What would you do? Sell Ceramic and buy Vintage?

[MCO1]

Its a cool old watch...but still an old watch. I might want to own one but I wouldn't let my modern workhorse go to fund it.

[Easy E]

For me, I don't like someone else's "old." Two exceptions, first, if the piece has some remarkable provenance or specific sentimental value, or if you are truly going to collect the older models. A daily wear, one off old, or simply a single watch puts me firmly in the "no way Jose' camp."

I liken them to old cars. They are really neat to look at, but terrible to drive, expensive and finicky to own. All man made mechanical devices have a production evolution, usually for the betterment of the particular product or market. In this example, in my opinion, cases are better, bezels are way better, the glidelock is the best bracelet on the market, movements are more robust, more accurate, etc.

Stick to watch you have, so says the E.

E-

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Easy E

For me, I don't like someone else's "old." Two exceptions, first, if the piece has some remarkable provenance or specific sentimental value, or if you are truly going to collect the older models. A daily wear, one off old, or simply a single watch puts me firmly in the "no way Jose' camp."

I liken them to old cars. They are really neat to look at, but terrible to drive, expensive and finicky to own. All man made mechanical devices have a production evolution, usually for the betterment of the particular product or market. In this example, in my opinion, cases are better, bezels are way better, the glidelock is the best bracelet on the market, movements are more robust, more accurate, etc.

Stick to watch you have, so says the E.

E-

It’s much different with old cars. Any recently serviced, old Rolex is going to be robust and relatively trouble free like a new one, and, due to lighter weight, likely much more comfortable. I recently bought an NOS folded links bracelet, and I find it to be way more comfortable than my modern stuff that feels more like a heavy handcuff.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Onikage

x2.. Any except the Lady or Mini Tudor Subs that is - Never liked the lugs, thickness and other proportions monkeyed with on the SubC. That was the end of the Submariner for me.

Yeah, I meant only standard sizes. :)

Agreed about the SubC. It’s the only Sub I wouldn’t wear.

[askdanny]

Originally Posted by Easy E

For me, I don't like someone else's "old."

E-

Maybe the OP can let us know when his Sub-C develops a nice patina and a faded bezel. That is the problem with modern Rolexes, isn’t it? They don’t age.

OP can find an old Sub with a service dial and a service bezel — they are much more affordable! — and develop his own history with the watch.

I decided to eschew the new GMT Pepsi jubilee to get a 34-year-old GMT Pepsi jubilee. My opinion is it looks cooler, even with the service bezel, and the 16750 has a 30 caliber movement. And no waiting list on my 16750!





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[Easy E]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

It’s much different with old cars. Any recently serviced, old Rolex is going to be robust and relatively trouble free like a new one, and, due to lighter weight, likely much more comfortable. I recently bought an NOS folded links bracelet, and I find it to be way more comfortable than my modern stuff that feels more like a heavy handcuff.

I can respect. I, however, have the counter opinion. While I’m not a fan of the wrist anchor, I feel like the older models feel like something out of a cereal box. To me they feel cheap and chincey. Totally not for me.

Ps. I’m currently struggling with a new SD43 purchase- heavier and more bulky than I thought.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I can respect. I, however, have the counter opinion. While I’m not a fan of the wrist anchor, I feel like the older models feel like something out of a cereal box. To me they feel cheap and chincey. Totally not for me.

Ps. I’m currently struggling with a new SD43 purchase- heavier and more bulky than I thought.

They still last forever and are fixable, so I'd argue that today's models are overbuilt and heavy to help justify the price rise over the past 15 years, because embodied cognition studies have shown that we attribute more value to things that are heavy.

It's just a matter of having vintage interests, which is largely the point of mechanical watches, to me. Park a 1969 Porsche next to a brand new one, and you'll likely see similar differences, but guess which one I'd pick? Granted, many feel that the Porsche 993 is the sweet spot, which is kind of the Rolex 16610, IMO.

p.s. I do understand about the feelings of buying new, too. My favorite watch is a 76200, which Tudor still offers for sale new in Hong Kong, for some reason. It's like taking a time machine to 1971 and buying a new watch, which is ideal, IMO.

