Oyster Quartz repair or not?

[Carlito2968]

I inherited a ca. 1989 two tone oyster quartz. The previous owner didn’t know he had to do maintenance on it, so it was water damaged.
Currently, the watch is at Rolex in Germany. They quoted me 2400 Euros to fix it.

This is not a Rolex I would’ve bought myself, I prefer mechanical ones, like the milgauss, or explorer 2. But it is a good looking watch, and I would stand out of the masses of submariners, etc.

There’s also the thought that this model could attain rarity status in 20-20 years from now.

My questions:
What is the approximate value for this watch if I would sell it in working condition?
What is the approximate value if I wanted to sell it as is, non-functional?
And finally: should I fix it and keep it, granted it’s a somewhat rare watch?

[ashokleyland]

What is the approximate value for this watch if I would sell it in working condition?
- a quick search on chrono24, the price of this as functional starts at 2500 Euros

What is the approximate value if I wanted to sell it as is, non-functional?
- since a functional one market price starts at 2500 euros, and to make this functional one needs to shell out 2400 euros, the value of this watch is already moot.

And finally: should I fix it and keep it, granted it’s a somewhat rare watch?
-imo, just buy a new rolex watch.

[Likestheshiny]

- since a functional one market price starts at 2500 euros, and to make this functional one needs to shell out 2400 euros, the value of this watch is already moot.

That's not how the math on this works. An intact bracelet, case, handset, and dial (and even crystal) are all worth a fair bit. The watch is definitely worth well more than nothing.

Note also that if a "functional" watch starts at 2500, then one that is in near-new condition and just back from Rolex servicing will be worth more than that.

[ashokleyland]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

That's not how the math on this works. An intact bracelet, case, handset, and dial (and even crystal) are all worth a fair bit. The watch is definitely worth well more than nothing.

Note also that if a "functional" watch starts at 2500, then one that is in near-new condition and just back from Rolex servicing will be worth more than that.

But how can you bargain to sell these if you can buy a functional one at 2500 euros...

Anyway good luck.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by ashokleyland

But how can you bargain to sell these if you can buy a functional one at 2500 euros...

Anyway good luck.

The OP is in Montreal, so I would think he'd be open to selling in the US.

An OQ for 2400 euros would be well below US market. These are selling for about $4500-$5500 in the US in good condition with this dial. He'd make money getting it refurbished at an RSC.

I haven't seen an Oysterquartz for less than $3500 in a long time, and it was a 17000.

[Carlito2968]

Thanks guys for all your input. It helped me make my decision.
I will repair it and then take it from there. It is a Rolex after all and I don’t think I’d be losing money on it, granted that I got the watch for free.

Now I’m curious to see if that watch will attain rarity status sometime in the future. After all, there weren’t all that many produced. I guess time will tell.

Thanks again to all of you.

[SkyKing31]

I never speculate values, but to answer your last question .... It is a Rolex, which is not a cheap throw away walmart special .. So yes, you should have it repaired (if you can afford to do so) and either sell it, or keep it.

[SDDS]

I would service it and keep it, i have an oysterquartz, that my father gave me, and its in perfect working condition as i always take care of my watches when service is due




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jimcameron]

Does it have significant sentimental value to you personally? The repair quote might indicate that a new quartz movement would be installed. Do you plan on wearing it frequently?

Since you got it for $0, you could "invest" in it's repair and just about break even.

I wonder what other quartz movement might just fit in the case? Ooops! did I just say a naughty?

[VFA]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Does it have significant sentimental value to you personally? The repair quote might indicate that a new quartz movement would be installed. Do you plan on wearing it frequently?

Since you got it for $0, you could "invest" in it's repair and just about break even.

I wonder what other quartz movement might just fit in the case? Ooops! did I just say a naughty?

No you said something very interesting. Imagine putting in it a grand seiko quartz movement. Thats a frankenstein I could get behind.

[Carlito2968]

I could imagine putting a Rolex 1570 or 3035 in there; I wonder if it would fit. But i would never consider Seiko.

Thanks to all your input I am thinking now to repair and keep it. I can still trade it later if I really don’t warm up to it.

[SkyKing31]

Your Rolex would no longer be a Rolex if you put any movement other than a Rolex movement in the case. It would then be worthless.

