Looking for my first vintage Rolex

VinceFR · Oct 27, 2020

Instead of waiting to win the lottery and finding a beautiful 14270 that is well maintained, unpolished and above all that does not have the dial replaced or the hands relumed below 6k with the papers 😀 ... I decided to look for a nice vintage Rolex, if possible with a dial that looks like to an explorer. I found a first with an individual but I'm waiting for answers before telling you about it. I will therefore ask you for your opinion on a second one sold by a pro on chrono24.

It seems good to me but too expensive, we are talking about 3400EUR (without negotiation for the moment).

Then the case seems OK to me, the reference too and the serial numbers seem to match for 1955 (And I also learned that Rolex started from 0 around that time, which explains the serial number in 95389) .

I have trouble finding an equivalent model for comparison and my book "vintage watches" does not trace the model ...

The movement appears to be from the good era, manual, 1210.

What do you think ?

Dan S · Oct 27, 2020

Before we go too deep, I want to make sure you realize that this is a 34mm case.

VinceFR · Oct 27, 2020

Dan S
Before we go too deep, I want to make sure you realize that this is a 34mm case.

Yes Dan, it's not a problem my wrist is around 16/16.5cm
It will fit like my Genève bought to Tony C. in 34mm too.

janice&fred · Oct 27, 2020

If those older manual wind oysters are your interest my opinion is you might expand your hunt for an old precision model. Some of them also have textured dials and they all seem to share the same 12XX movement. I'm not so sure it's worth paying so much more for an obscure model merely because it resembles an explorer, which clearly it isn't. However if your hunt turns up an old automatic beware as those 10XX movements are a real nightmare to get parts for. Those manual 12XX movements would be the way to go for me 👍

VinceFR · Oct 27, 2020

janice&fred
If those older manual wind oysters are your interest my opinion is you might expand your hunt for an old precision model. Some of them also have textured dials and they all seem to share the same 12XX movement. I'm not so sure it's worth paying so much more for an obscure model merely because it resembles an explorer, which clearly it isn't. However if your hunt turns up an old automatic beware as those 10XX movements are a real nightmare to get parts for. Those manual 12XX movements would be the way to go for me 👍

Like I said, i've two watches in my target 😀
I prefer this one but the seller have not answer to my question first about movement, case back, case pictures, services etc..

Dan S · Oct 27, 2020

TBH totally candid, for me, this is the type of watch that you pick up opportunistically if you happen upon one at a good price. Not something that you go out seeking and pay through the nose for. But I see nothing wrong with those watches, and you should buy one if it gives you joy.

However, I don't think it's so hard to buy a modern Explorer if you have some patience and persistence. I have bought and sold several, and they are all over the place. And if funds are a concern, spending thousands on one of these vintage pieces (with unknown potential repair costs) will just delay your ability to buy the watch you really want.

maxbliss888 · Dec 3, 2020

VinceFR
Instead of waiting to win the lottery and finding a beautiful 14270 that is well maintained, unpolished and above all that does not have the dial replaced or the hands relumed below 6k with the papers 😀 ... I decided to look for a nice vintage Rolex, if possible with a dial that looks like to an explorer. I found a first with an individual but I'm waiting for answers before telling you about it. I will therefore ask you for your opinion on a second one sold by a pro on chrono24.

It seems good to me but too expensive, we are talking about 3400EUR (without negotiation for the moment).

Then the case seems OK to me, the reference too and the serial numbers seem to match for 1955 (And I also learned that Rolex started from 0 around that time, which explains the serial number in 95389) .

I have trouble finding an equivalent model for comparison and my book "vintage watches" does not trace the model ...

The movement appears to be from the good era, manual, 1210.

What do you think ?