If I could pick it up for €600 ish - worth a punt?

Dedalus05 · Apr 25, 2018

Hey,

Since I bought an Omega recently I've been hovering around these boards since in the downtime in work (beats porn I guess). Anyway, an auction house around the corner from me is auctioning off this Rolex stainless steel automatic 'Oyster Perpetual Air-King'. It's cal 3000, with a serial that dates it to 1976. The action house estimates €600-€800, but looking at some of the recent sales a chunk of their watches have gone for a bit less than their estimate.

My thinking is if I can pick this up and get it serviced for less than €1,000 I might flip it for a small profit (I've no particular love for the watch and was mostly looking out of boredom - having said that, it has an unfussy dial I like - so if I was to keep it, I'd probably wear it). I'd obviously get some movement pics etc before committing, but at first glance - what do we think? It needs a clean, but looks relatively unmolested by polishing etc.

Uniqez · Apr 25, 2018

it would hit 2k easy, if not more.

turbo_muc · Apr 25, 2018

I have seen the air kings of this era for less than 2k (on sellers fairs) but I think you could easily get 1.6k.

Just Livin · Apr 25, 2018

Ah. An auction house that sets a low estimate to attract potential buyers 🍿

Dedalus05 · Apr 25, 2018

Just Livin
Ah. An auction house that sets a low estimate to attract potential buyers 🍿

This had occurred to me of course, but they do list previous hammer prices w/ their estimates and examples I've looked at are reasonably close.

So I'm hopeful the market in this town might be slow. My guess is I'll just have to outbid antique jewelry sellers who'd require a higher markup on resale than I would.

It's all speculation of course, either way it'll be a fun learning excercise.

A point that speaks against my analysis in this forthcoming auction is a 1960s Patek Phillippe estimated at€1600 or thereabouts. Not a hope it'll go that low - if it does I'll bite the gavel out of the auctioneers hand.

Just Livin · Apr 25, 2018

Dedalus05
This had occurred to me of course, but they do list previous hammer prices w/ their estimates and examples I've looked at are reasonably close.

So I'm hopeful the market in this town might be slow. My guess is I'll just have to outbid antique jewelry sellers who'd require a higher markup on resale than I would.

It's all speculation of course, either way it'll be a fun learning excercise.

A point that speaks against my analysis in this forthcoming auction is a 1960s Patek Phillippe estimated at€1600 or thereabouts. Not a hope it'll go that low - if it does I'll bite the gavel out of the auctioneers hand.

All part of the fun of the hunt! Good luck! Agreed re the slightly more obscure...

Dedalus05 · Apr 27, 2018

Interested in any further opinions. I got some more pics from the auctioneer with this note:

"All my watches are checked with an external watch specialist who will notify me of their working condition, if they’ve had any internal damage and to make sure they’ll all fine."

I am pretty sure their 'watch specialist' is the guy from which I bought my Omega. They're certainly a 'prestigious' auction house - so I have a hard time doubting the bona fides of the watch. Though it could probably have been loved more, I am taking the filth on the bracelet as a good sign in that the watch is all original, unmolested, and unattractive to other buyers.

What do we make of the hologram on the back?

Sherbie · Apr 27, 2018

Sticker on the back is good - thats how they age when the first owner doesnt remove it and then wears it for a long time

STANDY · Apr 27, 2018

No way this will hammer lower than 1200 😗

Dedalus05 · Apr 28, 2018

STANDY
No way this will hammer lower than 1200 😗

Yeah, that I've been overly optimistic is starting to sink in for me. If it goes +800 I'm out. With a 20% commission +VAT that's about 1k.

It's a couple of weeks away yet. I'll update when all is said and done.

morningtundra · Apr 28, 2018

These are well sought after by Air-heads. I bet this one makes 2,000 euro...

STANDY · Apr 28, 2018

Dedalus05
Yeah, that I've been overly optimistic is starting to sink in for me. If it goes +800 I'm out. With a 20% commission +VAT that's about 1k.

It's a couple of weeks away yet. I'll update when all is said and done.

And you posted it on a forum that has thousands of members and four times as many non members lurking

As of now there is 180 members online and 572 guests
(So 20k + members and 80k lurkers 😗 you only toll 100,000 people about a Air-King )

Dedalus05 · Apr 29, 2018

STANDY
And you posted it on a forum that has thousands of members and four times as many non members lurking

As of now there is 180 members online and 572 guests
(So 20k + members and 80k lurkers 😗 you only toll 100,000 people about a Air-King )

If you're suggesting someone on the internet might selfishly bid on this watch knowing I already had dibs on it then I grieve for your faith in humanity.

Honestly, who hurt you dude?

JimInOz · Apr 29, 2018

Dedalus05
If you're suggesting someone on the internet might selfishly bid on this watch knowing I already had dibs on it then I grieve for your faith in humanity.

Honestly, who hurt you dude?

Seriously?

I'm just going to grab a wee dram.

tyrantlizardrex · Apr 29, 2018

Dedalus05
If you're suggesting someone on the internet might selfishly bid on this watch knowing I already had dibs on it then I grieve for your faith in humanity.

Honestly, who hurt you dude?

Oh dear... Son, sit down, we need to have a chat.

bazderome · Apr 29, 2018

Dedalus05
If you're suggesting someone on the internet might selfishly bid on this watch knowing I already had dibs on it then I grieve for your faith in humanity.

Honestly, who hurt you dude?

You are going to have a reality check soon...

dxholdren · Apr 29, 2018

Dedalus05
If you're suggesting someone on the internet might selfishly bid on this watch knowing I already had dibs on it then I grieve for your faith in humanity.

Honestly, who hurt you dude?

You should take a gander into the various threads already covering people having had their auctions “snaked” from them. Other people even private messaging higher offers than listed by the seller just to steal a buy. The grey market is vicious.

Dedalus05 · Apr 29, 2018

tyrantlizardrex
Oh dear... Son, sit down, we need to have a chat.

The cynicism here really is astonishing. That someone would snipe this beautifully preserved, classic timepiece. A piece of horological history that would look simply breathtaking on the wrist of the discerning gentleman. A man who understands quality, who counts on reliability, who recognizes beauty. A Rolex Man™.

Next you'll be telling me their are people who draw attention to watches in order to increase bidding interest. A kind of shillaber if you will.

Seriously, y'all need Jesus.

tyrantlizardrex · Apr 29, 2018

Dedalus05
The cynicism here really is astonishing. That someone would snipe this beautifully preserved, classic timepiece. A piece of horological history that would look simply breathtaking on the wrist of the discerning gentleman. A man who understands quality, who counts on reliability, who recognizes beauty. A Rolex Man™.

Next you'll be telling me their are people who draw attention to watches in order to increase bidding interest. A kind of shillaber if you will.

Seriously, y'all need Jesus.

I don't know/care what's going on here... but for anyone who want's to get into a bidding war with other folks that think these watches are special, have at:

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0114/lot-fe89fd8e-7513-4a53-9142-a8cb00ca6fcb

JimInOz · Apr 29, 2018

tyrantlizardrex
I don't know/care what's going on here... ..........................

It's a bit like taking your new really hot girlfriend down the pub one night and introducing her to all your mates the day before you go away on business/ get deployed/ sent down.

And hoping nobody is going to cut your grass while you're gone.

It is a nice world out there..................................................but it isn't that nice.