Trouble finding a 1981 birth year full box SOMETHING/ANYTHING

[BogdanS]

Folks,

I’ve been looking for a 1981 full box watch, preferably Rolex but it seems 1981 is a tough year, is it transitional or why? On the other hand, once you pass 1983, everyting gets easier. One more reason to wish being younger

Any ideas on this matter?


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[Sandpit]

The quartz watch crisis will be the answer

[1665fan]

Keep looking for a Rolex sport model from 1981 full set and it will be 15k and up...are you ready to spend that much?

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Keep looking for a Rolex sport model from 1981 full set and it will be 15k and up...are you ready to spend that much?

Yes, if all stars align and the watch is in good shape and maybe even the right month or even day.


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[jcoltrane]

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...-receipt-A1188 81 GMT w/ box and papers

[Ihatecheese]

I was looking for a 83 model but I think my best bet is a g shock!

[Abmatt2002]

I had the same issue when trying to find a ‘79 sub.

Found a complete set in the end but it was way out of my budget.

[Number3]

Try Chrono24 and just search ‘Rolex 1981’. There are hundreds of options, many of which will have original box/papers. Good luck.

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by Number3

Try Chrono24 and just search ‘Rolex 1981’. There are hundreds of options, many of which will have original box/papers. Good luck.

I’m located in Romania so due to import taxes, I can only search within EU+UK.
I have a saved search on chrono24 and receive updates when a new listing is available. As of today, 12 full box ROLEX ads. Prices vary from 14k € to 38k €. Still, none that ticks all the boxes.


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[Macnavara]

Vintage watch company london......its what they specialise in

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

Vintage watch company london......its what they specialise in

Thanks, will give it a search.


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[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by BogdanS

Thanks, will give it a search.


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No probs

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Macnavara

Vintage watch company london......its what they specialise in

Very expensive with much of their stock ‘POA’.

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by Number3

Very expensive with much of their stock ‘POA’.

Agreed...just fun having a browse though

[BogdanS]

Jcoltrane: Thank you for your hint. Nice piece but polished and too far away, I’m located in EU - Romania.

Did you listen the 1963 album, John Coltrane and Johnny Harman? Its reintrerpretation brought the Grammy to Kurt Elling in 2009, BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music Of Coltrane And Hartman.


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[rootbeer7]

I believe there’s a seller here from Romania. Look at Watchrecon.com and search by country.

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

I believe there’s a seller here from Romania. Look at Watchrecon.com and search by country.

Thanks for info. Tracked the seller, unfortunatelly no Rolex on his inventory.


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[htc8p]

Patek calatrava was the watch to get late 70s to 80s hob nail bezel


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[spare]

I understand wanting a birth-year watch, but the box and papers I don't. Since your name is not on them, what's the value of it as "birth"?
I'd personally prioritize the provenance and authenticity/originality of the different components over the watch. Wouldn't you much rather own a watch in great condition of which I'm certain of its authenticity than have B&P?

I understand you are in fact looking for the ideal combo, but I just wonder if it's worth the trouble? You're obviously free to do whatever you want, but thought I'd challenge the train of thought a little, in a -hopefully- constructive manner.

Good luck with the hunt in any case - and do post if you manage to find "the one".

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by spare

I understand wanting a birth-year watch, but the box and papers I don't. Since your name is not on them, what's the value of it as "birth"?
I'd personally prioritize the provenance and authenticity/originality of the different components over the watch. Wouldn't you much rather own a watch in great condition of which I'm certain of its authenticity than have B&P?

I understand you are in fact looking for the ideal combo, but I just wonder if it's worth the trouble? You're obviously free to do whatever you want, but thought I'd challenge the train of thought a little, in a -hopefully- constructive manner.

Good luck with the hunt in any case - and do post if you manage to find "the one".

Food for thought, thank you for this point of view.


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[BogdanS]

The idea of having the full set, especially punched warranty with the right year or even month or day - how would that be?! - is that based only on the serial number, one can only guess the year, it cannot be determined precisely, there are different lists attributing different periods to same serials.

Also, quite often manufacture year is not the same as first sale year so this takes the whole idea into the flowing sands. Back in those times, the retail chain could take years to complete a sale, making it difficult to decide what should be considered as “birth year”. Maybe I shouldn’t get stuck on searching watches marked as 1981 as, for example, 1983 is a year with more results on a Chrono24 search.

Any you guys know how can I determine the 1981’ish year on a watch based on its characteristics: the dial, the hour marks, code of bracelet, etc?


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[BogdanS]

https://www.chrono24.ro/rolex/submar...RO&SETCURR=EUR

https://www.chrono24.ro/rolex/gmt-ma...RO&SETCURR=EUR

The first watch above is marked as 1980 and the one below is 1981 but the dials don’t make sense: the older one seems more recent, has probably been serviced and replaced, while the 1981 one has the right patina.

This brings me back to what seems, based on all your advices, the right direction: what are the correct characteristics a “1981 original condition watch” should respect?


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