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Where to find a 1960 Datejust?

saulgoodman
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I have decided to present my brother with a birth year watch as a gift for his 60th birthday. I would like it to be a 1960 Rolex datejust for sentimental reasons. He had a datejust (not 1960) years ago that was stolen. He never replaced it, but he always talks about it. I understand the vintage datejust can be had for a reasonable price. The watch head alone would be fine as long as it is in good order. I have 6 months to find the right watch, but I have no idea where to start aside from Google. Can anyone suggest how to go about this? Who are the reputable dealers? I know there are quite a number of Rolex fakes out there, although I don't know if that extends to the vintage models. School me please! Thanks!
 
rkman11
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That’s a beautiful gift! I’d say keeping an eye in the sales forum here. And then you can look on WatchRecon.com, that will show you private sales across many of the popular online forums.

Without extensive knowledge, I would say probably best to avoid eBay. But anything you find, you can always post pictures here and ask for advice. As far as dealers go, HQ Milton out of San Francisco is reputable, but keep in mind with any of the dealers, it’s a business so there will be a dealer premium to the price.

Good luck!
 
Dan S
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Those early DJs don't show up very often, so you will need some luck, even with 6 months to search. And most of them will have service dials. If you could broaden your search to other references or other years, you would increase your chances of finding something good.
 
saulgoodman
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rkman11 rkman11
That’s a beautiful gift! I’d say keeping an eye in the sales forum here. And then you can look on WatchRecon.com, that will show you private sales across many of the popular online forums.

Without extensive knowledge, I would say probably best to avoid eBay. But anything you find, you can always post pictures here and ask for advice. As far as dealers go, HQ Milton out of San Francisco is reputable, but keep in mind with any of the dealers, it’s a business so there will be a dealer premium to the price.

Good luck!
Dan S Dan S
Those early DJs don't show up very often, so you will need some luck, even with 6 months to search. And most of them will have service dials. If you could broaden your search to other references or other years, you would increase your chances of finding something good.

I would be open to other references and would appreciate suggestions, but the year or birth is the concept behind the gift. I guess I could make it decade of birth but it doesn't have the same ring to it.

So let's broaden the scope, what other 1960 watches would be easier to find and still fit the bill?
 
Foo2rama
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A turn o graph aka thunderbird might be a bit easier to find. Great watches.
 
Dan S
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I tend to see more Oyster Perpetuals from that era (e.g. ref 6426), but they are 34mm. Who knows ... keep looking and you may find your DJ.
 
joeshoup
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Keep an eye on Alex Pig's website (https://alexpig.com/search?type=product&q=1960). He's a vintage Rolex guy based in Hong Kong. I've met him in person and bought a Sub and a Datejust from him, and they both worked great and were in superb condition. Shipping to the US was smooth and covered by third-party insurance. Looks like no 1960 models in stock at the moment but it couldn't hurt to message him (I can give you his WhatsApp by PM if you like).
 
saulgoodman
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joeshoup joeshoup
Keep an eye on Alex Pig's website (https://alexpig.com/search?type=product&q=1960). He's a vintage Rolex guy based in Hong Kong. I've met him in person and bought a Sub and a Datejust from him, and they both worked great and were in superb condition. Shipping to the US was smooth and covered by third-party insurance. Looks like no 1960 models in stock at the moment but it couldn't hurt to message him (I can give you his WhatsApp by PM if you like).

Sure. Thanks.
 
squarelug
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To me, late 50s would also count as birth year but I'm not dogmatic
 
saulgoodman
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squarelug squarelug
To me, late 50s would also count as birth year but I'm not dogmatic

Good point. Not to get into a messy discussion about when life begins, but I agree that if my brother was born in early 1960, he was alive during some part of 1959. So 1959 is in the mix.

To the matter at hand. I am open to all suggestions for a classy birth year watch made in 1959 or 1960. I would prefer a 36mm case because 34mm are truthfully a bit small, but if the right watch comes along I'm not ruling 34mm out.
 
saulgoodman
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GandOsDad GandOsDad
Is Bobs reasonably priced (in general) or do they incorporate the typical dealer ‘tax’?

I just went on their site and I saw one model of Rolex Sub where their buy price and their sell price are separated by $2095. I would say that is quite a dealer tax.
 
bimmernerd
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saulgoodman saulgoodman
I just went on their site and I saw one model of Rolex Sub where their buy price and their sell price are separated by $2095. I would say that is quite a dealer tax.

Agreed. I think their spread is pretty hefty even for a dealer.
 
Foo2rama
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GandOsDad GandOsDad
Is Bobs reasonably priced (in general) or do they incorporate the typical dealer ‘tax’?
They are a well respected dealer that stands behind their product. They source well also... so you pay for that.

It’s why they are more expensive then no names.
 
saulgoodman
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
They are a well respected dealer that stands behind their product. They source well also... so you pay for that.

It’s why they are more expensive then no names.

Yeah, but a $2095 markup on a Sub? That better come with full service, a Swedish massage, and a nice bottle of Champers! 😉
Edited:
 
Dan S
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saulgoodman saulgoodman
Yeah, but a $2095 markup on a Sub? That better come with full service, a Swedish massage, and a nice bottle of Champers! 😉

In my experience, their selling prices aren't outrageous as dealers go. Presumably they make money on both ends. With a few exceptions, I find most of their watches to be mediocre, and the descriptions are pretty bare-bones. But they are legit.
 
cooljme
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Curious if you ever found the Rolex for your brother? I own a 1963 Oyster Perpetual ref 1005. Happy to chat.
 
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