What is the "next big thing" in vintage Rolex?

[jfmiii]

I always find it interesting when I read about a watch that was saw 10 or 20 fold increases in just a few short years bc they all of the sudden became desirable by collectors. while i collect watches that appeal to me bc i want to wear them and enjoy them, ill admit that i hope that one day i will buy a watch for $5000 and watch it's value explode to $25,000 in 5 years (i can dream right?). that being said, what do you think is undervalued now that may command high premiums in the future or what is highly valued today that will be a year's tuition at Harvard tomorrow? 1675 Root Beers? Full set 1803s?

[ecsub44]

Unfortunately, no one knows.

[omitohud]

personally, I think the vintage market has stabilized to the point that all rare ref. have been accounted for. Many here only consider plastic crystal to be the only true vintage and those are not made anymore. As far as fad goes, I think in the near future the smaller size will be popular again after people get tired of those gigantic watches everyone seems to crave for nowadays. If I have to speculate, maybe explorer II and oysterquartz. Or maybe gold watches like the 116619, they are not that many around.

[Old Expat Beast]

Of the watches I own, I think the only one with any chance of future collectibility is the Oysterquartz. It's a single-line pre-Cosc 17000, of which perhaps fewer than 2,000 were made, and the case design is unique. That's fewer dials than red subs or Comex. I doubt it will have the desirability of those models but for current price v. potential price, I think there's a chance of an upswing in value in the coming years.

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by ecsub44

Unfortunately, no one knows.

id be on my private island in bora bora if i did. but just like assh0les, everyone has an opinion and sometimes it is entertaining to to have an exercise in futility.

[crowncollection]

i wish i knew i would buy a few lol

[jackruff]

Everything I sold...nothing I own....

[silversurfer96790]

Gmt 1675

[Robbyvm]

asked my wife yesterday but... she refused to answer...

[Ue11]

If my memory is right, Princes were the big thing, then bubblebacks, now sport watches. At some time, though maybe not even in my lifetime, the pre-1950 watches will probably come back in style. After all, Rolex now makes almost as many watches each year as they did from the start of the company through 1950. ????

[Mark020]

No way. Too small.

[andromeda160]

bubblebacks were upwards of $10k because executives in china enjoyed them because of their rather small wrists. while bubblebacks in a modern sense are very small. the Chinese market only seems to be getting stronger so I believe that midsize watches would hold you best return on investment. Especially since currently midsize manual wind oysters, as well as any midsize rolex sells for a fair percentage less in the US than they do in European countries. there are billions of people in china that currently could never imagine affording a rolex. but in the future if they do, chances are they are going to be more interested in the midsize watches, as they suit their body better.

[Puffy]

ANYTHING new old stock

[motoikkyu]

Pick the most hideous unit you bought in the last ten years, maybe the salmon/copper dial two-tone, the watch that you were DELIGHTED to sell at a minimal loss: that's the one that will demonstrate a massive upswing in value. Vintage watch values have to obey Murphy's law, there is no alternative.

Objectively, there is already no need for anyone to wear a wristwatch, except for special applications like diving or space exploration. Yet, I sincerely believe wristwatches will continue to be popular for another fifty years. But when was the last time you saw someone carrying a pocket watch? They were out of style by the late 1920s, had a substantial collectors market/affinity/value in the 1960s/70s/80s, and are now specialized collector items only, with values down for most examples. Pocket watches will NEVER be back, except as an affectation. Today's children have no need of a wristwatch: the time is on the telephone, the computer screen, the Googleglass. There is no need to shift your vision to your wrist. So, they will go away. There were probably a lot of used horse-wagons available in 1910, so shall it be for wristwatches. So what? I still like 'em.

[Lgear080]

Turn o graphs - the last sport style vintage that hasn't exploded.

[dysondiver]

gold turnographs maybe ,,, but , who knows , like others ,, i wish i did .
at the moment hondas seem to be winning.

[Vincent65]

I reckon it's all out there in the open already, but there may be a surprise or two. Can't see a new 'trend'/'big thing' emerging in vintage Rolex, though...

[StaceeJaxx]

pork bellys

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by StaceeJaxx

pork bellys

or orange juice!

[Rennfahrer]

I probably know the answer to this, but you don't see a lot of Bubblebacks - particularly decent ones - pop up for sale a lot. Where are they? Asia most likely. I still like them and have a nice old 2940 with a non-original but nice looking dial I bought from Ricbard Paige ages ago.

[omitohud]

I see the watches I own as jewelry. They are part of my wardrobe. Can you say that about your iPhone? I rarely wear watches before I start collecting relying mostly on the most accurate timepiece, your phone. I hardly doubt a watch will go out of fashion in the near future. I like the idea of keeping your least favorite watch though, hey you will never know.

