I would appreciate your advice in purchasing my first vintage

[fario]

Hi All,

My ultimate choice is a 1665 Great White, but to be honest I'm more than a few dollars short . . . so instead of going "Rollexless" until I have enough dosh for a 1665, thought I would purchase either a 5513 pre Comex or a 16660 sub.

Would appreciate any and all opinions and thoughts . . . even if you wish to suggest another model - At this point I am open minded, and will appreciate as much education as possible.

regards to all.

fario

[2JHead]

Originally Posted by fario

Hi All,

My ultimate choice is a 1665 Great White, but to be honest I'm more than a few dollars short . . . so instead of going "Rollexless" until I have enough dosh for a 1665, thought I would purchase either a 5513 pre Comex or a 16660 sub.

Would appreciate any and all opinions and thoughts . . . even if you wish to suggest another model - At this point I am open minded, and will appreciate as much education as possible.

regards to all.

fario

I'd go 16800 matte, a great usable vintage that can still be had at a somewhat reasonable price point. I mean decent 5513's seem to be approaching the red subs these days

[TheDude]

16660 is a fine choice, even with a gloss dial. I have one and I love it. It will have an open date wheel and it's a serious dive instrument.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[springer]

I would second the recommendation to consider the 16800 Submariner with the matte dial, which is highly undervalued at this time. It's a great watch with a vintage look, except for the sapphire crystal. The 16800 looks very similar to the 1680 Submariners which it replaced.

[Clay]

Please understand that I mean no offense what so ever...

But in my opinion, you would be foolish to purchase a watch that you did not really want, merely to "own" a vintage Rolex ...

If the 1665 is what you really want, then I would wait...Save my money, while spending my time doing my research, so that when the funds are there, you will be able to make an intelligent and informed choice as to exactly which piece to purchase...

If what you really want costs $10...

But you purchase something else for $7...

You have not saved $3...

But wasted $7...

Just my two cents...

[fario]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Clay, your advice is certainly food for thought . . .

My thoughts were to get either a 5513 or 16660 matte sub, and later, when funds permit, trade up to a 1665 . . . but would I lose a considerable amount of dollars in the trade up?

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by Clay

Please understand that I mean no offense what so ever...

But in my opinion, you would be foolish to purchase a watch that you did not really want, merely to "own" a vintage Rolex ...

If the 1665 is what you really want, then I would wait...Save my money, while spending my time doing my research, so that when the funds are there, you will be able to make an intelligent and informed choice as to exactly which piece to purchase...

If what you really want costs $10...

But you purchase something else for $7...

You have not saved $3...

But wasted $7...

Just my two cents...

But Clay the man is Rolexless has he put it and nothing wrong I think in spending $7 for the 5513 and enjoy till he has the other $3 for his grail.
It's something we all do to an extent, it's all part of the adventure.

[traf]

I would also spend $7 on a 5513. I'd likely buy several 😅


Sent from my  iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

[wearl]

I agree with Clay above, I myself have gone down the road of settling for less than what I wanted. In the end I got what I wanted but spent extra $$ getting there.

Maybe someone should start a Rolex lease or rent program to tide you over until you get the grail you are looking for.

[jackruff]

All good advice above but I think from experience, in all things not just watches, you're never really satisfied until you have what you really want...been there...! However saving up for a vintage Rolex is like saving up for a house...Once you have the funds it will be that much more expensive...

[scooba]

Originally Posted by Clay

Please understand that I mean no offense what so ever...

But in my opinion, you would be foolish to purchase a watch that you did not really want, merely to "own" a vintage Rolex ...

If the 1665 is what you really want, then I would wait...Save my money, while spending my time doing my research, so that when the funds are there, you will be able to make an intelligent and informed choice as to exactly which piece to purchase...

If what you really want costs $10...

But you purchase something else for $7...

You have not saved $3...

But wasted $7...

Just my two cents...

My thoughts as well, keep saving !

[Clay]

Originally Posted by fario

Thanks for the advice so far.

Clay, your advice is certainly food for thought . . .

My thoughts were to get either a 5513 or 16660 matte sub, and later, when funds permit, trade up to a 1665 . . . but would I lose a considerable amount of dollars in the trade up?

If you purchase a 5513, (for example), "Wisely", you might even make money when you sell it and move up to a 1665...

But there are a few things to consider...

First: Buying and selling vintage Rolex watches can be a tricky affair...It takes time, patience and knowledge to do it correctly and not get screwed on either end...

Second: It can indeed be a true pain in the ass...A sale might go smooth as silk, but buyers can also torture you beyond belief...

And third: You find that perfect 1665, but you first must sell your other watch to make the purchase...How long will that take...??? And will that perfect 1665 still be there when you have finally sold your other watch...???

