Trying to gauge price on vintage piece

[dannyp]

So I'm looking for a watch for my girlfriend's 30th birthday which is around the corner and would like to find a vintage stainless 36mm piece from 1983 for her (year she was born). I'm pretty indifferent between an OP and DJ but would like to get a sense of price for vintage, in good working condition, from reputable seller. Also, if anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

We're in Chicago, so could look locally around here but with the right reputation I could do this by phone/email as well. While it's obviously important to prove authenticity/service record they absolutely have to be able to prove that it was a 1983 piece because it's the real reason for going vintage. Thanks in advance for making me a hero :D ;).

[crowncollection]

Good luck with that only Rolex truly know when a watch is made. Internet guides are just guesses by experts. Those guides report when the watches first were seen in the market not necessarily made. You may get papers dated when it was sold in 1983. But that is not indicative of exactly when it was made.


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[JustinK]

I would find something very nice with a 7 or 8 mil serial number and just tell her it is from 1983. Try posting a WTB here or the Vintage Rolex Market.

[Rolexis]

Originally Posted by dannyp

So I'm looking for a watch for my girlfriend's 30th birthday which is around the corner and would like to find a vintage stainless 36mm piece from 1983 for her (year she was born). I'm pretty indifferent between an OP and DJ but would like to get a sense of price for vintage, in good working condition, from reputable seller. Also, if anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

We're in Chicago, so could look locally around here but with the right reputation I could do this by phone/email as well. While it's obviously important to prove authenticity/service record they absolutely have to be able to prove that it was a 1983 piece because it's the real reason for going vintage. Thanks in advance for making me a hero :D ;).

I will say for base Dj from early 80s $900 low to $2000 high. I would worry more abt era correct quick set acrylic crystal DJ. The only way to get a 36mm no date is exp. 1 bit on pricey side. If 34mm is ok then look at air king and OP too

[Robbyvm]

check chrono 24 and enter the manufacturing year...
you will have a large choise

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Good luck with that only Rolex truly know when a watch is made. Internet guides are just guesses by experts. Those guides report when the watches first were seen in the market not necessarily made. You may get papers dated when it was sold in 1983. But that is not indicative of exactly when it was made.


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Thanks. I think even one that just "entered service" in 1983 is just fine. The sentimentality will still be the same.

Originally Posted by Rolexis

I will say for base Dj from early 80s $900 low to $2000 high. I would worry more abt era correct quick set acrylic crystal DJ. The only way to get a 36mm no date is exp. 1 bit on pricey side. If 34mm is ok then look at air king and OP too

That's very helpful, thanks! Now, I just want to make sure I've got my watches right; I thought that model/size was as follows:

EXP: 36mm
DJ: 36mm
OP: 36mm
OPD: 34mm
AK: 34mm

Is the OP only 36mm on the current watches and was 34 back then? If so I'll nix that one; when she tried on modern ones a few months ago she definitely preferred the 36mm.

[Rolexis]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Thanks. I think even one that just "entered service" in 1983 is just fine. The sentimentality will still be the same.



That's very helpful, thanks! Now, I just want to make sure I've got my watches right; I thought that model/size was as follows:

EXP: 36mm
DJ: 36mm
OP: 36mm
OPD: 34mm
AK: 34mm

Is the OP only 36mm on the current watches and was 34 back then? If so I'll nix that one; when she tried on modern ones a few months ago she definitely preferred the 36mm.

OP is 34mm only exp 1 is 36mm and mil gauss is also 36mm+ with no date

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Rolexis

OP is 34mm only exp 1 is 36mm and mil gauss is also 36mm+ with no date

So I take it they only bumped the OP up to 36mm when the AK went COSC and as a result the sole differentiator between the two was lost?