Urgent help please - Looking for an entry level vintage rolex

[Amy]

Hi all

My boyfriend is looking for an everyday watch for work, and i want to get him a vintage rolex as birthday present. I know he likes rolex, he likes simple and classic style, and he prefers leather band. My budget is not much though, only less than $2000USD max, any suggestions please? and where to get them? i'm based in Australia. or prefer online, is ebay reliable to buy vintage rolex?

precision, air king?!?!? which one is a more classic model please? automatic vs manual? (manual is kind of nice i think). how often do ppl change the leather band to a non-rolex one?

i know nothing about rolex, and his birthday is next week, so any suggestion is much appreciated :)


Cheers
Amy

[Brenngun]

Amy,

Last minute shopping is the best. The thrill of the chase with a watch ticking in the background (no pun intended) gets the adreneline flowing .....
There are a few vintage sites that will have a reasonable selection. Check out the "list of vintage watch dealers" sticky above. Send them your request. Some vintage models are on the small side. Be careful not to buy a watch that your husband will find very small for his wrist. Ask for size info before buying. Most men find that a 34mm diameter is the minimum size they would wear however this is not a rule. Manual vs Automatic is a personal choice. Both have a strong following in the vintage community. If the dial says "perpetual" then it has piece inside that rotates with wrist movement. This keeps the watch wound so you don't have to wind it manually. Good luck and let us know how you make out ........

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Amy,

Last minute shopping is the best. The thrill of the chase with a watch ticking in the background (no pun intended) gets the adreneline flowing .....
There are a few vintage sites that will have a reasonable selection. Check out the "list of vintage watch dealers" sticky above. Send them your request. Some vintage models are on the small side. Be careful not to buy a watch that your husband will find very small for his wrist. Ask for size info before buying. Most men find that a 34mm diameter is the minimum size they would wear however this is not a rule. Manual vs Automatic is a personal choice. Both have a strong following in the vintage community. If the dial says "perpetual" then it has piece inside that rotates with wrist movement. This keeps the watch wound so you don't have to wind it manually. Good luck and let us know how you make out ........

where's the 'list of vintage watch dealers' sticker please? oh...thanks for the perpetual info....

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by Amy

where's the 'list of vintage watch dealers' sticker please? oh...thanks for the perpetual info....

Amy, Look up!! When you first click on the "Vintage Rolex Discussion" link which is where you posted this thread you will see all the "Stickys" at the top. The first one lists the vintage sellers. It's the very first thread on this vintage discussion page. Read through it. You'll get a lot of suggested sellers. Also as was mentioned by someone else here you may want to tell the boyfriend to wait until his gift arrives. You want to take some time and get this one right. When you find a potential watch post it here with pictures and ask for opinions.

[Brenngun]

Amy, Have you seen this one. It'a a nice vintage, good size and well within your budget from a trusted TRF seller. I think your done shopping.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=202554

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Amy, Have you seen this one. It'a a nice vintage, good size and well within your budget from a trusted TRF seller. I think your done shopping.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=202554

sold already :(

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Amy, Look up!! When you first click on the "Vintage Rolex Discussion" link which is where you posted this thread you will see all the "Stickys" at the top. The first one lists the vintage sellers. It's the very first thread on this vintage discussion page. Read through it. You'll get a lot of suggested sellers. Also as was mentioned by someone else here you may want to tell the boyfriend to wait until his gift arrives. You want to take some time and get this one right. When you find a potential watch post it here with pictures and ask for opinions.

found the stickys, thanks

[Keeperoftime]

I would buy a vintage piece like these below:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Auth...item4cfbbe1a05

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-Stainle...item4aad962af5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTER...item2a15c691d7

Hope this helps.

[adam78]

Originally Posted by Keeperoftime

I would buy a vintage piece like these below:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Auth...item4cfbbe1a05

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-Stainle...item4aad962af5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTER...item2a15c691d7

Hope this helps.

The last two have refinished dials. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a vintage Rolex, particularly, with a refinished dial, especially for "retail" prices! A good vintage Datejust or Air King (if 34mm is acceptable) would be my recommendation. For daily wear a manual wind Oyster can be a pain, actually! (Literally callus-inducing).

[Amy]

Originally Posted by adam78

The last two have refinished dials. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a vintage Rolex, particularly, with a refinished dial, especially for "retail" prices! A good vintage Datejust or Air King (if 34mm is acceptable) would be my recommendation. For daily wear a manual wind Oyster can be a pain, actually! (Literally callus-inducing).

i read about air king too..seems to be abit of history behind it..but is it considered as a 'classic' design? and not many vintage ones around?

