What reference is your pick from 1974?

[HiBoost]

As my 50th birthday appears on the horizon I'm getting more serious about trying to find a special Rolex produced in 1974. I'd love to hear some thoughts on what references would be on your short lists and why. I'm not looking for the "omg I've never seen one of those unicorns" type of reference. But not looking for something so mundane that I have no emotion when looking at it either. I might consider a 36mm case model, but ideally it would be something more like 39 or 40. For extra credit please give any thoughts on what details are most critical in the selection (for example dial style) and what an approximate budget would be for such a piece.

Thanks for reading and happy holidays to all!

[Dan S]

What kinds of watches do you like? Sport, dive, chronograph, dress? SS, PM? What is your budget? $5k, $50k? Pretty much the entire catalog was available in 1974. Rolex models don't change much. There are really only a handful of choices with case sizes 36mm or larger. It's not a mystery: Subs, Explorers, DJs, GMTs, Milgauss, Daytona.

There is a sticky photo thread for vintage watches at the top of the forum if you'd like some inspiration.

[HiBoost]

Thanks for the reply. I intentionally left that detail out because I was hoping to see what models most interested others and perhaps broaden my tastes a bit. My all time favorite Rolex style is a Pepsi GMT (excluding the poorly proportioned latest version). And yes I know it's a finite list of models across all eras, but in terms of value and reliability I didn't know if there were some clear winners and some clear losers. To use a car analogy, if I wanted to find a sports car from my birth year it most certainly would not be a corvette, as that year represents the low point in its entire history. 1963? Absolutely. 2020? Probably. 1974? No way. Does that make sense?

As far as budget, I'm more of a value guy than an absolute dollar guy. $20k or less is likely the range, but I don't want half of that to be the result of recent market "froth" I'd like to actually be getting something of longer term value for the investment.

[Dan S]

I think you are lucky with 1974 as your birth year, since it was a very good time for collectible Rolex. You are not going to find a bad model, and they are much more affordable than if you were 10 years older. At this point, $20k will still get you something good. If you wait until 2024, maybe not.

Regarding value, this has been discussed ad infinitum, and nobody can say whether a given watch will go up or down in value. Someone may consider us to be in a bubble, but others firmly believe prices will just continue to rise across the board. For better or for worse, nothing that has happened over the past decade has disrupted the steady rise in vintage sport Rolex prices.

If your favorite is a Pepsi GMT-Master, then go for it. It's a great watch, a perennial favorite on this forum, and you already have an emotional connection to it. Sometimes people try to talk themselves into different watches because other people like them or claim they are better values. That's not a recipe for joy. Ultimately, you will be happiest with the watch that speaks to you.

[Dr.Smellody]

I'm also turning 50 in 2024. For me, I'd pick a 1680.

Have had two and miss them.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

My all time favorite Rolex style is a Pepsi GMT (excluding the poorly proportioned latest version).

Then it's an easy choice: Ref. 1675.

[Viking]

It would be helpful to know what you already have in your collection. Do you already have a Pepsi GMT Master? If not, I think that would be a great choice. If so, maybe think about a root beer GMT to go with it.

[swish77]

I'd go for a classic Sub 5513/5512. If you can stretch your budget .... a lot, then a 1665 DRSD would be a fantastic choice for 1974.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'd go for a classic Sub 5513/5512. If you can stretch your budget .... a lot, then a 1665 DRSD would be a fantastic choice for 1974.

Agree! Or maybe straight hand 1655 if they were available

[HiBoost]

Ok, a little background (didn't want to write a book in the first post, but...). I've only ever owned one Rolex. A Z serial 16710 pepsi (3185). I sold it 6 years ago along with my big house, fast car, and everything else I didn't absolutely need. Never miss the house, rarely miss the car, but think about the damn watch every week. Sometimes every day ;)

In the several years I owned it, I only wore it 8-10 times. But I looked at it every day. It felt good just knowing it was there. There's just something about a classic watch that my soul longs for. I cannot find a substitute, and believe me I've tried. So the long and short of it is, I think to keep my sanity, at some point I'm going to have to buy another 16710 to erase my mistake of letting that one go. Therefore the 1974 reference doesn't have to be, and arguably shouldn't be, a GMT even though I love them so much.

I also love Subs and the Explorer is growing on me. Big picture, at some point I'd like to have 4-5 Rolex references that I really like for different reasons. A Daytona would be on the list as well. With a smaller collection like that I can't really see having 2 GMTs, but who knows... hopefully that helps fill in some blanks on my quest.

[Dan S]

I don't know the production numbers, but the difference between finding a 5513 and a 1655 is night and day. Basically you can go out any day of the week and find a dozen decent matte-dial 5513s on watchrecon, eBay, dealers' sites, etc.

