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Did this Air King go cheap?

  1. Engee Apr 21, 2021

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    I was watching this on an auction today. The estimate was £1200 to £1400. It was on a Tudor bracelet. Very grubby looking and no info as to mechanical condition. I’m gearing up (again) to add a first Rolex to my collection so trying to learn about the different models and variations. This is the sort of understated watch I like.

    Do you think this one went for a low, fair or high price? It sold for £1200.
     
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    Edited Apr 21, 2021
  2. Darlinboy Pratts! Will I B******S!!! Apr 21, 2021

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    Fair condition, factor in a service. Price was OK IMO, not a screaming deal.
     
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  3. p4ul “WATERRROOP” to 50m Apr 21, 2021

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    £1200 plus fees plus a service takes it to almost £2k

    Seems a lot of crud in there, not an appealing one to me at that price. I would have thought 2-2.5 would get you a nice one.

    Keep on looking and good luck
     
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  4. Engee Apr 21, 2021

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    Good point, 21% fees on that plus service. I’ve not yet attempted to buy an auction watch - i do rather feel out of my depth still. I guess I need to really know what I’m looking at, factor in fees, and bite the bullet when the right thing comes up.
     
    Edited Apr 21, 2021
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  5. JwRosenthal Apr 21, 2021

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    At first blush it looks like a deal, but as the others have said, factor in the service, maybe the dial would clean up a little with some spot cleaning, but not much- and it would still look grungy. If I got it for $500 I would be happy and would hunt down another dial.
     
  6. DaveK Yoda of Yodelers Apr 21, 2021

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    I am on the same learning curve with these Rolexes. Good luck to both of us!

    For auctions, make sure you know the auctioneer’s shipping policies. I once received a box from an auction with “antique watches” written on the label, another time a pocket watch was loosely wrapped in a square of bubble wrap, just bouncing around in the box. Some auctioneers will not package and ship (you’ll need to hire a service) and that might be the best option. Good luck
     
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  7. AngelDeVille Apr 21, 2021

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    Clean with a service history I would not go over $2,500-2,700 USD, and I am shopping for something similar or a 4 digit DJ.

    So that price is fair, but not spectacular.
     
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  8. JwRosenthal Apr 21, 2021

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    It is truly shocking how these have shot up. When I first saw your numbers I bristled at first, thinking- man that’s high- but no, that is what they are doing for! 1601/3’s we’re going for $3k all day long in stunning original condition 2 years ago, they are a thousand more today. The watch world has gone insane.
    But the golden rule still applies be it Rolex or Bulova- condition, condition, condition. And if you don’t love it as it is (grime aside) it doesn’t matter how good of a deal it is.
     
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  9. AngelDeVille Apr 21, 2021

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    yeah, I'm holding out for sub $2,400 for an air king or $3200 for a 4 digit DJ, but that's with a known service history.... it may be a long search.
     
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  10. airansun In the shuffling madness Apr 21, 2021

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    Given the exterior condition of the posted watch, I would assume that the movement hasn’t been looked after in a long time and may have accumulated damage from running without adequate lubrication. A routine service may be quite expensive. Between this and the dial, I would not be interested.

    My recent experience with 1002s suggests to me that you’re probably talking about $2.5k to $3k minimum for a decent OP or DJ 34mm, four digit Rolex. I have seen a few go for less, but those are rarely without issues.
     
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  11. nkhandekar Apr 21, 2021

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    It looks a lot like the model Burt Lancaster wore in Scorpio

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Dan S Apr 21, 2021

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    I don't know that decent DJs will ever come back down to a market price of $3200 with a bracelet. You may need to get lucky at a pawn shop or thrift store.
     
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  13. Amg786s Apr 21, 2021

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    seems like a fairly decent price. Hard to find any rolex models in decent shape for under £1k.
     
  14. p4ul “WATERRROOP” to 50m Apr 21, 2021

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    .....and fees vary!
    Check whether the auction house run their own (register in advance, boy scout - be prepared) or if you need to use an outside web link (e.g. the saleroom.com) - I have seen it reach nearly 40% fee.
     
  15. p4ul “WATERRROOP” to 50m Apr 21, 2021

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    Spot on!! I have been (for reasons you will understand) been looking for a ‘cheap’ snorkel. Remember seeing them for £100ish pre-covid, can’t find anything for 3 x that. Similarly wanted a very cheap skx for a beater...£200 now, that is not cheap to me.

    More collectors with nothing to do, or spare time and spare cash, on line buying? Or is there a shift in the number of people appreciating watches?

    Wish they would both just f.......
     
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  16. JwRosenthal Apr 21, 2021

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    If you go back and read the bargain thread from when it started a year ago, it is startling how we balked at some things as being too expensive and now would happily pay those prices.
    And yes, i still follow the Snorkel market (of course) and watches I thought were a joke at $300 a year ago are fetching twice that now.
     
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  17. cristos71 Apr 21, 2021

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    And in my experience of dealing with various international auction house shipping partner businesses this can be a time consuming, frustrating and expensive process.
     
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  18. AngelDeVille Apr 21, 2021

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    My last one (1974) was $1 cheaper than that, and I traded it for a $6k O-mee-ga
     
  19. Dan S Apr 21, 2021

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    Well, the last vintage DJ I purchased was for $1900, but I don't expect to be lucky enough to get another one for that price anytime soon. ;)
     
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  20. AngelDeVille Apr 21, 2021

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    That's why we lurk in the shadows..... ready to strike......
     
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