Thinking about making my first vintage Rolex purchase....

shy06002 · May 13, 2015

I recently attended the NYC watch meet up earlier this week and got to play with a lot of vintage watches. This really peaked my curiosity for vintage pieces. I've only started collecting fairly recently with modern pieces but vintage watches have always been in the back of my mind but I don't know enough about them yet to pull the trigger. I wanted to ask some general questions that might point me in the right direction in terms of how much one should expect to pay. Once I figure out the price ranges, I can determine which watch I should focus my research on.

The three vintage Rolex's that have been on my mind are the 5513, 1680, and of course the 1680 red. Are there any up-to-date sites that have current market prices? I've begun doing some pricing research but there is so much discrepancy I was hoping someone can help narrow the field down.

So my MAIN question would be, assuming I were to get a fair conditioned watch. What is the price point high/low for each reference? Perhaps this question is too general and year, box/papers, and other factors might affect the price but feel free to give any suggestions!

5513 - ???
1680 - ???
1680 red - ???

yinzerniner · May 13, 2015

I'd check out HQ Milton for some fair market prices on every type of Rolex you listed above. Also, check out some other vintage manufacturers while you're there; there are too many gorgeous Wakmanns, Wittnauers, Enicars, Heuers, Universal Geneves, etc. etc. You can spend days browsing the numerous options out there.

peatnick · May 13, 2015

Also consider the Tudor sub, Randy had one at the NYC gtg, here's mine

Frunkinator · May 13, 2015

peatnick
Also consider the Tudor sub, Randy had one at the NYC gtg, here's mine

I like the idea of a vintage Tudor! What model is one like this. And like Shy said, what kind of prices should they be going for?

peatnick · May 13, 2015

I got this 7016-0 circa 1968 from a member here recently

https://omegaforums.net/threads/1960s-tudor-submariner-7016-0.24160/

lenny · May 13, 2015

You might want to consider a vintage Tudor snowflake as well. They're on the lower end of the vintage Rolex price spectrum (~3-4k) and look great, especially in blue.
http://www.deskdivers.com/Site/Snowflake.html

calalum · May 13, 2015

shy06002
I recently attended the NYC watch meet up earlier this week and got to play with a lot of vintage watches. This really peaked my curiosity for vintage pieces. I've only started collecting fairly recently with modern pieces but vintage watches have always been in the back of my mind but I don't know enough about them yet to pull the trigger. I wanted to ask some general questions that might point me in the right direction in terms of how much one should expect to pay. Once I figure out the price ranges, I can determine which watch I should focus my research on.

The three vintage Rolex's that have been on my mind are the 5513, 1680, and of course the 1680 red. Are there any up-to-date sites that have current market prices? I've begun doing some pricing research but there is so much discrepancy I was hoping someone can help narrow the field down.

So my MAIN question would be, assuming I were to get a fair conditioned watch. What is the price point high/low for each reference? Perhaps this question is too general and year, box/papers, and other factors might affect the price but feel free to give any suggestions!

5513 - ???
1680 - ???
1680 red - ???

Prices have been climbing for a while now. Assuming a decent condition watch on a bracelet, no B&P, with most everything original and correct, and as to the 5513 a non-gilt and non Bart dial, and assuming no other value enhancers (e.g., Tiffany dial, etc.), expect asking prices from private parties somewhere around $6,000-7,500 for the 5513 and 1680, and maybe $12-14,000 for the red Sub, with dealers higher. And be careful as to what you are buying. And don't buy from overseas if you are in the US.

Nobel Prize · May 13, 2015

5513 in particular where in production for so long you have a lot of choice on price and vintage feel

yinzerniner · May 13, 2015

I'd concur that the Reds and double reds are seriously overpriced right now. The 5513 not as much since thurs endearing classics with a good supply to choose from, but still looking at 6k minimum for a well sourced and nice condition example. If you must keep it I the original submariner style then I'd echo the sentiments of a vintage snowflake. Less ubiquitous, more eccentric, same impeccable build quality and a rock solid movement that will be easier and less costly to service. But if you're absolutely dead set on a vintage Rolex then 5513 all the way.

Nobel Prize · May 13, 2015

Just checked hqmilton and they have some amazing selections including some 65, 67 and 1978's at good price. They are trustworthy too. Some good GmT"s also.

shy06002 · May 14, 2015

Thanks for the input guys and also thanks to @Drawarms for reaching out and giving me a brief rundown on vintage Rolex. In terms of Tudor, I would personally prefer to get the new black bay red over a vintage Tudor sub. Reasoning for me at least is that the vintage Tudor subs look so similar to 5513's that I might as well get one of those and the new black bays are pretty beautiful. Does that make sense? haha.

Just about everyone has mentioned hqmilton so I'll definitely check that out. I'm weighing the option of a 5513 and a 1680 red, either start off relatively humble or go big or home.

What do you guys feel about buying vintage watches on ebay? I feel like it's safer to buy modern pieces but a little riskier with vintage pieces, am I wrong to assume that?

Nobel Prize · May 14, 2015

Yiu are right. Mainly because less people are qualified to spot issues with vintage watches...but from time to time you do find the real deal

shy06002 · May 14, 2015

For hqmilton, are their prices set or is there a bit of wiggle room?