[Jp28]

They are actually quite different watches in reality.
Vintage wears a lot smaller and lighter and I am careful not to swim/shower with them. Also a lot less blingy, but often with no quickset date etc. So lots of pluses and minuses.
However as you note you can always find another subc. So if vintage is an itch you need to scratch give it a try as you will not loose much if anything.

[easebak]

The 1680 is definitely less ubiquitous. The ceramic's easily replaced, so if the 1680 is precisely what you want (not a flash desire / impulse buy,) grab it. Don't live with regret as to what 'could have been...' But if you're thinking twice, hold back... That's my tuppence worth - Good Luck!

[Seibei]

The question is really this. Do you want a watch you can confidently wear every day, or are you looking for an investment?

A new ceramic sub is one of the best, of not the best watch currently available for every day use. Rock solid reliability, glidelock clasp, etc.

Is a vintage Rolex the best investment you can make? Not sure about that... I would be extremely careful about what I am buying. Condition, provenance and rarity would all have to stack up and it would most likely be something I would buy at an auction.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Seibei

The question is really this. Do you want a watch you can confidently wear every day, or are you looking for an investment?

A new ceramic sub is one of the best, of not the best watch currently available for every day use. Rock solid reliability, glidelock clasp, etc.

Is a vintage Rolex the best investment you can make? Not sure about that... I would be extremely careful about what I am buying. Condition, provenance and rarity would all have to stack up and it would most likely be something I would buy at an auction.

Yeah, that depends if you care about the investment aspect of all of this. I nearly bought a 1680 a few years back, and I planned on wearing the thing every day in all situations. Just about any Rolex from the last several decades is durable enough to wear every day, and, if it breaks, you fix it.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

p.s. I do understand about the feelings of buying new, too. My favorite watch is a 76200, which Tudor still offers for sale new in Hong Kong, for some reason. It's like taking a time machine to 1971 and buying a new watch, which is ideal, IMO.

It's on my list. Kind of a Datejust equivalent to the Speedy Pro, which I love for that time machine reason, although where the 76200 has the classic lightweight and bulletproof bracelet, the Speedy has that awful 1990s relic on it that anyone with sense switches out for a strap immediately.

[sensui]

Vintage takes research and knowledge to buy properly for sure. It's not for everyone. But as far as daily use.....I believe it's just fine as long as you watch certain parameters....like never swimming with one just in case and not subject it to extreme shock (dislodging tritium). Otherwise keep it regularly maintained/serviced and you can wear it with just as much accuracy/reliability as modern Rolex.

My personal take on your situation OP....would be to make the trade....the maxi case thing was never for me unless special circumstances (BLNR and LVC comes to mind).

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Scholar

It's on my list. Kind of a Datejust equivalent to the Speedy Pro, which I love for that time machine reason, although where the 76200 has the classic lightweight and bulletproof bracelet, the Speedy has that awful 1990s relic on it that anyone with sense switches out for a strap immediately.

Funny you should mention the bracelet. Even though the original is nice and comfortable, I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the "Tudor Jubilee," so I got a Tudor Oyster for it:

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by MinMay

1680 without paper is nothing to collector.

Utterly absurd comment. You give any collector over in the vintage forum an all-original, unpolished, 1680 in near mint condition....even without papers....I'm certain he will hardly consider it "nothing."

[Fany]

The 1680 is a good choice and i would say you get it since you are sure you can always get the ceramic when you want. its your decision, this is only an opinion.

[Nikrnic]

That's a beauty and a 100% improvement with the oyster bracelet.

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Funny you should mention the bracelet. Even though the original is nice and comfortable, I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the "Tudor Jubilee," so I got a Tudor Oyster for it:

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[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

That's a beauty and a 100% improvement with the oyster bracelet.

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Thanks. Just like the Tudor Subs and Chronos, the 76200 used to come with the Oyster (or regular Jubilee,) but, at some point, they switched to the Tudor Jubilee style. The darn NOS bracelet nearly cost me as much as the watch!

[rmlovett1]

Maybe I missed it...is this a one and only watch?

[yanks995]

Both new and vintage watches will continue to go up in price if shares do well. Look at how the prices of these watch go up especially in the last 5 years or so. From i heard, shares will continue to do well. Look at Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Microsoft all are at all time highs. If shares continue their bull runs, we will continue to see disposable $ being splurged on luxury goods such as Rolex, new or vintage.