FAQ

How do you grade your watches

Distinctive Time uses the following terms in our descriptions to give an accurate understanding of what to expect in your new timepiece:

Unworn– Timepiece is sealed with Factory Plastics still in place.
Mint– Timepiece is under 1 year old and exhibits no wear to the naked eye and may have some Factory Plastics still in place.
Excellent– Timepiece exhibits very light wear with no dents or dings.
Very Good– Timepiece has some signs of wear. Small dents or dings may be present. Crystal may have visible chips or scratches.
Good– Timepiece shows wear visible to the naked eye and may need a service soon. Crystal my show visible scratches and/or chips.

Are all your watches 100 percent authentic Rolex?

We guarantee that every pre-owned Rolex watch on this site is 100 percent authentic. Plus, all of our watches are serviced with authentic Rolex parts. Distinctive Time stands behind this authenticity guarantee and offers a full refund on any watch not found to be completely authentic.

What's the least expensive Rolex I can purchase?

Rolex crafts its products with precious metals, including stainless steel, gold, platinum and Rolesor (a combination of steel and gold), and stainless steel is the least expensive of these materials. But while models outfitted with stainless steel consistently remain the least expensive watches in the Rolex lineup, keep in mind that the company was the first to use this highly corrosion-resistant superalloy 904L metal as early as 1985. So even an “inexpensive” Rolex is still far ahead of anything else in its class.

How do I buy a Rolex from your company?

We insist on making it easy to purchase a pre-owned Rolex—either in person or online. Vancouver based customer can visit us by appointment, we encourage face to face transactions. We will ship throughout Canada insure overnight priority via ParcePro. We accept payment by either credit card, bank wire, or cash.

How does shipping work?

We use ParcelPro next day insured shipping. There are no extra charges for shipping and we will ship your watch soon after your order is processed. To protect your watch, and minimize the chance of theft, we deliver your watch to the nearest FedEx or UPS location where you can pick it up and sign for it.

Can I sell other types of watches on the website?

Yes, we buy certain other types of watches on the site. Please give us a call or fill out the "Sell Your Watch" form to give us information about your watch.

Are Rolex watches a good investment?

Pre-owned and select vintage Rolex watches are very sound investments. In fact, Rolex models over 25 years old have doubled in value. You see, brand awareness is a major factor in increasing resale demand. This is not the case with all luxury watches, but because of its history and sheer buying power in the market, Rolex is an exception to the rule.  

Those in the watch industry understand that a Rolex not only holds its value but will also increase in price, thanks to its exceptional quality, appeal and desirability. Add to this the incredible demand sought by Rolex enthusiasts ‘round the world, and it’s easy to see why and how the value of pre-owned Rolex models consistently remain at peak levels.

Is this site secure?

Distinctive Time is protected by a 256 bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) so your information is completely secure. Also we will never sell or distribute your information to anyone. 

How do I know the watch I buy from your site is real?

All of our watches are certified by our watch experts as a 100% authentic. If you have any suspicions about your watch's authenticity send it back to us at anytime and we will give you a full refund.

What types of payment can I use?

We offer payment by wire transfer or Cash.

Do you ship internationally?

We do ship internationally, but we currently accept only wire transfer payments for international purchases. If you are an international buyer and wish to purchase or sell a watch please call us at 604 765 1984.

What types of Rolex watch movements are available?

There are 3 main types of movements on Rolex watches.

  1. Manual Wind - Manual wind watches need to be wound on a daily basis in order to run and accurately display time. This movement can be found on many classic or simplistic Rolex models such as the Men's Cellini.
  2. Automatic or Self-Winding - The is the most common type of movement found in Rolex watches today. This movement involves a rotor which transfers power to the mainspring and keeps the watch powered by the kinetic motion of your wrist while you wear it. If the Rolex is worn daily, the rotor should produce enough power for the watch to run without manual winding needed.
  3. Quartz - The quartz movement is arguably the most precise out of the 3 types being powered by a battery, a much more reliable method. It needs very minor maintenance except for the periodic battery change. This movement became popular in the 1970s and can be found in many Ladies Cellini models today.

What do the water resistance ratings mean?

The water resistance of a Rolex is usually measured in meters and defines how deep it can go underwater while keeping water from getting in the watch. This rating is not completely precise as it is measured under the condition that both watch and water are motionless. However, this is rarely the case in reality because neither the wearer nor the water will ever be still, which increases the level of pressure on the Rolex and therefore, the chance of water entering the watch. The list below shows all the available water resistance ratings and their most applicable conditions.

  • "Water resistance" or 30 meters - water splashes and light rain
  • 50 meters - brief submergence in water
  • 100 meters - snorkeling and swimming pools
  • 200 meters - shallow scuba diving
  • 300 meters - deep scuba diving
  • 1,000 meters or more - About 3/5 of a mile and is more water pressure than a human body can withstand

Avoid extended periods of time in hot water as the heat can potentially warp the gaskets which keep the water from getting in. Moving from extremely hot to cold conditions can also deform the metals within the watch. The watch should generally be kept off during baths and showers as soap can decrease the gaskets' surface tension and damage the seal.

What is the difference between Chronograph and Chronometer?

A chronograph refers to watches with stopwatch functionality and typically refers to the Daytona model when talking about Rolex. Chronograph Daytonas will have two to three additional subdials or registers on the face of the watch and corresponding pushers to control them. These types of Rolex watches are usually popular with those active in sports and racing where keeping time is often useful.

The chronometer is a watch that has gone through extensive testing and ensured to meet certain precision standards. For Swiss watches such as Rolex, all watches given the "chronometer" label has been certified by the COSC, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, after severely testing the accuracy of the movement for 15 days, across multiple positions and temperatures. For mechanical watches such as 99% of Rolex, they must be within -4 and +6 seconds off after the testing period in order to pass.

What types of Rolex watch crystals are there?

There are two types of crystals used by Rolex.

  1. Acrylic - found in older vintage Rolex models, these crystals scratch easily but are easy to buff or replace because they are inexpensive.
  2. Sapphire - these crystals are scratch resistant and cannot be scratched by any material except diamond and minerals with a hardness rating of 10. However, they are much more expensive, more likely to shatter on heavy impact, and if scratches do occur, they cannot be buffed out.

What are considered "Jewels" in a Rolex?

Jewels are generally artificial synthetic rubies or saphhires that have been polished to server as bearings and stones for the gears and pallet-arms within a watch. These jewels, along with frequent, regular maintenance can reduce the friction between mechanical parts within the watch and drastically extend its lifepsan. In general, the more jewels a watch has, the more precise it is considered, but this is not always true.

How much do Rolex watches cost?

A Rolex watch can vary depending on the type of material used (such as gold, platinum, diamonds, etc), rarity, and market demand.  In some instances, a stainless steel watch might be more sought after than gold models, making the two different models cost nearly the same.

Where are Rolex watches made?

Rolex watches have been made in Geneva, Switzerland since 1919 when the company’s founders, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, relocated the operation from London, England.

Why are Rolex watches so expensive?

When you wear a Rolex watch you are essentially wearing 400 years of mechanical engineering on your wrist.  Those shinny stylish status symbols have evolved over hundreds of years to become extremely efficient and precise timepieces.  Here are a few facts you might not have known about Rolex watches.

  • Each movement is handcrafted by skilled tradesmen
  • The parts used are of the best quality.
  • All of the gold used on a Rolex comes from their in-house foundry
  • It takes about a year to produce a Rolex watch

Do Rolex watches tick?

All mechanical watches tick, however Rolex movements are engineered in such a way that the second hand appears to sweep as opposed to tick. It has become Rolex’s trademark.