[Onikage]

Repair if you like it or would wear it. OQs do have a following so even in non-working condition it has value for useable parts. I'd keep it in the safe as a perfectly good TT OQ chassis.

[Andad]

An interesting dilemma.

It is a lot of money to bring a OQ back to life but you would end up with a watch that is worth what you paid for with the potential for increased value in the future.

Really depends on how much you want this model.

My '88.

Ps. The case and bracelet on your OQ look in pretty good condition and not overpolished.

[Andad]

I can only put up one pix at a time on my iPad.

[Andad]

One more for the push.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by directioneng

One more for the push.

Did you celebrate its 30th birthday last week Eddie?

[Carlito2968]

I don’t think this watch was ever serviced, the two previous owners just changed the batteries when needed. So it was never polished and should be all original in every other aspect.
I think I will get it fixed and then wear it for a while, see how it feels. If I really don’t develop a relationship with it, I can probably trade it for something I would enjoy more. I do however like the look of this particular one, but I’ve not worn it yet, as the band is also at least one link too short.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Carlito2968

I don’t think this watch was ever serviced, the two previous owners just changed the batteries when needed. So it was never polished and should be all original in every other aspect.
I think I will get it fixed and then wear it for a while, see how it feels. If I really don’t develop a relationship with it, I can probably trade it for something I would enjoy more. I do however like the look of this particular one, but I’ve not worn it yet, as the band is also at least one link too short.

I expect most of that price is for a new movement, or significant movement parts. Did they give you a rough itemised breakdown of what the charges are? They're probably charging you for a new dial and hands, too.

[2001jesper]

Does the watch have any sentimental value to you? If not, then i would sell it

[joli160]

Originally Posted by 2001jesper

Does the watch have any sentimental value to you? If not, then i would sell it

Yes, as is

[Andad]

[1William]

I would fix it and then evaluate it once it was returned. If you like it, keep it. If not, sell it and get something else.

[jimcameron]

In the photo of the movement, is that tab coming out of the battery well supposed to be there?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

In the photo of the movement, is that tab coming out of the battery well supposed to be there?

Google is your friend J.

Get back to me when you have checked it out.

[Ouro9999]

I think the quote received is not right, but if it is, do it. If the watch was water damaged, the only parts that will be kept by rsc is the case, bracelet and bezel. All the rest including the dial will be replaced, so you will get a new movement, dial, hands (gold), Crown (gold), and the glass. For me this quote is a bargain.

Enviado de meu SM-G955F usando o Tapatalk

[GradyPhilpott]

If I inherited that watch, I would pay $2800 to have it fixed without a second thought.

It's a beautiful piece and they aren't making anymore of them.

[Likestheshiny]

But how can you bargain to sell these if you can buy a functional one at 2500 euros...

Do you understand that it's possible for a watch to be worth less than 2500 euros but still not be worth nothing?

And, again, if the cheapest possible working watch is 2500, that doesn't mean that all working examples of this watch are worth only 2500. A watch that just got a new movement and full service from Rolex is going to be worth more than the cheapest possible example on Chrono24.

[Carlito2968]

I got the quote from Rolex about what needs to be done:

(translating from German)

revision: incl. all parts, reworking and lasering the case and the band

New crown, case bottom, seals, dial, hands, crystal, anker, electronic module, motor.
1 additional link for the band
= EUR 2590, or CAD$4000, or US$3000

I am worried all the work and replacing old parts might lower the value of the watch? Is that the case?
On the other hand I'm getting an almost new watch for $3000.

Still not sure what to do; it seems a little steep.

[Golf&Watches]

Originally Posted by Carlito2968

I got the quote from Rolex about what needs to be done:

(translating from German)

revision: incl. all parts, reworking and lasering the case and the band

New crown, case bottom, seals, dial, hands, crystal, anker, electronic module, motor.
1 additional link for the band
= EUR 2590, or CAD$4000, or US$3000

I am worried all the work and replacing old parts might lower the value of the watch? Is that the case?
On the other hand I'm getting an almost new watch for $3000.

Still not sure what to do; it seems a little steep.

I would feel very comfortable moving ahead with this repair. As well as all the sentimental reasons it may be a very wise investment, though probably for your heirs!