1972 Rolex price compared to today . . . worth it?

[El Cascarrabias]

Currently, I'm in that pre-first time buyer stage where I've narrowed down which Rolex I'd like to own but just can't make myself spend the money (it'll be over $8k, not exactly high end for a Rolex but $8k nonetheless). At first, I thought I'd be going for the GMT Master II BLNR. After more reading on TRF, other websites and visiting my local AD I've decided on the current Explorer II with a black dial.

Sennheiserz provided a link in the Rolex Reference Library section to a 1972 Rolex Military Mail Order Catalogue with prices. He mentions that $100 in 1970 would be $610 today.

In that catalogue a Submariner-Date sold for $208. In today's dollars that would be $1,268. I would readily swing that for a Rolex!

So to put things in perspective, I would be paying over $1,300 in 1970 dollars when the Sub was going for $208. Then, add the continuing expense of service at different intervals for $600+. I'm sure that service fee will continue to increase.

It would be a watch I would hand down to my son, but do I want to saddle him with that intermittent service fee. I mean, the service fee alone is a lot to spend for a watch.

Your thoughts . . .