Vintage Rolex Buyer's Guidance to determine the originality of your watch..

[The Thomas J]

Originally Posted by Xabier

Hi people,
Not sure if this is the rigth area to post this, but just after some advise.

I bought a Rolex Explorer 16550 (1985) a long while back and thinking of selling it. The problem I have is a can't figure out the value of it due to a few things. Service Parts and a few of them!

The watch has service Case, Bezel, hands and Swiss Only dial. I'm just after some advice as to how much this would affect price or a price range that it would sit in so I can decide if it's worth selling. I'm a bit dubious to vist a dealer as I know they will low ball me all day long.

Thanks in advance.

It's not all orginal so it takes a big hit on resale. The movent is probably the most valuable piece.

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[Phat4]

Originally Posted by The Thomas J

It's not all orginal so it takes a big hit on resale. The movent is probably the most valuable piece.

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A real good choice. White dial (probably cream by now) or black?

Its great you’ve had it a long while. In my opinion, you bought it when no one knew what they were - it’s fact actually. A transitional from 1655 to 16750.

If your need to sell is greater than your wish to keep, consider what you’d be happy with bottom line because you will certainly make a good profit. But if you’re comparing yours with non-service examples, you’ll be disappointed.

•maybe not your fault it has service parts
•if it was in your hands and you didn’t give Rolex instructions NOT to change this or that, well, you have learned something

Ultimately, you will not have lost anything having made what should be in the region of a few thousand if you have the original accessories.

• inner and outer box have value
•booklets are rare and valuable
•tags are rare and valuable

If an offer is acceptable, for the watch, boxes and paper then negotiate a separately for price for the accessories. You don’t have to sell it as a bundle as you’ll be giving them away and that person will sell accordingly.

Research your items thoroughly if you’re not in a rush.

Research research research.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Phat4

A real good choice. White dial (probably cream by now) or black?

Its great you’ve had it a long while. In my opinion, you bought it when no one knew what they were - it’s fact actually. A transitional from 1655 to 16750.

If your need to sell is greater than your wish to keep, consider what you’d be happy with bottom line because you will certainly make a good profit. But if you’re comparing yours with non-service examples, you’ll be disappointed.

•maybe not your fault it has service parts
•if it was in your hands and you didn’t give Rolex instructions NOT to change this or that, well, you have learned something

Ultimately, you will not have lost anything having made what should be in the region of a few thousand if you have the original accessories.

• inner and outer box have value
•booklets are rare and valuable
•tags are rare and valuable

If an offer is acceptable, for the watch, boxes and paper then negotiate a separately for price for the accessories. You don’t have to sell it as a bundle as you’ll be giving them away and that person will sell accordingly.

Research your items thoroughly if you’re not in a rush.

Research research research.

What on Earth are you talking about? I think you're responding to the wrong post, for a start.

Secondly, I believe you mean 16570, not 16750.

As for the rest...

[TMEwatch11]

Awesome, thanks for sharing

[SigmaMade]

Actually read this post on your website and this helped a lot in my first purchase.

[Nad333]

I’m glad you shared.. thanks


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[jon54]

Thanks for sharing..it really helpful....

[carl5]

This is a great article, thanks for it.

[islandfun27]

I just read this, and its amazing

[rhart]

Just read this. Nice work!

[rhart]

After reading I've owned my 1680 since new. 40 years and I've learned a lot

[AllGoldRollie]

As a new collector, I found this post to be really helpful. Thank you.

[carycooke]

Newbie here - I cannot post pics just yet but I cannot find out anything on this rolex I have It says its a Rolex oyster with Day Date Perpetual. it has 18K -and what looks like a backwards Z wiht slash thru it and 18000 in center of clasp and what looks like Geneve and swiss made with a 750 maybe on left hand side of clasp? I was offered a quick 6000$ for it but it was so quick I wanted to make sure I was not getting myself because I do not know anything about it.

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by carycooke

Newbie here - I cannot post pics just yet but I cannot find out anything on this rolex I have It says its a Rolex oyster with Day Date Perpetual. it has 18K -and what looks like a backwards Z wiht slash thru it and 18000 in center of clasp and what looks like Geneve and swiss made with a 750 maybe on left hand side of clasp? I was offered a quick 6000$ for it but it was so quick I wanted to make sure I was not getting myself because I do not know anything about it.

You can post pics as a newbie - First shoot sharp, clear, close-up pics, especially of the dial and clasp. Resize your pics to <1250 pixels HxW and <293kb file size, and start a new thread in this forum. Use the paper clip icon above the text and upload your pictures in the “Manage Attachments” tab/window. “Preview post” to make sure the pics uploaded. (If you can, give us the reference number engraved on the case between the lugs at 12:00 - But, if you don’t have the tool to remove the bracelet, don’t scratch the case up trying; it’s not critical.)

If you were offered $6K, it’s probably a genuine Day-Date, and depending on condition, dial, and details, $6K could be half of its market value.

[JennifferTwyman]

the luminous becomes, ending in 1964 when international law forbid to have more then 0.25Mvsr on radiation on a watch. I’ve written an interesting articl

[1601Grant]

Interesting read!

[Charlie Bullet]

Hi folks!

This is my first post so I apologize beforehand if it's in the wrong topic. Anyhow, I've seen a beautiful vintage Rolex that I'm thinking of buying, but since it's quite a lot of money and I'm far from an expert I thought I'd turn to those who are!

So to my question: Does this watch look legit, is it original?

[320Driver]

Hi guys. I would like to also step in here, as my new thread in the forum is for some reason not going through. I inherited this nice Oyster Perpetual from my father and know nothing about it. It seems to be pretty vintage judging my the face of thee watch. Any info on it would be very appreciated, thanks guys!

[RickInCA]

Some excellent pics. Thanks for sharing.

[ketonjo]

Appreciate the post

[Broesau]

Thank you.

[Newbietothegame]

Thanks for the post.

[wbhardy]

Very thorough! Many thanks

[3rdCoastCollection]

Great stuff!

[eoptic]

Good reading, thanks

[ScoRys]

Very detailed and well written post!


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[Cookieman]

Hi Just got this first vintage rolex 6480 34mm.
It is running very well. I think either 1950,1957 or 1958!
Has rivit braclet small logo with frills...58 end links, so maybe 1958!!!!
Any thoughts on it...unsual dial layout..

[HALF116660PoundRolex]

You need to study the dial and the hands.. like for a long time..

use a loop and a microscope..

[dustin.owens]

Wonderful guide

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[Oldcarguy1961]

Excellent info!