Questions regarding my Rolex Explorer II - 1655

[cbsmohai]

First and foremost, I'm a new member here and I apologize if I'm not following any rules I might have missed.

The reason I created this account, was to research my watch.

This watch was purchased by my father in the early 1980's and was given to my mother in a divorce decree specifically requesting I be given this watch on my 21st birthday.

The thing is, at the time this was simply a standard stainless Rolex and hadn't been so coveted as it is today.


I'm not a watch collector, but I would love to have a fine watch to keep and eventually pass on to my son. I would like to sell my 1655 and purchase another Rolex. The reason I would be doing this would be to begin saving for my child's college and at the same time still have a nice watch.

My question is this:

If I were to sell this watch privately, I'd assume it would bring roughly 16000-18000 dollars, and that's in it's original condition (never had dial, bracelet, etc replaced)

Would a more intelligent approach be to simply leave it in it's SDB and let it appreciate? I do not have books, box, certs etc that went along with it but our family's jeweler has informed me that this watch is a 100% authentic.

The other thing is that my father and I don't speak, and he hasn't been around since I was young. The sentimental value of this watch is nil.

What would you gents suggest?