Rolex guys--Info Please

Balislinger

Balislinger

Joined
Nov 11, 2003
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Hey you Rolex guys, how come Rolexes are said to appreciate with time, and do they all do that, or just certain ones?
 
its all about the market and who has money in the bank...same thing with everything else. if the economy is good and people are buying it will be a sellers market if the economy is crap then no one is buying...I would not buy one for an "investment" if thats what your getting to.
 
No, not thinking of investing, just curious about a claim I read that Rolexes appreciate with age. Most luxury items I know don't, especially if you're wearing them and using them. Most watches and jewelry are worth about half of what you pay on the secondary market the minute you walk out of the store. So was just wanting to know why some folks think Rolexes are different
 
Rolex (authorized) dealers must not sell a watch for less than Rolex says. Every year or so, the prices go up. My watch was $6400 and was $6250 IIRC 6 months before I bought it. This somewhat insures that your watch will hold value. Then there are pieces that normally purchased but somehow sell for many times their value ... an example would be the "Double Red" Sea Dweller.
 
I bought my GMT Master at the Clark AFB (Philippines) BX in 1972 for $256. That was probably a month's pay for an E4
 
I have a stainless datejust that I purchased through someone who knew a dealer in 1982....for $500. I'm sure it's worth over $3000 now.
 
rt014 said:
I have a stainless datejust that I purchased through someone who knew a dealer in 1982....for $500. I'm sure it's worth over $3000 now.
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Yep... mine was $3,000 or so for new purchase twelve years ago.
 
rolexes have so much promo, history, and "panache" associated with it that is and continues to be the most desirable swiss watch to own; so interest and value has always remained very very high...the company protects its brand to the extreme.

i paid around 700 for my explorer I in '86...now that version movement is worth between 3-6k, depending upon the desire of the buyer...because of the cellphone i rarely use it...but i will never sell it.
 
What Rolexes will be worth money in the future is hard to tell. Now it's the sports watches, like the Submariner and the Explorer and GMT. It used to be the Datejust, but now not so many people want the Datejust and the price isn't as good as other Rolexes.

Different things also help the value that might change. These days people want good condition unrestored watches. Just a few weeks ago a very early Submariner sold for over $60,000. If it had been restored the price probably would have been less than half of that.

When the Milguass was first reintroduced the stores couldn't get enough of them in so they were selling them at a premium and making customers buy other items as well to get a watch. Now the stores have all of the Milguass models and are selling them at list price. If you had bought one at a premium, you would be starting from a deficit.

I don't know if the Daytona still has more demand than they can fill but for awhile at least there was a waiting list and Daytonas were selling for a lot more than the list price.

Chances are if you have a Rolex if you want to sell it in the future you can get most of your money back if not all of it.

Chad
 
i remember asking a watch guy if he could take a link off...certainly, for a charge AND he'll keep the link...pass; i think not...

a replacement oyster bracelet costs $350-400; could buy a lot of ironman's with that...
 
ChadHahn said:
These days people want good condition unrestored watches. Just a few weeks ago a very early Submariner sold for over $60,000. If it had been restored the price probably would have been less than half of that.
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Does "restored" mean it's been to the Rolex spa for a cleaning, etc.? I thought that type of cleaning and reconditioning by Rolex itself is part of what keeps the value from depreciating so much, since they make it look like new in some cases
 
Balislinger said:
Does "restored" mean it's been to the Rolex spa for a cleaning, etc.? I thought that type of cleaning and reconditioning by Rolex itself is part of what keeps the value from depreciating so much, since they make it look like new in some cases
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Lots of times Rolex will replace the old parts like dials, hands, bezels, etc. with new parts. Collectors like their watches to have the original pieces. Also if the watch has been polished then parts can get worn down. If the ends aren't sharp enough, or the angles are wrong due to over polishing, then the value will drop.

The best thing to do is have the watch serviced but to either not have them replace any parts or to return the parts they have replaced so you can pass them along to a collector.

Chad
 
I have my late grandfathers 1967 year model Double Red Sea Dweller in my watch safe. It is one of those timely elegant designs that ends up being well sought after.
 
That's a certified Grail Watch.
 
Hey guys, I'm interested in buying a used vintage Rolex in the range of $500-$1000, one that will appreciate with time. Is there anything out there, and what's a good place to look? Thanks
 
Balislinger said:
Hey guys, I'm interested in buying a used vintage Rolex in the range of $500-$1000, one that will appreciate with time. Is there anything out there, and what's a good place to look? Thanks
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There are so many unscrupulous dealers out there and so many decently executed fakes in circulation that I would exercise extreme caution when purchasing a Rolex, new or used. Depending on the model/age/condition of the vintage model you're looking for, I fear your price point may be a bit optimistic. Nonetheless, the most important thing remains to stick with a reputable dealer. Bernard Watch Co. enjoys a very positive reputation. Likewise, I've never heard a bad word about Ed Loebl's outfit.
 
Balislinger said:
Hey guys, I'm interested in buying a used vintage Rolex in the range of $500-$1000, one that will appreciate with time. Is there anything out there, and what's a good place to look? Thanks
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I agree with Bronco that it's going to tough to find a decent Rolex for $500-1k. You could likely get a decent Air King, Date or Datejust in the $1.5-2k range if you are very patient.

Bronco said:
Bernard Watch Co. enjoys a very positive reputation. Likewise, I've never heard a bad word about Ed Loebl's outfit.
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+1 I've purchased watches from both and would happily do so again.
 
It will be hard to find a Rolex at a dealer at the prices you want to pay. As it is now, Air Kings and DateJusts aren't in much demand these days, people are wanting the sports models.

It is possible to find Rolexes at or below the prices you listed but you need to know what you are looking at so you don't get burned. I recently bought a mid 80s two tone GMT head (just the watch part, no band) for $350.

Before you spend any money I'd spend lots of time reading and asking questions on the different Rolex websites.

Here are a few places to start:

Rolex Forum
Vintage Rolex Forum
Watchuseek Rolex Forum

Also, if you have any places nearby that sell used Rolexes, I'd spend lots of time looking at them in person so you can see what to look for. Generally on the forums people post auction links and people pipe in about what's wrong with the watch. If you want to spend the time you can get lots of good information.

Don't forget that there are other watches besides Rolex. You can get some very nice old dress Omegas for the price you want to spend.

Chad
 
Also, occasionally you will get lucky like I did and purchase a model that gets discontinued, like the Sea Dweller. I picked mind up for 5K and I think it is now worth 7500.
 
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