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Advice on finding a vintage Rolex Submariner

abrosz
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In the coming year my goal is to find a vintage Submariner with a nice patina for regular wear and use. This will be my first experience venturing into the vintage Rolex world. Can anyone recommend a research resource, a community of collectors like this one, or specifically what to look for when purchasing one? When I purchased by vintage Speedies earlier this year I read through Spacefruit's Speedmaster 101 guide and found it extremely helpful. Is there a specific vintage Rolex submariner model that offers good value for the money? Thanks in advance for the help.
 
asrnj77
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If you thought the Speedmaster people were neurotic wait until you enter the submariner zone 馃榾

If you鈥檙e more comfortable buying from a dealer versus sending money to an unknown person Jacek at HQ Milton is good. They鈥檙e honest about the condition (if hands are relumed, case polished, etc) and have a good reputation

www.hqmilton.com

You might also consider some of the Tudor Subs like the 76100. There鈥檚 a beautiful set with box and papers and perfect tritium dial from Cavalierri Jewelers in Miami for $10,000 (he鈥檚 on chrono24) for the blue dial and he has a full set black dial for $7100

I鈥檝e purchased from both and was pleased
 
2D22ED3A-93A4-4519-8D59-728DF93DD823.png
Dan S
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You'll need to narrow things down a bit first. Figuring out your budget and your taste is important. Date/no-date, gilt-gloss/matte/gold-surround dial? You also need to figure out exactly what you mean by "regular wear and use". Are you ok with a watch with an older movement (cal 15xx) that may not have much water resistance? Or do you want something a bit more modern (3000-series) that passes a pressure test? So just start looking at lots of photos and reading forum threads until you figure those things out.
 
larryganz
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mutanthands mutanthands
The first step would be to sign up to the Rolex Forums (https://www.rolexforums.com/) and Vintage Rolex Forums (https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vintagerolexforum/).

From there expect to do A LOT of reading.
Vintage Rolex Subs are an absolute minefield!
Best of luck with your hunt.

If you recommend a newbie to go to The Rolex Forums it's like leading a lamb to slaughter, feeding him to the sharks, and having him attend the running of the bulls wearing flip-flops.
 
ext1
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Yes, TRF and VRF is a minefield by themselves.... a lot less nicer people than over here too. (both users & admin.)

As said by @Dan S , you should choose what you want to focus on first. I'd say a 5513 is a good place to start. But I think choose first if you want to focus on 4-digit or 5-digit.
 
CPRwatch
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Personally I can鈥檛 recommend a 16800 matte dial highly enough ( slightly biased as I own one ). Still not in the silly price bracket & definitely a daily wearer if required . Also suggest looking at later 16800s, 5513s, 168000 & pre ceramic 1610s . I know it鈥檚 a minefield so suggest reading up as much as you can, on which one you like the look of & please don鈥檛 rush into buying as there鈥檚 plenty out there .
778BE8BC-D234-4BBF-B852-84029254464A.jpeg
 
budgewink
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That is one clean looking 1680, I love the beige markers very cool!
 
Lonestar
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budgewink budgewink
That is one clean looking 1680, I love the beige markers very cool!

16800 it seems 馃槈
 
Faz
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CPRwatch CPRwatch
Personally I can鈥檛 recommend a 16800 matte dial highly enough ( slightly biased as I own one ). Still not in the silly price bracket & definitely a daily wearer if required . Also suggest looking at later 16800s, 5513s, 168000 & pre ceramic 1610s . I know it鈥檚 a minefield so suggest reading up as much as you can, on which one you like the look of & please don鈥檛 rush into buying as there鈥檚 plenty out there .
778BE8BC-D234-4BBF-B852-84029254464A.jpeg
Ditto the 16800 matte. Sapphire, quick set date, 916L stainless steel and a beautiful matte dial. Oddly, flying under the radar amidst the nutty priced sub par, overpolished, put together almost un-serviceable, 5513, 1680s flooding the market. I'm happy to have what I have Rolex wise as there's no way I could afford to buy the watches I own today. So be patient and as many said here, read, read, read and keep your heart in check. Many have fallen victim to the vintage Rolex "mermaid"...
IMG_0978.JPG
 
southtexas
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ext1 ext1
Yes, TRF and VRF is a minefield by themselves.... a lot less nicer people than over here too. (both users & admin.)

As said by @Dan S , you should choose what you want to focus on first. I'd say a 5513 is a good place to start. But I think choose first if you want to focus on 4-digit or 5-digit.

There are differing opinions on this. TRF can be a big help and is a great resource.
 
BDHD
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I will also recommend The Rolex Forums. Just introduce yourself as a new user, the same way you did here, and people will answer your thread. You could also begin by doing a search online on the sites that were recommended here and post some photos to the thread, that way they give an opinion on your initial choices.
 
BDHD
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abrosz abrosz
In the coming year my goal is to find a vintage Submariner with a nice patina for regular wear and use. This will be my first experience venturing into the vintage Rolex world. Can anyone recommend a research resource, a community of collectors like this one, or specifically what to look for when purchasing one? When I purchased by vintage Speedies earlier this year I read through Spacefruit's Speedmaster 101 guide and found it extremely helpful. Is there a specific vintage Rolex submariner model that offers good value for the money? Thanks in advance for the help.

Also, from the vintage section of The Rolex Forums.

Recommended vintage dealers by TRF:


Source: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=180461&highlight=davidsw&page=22

Hope this helps your search
 
larryganz
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southtexas southtexas
There are differing opinions on this. TRF can be a big help and is a great resource.

As long as you don't post.
 
Dan S
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BDHD leandroquezada
I will also recommend The Rolex Forums. Just introduce yourself as a new user, the same way you did here, and people will answer your thread. You could also begin by doing a search online on the sites that were recommended here and post some photos to the thread, that way they give an opinion on your initial choices.

I would actually advise doing a bit more research first, so the OP has at least some idea what he is looking for. He will get much more specific and detailed information that way.
 
southtexas
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larryganz larryganz
As long as you don't post.

Strange...I post there all the time and don鈥檛 have any problems. I have made good friends there.
 
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