Day-Date Hunting

[Johnald]

Happy new year gents!
I’ve been waiting patiently for a call from one of the ADs in my area about a new watch (my first Rolex). In the meantime, I’ve been searching online forums and secondary market retailers for Rolexes both old and new, PM, SS, and TT. I’m particularly interested in a Day-Date.

I have come across a WG Day-Date, apparently from ‘83 (one year off from my birth year) that I want as the “dress watch” in my collection.

I would love to get opinions on the watch (pics attached) and what a reasonable price would be. Sorry the pics aren’t the best, I had some trouble formatting everything to fit using my tablet.

Also, it seems like vintage DDs are selling for less as a percentage of their new MSRP than pro models like the Submariner. I know their are a lot of variables there, but at least anecdotally, it seems to to be the case in my searches. I wonder if it’s because the DDs come in so many different combos (bezel, bracelet, dial, gems, etc.) and finding the right buyer for a given configuration is more difficult than a watch like the submariner which is more of a “cookie cutter” watch for lack of a better term, which has a broader appea.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance!

John

[Benzsiam]

I would guess the value is about $16k.

[TheWatchmen]

There have been many many DayDates produced since the 50’s, hence the reason they are “cheaper”. Yellow and rose gold aren’t in style like the 80s either so there just isn’t as much demand as the sport watches.

That said, I love mine and wear it more than my other ones.

[agsstructures]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I would guess the value is about $16k.

in agreement with this, pretty good estimate without b&p

[Johnald]

Originally Posted by TheWatchmen

That said, I love mine and wear it more than my other ones.

This watch is a little too fancy for my daily wear/work watch, but man I think it’s a killer. I’ll have to take the wife out more often so I can have a chance to wear it.

Thanks for the replies gents!

[KY..]

Based on just the 2 pics it looks like a single quick 18039 with decent bracelet tightness, correct roman dial, and fairly light polishing.
I like what I can see but you should check all of it out, or post several more photos.

[Andad]

Looks good.

But gold is yellow.

[1William]

Not a fan of the dial but if it works for you then go for it.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum John

You could search for the same reference number on a site like chrono24 to get an idea of comparisons.

[Johnald]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to the forum John

You could search for the same reference number on a site like chrono24 to get an idea of comparisons.

Thanks!

I have done this, and the prices mentioned above seem to be pretty accurate, but there are so many nuances to these watches like “rare” dials or parts that have been replaced or refinished that I wanted to hear from some experts. I’m just getting started in this hobby so I’ve got a ton left to learn.

[Johnald]

Originally Posted by Andad

Looks good.

But gold is yellow.

I can’t pull off a full yellow gold. I could do a YM rose gold on oyster though….
Your point is well taken, I think what you’re saying is that I need platinum.

[Incroyable12]

The thing about vintage Day-Dates is that the rarer the dial the more expensive they are.

There are a few variations like bezels but generally it's the dial that adds the most value since there were so many produced but many of them are rarely seen like the coral or full baguette sapphires, etc. The WG dials are also multiple times more valuable than their YG cousins.

A loose WG vignette dial can sell for what a complete YG DD costs. A factory coral you're looking close to 6 figures.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Johnald

Also, it seems like vintage DDs are selling for less as a percentage of their new MSRP than pro models like the Submariner. I know their are a lot of variables there, but at least anecdotally, it seems to to be the case in my searches. I wonder if it’s because the DDs come in so many different combos (bezel, bracelet, dial, gems, etc.) and finding the right buyer for a given configuration is more difficult than a watch like the submariner which is more of a “cookie cutter” watch for lack of a better term, which has a broader appea.

What do you guys think?

I think it has more to do with size and metal. DD now available in 40mm.
Vintage DD's are 36mm. Vintage Subs are 40mm.

Gold models tend not to have as good of resale than their cheaper steel counterparts.

Throw in dress watch versus sport watch on top, as a 3rd reason.

[MILGAUSS88]

On one hand they do seem like a good deal when looking at steel models. On the other hand the prices have gone up 50% from 2 years ago. Are the prices inflated at this point?
It took 8 years 2012 to 2020 to go up 40%.

[Johnald]

I really picked the wrong time to finally be able to afford one of these… I’ve wanted a Rolex since I was about 14 or 15 years old. Fast forward to now when I can finally justify the purchase, I walked into an AD and boy did I get a rude awakening! If only I had the cash a decade ago.

As an aside, when I was finishing up undergrad in May of 2017 my buddy was finishing his masters in business. At a get-together I was hosting for graduation he was really pushing people to invest in bitcoin. I look at the price of bitcoin in May of 2017 and what it did shortly thereafter and just laugh. I sure missed that boat! Not that I had a whole ton of cash to throw into it…

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Johnald

I really picked the wrong time to finally be able to afford one of these… I’ve wanted a Rolex since I was about 14 or 15 years old. Fast forward to now when I can finally justify the purchase, I walked into an AD and boy did I get a rude awakening! If only I had the cash a decade ago.

As an aside, when I was finishing up undergrad in May of 2017 my buddy was finishing his masters in business. At a get-together I was hosting for graduation he was really pushing people to invest in bitcoin. I look at the price of bitcoin in May of 2017 and what it did shortly thereafter and just laugh. I sure missed that boat! Not that I had a whole ton of cash to throw into it…

I think the majority of increase in price was due to the influx of crypto. The values just went up too much, too quickly, from a historical perspective.
And the hyped models have come back down with crypto as well, although with a lag.