Am i Crazy?

[ada5771]

Would i be Crazy to trade my 1968 Rolex submariner 1680 for a 116710 GMT II ceramic? Here is my story i came across this 1680 2 years ago when i graduated college. I was in the market for a rolex and fell in love with this old beat up 1680. I had it serviced and polished up after i got it. Although i love the 1680 i do not like wearing it as an everyday watch. So i wanted to trade it in to get a GMT. The 1680 was not passed down by my grandfather or any relative but it is the first Rolex i have purchased with my own money. I am kind of attached to it but i think i would enjoy wearing a newer GMT as an everyday watch. Now if i had the money i would put the 1680 in the safe and buy a new GMT but being i just graduated and other expenses i do not have the money to do that. So what do you guys think? Should i trade my 1680 in and get the GMT or just keep the 1680?

[datejust24]

I would most definitely keep the 1680 for a few reasons...first off, as you stated, its the first Rolex you've ever owned...second, the 1680 is only going to go up in value where as the GMT is MUCH more common. Lastly, I think you'll just flat out regret it. As far as an every day watch, if you had it serviced like you said you did, its PERFECT for an every day beater....keep it, or...sell it to me

[springer]

Tough decision. I assume it is an even trade based on the post. If you are swapping watch for watch, I'd say the GMT would be more valuable unless you are talking about a red Sub. Other factors to consider is whether the GMT has its original accessories. The more it has, the better for you.

[ada5771]

No it is not a red sub (I Wish) and yes the GMT has all the papers, box and all accessories. Another thing that kind of bothers me and i know it shouldnt but i will admit it... is that everyone thinks this watch was "handed" down to me and knowing how hard and special it was for me to get it bothers me.

[Clay]

I think you should make the trade...
Here's why...
You will never know what watch you really love, until you own it...
Should you end up missing the 1680, you can always get another...
You will never know unless you give it a try...
There-in lies part of the fun...
Cheers

[strafer_kid]

Hold your 1680!

[ada5771]

[IMG][/IMG]

Here is a picture just curious form you more experienced vintage guys what would this watch be worth... i also have all original parts from the service!

[Robbyvm]

If you love vintage, keep it and put the original bezel insert back in...
If you don't, trade it

[springer]

Originally Posted by ada5771

[IMG][/IMG]

Here is a picture just curious form you more experienced vintage guys what would this watch be worth... i also have all original parts from the service!

Average retail value based on one pic, $4,900 to $5900. The GMT IIc is valued several hundred dollars more for a complete set. I would trade it before he changes his mind.

[Frogman4me]

For me that would be crazy, I had a gmtIIC and sold it and got a vintage sub. Never would I go back ;)

[pdoukas]

Not trying to stoke any fires, but are you sure it's a 68? Earliest known examples are from 69 and of course they're red. I can accept a dial change such as yours but not a 68. Do you mind posting the first few digits of your serial number.

Pete


Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

[landroverking]

Tough call for me no. I do understand the lure.

[ada5771]

Corretion i am sorry i believe it is a 1978 serial number starts with 619****

[phillycheez]

Trade it.

Sell the GMTII-C and buy a better 1680.

:)

The other guy is crazier if he wants trade straight up for yours..

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by ada5771

Corretion i am sorry i believe it is a 1978 serial number starts with 619****

Then I agree with Clay. You can always get another sub if you find yourself not liking the GMT. The GMT will be easy to offload being complete. But be warned, that's really nice patina on that sub and an insert with a nice pip would make it beautiful. Finding something with patina like that may take a while.

Pete

[swish77]

Originally Posted by pdoukas

Not trying to stoke any fires, but are you sure it's a 68? Earliest known examples are from 69 and of course they're red. I can accept a dial change such as yours but not a 68. Do you mind posting the first few digits of your serial number.

Pete


Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

I thought the 1680 debuted in 1966, no? I've read that in various sources, although they could be wrong, of course.

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by swish77

I thought the 1680 debuted in 1966, no? I've read that in various sources, although they could be wrong, of course.

I've read the same things too. I believe they started producing them that early, and I know of a few early prototypes that have gone out are from before 1969, but Ii have never seen a red sub as we know it with a case back earlier than 1969. Now, I'm just a novice compared to folks like John, Jed, Ken, Clay, and others.......so it's quite possible I'm wrong.

[miamiman]

I bought a gmt 16750 in 2000 for $1,300 and sold it several years later, I also bought a rolex 16753 two tone for 1,800 about 4 years ago and sold it. And up to this day I regret selling them to buy newer rolexes.

[Knappo 1307]

It's not Red, I'd do the trade....

[Vincent65]

I'd keep the old sub - vintage rules!

[vintagewaferthin]

By all means keep the 1680!

[Beaumont Miller II]

I know I'm a little late to the thread. If the watch was from 1968, it would likely be one of the first 1680's ever made...a truly rare find. However, as you said it is from 1978. Then there are as many reasons to do the trade vs not doing it. I would scratch the itch and see what happens. You can always find another 1680 of you like.

Full disclosure: I wear a GmtC 5 days out of 7.

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

I know I'm a little late to the thread. If the watch was from 1968, it would likely be one of the first 1680's ever made...a truly rare find. However, as you said it is from 1978. Then there are as many reasons to do the trade vs not doing it. I would scratch the itch and see what happens. You can always find another 1680 of you like.

Full disclosure: I wear a GmtC 5 days out of 7.

John....for shame! Wearing a modern.......tsk tsk

[katana]

+1......= no Vintage is Vintage.......!!!

[Beaumont Miller II]

Pete I'm pretty tough on watches during the week. On the weekends I try to take it easy with one of my 5513's or Tudor MN.

[Beelzy]

Scratch the itch, or you will always wonder 'what if'.

[bplein]

If the watches had the same value today, I'd say keep the vintage. Why? Because if you fell into another $7500 tomorrow, you could walk into any Rolex dealer and buy a GMT-IIC. But you'd have to hunt for the correct vintage and take the usual precautions buying it.

I love my GMT-IIC, so (on the other hand) I think you'll be happy with it as a daily wear if you choose to swap. Besides, if the swap is monetarily in your favor, you aren't really losing, you are gaining.

[drainaps]

You say it yourself, that 1680 is special to you. By all means do not trade it. It might not be the most perfect 1680 under the sky, but has clear significance to you. You can jump into a GMTIIC any time you wish in the future. They are not scarce watches, and price will not sky rocket.

Once the "kick-in" effect of a new piece wears out, you will regret selling the old man. Even if you can seemingly made a few hundreds in the trade. Don't.

[oceandweller]

Originally Posted by ada5771

[IMG][/IMG]

Here is a picture just curious form you more experienced vintage guys what would this watch be worth... i also have all original parts from the service!

New Rolex watch, plenty. Authentic vintage Rolex watch, a few. I keep the vintage and not the new one which you can buy at anytime.

[wahasa]

Yes you are definitely crazyyyyyyy

Keep the 1680. Pleaaaaaaase