I've been a watch fanatic for as long as I can remember--and I've always, always wanted a Rolex but could never afford one. It was the luxury item that was just out of my reach...until now. One night a short time ago, on a whim, I decided to do some Google searching of various Rolex terms and eventually stumbled upon the website that made it possible for me to finally own a genuine, 100% real Rolex watch.

This is my story...

You don't need me to tell you that a Rolex watch can cost a lot of money--but then again, don't all quality items come with a price tag? I've been trying to figure out a way to "make it work" for a couple of years now, but other real-life expenses always got in the way and kept me from indulging myself. Still, the desire persisted and I refused to let go of the idea that I could own a Rolex. Sure, I could have rolled the dice on eBay or some similarly-sketchy site, gotten a lower price but absolutely zero guarantees of authenticity, warranty, etc. If I was going to do this, I wanted to get the real thing--along with a warranty, and some piece of mind that can only be given by a reputable site. Then, out of nowhere, I finally found them...

Having spent my fair share of time browsing the web for Rolex deals, I had obviously been aware of pre-owned Rolex dealers for some time. I had always been hesitant, however--I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd get ripped off. Maybe the watch would be defective and the company wouldn't fix it; maybe it wouldn't even be real. This is a big purchase--I needed assurances. Then one day, I found Time and Gems.

It started out like most sites--somewhat intrigued but still skeptical. I browsed their online selection and right away I was struck by their affordable prices. I started digging a little deeper. One of the things I always look for in a company is whether or not they're listed in the Better Business Bureau--and Time and Gems is not only listed, it has an A rating. This was very encouraging. Becoming more optimistic, I checked out their history and Frequently Asked Questions. I was surprised to discover that Time and Gems have actually been in business since 1997--starting a business is incredibly difficult, and only a tiny percentage can say they've lasted 13 years and counting. My apprehensions were fading away...

Further reading of their website provided more assurances: they offer a full one-year warranty on their watches (which can be upgraded at your request); perform a thorough five-point inspection before any watch is shipped to a customer to ensure perfection; a guarantee that every Rolex they sell is 100% authentic (and give customers the opportunity to have them verified for themselves if they are skeptical); and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. But perhaps the biggest and most important selling point for me was this fact: Time and Gems is the ONLY pre-owned Rolex dealer to employ certified Rolex watchmakers, trained in Switzerland and previously employed at Rolex service centers. This gave me incredible piece of mind--only the best and highly skilled hands will be working on my Rolex. Combining their exceptional prices with their skilled employees, I decided it was time...

Thinking about ordering? Check out this selection of Coupon Codes.

After checking out virtually every single Rolex model that Time and Gems offered, I fell in love with their Black Submariner PVD with Red accents. Absolutely gorgeous watch (in my opinion, of course--we all have our own unique tastes!) and I decided that I had to have it. As if their prices weren't low enough already, I was able to save even more money by using one of their many different coupon codes. I was thrilled to discover that they accepted PayPal and happily completed the transaction using their convenient service. The ordering process was smooth and easy--now all I had to do was not die in anticipation of receiving the Rolex that I had always dreamed of owning...

Since my Rolex had some custom modifications (the red accents), it took a couple of days for it to be ready for shipping. I was perfectly OK with this, and it again comforted me to know that my watch was being worked on by a certified Rolex watchmaker. I can't stress enough how much of a difference this makes in comparison to other pre-owned Rolex dealers--these watchmakers were trained specifically to work on Rolex watches, their knowledge and skill set is unmatched. After a few days, I received my shipping notice. My Rolex was in the air and I was thrilled.

Time and Gems ships their watches via FedEx express shipping. This means that if you live in the United States, you'll receive your watch a day or two after it's shipped; and if you live in Canada, two or three days. That's fast. I happen to live in Canada, and after an extremely pleasant and easy Canada Customs experience, my Rolex was scheduled to arrive three business days after it was sent. The anticipation builds...

*** If you're Canadian and want more information on the customs process and duty fees, contact me and I'll explain everything to you. ***

To say that I was anxious for the sound of the doorbell would be an obvious understatement. When I finally heard the sound, I bolted to the door and signed for my Rolex. I tore open the box like a kid on Christmas morning and with a smile twice as big. The first thing that struck me was the exceptionally classy Rolex box--the packaging just screams quality. I opened the box and there it was. I'm now 30 years old, and it has been a long time since I was this happy about a personal item--you know what I mean, I'm sure. I immediately fell in love and couldn't wait to start showing it off. Check out some pictures below to see what I mean...

 *** Click HERE for more pictures of my Rolex, appraisal and documentation. ***

Despite being completely blown away by my new Rolex, there was still one final hurdle to jump: confirming that the Rolex was authentic and worth the money I paid for it. Time and Gems included a certificate of authenticity and appraisal, but being the skeptic that I am, I had to have it independently verified. I headed out to a respected local jeweler and shower her what I had bought. She remarked that she'd never seen a Rolex like this before (it was customized, remember), but that it was definitely 100% authentic. Big sigh of relief. Now, what's it worth? When I told her how much I paid for it, she was genuinely surprised and said that I'd have to spend double that amount locally to buy a similar Rolex. Needless to say, I was on top of the world and happily went out to show off my Rolex.

I hope you've enjoyed my long-winded but true account of my experiences with Time and Gems. If you are considering taking the leap and buying a Rolex for yourself or for someone else as a gift, you owe it to yourself to least browse their website. The importance of their certified Rolex watchmakers cannot be overstated--this is what sets Time and Gems apart from the competition. In the end, it's obviously your decision and I wish you all the best no matter what you decide. But, for my money, you simply will not find better value and quality than Time and Gems offers. Thanks for reading, and good luck!    --Jack