Vintage Datejust/Oyster Perpetual Question!

[ramonesf2]

So I've been looking into vintage Rolex, specifically Datejust (or Oyster Perpetual Date/No-Date) models. I don't really know what to look for in terms of model years and reference numbers. I know the older models do not have quick set date, but I don't know what year that changed. I'm looking in the $2k range for a Datejust in good condition. Is that a reasonable price range, or am I dreaming? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

I'm not too concerned with box and papers because I'm not purchasing it to sell in the future. I plan on wearing it often and am not too concerned with preserving value. As long as it is in good mechanical and cosmetic condition, I'd be satisfied. Also, I'd prefer 36mm.

Bonus: If it is from 1966. Special year in my personal life.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by ramonesf2

So I've been looking into vintage Rolex, specifically Datejust (or Oyster Perpetual Date/No-Date) models. I don't really know what to look for in terms of model years and reference numbers. I know the older models do not have quick set date, but I don't know what year that changed. I'm looking in the $2k range for a Datejust in good condition. Is that a reasonable price range, or am I dreaming? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

I'm not too concerned with box and papers because I'm not purchasing it to sell in the future. I plan on wearing it often and am not too concerned with preserving value. As long as it is in good mechanical and cosmetic condition, I'd be satisfied. Also, I'd prefer 36mm.

Bonus: If it is from 1966. Special year in my personal life.

$2k for a DJ is a perfect budget. A DJ is a great watch coming in at 36mm where 1002 oyster perpetuals, 5500 Air Kings and 1500 Oyster perpetual dates come in at 34mm. Another option with date that is in the price range but also at 34mm is the 6694 oyster precision with a manual wind movement. You're looking for a 160x series Datejust. One from 1966 shouldn't be too hard to find and there's no reason it would be out of your price range.

Www.hqmilton.com would be a good place to start, forum member Greekbum here usually has vintage midsize at good prices as well as tempoking. If you need help finding a specific watch send me a PM and i'd be happy to help.

[Old Expat Beast]

I bought a 1603 last year, with box, papers, accessories, from 1966 for $2,3k so you should be fine. Datejusts from that period had the date stamped inside the caseback, with the quarter and the year, so II/66 would have been the second quarter of 1966. However, someone at Rolex seems to have mis-set the fourth quarter stamp in 1966, as every one I have seen for that period, on various models, is stamped VI/66 instead of IV/66.