worker?
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jake_S-83
    easiest way to tell fakes here is the second hand. real rolex doesnt tick, the second hand glides.


    not anymore
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rick,........is it nice having AC again that doesn't run 24/7?[:D]
    I have a fake also from many years ago.
    Like 1911 said, the second hand does not tick,......it sweeps.
    I never wear it,......may be the next giveaway![:D]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    Yes Marc! My electric bill will drop from $380.00 [:0]back down to $190.00.[^]

    How much did your fake rolex go for?
  • Queen of SwordsQueen of Swords Member Posts: 14,355
    edited November -1
    We call them "Rolexo"s.

    Hope it is real, but I doubt it.
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
    Yes Marc! My electric bill will drop from $380.00 [:0]back down to $190.00.[^]

    How much did your fake rolex go for?

    I paid the same,.......30 bucks!
    Runs great, and looks just like the real thing, I just don't wear watches unless I am going out for an evening. I have better stuff for that purpose![:D]

    BTW,.....my electric bill came in yesterday afternoon. $131.47!![:D]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
    I would've figured all the "good" looted stuff would be pretty slim pick'ens by now.

    I do wonder why HK knock-offs would even go to Iraq?

    Morbid thought: I wonder if it was a "reclaimed" Rolex off a foreign journalist or worker?
    That was my thought exactly.
    I wonder which cead American this Rolex was taken from.
  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    I'd have him take to a Rolex dealer and not a pawnshop. I'll bet it's a fake.
    Glad to know pawnshop are so easily fooled tho. I'd take $2K for mine in a heartbeat!
  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    He took it to a jewelry store at the mall first time around and then his uncle took it to another jewelry store. (not a pawn shop) so who knows if it's real or not, I guess it must be a high-tech fake for them wanting to offer $2,500 and $2,000. Oh well, like I said he won't sell it.
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
    He took it to a jewelry store at the mall first time around and then his uncle took it to another jewelry store. (not a pawn shop) so who knows if it's real or not, I guess it must be a high-tech fake for them wanting to offer $2,500 and $2,000. Oh well.

    Your friends might be real,......send him to a certified Rolex dealer to find out for sure. It won't cost him anything to have it verified.

    Would hate to think it was from an American victim, and sold to him somehow.[xx(]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    I know one thing, I'm gonna find out what mine will bring.
  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    I know if I was there I would have bought one myself.
  • helicopter_pilothelicopter_pilot Member Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
    The watch is a real rolex. Over in Irac there was alot of looting going on over there, locals breaking in to store's and stuff.

    <snip>

    I know if I was there I would have bought one myself.

    Dang! I KNEW I should have gone to New Orleans after Katrina! I probably could have gotten another Rolex for a LOT less than the ones I bought legally! [}:)]
  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    Yes, but yours might have had some water damage.
  • Aspen79seAspen79se Member Posts: 4,707
    edited November -1
    A mall jewelery store boutique (Zales, etc.) won't know whether it's real or not. Take it to a Rolex dealer, then you'll know it's fake.
  • watrulookinatwatrulookinat Member Posts: 4,693
    edited November -1
    I'll tell him, thanks guys.
  • helicopter_pilothelicopter_pilot Member Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by watrulookinat
    Yes, but yours might have had some water damage.

    I've been diving with my Sub, and the GMT Master II is good to 100 metres. [;)]

    Just kidding, anyway. I wouldn't feel right buying something I knew was looted.
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rick,......nothing for you or your military buddy to feel bad about.
    If he wants the real truth, take it to a Rolex dealer.
    They will verify it, and if it is verified, and he wants to know more info, they will most likely be able to tell him that from the serial number.

    The rest is up to him, as to whether it bothers him about it's origins.
    My bet is it is a good "fake".[;)]
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • mrseatlemrseatle Member Posts: 15,467 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mrseatle
    Might have been the watch Rummy gave to Saddam back in the 80's.


    Yep, no journalist would be stupid enough to bring their pricey watch to a warzone.
  • TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought one of those while I was in Korea for $50. It looked great and worked well until the battery died...[:D]

    Trinity +++
  • CaptFunCaptFun Member Posts: 16,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jake_S-83
    easiest way to tell fakes here is the second hand. real rolex doesnt tick, the second hand glides.


    The more recent clones coming out of Japan are several hundred US$ but have multijewel movements and are weighted similarly. Very difficult to tell for the untrained eye. The finish and hardness of the crystal will be the giveaway in the long run. I had one in college that I paid $10 for in Times Square, someone thought it was real enough to steal it from my room. Joke was on them since the gold was already wearing off the band in a few spots.....
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