Nobel Prize · May 14, 2015

You can ask them that one. As a general rule there's always a little room but it's more dependant on method of payment I.E a little discount on bank transfer or a little surcharge on CC purchase. They have highly desirable watches and reputation so it's not like they will have any trouble selling without discounts.

Bob's watches also has some great pieces but definitely a class or two bellow milton in terms of reliability of the description versus the result. But if you ask the right questions and you verify your purchase ( they do have a return policy) it's a good source for watches.

Even Chrono24 has amazing pieces in there but again a little more verification needed on your part than on Bob's watches.

And so on, and so forth. Basically the higher up you go the less discounts but more guarantee.

There are two ways to go, set your budget and look only within your budget, or set your dream watch and be ready to pay for it. If you focus on saving money on your grail watch you're bound to make a mistake. A few hundred dollars more will pay off when you are wearing that watch and "know" EXACTLY what you're wearing.

I have a vintage 5512 from 1971 and an INCREDIBLE 1969 GMT Pepsi that cost me a pretty penny. When I wear that GMT though it's like a dream. I paid for it, but everyday it seems to be less costly and i dont have that little voice in my head saying....I just wish I had that "other" one that I didn't want to pay for. Hell the feeling alone is making me want to get the 67 tropical dial they have at HQ and the 78.... Now. I get why some members have 50 vintage speedies.... Having been a 50/50 vintage modern hobbyist I fear I'm going down the rabbit hole soon. Specially after seeing some of the vintage watches brought to the NYC meet last Monday. There was one particular smp300 that just captured me...

In short, the more you know the less guarantee you need from the seller, the more you can risk buying on less reputable places///the less you know, the more you are bound to buy the wrong thing...it's worth paying a little extra and letting somebody else doing the homework for you and verifying the article is the real deal...that's what you pay for o HQ milton etc etc

shy06002 · May 14, 2015

Great follow up, I thought about 5512 at one point but even from a quick glance I noticed the price points were way up there and far from what I am willing to pay at this moment.

I told myself I was going to take a break from buying anything for a few months but ever since that meet up this itch developed and I feel as though that itch won't go away until I fulfill this purchase. I'm going to start my hunt, I'll let you guys know what I end up deciding!

Off topic but I'm going to Vegas for the first time next week, hopefully I win lots of money for watches 😝

Nobel Prize · May 14, 2015

shy06002
Great follow up, I thought about 5512 at one point but even from a quick glance I noticed the price points were way up there and far from what I am willing to pay at this moment.

I told myself I was going to take a break from buying anything for a few months but ever since that meet up this itch developed and I feel as though that itch won't go away until I fulfill this purchase. I'm going to start my hunt, I'll let you guys know what I end up deciding!

Off topic but I'm going to Vegas for the first time next week, hopefully I win lots of money for watches 😝

Good luck!! either you'll win lot's of money or leave your watch at the table.

michaelmc · May 14, 2015

It depends if you like the date feature.. I like the clean look of the 5512 & 5513. If you don't want to do the research buy from HQ Milton or similar.. I know Jacek and Scott and they are good fellows. m

shy06002 · May 28, 2015

I've been eyeing a couple of 1680 red subs. One watch in particular has all original part with the exception of a bezel insert that was replaced during a later service. What sort of impact does this replacement have on the value of the watch?

Queue · May 28, 2015

shy06002
I recently attended the NYC watch meet up earlier this week and got to play with a lot of vintage watches. This really peaked my curiosity for vintage pieces. I've only started collecting fairly recently with modern pieces but vintage watches have always been in the back of my mind but I don't know enough about them yet to pull the trigger. I wanted to ask some general questions that might point me in the right direction in terms of how much one should expect to pay. Once I figure out the price ranges, I can determine which watch I should focus my research on.

The three vintage Rolex's that have been on my mind are the 5513, 1680, and of course the 1680 red. Are there any up-to-date sites that have current market prices? I've begun doing some pricing research but there is so much discrepancy I was hoping someone can help narrow the field down.

So my MAIN question would be, assuming I were to get a fair conditioned watch. What is the price point high/low for each reference? Perhaps this question is too general and year, box/papers, and other factors might affect the price but feel free to give any suggestions!

5513 - ???
1680 - ???
1680 red - ???

It depends on which versions you would be looking at purchasing.

5513s can have a vast range of values depending on certain rarity factors, including gilt versus matte dial, or underline versus non-underline, or coronet types, or tropical versus non-tropical, meters first versus feet first.

1680 reds can have a wide range of values depending on if the piece is meters first versus feet first, or tropical versus non-tropical, or Mk I versus Mk II/Mk III versus Mk IV.

1680 white, personally too many of these were produced to make them collectible IMO.

shy06002 · May 28, 2015

Do you happen to have a website/source that outlines summarizes 1680 red's value depending on versions?

Thinking about making my first vintage Rolex purchase....

shy06002

yinzerniner

peatnick

Frunkinator

peatnick

lenny

calalum

Nobel Prize

yinzerniner

Nobel Prize

shy06002

Nobel Prize

shy06002

Nobel Prize

shy06002

Nobel Prize

michaelmc

shy06002

Queue

shy06002

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