1655 all original?

[r14]

I am a biginner on vintage Rolex .But I am very fond of 1655, so I am considering to purchase this watch. I was told its completely original. Please help me to make sure.

[r14]

No box and papers included.What would be the reasonable market price for all original watch in similar condition?Are we allow to discuss $ here? If not I would appliciate PM. Thank you very much.

[Terry Newton]

First off, who is trying to sell you this watch? The reason I ask is because there has been one floating around as a scam on Craigslist. Please let us know who the seller is and maybe post some other pictures of the watch.

Terry Newton

[r14]

The watch is offered by a local non AD dealer who has been in the bussiness for 30yrs. I dont have another photos. I dont know if this inf would help. Thank you.

[Terry Newton]

Here is a couple of examples with the boxes and papers to go along with the purchase:

http://www.texaswatchandgold.com/cgi...ion&key=A00156

http://cgi.ebay.com/Steve-McQueen-RA...QQcmdZViewItem

The second one has a lot of replacement parts but you can at least see what a couple of examples are going for price wise with box and papers.

I would be concerned about not knowing the true history of the watch and not having a box or papers to go along with the sale. You only have his word as to the originality of the watch.

What is his asking price?

Terry Newton

[r14]

Terry
Thank you for the inf. The asking price is 20K,but I am hopingo get some discount. Thank you very much.

[GBJIV]

$20k IMHO is pretty low for this piece. Terry would know much better than I. I have been looking at one at $36k and Terry's link to the E-bay piece is at $55k! The one I have looked at and Terry's appear to have quite a bit of documentation with it though. Definitely, get more pictures and let the experts review before you spend your money. My 2 cents.

[springer]

There are a hundreds more counterfeit Explorer II's being offered for sale than genuine versions of the watch.

The fakes, or counterfeits, include, but are not limited to:

counterfeit, non-Rolex cases with the correct, stamped serial number and model number

deceptive fake hands and dials

good fakes with the counterfeit case may have the correct Rolex movement which is obtained from a GMT Master

some counterfeits are made with fake movements

some of the counterfeits have genuine GMT cases with the identifying numbers removed and re-stamped with the fake model and
serial numbers


I wouldn't touch the one pictured unless I had a professional examination made of the watch. And never buy one without seeing it in person, even if if you think you are an expert. Many have bought these watches after having them examined by a watchmaker only to learn later that it was a fake. These fakes will fool many watchmakers.

Personally, based on the photos, and the condition of the watch, I would steer clear of this one.

[stevemulholland3]

as my colleagues have stated,these watches are reproduced more and more and are getting very hard to distinguish from the real thing.
it appears correct at a glance but I would have to see it up close to say for sure as I have been fooled by a watch just like that one before.I would say have them meet you at an A.D. to verify,or if its out of state it would be worth that price to fly there and have it checked,for 20k I would take a jet to timbucktoo (sorry about the spelling)

[r14]

Thank you very much for the great advices. Would you buy a 1655 if there is a recent Rolex service paper comes w/ it?. Does it make genuine?If so should I have the shop ship the watch to Rolex to do service,get the service paper,and I will pay for the cost of the service plus the watch price?Does it sound like a good proposition? Or just bring it to AD for the authentication is enough?

[Terry Newton]

Originally Posted by springer

There are a hundreds more counterfeit Explorer II's being offered for sale than genuine versions of the watch.

The fakes, or counterfeits, include, but are not limited to:

counterfeit, non-Rolex cases with the correct, stamped serial number and model number

deceptive fake hands and dials

good fakes with the counterfeit case may have the correct Rolex movement which is obtained from a GMT Master

some counterfeits are made with fake movements

some of the counterfeits have genuine GMT cases with the identifying numbers removed and re-stamped with the fake model and
serial numbers


I wouldn't touch the one pictured unless I had a professional examination made of the watch. And never buy one without seeing it in person, even if if you think you are an expert. Many have bought these watches after having them examined by a watchmaker only to learn later that it was a fake. These fakes will fool many watchmakers.

Personally, based on the photos, and the condition of the watch, I would steer clear of this one.

John gave you excellent advice. If you are still intent on getting the watch I would have it sent to Rolex for authentication though they have gotten this wrong in the past themselves. I think this is a big risk IMHO.

Terry Newton

[stevemulholland3]

I know its hard to pass up a good deal.if your going to get it-then by all means have rolex do a service and get those papers!!

[GBJIV]

I have been looking at these a bit. Let me preface - I am absolutely not even in the same leage as Steven, Terry and John by any means - To me, I would not do this deal unless as Steven pointed out you have papers from one of the RUSA or Independent San Fran RSC's. This is a big gamble IMO. BTW, in all of the ones that I have seen - I have not found one with the Orange hand quite so "neon" bright (I guess it could be a newer relacement). some are bright - that one looks like it's glowing off the page.

Be careful on this one. One suggestion - is to look on the reference page of TRF for known reputable vintage sellers - they include a warranty and not to sound to koo - koo buy from somebody with a reputation to protect and or that you can flat out sue. You are well above small claims at $20k in most states that I am aware. Good Luck.

[r14]

Thank you very much for all for the advices.I will sit tight for a while on this one.Does anyone buy vintage Rolex from japan?Since I am a native from there,I can make deals easier.Some reputable dealer who has 4 of 1655,(all does not have boxes and papers but they do have recent Rolex service papers.The most of them have some replacement parts by Rolex) give you warranty for 12yrs including 2OH.I am just wondering????