Explorer 1 grail watch advice

Posts

45

Likes

25

Leftinthelurch

·Nov 7, 2015

Hello all,

I was recently at a wedding and I was privileged to see an explorer in person. I immediately fell in love with the watch. Especially for its size. I would like to purchase a vintage explorer because I don't like the white gold edging on the hour markers of the more recent pieces. I guess I'm asking for some advice on finding authentic pieces for a reasonable price. Also, if I were to wait for the 'perfect' piece or for the funds, say in ten years time, would I be able to find one or would they get rarer with time? Here is a picture of one that a user posted on another forum as a guide.

 

Posts

6,832

Likes

13,793

Nobel Prize

·Nov 7, 2015·Spell Master!

Will they get rarer? Yes, at least the model you're looking for, there will always be a modern version.
Where to get one at a " reasonable price" ? That's not an answerable question, they are expensive and what's reasonable is subjective to the watch itself and your budget. Try bobs watches, or ha Milton for very legitimate pieces and down from there.

 

Posts

11,737

Likes

37,926

abrod520

·Nov 7, 2015

My advice would be to learn as much as possible about this model - variations in all the parts etc. Get confident enough that you can identify an authentic/original piece, then go nuts on WatchRecon.com, searching for "rolex 1016" and "rolex 6610"
Good luck and happy hunting! 😀

 

Posts

4,440

Likes

11,293

kyle L

·Nov 7, 2015·Grasshopper

Nice 1016s are getting harder to find and have been in demand lately. Try Vintage Rolex Forums and dealers.

 

Posts

884

Likes

851

speedbird

·Nov 8, 2015

The 1016 hasn't taken the huge jump the 1675s have but they're still very strong.

 

J

Posts

81

Likes

41

jaymyms

·Nov 10, 2015

That isn't gonna get cheaper over time, I'll tell you that.

 

Posts

613

Likes

325

jud

·Nov 10, 2015

I second HQ Milton to find a fair priced vintage Rolex, I am less familiar with Bob's Watches.

 

Posts

361

Likes

1,158

sc-texas

·Nov 10, 2015

HQ Milton and Bobs have great reputaitons

 

Posts

957

Likes

3,175

LawBrk

·Nov 10, 2015

I have dealt with HQ for a couple transactions, always seem to have better luck dealing with Jessy there. Give them a call, good business but be sure to know what you are looking at, they expect their audience to know the product they are purchasing/dealing on.

 

Posts

441

Likes

537

arkstfan

·Nov 10, 2015

Don't rule out estate sales, better shot if you target sales in neighborhoods where it is more likely to see one. Higher end pawn shops which use euphemisms like jewelry loan could potentially turn one up.
Of course the dream is the flea market seller who has no idea what they have, my experience around Little Rock is the flea market circuit turns up the occasional fake Rolex tons of crap and from time to time an interesting Elgin, Hamilton, or older Timex

 

Posts

276

Likes

150

hugo

·Nov 11, 2015

From my experience, I recommend HQ.
good luck