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by adam78

The last two have refinished dials. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy a vintage Rolex, particularly, with a refinished dial, especially for "retail" prices! A good vintage Datejust or Air King (if 34mm is acceptable) would be my recommendation. For daily wear a manual wind Oyster can be a pain, actually! (Literally callus-inducing).

Hmmm. I don't know with a limited budget, the links in my post are interesting. The 1601 is a bit ordinary but...IDK just my opinion

[eparisini]

In a local Dealer look for a 1601 DateJust, you should find out a good one
this could help:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rolex-Dat...ht_5769wt_1202

[Welshwatchman]

Another vote for 1601.

[Paul]

The DateJust's and the earler Oyster Perpetual Dates are a timeless classic.

This 6534 is from 1958 and you can see the design features that can still be found on new dress Rolexes today.

For a daily wearer, I'd say that a 1970's 1601 would be a great option. Bracelets are 19mm too so easy to find and not crazy-expensive like the 20mm bracelets. .

[subtona]

Originally Posted by eparisini

In a local Dealer look for a 1601 DateJust, you should find out a good one
this could help:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rolex-Dat...ht_5769wt_1202

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Another vote for 1601.

Attachment 236899

Originally Posted by Paul

The DateJust's and the earler Oyster Perpetual Dates are a timeless classic.

This 6534 is from 1958 and you can see the design features that can still be found on new dress Rolexes today.

For a daily wearer, I'd say that a 1970's 1601 would be a great option. Bracelets are 19mm too so easy to find and not crazy-expensive like the 20mm bracelets. .

yup 1601...i agree, would try to find local/ reputable dealer

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Another vote for 1601.

Attachment 236899

so 1601 and 6564 are different model numbers? but both are 'oyster'? i'm abit confused...

[Dilemma]

Why is this urgent?

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by Dilemma

Why is this urgent?

Perhaps the boyfriend's birthday is coming up quite soon???

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Submarino

Perhaps the boyfriend's birthday is coming up quite soon???

yes, birthday is next week....i think i'll just buy it first, then give him a 'picture' on his birthday, then wait for delivery

[Keeperoftime]

1601 Would be a nice gift!

[Amy]

thank you all for your feedback....i'm going thru all the links now...keep the suggestions coming please....

hard to choose

[harry in montreal]

i like the 1601 like everyone else said.

you can also get a 1625 rolex datejust THUNDERBIRD for $2k.

Great watch and much more interesting than the 1601.

Harry

[fmc000]

I say 1601 too (but I'm a little partial on the subject).

[LeotheLion]

Just a thought. I have a 1601 TT(Pink gold) and 1603 TT(yellow gold) and both are classic watches.But,after I bought my 168000 Submariner they can't have been worn more than 3 times.Wuold suggest you ask if a vintage sports watch would be preferable?.My best wishes to you both.

[eparisini]

a 1680/16800/168000 is a bit more expensive then a 1601!

[jamesw]

Amy, as you are inexperienced in vintage Rolex and are on a tight deadline with your boyfriends birthday just next week ,And (as far as Rolex goes) on a small budget,you might tell your man his present will be abit late this year. You will have some more time to find a suitable watch and not one with fake or incorrect parts.

[[email protected]]

The 1500 series Oyster Date from the 60's and 70's might be a good choice. They have to 1500 series movements which means parts would be easier to find and less expensive. The 1030 movements from 50's are neat but parts are hard to find.

[Oyster1982]

A 1601 DJ would be the best watch to get. The pie pan dial is amazing.

[[email protected]]

You might want to look at this one. It's at the top of your price range, but you get TT (two tone gold/silver) and a quickset movement.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=203239

[bagel]

Originally Posted by Amy

Hi all

My boyfriend is looking for an everyday watch for work, and i want to get him a vintage rolex as birthday present. I know he likes rolex, he likes simple and classic style, and he prefers leather band. My budget is not much though, only less than $2000USD max, any suggestions please? and where to get them? i'm based in Australia. or prefer online, is ebay reliable to buy vintage rolex?

precision, air king?!?!? which one is a more classic model please? automatic vs manual? (manual is kind of nice i think). how often do ppl change the leather band to a non-rolex one?

i know nothing about rolex, and his birthday is next week, so any suggestion is much appreciated :)


Cheers
Amy

Hi Amy

If you are not experienced in vintage, I do not suggest you buy vintage watches online. Disputes sometime arise due to the arguable quality and description. I would believe there should be vintage watch shops in Australia and it'd better to check it on hand before buying it.

I would prefer automatic for its convenient over the manual wind vintage. For your budget and what you have mentioned, I think stainless steel vintage rolex ref 1601 (datejust) could be one of your choice. Its diameter is 36mm, with "date", automatic wind, looks good on both bracelet or leather strap. I would prefer 1601 more than airking because of its date function and its size (slightly bigger than airking).

Rgds
bagel