Red Sub on eBay Help

[fujituji]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum. I also happen to be an expat living in Japan. With the exchange rate favoring the yen it makes sense to start looking at buying my next watch from the US. I have been eyeing this red Sub on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

I would appreciate any input on this watch. How much would you pay? What do you think of this watch overall? Any experience buying from an eBay dealer? If not eBay any suggestions for a reputable dealer on this site and contact info for the dealer? Sorry to ask so much on my first post.

fujituji (David in Japan)

[HL65]

I do not know the seller--the watch looks pretty nice with good documentation/papers. The hands on the dial look almost new to me--not that they are not original-just not sure. Overall--it is a cherry of a watch and should fetch 12k plus. Personally- I like to buy the seller and I do not know the seller-so I would not pursue it myself because of that. I deal with a handful of good people whom I trust and know. The real quetion is-What are you willing to pay for it?? Best of luck and welcome to TRF!!!

[Damage Inc.]

If it's a fake it sure is an awfully good and elaborate one!

[HL65]

It is certainly not a fake--the main question is what he wants to pay for it as it is at
10k now and who knows what it is really at. My guess is it will end up at least at 12k.

[Racer X]

I think more like $15k.

[HL65]

Most likely is 15k...Definitely between 12-15k..Depends on where people stop and where the real bid is now. I personally don't like buying from people I do not know well though and there are enough really solid vintage dealers out there to choose from. Not that this guy is bad--jsut do not know him.

[onkyo]

Nice and rare package. My guess is also >/= 15k for a meters first 1680 in this fine condition.

I have seen other auctions from this seller though I do not personally know him.

[Yazo]

I know the seller... Mark Lerman aka comexfan. He is 1000% (yes 1000) legit and you should have no fear buying from him! I bought my full set 6263 from him and it was PERFECT.

Mark wrote an awesome paper on Red Subs:

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/show-n...ost/ti-649166/

Personally, I think that watch will go for around 18/19k. I've never seen such a full set Meters 1st Red 1680.

[fujituji]

Thank you so far for the quick posts. I am willing to spend $10-13K for a red Sub with original parts and paperwork. I agree with buy the seller not the watch. Can you recommend any sellers/dealers on this forum and how I can contact them. Someone mentioned a Steve M?????? on another post. Again, any help appreciated. In Japan it is hard to not find a reputable dealer. So many Rolex fanatics and I think some of the finest Rolex vintage models here. My neighbor has a 6538 James Bond he just put up for sale on Yahoo Japan.

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f98310133

Look forward to advice and contacts.

David

[Michael M.]

I agree Yazo, from what I've heard about Mark, I'd say he is a solid dealer, he mainly deals in box and paper specimens.

[kyle L]

I heard he is a good guy and he is legit.

[HL65]

That is it then--one heck of a complete set on a sweet Red Sub by a top notch seller. Go for it!!

[Saxon007]

I ran across this yesterday while looking at Snowflakes - he has a nice one for sale: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rolex-Tu...item2c58b1cf25

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by Yazo

I know the seller... Mark Lerman aka comexfan. He is 1000% (yes 1000) legit and you should have no fear buying from him! I bought my full set 6263 from him and it was PERFECT.

Mark wrote an awesome paper on Red Subs:

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/show-n...ost/ti-649166/

Personally, I think that watch will go for around 18/19k. I've never seen such a full set Meters 1st Red 1680.

Thanks for the great link Yazo!

In terms of pricing, I would not be surprised at all if it hit your numbers.

[HL65]

Agree-great link. This is a superb watch--at 13k already--could hit your target Yazo. Maybe someone gets a great deal though in slow economy--you never know!! As for OP-10k for complete 1680 like this--not gonna happen-sorry.

[cdnwatchguy]

A mark 2 dial meters first red Sub in that condition without all the original papers would run up in the $10-12,000 range. It all depends on the value a collector might put on the boxes and papers. My guess is certainly well over $15,000. I can't wait to find out.

[Racer X]

Personally, and I guess it is personal to a large degree, I wouldn't pay 18/19 for a watch that is missing lume here and there. Curious as to how others feel about this.

[mcjp6]

Originally Posted by Racer X

Personally, and I guess it is personal to a large degree, I wouldn't pay 18/19 for a watch that is missing lume here and there. Curious as to how others feel about this.

What missing lume.....

[mike]

Originally Posted by mcjp6

What missing lume.....

Michael it looks like the markers at 12, 1, and 8 might have some flaking. Other than that looks pretty sweet.

[Racer X]

Originally Posted by mike

Michael it looks like the markers at 12, 1, and 8 might have some flaking. Other than that looks pretty sweet.

Yes, I was referring to the areas of missing tritium. Appears to be small patches missing from 12 and 1, and possibly 6, 7, 8, and 11. It's not a lot of flaking, but my concern would be that it would continue. Plus, if the watch were kept out of the sun, the tritium could get more creamy over time. If that happened, the patches would become more obvious.

[qtaro]

That thing was sold at HK$869 back in 1970 in Hong Kong. It has appreciated 100 times. BTW the shop Artland still exists in HK.

I regretted that I sold mine at $6000 to a colleague last year. It has a Mark IV dial.

[fujituji]

David Watch Co., Ltd. is still in existence too. I have e-mailed them to see if they can confirm the stamps on the papers. No reply as of yet. Still watching the watch.

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by qtaro

That thing was sold at HK$869 back in 1970 in Hong Kong. It has appreciated 100 times.

Well not quite.

In 1970 the HKD was worth 6.06 USD
The watch was 869 HKD or $143 USD.

Assuming the watch sells for 15,000 USD your estimate would be about correct (100 times).

However, the crunch comes when you factor in that the 1970 dollar had about 5.63 times the buying power of today’s dollar.
So the $143 watch was worth $805 in today’s dollars – meaning an increase in value of 18 times… still pretty good for a 40 year old watch!

[Submarino]

Who knows what it will sell for. Bidding at $14K and two days left. Man!!! I wish I could get one. Don't know if I am willing to flip a few pieces to get this one. I like my collection so much.

[cdnwatchguy]

$14099 hammer price. I kind of figured it would be higher. I guess the economy still has a way to go.

[HL65]

I think given the quality and the completeness of set--it was a very good buy! Congrats to the winner--hope he shows up on here with pictures of his new find!!

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

I think given the quality and the completeness of set--it was a very good buy! Congrats to the winner--hope he shows up on here with pictures of his new find!!

agreed, lucky guy the buyer is