I am considering trading one of my 165.024s for a 166.024. A close friend has one, a one owner with original razor sharp case, nice dial, and bezel. The watch has a recent service as well.

He wants a no-date, I have 2, and I kind of want to add the reference to the collectionew.

Here is the dilemma, which one do I trade? The all original 1967...
or

The 1968 with killer patina, but replacement crown and crystal, still has a razor sharp case...


And a group shot...



Which one would you keep and why? This is the first trade I have ever done, and I am torn...almost feel like flipping a coin! Appreciate the insight.

 

The correct answer is to sell it to me

 

Tough one, I say which one could you not live with? if the answer is neither, then keep both.

 

Which one did you buy first? There is zero logic in the question I suppose.
Just curious which one has been in the family for longer.

 

68 with patina was the first...

Here is the watch that I may trade for...

 

Razor sharp. Delicious.

 

And it comes with a briefcase full of military records from the original owner. I posted on this earlier, it is a rather sad story as the original owner was killed 13 days prior to ending his fourth tour in Nam.

I am a history buff, and provenance is always a deciding factor in other pursuits, so having so much ephemera is huge interest for me.

 

Yep. I now see the appeal with more clarity now. Totally get that!

So the trade 'is' going to happen!
Is there a favourite re the 165.024, that carries any sentimental value? Given its a tough call to be making.

 

The totally origanal 67 I love, but the 68 has such awesome patina.

It is truly a toss up. My gut says go with the 68, but something inside me says know.

This is the reason I don't trade.

And I could have bought the 166.024...but put my buddy on it because he wanted a 300...had I bought 4 300s in 1 year, he would have killed me.

 

Am totally in love with the all original 67 ......that one draws me in completely.

Quickly buy another vintage 300 to trade

 

I will trade the 68...The 67 looks more appealing to me..I do not like the yellow patina those days...Makes me think about the alternate non natural patina..My 2 cents.

 

Trade the 68, the 67 bezel looks freaking awesome.

 

I totally agree...and that is super helpful.

 

Tough decision there both stunning looking watches

 

I suppose this does not help, , but I would keep the -68, cause that would be a birth year watch to me.

 

Easy. Keep the -67 because it's awesome. The -68 can go, not so attractive as the -67

IMO

 

Comments like these show that I need to trust my gut...thank you sir.

 

I echo all the rec. Keep the 67 n trade the 68. The 67 is more coherent. The 68 looks too fresh for a vintage. The hands patina don't match.


I blame it on the autoconnect.

 

are the hands on the 68 slightly different shade than dial? If so, thats the one I would trade.
Honestly I don't see anything I don't like about the watch in the 1st image. Does the second one really have better patina?

a side note, nothing wrong with replaced crystal and crown, so don't decide on that basis, decide on which looks better and ignore the crystal and crown. Eventually those need to get replaced regardless.

 

Still the patina on the 68 is awesome. How you and your friend would trade? What if your friend likes the other?