If you really want to "Get Into" the hobby, and are aware of the possible pit falls, then go for it...

Otherwise, I would wait...Learn... And save...

Cheers

[fario]

Clay . . . I just read your story . . . "Rolex and the 30 Year Journey…A Fairytale…"

Nice to think that after such an amazing journey with vintage Rolex's - and to sell them all off??? that ur still here to assist newbies like myself.

. . . I, like I am sure, others on TRF are puzzled and intrigued as to why you felt compelled to sell E V E R Y vintage that you owned???

. . . But, as a very wise man once said "the only thing that matters is new creation" . . . congrats!


Thanks for your last post - Very well thought out and expressed.

It is now quite clear to me, (for the above reasons that you outlined, as others have also expressed) if I were to go down the "transitional" road, I could lose a considerable amount of money in the process.

Re the Great White, it is a mine field out there when you look at such a variation in pricing when viewing many watches advertised, all in mint condition???

Thanks to the thread that Cruvon started, I have narrowed my potential sellers down to a trusted few, recommended by TRF members . . . Coupled also with the advice passed on by Philipp in his thread regarding buying Vintage.

Thanks again, to all who have contributed.

fario

[Clay]

Originally Posted by fario

Clay . . . I just read your story . . . "Rolex and the 30 Year Journey…A Fairytale…"

Nice to think that after such an amazing journey with vintage Rolex's - and to sell them all off??? that ur still here to assist newbies like myself.

. . . I, like I am sure, others on TRF are puzzled and intrigued as to why you felt compelled to sell E V E R Y vintage that you owned???

. . . But, as a very wise man once said "the only thing that matters is new creation" . . . congrats!


Thanks for your last post - Very well thought out and expressed.

It is now quite clear to me, (for the above reasons that you outlined, as others have also expressed) if I were to go down the "transitional" road, I could lose a considerable amount of money in the process.

Re the Great White, it is a mine field out there when you look at such a variation in pricing when viewing many watches advertised, all in mint condition???

Thanks to the thread that Cruvon started, I have narrowed my potential sellers down to a trusted few, recommended by TRF members . . . Coupled also with the advice passed on by Philipp in his thread regarding buying Vintage.

Thanks again, to all who have contributed.

fario

I am happy to help out when and where I can...

In regard to selling off my watches...Let's just say it was time...

The hobby has been very good to me and I have enjoyed it immensely...

But life moves on and I just felt it was time to try and do other things...

Cheers...

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by Clay

I am happy to help out when and where I can...

In regard to selling off my watches...Let's just say it was time...

The hobby has been very good to me and I have enjoyed it immensely...

But life moves on and I just felt it was time to try and do other things...

Cheers...

Thank you for sharing Clay!

It has been so interesting to me hearing about your transition.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

Thank you for sharing Clay!

It has been so interesting to me hearing about your transition.

Cheers

[jdmi32]

Clay's gone rogue! It's intervention time.




Seriously though Clay, I'm glad you have found your happy place.

[roulex22]

good advice all around, on both sides. I know what 2 Rolex models/years I want, but got burned on one (see my thread) and am still saving for the other (datejust II)

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by fario

Clay . . . I just read your story . . . "Rolex and the 30 Year Journey…A Fairytale…"

Nice to think that after such an amazing journey with vintage Rolex's - and to sell them all off??? that ur still here to assist newbies like myself.

. . . I, like I am sure, others on TRF are puzzled and intrigued as to why you felt compelled to sell E V E R Y vintage that you owned???

. . . But, as a very wise man once said "the only thing that matters is new creation" . . . congrats!


Thanks for your last post - Very well thought out and expressed.

It is now quite clear to me, (for the above reasons that you outlined, as others have also expressed) if I were to go down the "transitional" road, I could lose a considerable amount of money in the process.

Re the Great White, it is a mine field out there when you look at such a variation in pricing when viewing many watches advertised, all in mint condition???

Thanks to the thread that Cruvon started, I have narrowed my potential sellers down to a trusted few, recommended by TRF members . . . Coupled also with the advice passed on by Philipp in his thread regarding buying Vintage.

Thanks again, to all who have contributed.

fario

Fario if you try and source a 5513 with a clean dial, nice case, period correct bezel, bracelet etc, and on the ball on pricing, you should be able to sell at no loss- it takes a considerable amount of time and energy but for me this is all part of the journey: asking questions, comparing scans, doing your due diligence, engaging with the wonderful people at TRF.
As the price of your elusive 1655 rises, so will your 5513- you lesser the gap you have to raise and get to enjoy another reference in the process.
Just my 2 cents.
Wish you all the luck.