buying a piece with missing piece

[George Spring]

first i want to apologize for keep bugging and asking all your opinion. im a noob and have no experience about rolex watches! on my first post i was considering two beautiful watch a new BLNR and a new submariner, however most of you said buy both but that's not going to happen. you see, im not like those rich gentlemen here that can afford multiple luxury watch at once. im a normal guy that lives paycheck to paycheck. anyway to make the story short, i found a nice gentleman on craigslist selling a vintage date submariner asking $4000 without a bezel, paper and box. now my question is, do you think this is a good purchased?

[Tools]

No, it's not, that's a 30 year old 16800. By the time you sourced and installed a proper bezel and anything else wrong with it you will have more into it than you would if you found a nice example with everything you want..

[George Spring]

i thought its a fair price of what hes asking for. i guess i just need to be patient then. by the way, if you dont mind me asking, whats the worth of that watch?

thank you

[ragingcao]

4K for that? Don't thinks it's fair price at all. There's rust on the hands and what else we don't see inside.
Save a few more bucks to buy a complete, pre-owned Sub from a trusted seller here with box and paper.

[Brian Page]

Find something on the Forum from a trusted seller, good luck !

[Old Expat Beast]

As you yourself have said you have no Rolex experience, so finding the correct insert and bezel and ring will be a royal pain in the rear.

By the way, many of us here live pay check to pay check.

[George Spring]

thank you so much! i was on the phone with him earlier and he said the price is negotiable but i dont want to offend him with ridiculous offer. its $2500 ok? also i will look at the trusted seller here as well.

[Old Expat Beast]

Look for a 14060 ... or a 16610 if you want a date. Those are the most affordable subs, in general. They're classics, too.

[Tudor66]

My advice is to avoid buying a part's watch when you are new to Rolex. As others have said, it takes time to obtain appropriate replacements parts. Also, I don't like the hands on that watch.
Save a little and more and look for a complete example...., though that's just my opinion...

[Speed]

Don't see why you are so fired up about this piece. You know nothing of its history, the sellers rep etc.

Truly. Look in the classifieds here and get a complete Sub.

However, you may also want to consider educating yourself about Rolex. No hurry.

[Danny83]

If you can afford to spend little more check out the for sale section, that thing is not really worth 4,000

[George Spring]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Look for a 14060 ... or a 16610 if you want a date. Those are the most affordable subs, in general. They're classics, too.

thank you for willingly helping me through this. i need a date submariner because when i think of rolex there's this cyclops thing that i always picture. those 16610 you said is nice and still up to $5000 range i might just wait a little more when i clear my budget.

[Chadridv]

I definitely won't get involved in that. As others have mentioned look for a 16610. Great watch and with a little patience you'll find one within your price range. Good luck!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by George Spring

thank you for willingly helping me through this. i need a date submariner because when i think of rolex there's this cyclops thing that i always picture. those 16610 you said is nice and still up to $5000 range i might just wait a little more when i clear my budget.

Yeah, wait for a nice 16610, preferably with recent service record. Should be able to find one in your budget. Check the ads here on TRF twice a day.

[George Spring]

the reason i like that piece its because of the year it was made. its from 1980 - 81 thats the year i was born and i have this little thought that me and that watch would grow old together. it feels good to have a piece that it was made from same year i was born.

to all that share their opinion about my future purchase, thank you!!!

[Amer]

As others have said, continue to save and buy a better used one. The trusted sellers are great here.

Google HQ Milton and check out their selections. They have awesome watches, great prices. I picked up a 14060M (no date sub) for under 5K. The store and owners were also featured on Hodinkee.

It sounds like you have been saving up. Keep saving a bit more and buy a better watch than the one you saw. In the long run you'll be happier with something that's all in one piece etc.

[IT Nerd]

You lost me at Craigslist. I'm sure there's the occasional deal to be had there, but I avoid it like the plague these days! Personal preference of course.

[cht]

Originally Posted by George Spring

thank you so much! i was on the phone with him earlier and he said the price is negotiable but i dont want to offend him with ridiculous offer. its $2500 ok? also i will look at the trusted seller here as well.

holy effing lowball batmat....

$3,000 would be super cheap for it the way it sits.

[George Spring]

Originally Posted by cht

holy effing lowball batmat....

$3,000 would be super cheap for it the way it sits.

im sorry i didnt know that was a low ball good thing i didnt call him back and offer him with $2,500. i hear you guys, from now on i will keep saving up and buy the watch i want.

thanks again

[joli160]

Good that you have taken the advice given here , George.
Surely, you want to have a nice experience buying your Rolex. Don't get tempted and step into something which may look cheap at first sight. Good luck and be patient, there are plenty around.