I'm always surprised when Omega collectors are shocked at the rapid price increases of both whole cal. 321 Speedmasters and their respective parts.

The vintage Rolex Daytona and pre-Daytona iterations, arguably the Speedmaster's nearest collecting competitor, has been around $28,000-$35,000 for quite a while now, with no signs of dropping anytime soon.

The cal. 321 is at least as good as the Val. 72, and the Speedmaster has probably a better history, and comparable if not superior aesthetics to the Rolex.

So why are die-hard Omegaphiles, who appreciate the brand more than anyone, surprised when the high-quality pieces they've been attracted to are skyrocketing in price? I'm surprised it took so long. There's a big financial divide between your $10k Ed White, and a $28,000 6238. So if you think prices are high now, just wait. I, for one, see parity down the road, or at least close to it.

M'Bob

 

Well written M'Bob , yours are exactly my thoughts

 

When Ed White's hit $10,000, it might be time to sell! The problem is that I'm a collector/buyer and haven't sold a watch yet. Can't part with any of them.

 

What! and drive the of Hamiltons up..... naw, leave the Rolex guys to they're overpriced toys.

 

Those vintage Daytonas are the mystical combination of Rolex and rare.

I think that in a watch collecting context, the Submariner is probably closer to the Speedmaster. Both have historical significance and were produced in relatively large numbers. Of course they will go up in value due to increase in demand, but not quite to the insanity levels of the Daytona.

 

^ Agree with the above. I think straight lugs will continue to appreciate in the near future, though not to Daytona-type levels (with the exception of 2915's). Wouldn't be surprised to see good examples of 105.003's surpassing $9-10K in the market with regularity in the future though. The price gap between 105.003's and the other straight lugs was especially pronounced up until recently and was bound to correct itself eventually, IMO, especially as the best, all-original examples are snatched up.

 

Rob, you hit the nail on the head. Rolex will price out lots of collectors and people will start turning to other brands/models for alternatives.

 

I don't know the exact numbers, but the 60's and 70's Daytonas were produced in much smaller numbers than the Speedster which would account for some of the price difference...obviously not even close to all of it. The 6262 for example was only made for 1 year with about 1600 produced and they are commonly found under 25k. Personally I find the Daytona a far better looking watch than the Speedmaster, but thats just my opinion. There are also far more variations in dial types in the Daytona line.

 

Is there really such a thing as a "rare" Rolex? They've always made fairly large quantities of each reference.

 

did I say "rare"? I said in smaller quantity.

The 6262 only saw 1600 produced...of the model I posted above with the flat registers- only 400 were made.
but I could be wrong on the other references which were made in larger quantities- I didn't realize only 1000 were produced. ---
see MSNWatch's comment:

 

It took me 2 years to find a 105.003 that was amazing quality. That was 4 years ago, I now realise I was very, very lucky. I haven't seen any exciting quality specimens publically available since (I've probably missed a few but I have been annoyingly vigilant). The very good ones just aren't coming on the market anymore, even in the auction houses. Damned chewed bezels. Damned replacement bezels. Damned polishing. Damned replacement hands. Damned lume 'touch ups'. Damned replacement crowns.. always...

 

if you want a daytona, go, choose and buy the one you like if you have the money. If you want a 2915 good luck in even finding only one to be offered

 

I would concur that Daytonas can be found if a buyer is willing to write a check, even really nice ones, and that early Speedies, particularly in good condition don't seem to be as available. Of course, it is hard to know if that is due to relative production numbers, how Daytonas were cared for vs. Speedies, or something else. Maybe a better comparison from just an availability perspective is an early Speedy vs. a Rolex 6238 ("pre-Daytona"), which seem less commonly available. Keep in mind that many of the 62xx Daytonas that are floating around are from the '70's and '80's, that the Daytona didn't exist in the '50's, and that there don't seem to be too many from the '60's (6239s?).

 

to me also there is a difference in watches from 50ies and 60ies and those from 70ies and 80ies. I find it strange that the daytonas are that much sought after. Kind of hype like with the Speedmaster MK IV aka holy grail. A really nice 5508 is like a 105.003 or a 6536 like a later 2998 the 6538 or a 6200 etc. is like the 2915 and early 2998.

For me personally the latest desireable watch in my collection is the apollo-soyuz from 1976.

 

Most of the top 2915 examples I know of exchange hands privately and not publicly disclosed. If you want to deal in the best of the best you need to have deep pockets or be in that level of collectors.