Never worn Rolex discontinued watches - What to do?

randomguy · Mar 31, 2016

Okay, so I've picked up a Rolex 16610lv f serial watch, which is now discontinued. The kicker here is, its never been worn, with most stickers still on, full set.

As I typically only keep what I wear, would I be destroying value by taking the stickers off and wearing it?

I'm not really a "put away in safe" type of guy.

How much value am I tossing away, by taking off the stickers?

Your thoughts please.

J.

ISAKOFF · Mar 31, 2016

Well, I'm sure in 30 years that watch in a full set will be a collectable maybe could fetch as much as 30k+ one day as a full set (thats all speculation and if demand for fine swiss watches keeps up). However, if you bought it to wear it, you might as well do it!

WatchVaultNYC · Mar 31, 2016

sell it. you can probably pick up a slightly used one, which you can wear to your heart's content. end up a good amount ahead

ulackfocus · Mar 31, 2016

Options:

1) Put it in a glass case, show it like it was art, and buy a used one to wear.
2) Sell it and buy a used one to wear.
3) Wear it because in the end it's a watch and was meant to be worn.

Guess which one I would vote for? 😁

oddboy · Mar 31, 2016

U ulackfocus
3) Wear it because in the end it's a watch and was meant to be worn.

Why not, right?

watchknut · Mar 31, 2016

Remove sticker, and have it hermetically sealed, along with papers and booklets for the future. Wear the watch and enjoy, as in 30 years it was have a, oh wait, super luminova won't patina.

randomguy · Mar 31, 2016

Here are a few pics, and I think I have my decision. I'll update everyone on the weekend. But for now...

Jminchoi · Mar 31, 2016

It seems like the 'newness' of the watch is causing you a lot of undue stress. You should enjoy your timepieces. Otherwise it's just an expensive paperweight. I vote sell it and find one in used condition, or invest in gold. 😉

adg31 · Apr 1, 2016

If it's a genuine flat 4 it is likely to go up in value faster than the other lv models - especially with all the stickers intact. So ask yourself did you buy it to wear or as an investment? Once you answer that the next step is easy...

milwatch126 · Apr 1, 2016

Stick it the safe till it's needed or sell it!

M

Jones in LA · Apr 1, 2016

Put it on a south-facing window sill (assuming you're in the Northern Hemisphere) so the dial and bezel get super sun-bleached/tropicalized. This will add much to its future value, regardless of whether it has stickers/tags or not.

wx_073 · Apr 1, 2016

U ulackfocus
Options:

1) Put it in a glass case, show it like it was art, and buy a used one to wear.
2) Sell it and buy a used one to wear.
3) Wear it because in the end it's a watch and was meant to be worn.

Guess which one I would vote for? 😁

M y vote for number 3!!! Wear it!

davidswiss · Apr 22, 2016

I had one and loved it but never wore it. Stuck it in a safe for a few years and eventually sold it for a modest profit. I still regret both not wearing and selling it, but on the other hand if I had worn it I couldn't have cashed in on it. Your choice

grizzlycanuck · Apr 22, 2016

All depends on why you have it as everyone has pointed out. Future value is speculative, but I would take my chances on a Rolex with Full Set and stickers intact etc probably appreciating. Would you buy the watch otherwise to wear? Or was lots of the appeal because it had been a safe queen?

I think you have answered your own question really. You said you buy to wear usually. If thats the case, put this away as an investment if you can afford to, or sell it.

If you like the watch a lot, I agree with what @watchvault said, buy a used one to wear to your hearts content without any stress 👍

Darlinboy · Apr 22, 2016

Either wear it, or sell it to someone who will. 👍

Nobel Prize · Apr 22, 2016

If you don't immediately need the money this one would go in a safe for me. I like to wear my watches but it is not often that you get a valuable discontinued model completely unworn. so Keep it safe and buy another one to wear. When you need or want the extra cash it will be there and probably (depending on purchase price) gain more value than the cash in bank would. So see it as part of an investment portfolio.

Foo2rama · Apr 22, 2016

I the hulk that rare? They made it for a few years, and still easy to source new from an AD.

Nobel Prize · Apr 22, 2016

Foo2rama
I the hulk that rare? They made it for a few years, and still easy to source new from an AD.

Not rare right now. But on aluminum bezel and a few years from now yes. It may be

omitohud · Apr 22, 2016

Mine says hi.

I would keep it in the safe. If you want to wear it, sell this one for a premium and get one used to wear.

I blame it on the autoconnect.

Fritz · Apr 22, 2016

Tie it to a ten foot rope and drag it once around the block behind your bicycle. (or Harley if you have one but I've found bicycles are more likely to go the great "round the block" distance than a Harley) No slacking off now, you really want to work it here.

This process should cure that initial scratch shock and sorrow.

Now go wear the damn thing, its what it was meant for!