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cruvon · 19 April 2011, 06:34 PM

Noticed quite a few are into vintage watch colections which sound like an awesome hobby. Was wondering what the average life of a Rolex watch would be since is a machine afterall which will eventually fail and can't go on forever. How do you forsee what would happen to vintage watches once they cross say 30 years + and start failing or get worn out and how would that effect them being collectibles?

Ubique · 19 April 2011, 06:42 PM

Like other vintage/antique machines (firearms, autos come to mind), they are generally kept meticulously serviced and maintained by their collectors; and with expertly-crafted machines, that means they will last for the foreseeable future.

PhilM · 19 April 2011, 08:22 PM

If it's looked after it will easily out last its owners

mike · 19 April 2011, 08:39 PM

They are generational.

HL65 · 19 April 2011, 09:42 PM

I am wearing my 50 year old 5512 today and like my other 50 year Rolex it is amazing!! Keeps perfect time and looks minty and fresh as day 1.

conrail · 19 April 2011, 10:30 PM

Its just gears and springs - if you maintain them, it will go on forever. If you don't, maybe 30 years or so before it grinds to a halt.

Frogman4me · 19 April 2011, 10:36 PM

Properly cared for the watch can last multiple generations

Rolex tom · 19 April 2011, 11:58 PM

My oldest one it roughly 60+ and i am sure it will out live me if i continue to look after it.

93 Turbo · 20 April 2011, 12:24 AM

I recently added a 1975 Rolex Datejust 1625 Thunderbird to my/ no! My wife's collection. It's a 36 year old watch and looks like new. Bought from a trusted seller here from the US. Regularly serviced I see this watch being handed to my daughter or back to me.

Curvon, spend some time educating yourself through this forum, it'll cost you next too nothing, but reward you in many ways. Take your time, enjoy the vast experience of other forum members with a enormous depth that will give you confidence to find your way over time.

Cheers Jules

Dan Pierce · 20 April 2011, 12:43 AM

When properly cared for, they're heirlooms.
dP

cruvon · 20 April 2011, 05:25 PM

Thanks a lot guys for your advice, really appreciate it!! Btw would you consider a vintage watch that's overhauled by a RSC to still be a vintage watch?
Thanks

mike · 20 April 2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruvon

Thanks a lot guys for your advice, really appreciate it!! Btw would you consider a vintage watch that's overhauled by a RSC to still be a vintage watch?
Thanks

Sure, but it's value might be affected by what was done.

SPARTAN2161 · 21 April 2011, 12:51 AM

I have a 6564 from 1956 and runs +/- 1 seconds. I'm sure that it will outlast me by 50 years

oldbronco · 21 April 2011, 03:11 AM

I have 75 y.o. Rolex & Hamilton watches. I can't believe how well they run. I also have a 98 y.o. Longines trench watch. it runs +1 minute/day. my 68 y.o. body doesn't run as well as my watches.

Puffy · 21 April 2011, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbronco

I have 75 y.o. Rolex & Hamilton watches. I can't believe how well they run. I also have a 98 y.o. Longines trench watch. it runs +1 minute/day. my 68 y.o. body doesn't run as well as my watches.

great analogy!

oztimelord · 21 April 2011, 07:30 AM

Some of the old stuff runs better than the new designs.

gypsy jim · 21 April 2011, 08:16 AM

The lasting quality of your Rolex:

Me- well maintained, should last generations.

The Mayans- will stop working Dec. 21, 2012.

Jimmy

19 April 2011, 06:34 PM	#1
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,689	Question to vintage collectors Noticed quite a few are into vintage watch colections which sound like an awesome hobby. Was wondering what the average life of a Rolex watch would be since is a machine afterall which will eventually fail and can't go on forever. How do you forsee what would happen to vintage watches once they cross say 30 years + and start failing or get worn out and how would that effect them being collectibles?

19 April 2011, 09:42 PM	#5
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,007	I am wearing my 50 year old 5512 today and like my other 50 year Rolex it is amazing!! Keeps perfect time and looks minty and fresh as day 1. __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

19 April 2011, 10:30 PM	#6
conrail "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 3,177	Its just gears and springs - if you maintain them, it will go on forever. If you don't, maybe 30 years or so before it grinds to a halt. __________________ "Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!"

20 April 2011, 12:43 AM	#10
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,216	When properly cared for, they're heirlooms. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

21 April 2011, 07:30 AM	#16
oztimelord "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Rene Location: Australia Watch: PN 6241 Daytona Posts: 466	Some of the old stuff runs better than the new designs. __________________ Regards Rene PN 6241, 6239, 6263, 16520, 116509, 116520

19 April 2011, 06:42 PM	#2
Ubique "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Carl Location: Los Angeles Watch: 1016 Posts: 31	Like other vintage/antique machines (firearms, autos come to mind), they are generally kept meticulously serviced and maintained by their collectors; and with expertly-crafted machines, that means they will last for the foreseeable future.

19 April 2011, 08:22 PM	#3
PhilM "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Phil Location: London Watch: Sea-Dweller Posts: 1,765	If it's looked after it will easily out last its owners

19 April 2011, 08:39 PM	#4
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	They are generational.

19 April 2011, 10:36 PM	#7
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Properly cared for the watch can last multiple generations

19 April 2011, 11:58 PM	#8
Rolex tom "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Thomas Location: London, England Watch: rolex,seiko,Omega Posts: 192	My oldest one it roughly 60+ and i am sure it will out live me if i continue to look after it.

20 April 2011, 12:24 AM	#9
93 Turbo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Australia Watch: Rolex.Tudor.PAM Posts: 1,554	I recently added a 1975 Rolex Datejust 1625 Thunderbird to my/ no! My wife's collection. It's a 36 year old watch and looks like new. Bought from a trusted seller here from the US. Regularly serviced I see this watch being handed to my daughter or back to me. Curvon, spend some time educating yourself through this forum, it'll cost you next too nothing, but reward you in many ways. Take your time, enjoy the vast experience of other forum members with a enormous depth that will give you confidence to find your way over time. Cheers Jules

20 April 2011, 05:25 PM	#11
cruvon "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 4,689	Thanks a lot guys for your advice, really appreciate it!! Btw would you consider a vintage watch that's overhauled by a RSC to still be a vintage watch? Thanks

21 April 2011, 12:51 AM	#13
SPARTAN2161 Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Nick H. Location: Amherst, NY Watch: me flip Posts: 1,901	I have a 6564 from 1956 and runs +/- 1 seconds. I'm sure that it will outlast me by 50 years

21 April 2011, 03:11 AM	#14
oldbronco Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA Watch: Ranger Posts: 315	I have 75 y.o. Rolex & Hamilton watches. I can't believe how well they run. I also have a 98 y.o. Longines trench watch. it runs +1 minute/day. my 68 y.o. body doesn't run as well as my watches.

21 April 2011, 08:16 AM	#17
gypsy jim "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Jimmy Location: Kensington. Md. Watch: 168000 Posts: 281	The lasting quality of your Rolex: Me- well maintained, should last generations. The Mayans- will stop working Dec. 21, 2012. Jimmy

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