1655s on the other hand, I see maybe a dozen decent ones coming to market per year. Restrict yourself to 1974, and you have set yourself a real task.

[indianmachine]

I think a Red 1680 Submariner would be a great choice if you can find a good one. Probably about $20k for a good one sourced from a trusted dealer.

[Yachtbuoy]

Could be biased here but I'd definitely pick a 1603 Datejust. The reasoning here is that you can't get a modern Datejust with an engine-turned bezel. There's a ton of different dial choices, and these Datejusts are still the reliable workhorses as they've ever been. The movement should be the higher beat version of the 1575 and have hacking seconds. The 36mm case wears larger than the case diameter suggests, and looks sporty on the bracelet OR dressy/casual based on the leather strap. Finally, it's easier to find a good example of one relative to any of the sports models. The sports models are great but the Datejusts I think are a bit of a stealth choice.

[zapokee]

1974 is right in the wheelhouse for a Milgauss 1019.

[Vlad]

1530 - no questions about it - absolutely cool, rare, and wearable model, yet you don't look like a diver wanna be wear it

[Filipão]

Any Sub or Sea-Dweller, though 5513 (2 liner) is the purest.

[soxfan39]

Red Sub!

[cascavel]

Unless you're ready to spend $60K on a 1665 double red, or $30K on a 1680 single red from a VERY trusted seller (not just a regular trusted seller) you'll have to really study up on vintage Rolex dive watches which means you won't be buying one of these until your 60th birthday. Better to get a Day-Date. I'm lucky because I was born in 1952 and don't have to be concerned with buying one of these expensive SS sport watches for my Birth Year watch.

[stewester]

I'm not a big fan of hunting for a birth year watch as you ultimately end up compromising on condition (unless you're extremely lucky/patient), but can understand that it's important to some.

With that in mind, and considering you're not beholden to a specific model, it may be a good idea to leave your options open, keep an eye on what comes up for sale, and buying the best example that appears and 'speaks to you', regardless of the reference. I don't think you can really go wrong with any particular model from this time period.

[lupus66]

Yes daydate. Still a bit cheap.

[HiBoost]

Thanks for all the great input, really appreciated.

zapokee - you got me excited for a moment since I hadn't considered the older Milgauss and the pic you posted is pretty sharp. But wow, those things look expensive. Was seeing $30-60k and not even a complete set!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Thanks for all the great input, really appreciated.

zapokee - you got me excited for a moment since I hadn't considered the older Milgauss and the pic you posted is pretty sharp. But wow, those things look expensive. Was seeing $30-60k and not even a complete set!

I'm guessing you were looking on Chrono 24, which always has very optimistic pricing.

Hodinkee had a decent one for 22k USD last week. They quite often pop up on HQ Milton and Tropical Watch for 22 - 25-ish. Tropical Watch have one right now for 22,750.

Good luck with your choice!

[harry in montreal]

1974 is a great year! I’m going to recommend a 9411 tudor or a 5513 sub. Both are insanely gorgeous.

[madgpol]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'd go for a classic Sub 5513/5512. If you can stretch your budget .... a lot, then a 1665 DRSD would be a fantastic choice for 1974.

That is one stunning watch my friend

[swish77]

Originally Posted by madgpol

That is one stunning watch my friend

Many thanks! I wish it was a birth-year watch for me! (Unfortunately, they were using sun dials back then.)

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by swish77

If you can stretch your budget .... a lot, then a 1665 DRSD would be a fantastic choice for 1974.

+1
But with a loooong stretch from 20 k$

[CyclePath1]

You can't go wrong with a 5513 submariner

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by CyclePath1

You can't go wrong with a 5513 submariner

I ended up grabbing a 1675/3 and I love it - https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=783794

But this thread has convinced me that a 5513 needs to be on the list as well. With a bday year piece now crossed off the list it gives me a little more flexibility to just look for a nice 5513 in general, not only a nice 1974 5513.

[Dr.Smellody]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

I ended up grabbing a 1675/3 and I love it - https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=783794

But this thread has convinced me that a 5513 needs to be on the list as well. With a bday year piece now crossed off the list it gives me a little more flexibility to just look for a nice 5513 in general, not only a nice 1974 5513.

Congratulations! Early happy birthday too. I'll be celebrating my 50th in 2024 too.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Congratulations! Early happy birthday too. I'll be celebrating my 50th in 2024 too.

Thank you sir, same to you! I figured if I got the birth year watch now, then enough time would pass that I could justify a second watch for my 50th. I didn't want to play all my cards at once haha.