QUOTE=motoikkyu;4732063]Pick the most hideous unit you bought in the last ten years, maybe the salmon/copper dial two-tone, the watch that you were DELIGHTED to sell at a minimal loss: that's the one that will demonstrate a massive upswing in value. Vintage watch values have to obey Murphy's law, there is no alternative.

Objectively, there is already no need for anyone to wear a wristwatch, except for special applications like diving or space exploration. Yet, I sincerely believe wristwatches will continue to be popular for another fifty years. But when was the last time you saw someone carrying a pocket watch? They were out of style by the late 1920s, had a substantial collectors market/affinity/value in the 1960s/70s/80s, and are now specialized collector items only, with values down for most examples. Pocket watches will NEVER be back, except as an affectation. Today's children have no need of a wristwatch: the time is on the telephone, the computer screen, the Googleglass. There is no need to shift your vision to your wrist. So, they will go away. There were probably a lot of used horse-wagons available in 1910, so shall it be for wristwatches. So what? I still like 'em.[/QUOTE]

[Ue11]

Might be some opportunities out there if these auction prices hold up. I'm pretty sure that these can be bought for considerably less. Maybe an indicator or just an aberration?

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...01/lot.60.html

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...01/lot.62.html

[JustinK]

I enjoy the TT versions of GMT's and Subs, nipples of course, they seem to be under appreciated. The Oysterquartz has to appreciate at some point, it's crazy that a nice example can be purchased for under 2k.

[Oyster Al]

Originally Posted by Cc1966

or orange juice!

Frozen concentrated orange juice, we should corner the market.

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by JustinK

I enjoy the TT versions of GMT's and Subs, nipples of course, they seem to be under appreciated. The Oysterquartz has to appreciate at some point, it's crazy that a nice example can be purchased for under 2k.

i have been trying ascertain for quite sometime if very early 16803 Subs came with nipple dials from the factory. most think they didnt, but it doesnt seem that anyone has a definitive answer.

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

i have been trying ascertain for quite sometime if very early 16803 Subs came with nipple dials from the factory. most think they didnt, but it doesnt seem that anyone has a definitive answer.

It has been discussed here several times you can probably search the threads but I think the consensus was probably not but maybe. A picture of one is in a respected book I can't remember which one but it was discussed in the thread.

I would buy one even if the consensus was the dial was replaced. I would much rather have nipples than gold surrounds.

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by JustinK

It has been discussed here several times you can probably search the threads but I think the consensus was probably not but maybe. A picture of one is in a respected book I can't remember which one but it was discussed in the thread.

I would buy one even if the consensus was the dial was replaced. I would much rather have nipples than gold surrounds.

There is one in Dowling's Bible. A pic from it is in the one of my threads on VRF from last year. Doesnt clear anything up but it is the best evidence ive found that supports the 16803 Nipple. There is also an NOS nipple dial from a respected seller on VRF that has 16803 on the Rolex packaging. Again, not conclusive but compelling evidence....

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...r+franken%27d-

[timely]

We collected items because we like them. I have been in the collectable service for over 30 years. If your collectable is worth more than you paid sell it. never collect items in hope it will be worth more in the future. It is a pipe dream.

Do you remember Pokémon, Furby, baseball cards from the 80s or 90s, cabbage patch dolls, benney baby's, and a quite a bit lot more. I made a lot of money selling them when items are hot yes, do I want any more? NO

My 2 cents

Bob

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

There is one in Dowling's Bible. A pic from it is in the one of my threads on VRF from last year. Doesnt clear anything up but it is the best evidence ive found that supports the 16803 Nipple. There is also an NOS nipple dial from a respected seller on VRF that has 16803 on the Rolex packaging. Again, not conclusive but compelling evidence....

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20759...r+franken%27d-

I am sure they were sold by Rolex AD's with nipple dials as a customer would want blue and the AD would only have black. Easy fix would be to swap the black dial with a blue nipple which would fit the gold or TT. If early examples were ever shipped with nipples from Rolex to the AD's will probably remain a mystery.

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by JustinK

I am sure they were sold by Rolex AD's with nipple dials as a customer would want blue and the AD would only have black. Easy fix would be to swap the black dial with a blue nipple which would fit the gold or TT. If early examples were ever shipped with nipples from Rolex to the AD's will probably remain a mystery.

i would love a 16803 with a blue nipple. but it is a lot of money to spend on a watch that wouldnt be "mind clean." if i had confirmation that rolex did, in fact, make them with nipples from the factory, id buy one tomorrow. maybe i should just save up for a gold 1680....too rich for my blood.

but a blue 16803 or 16613 is a watch id love to own. it really is one of the prettiest watches rolex ever made. the way the sun hits the blue, esp on the 16613, whose dial is absolutely beautiful. that being said, a 1803 (which i think are the best value out there) is prob my next watch; hard to justify another sub when i have a few other watches that prob should come first.