What was your most profitable Rolex purchase?

[AS1]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Here you go Aschneid, my Dad bought this 6263 around '70. I got it in'84.My 83 year old Mom still tells the story of how she wanted to hit him over his head with it when he brought it home. $230.00. He always claimed he got it with a BIG discount from the AD because no one was buying them in favor of the Speedmaster that had been to the moon a year earlier. I always try to wear it when I visit her. It always puts a smile on her face and she says "Awww, you're still wearing your Dad's watch...I wanted to hit him over his head with it...$230!". God bless her...she can't remember what she had for breakfast.

what a story, thanks for sharing.

[HogwldFLTR]

The one I didn't buy.

[TimeToWatch]

Originally Posted by droptopman

In the late 80's and early 90's I became friends with a watchmaker in the Seattle area who specialized in Rolex. This was back before all the craziness. He had a Rolex parts account and mostly bought, fixed and sold vintage Rolex. He got me a couple great deals on new (at the time) models--that he sourced from a local AD friend.
He was always trying to get me into vintage Rolex. Looking back, I still cannot believe how much the 4 digit sport watches have appreciated. Especially Daytona's. He was always telling me to stick a couple gilt 5513's and 6263's away...back then these were <$1000

Unfortunately, I never took his advice and did not get into vintage Rolex until a few years ago after the market already went crazy.

Never really hit a homerun on any watch, but most of the vintage watches I have had over the last few years, I made a couple bucks on when sold or at least broke even. Cannot say that about any modern watch.

I wish I knew a watchmaker with a parts account...and picked up a 4 digit daytona for 4 figures

[oldsalt]

I'm thinking of selling my Daytona, for a couple of reasons, one - I bought it on the spur of the moment (no waiting) so no emotional attachment, two - I like it but I don't love it, always looked a bit small in the dial for my liking, three - a guy at a Rolex event offered me $5K over list a few days ago...I'm still thinking about it... four - I could buy two more Panerai's for my collection with the cash - and of late I've begun to admire Panerai's a lot more than my Rolex's... oh well...time will tell...

cheers

[sensui]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Here you go Aschneid, my Dad bought this 6263 around '70. I got it in'84.My 83 year old Mom still tells the story of how she wanted to hit him over his head with it when he brought it home. $230.00. He always claimed he got it with a BIG discount from the AD because no one was buying them in favor of the Speedmaster that had been to the moon a year earlier. I always try to wear it when I visit her. It always puts a smile on her face and she says "Awww, you're still wearing your Dad's watch...I wanted to hit him over his head with it...$230!". God bless her...she can't remember what she had for breakfast.

Incredible tale, very envious as another 6263 enthusiast/hunter.

[Bigsoftee]

Not a Rolex but an Omega. Purchased a Silver Award Snoopy. Paid full retail which I think was £4360 or £4630, going for lots more now on the resale market, around £10k. Tempted to sell as never liked nor bonded with Snoopy despite my love of snoopy, and my first ever watch being a citizen blue snoopy, Rolex runs in my blood I guess, 5 and counting :)seven by the end of the year

[brandonwu0822]

BLNR batman for 7700. Dont think i will ever lose money on that purchase!

[William.L.]

Mine wasn't a purchase made by me, but rather through me. Through an interesting series of events and conversations, the chairman of the board of the company I wanted to work for wanted an impossible to get new release by Rolex. I got him the first one allocated to the shop. I finish my business degree and my last day of class is August 18th. I start working for the company September 1st in Fort Myers. Sold it at retail cost and didn't care about the premium they were pulling and still are, instead earned a career and a paid move to the sunshine state.

[gt0279a]

Found this unworn, 30 year old R serial Submariner on Ebay.
Wore it for about a year and sold it for $1500 more

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I bought my 116718 at $17k BNIB from my AD. So I stand to profit nicely if I ever sell it - never going to happen.

What year was that?

[Uppersouth]

https://youtu.be/li0mRLcGbU8

This guy takes the cake!!

[rolex aficionado]

Well...
Probably my 116520 Daytona, although it was a gift but I know I'll get $3000 more from what it was worth back then if I sell it now

the 16610 is 1000 more from what I bought it for 10 years ago, considering what I paid for the repairs

last my father's gold datejust, it's priceless...

[rolex aficionado]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Here you go Aschneid, my Dad bought this 6263 around '70. I got it in'84.My 83 year old Mom still tells the story of how she wanted to hit him over his head with it when he brought it home. $230.00. He always claimed he got it with a BIG discount from the AD because no one was buying them in favor of the Speedmaster that had been to the moon a year earlier. I always try to wear it when I visit her. It always puts a smile on her face and she says "Awww, you're still wearing your Dad's watch...I wanted to hit him over his head with it...$230!". God bless her...she can't remember what she had for breakfast.

That's a very touching story!!!!
Awesome watch with awesome parents!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rolex aficionado]

Originally Posted by Uppersouth

https://youtu.be/li0mRLcGbU8

This guy takes the cake!!

wow!!!
the look on his face!!!
wow!!!

[chazha]

I paid approximately 2800 GBP for a 16610lv back in 2008. It's still brand new with stickers sitting in a safe today. One day I will flip it. Hmm I wonder whats the value of this piece today.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[RMC12]

According to Watchfinder I could make £2k profit on my LVc if I sold it for the prices advertised for one the same age mine. My WG sub was bought like new and I could probably do a bit better on that one.

Never going to get sold though!!

[Quicksilver]

I have bought and flipped s few watches in my time. I have never made a penny's profit. I could probably make a small killing if I sold my GMT Pepsi but it's my desert island Rolex and I'd never sell. I just bought my Sub at a £500 premium due to stock shortages in the UK. So zero profits so far.

Do I care - no!

Am I having fun - yes!

[THC]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Ironic, given that Rolex is the one luxury brand you shouldn't have to ever worry about selling at a loss (losing value).....over a normal ownership period.

Huh?

[TimeToWatch]

Originally Posted by Uppersouth

https://youtu.be/li0mRLcGbU8

This guy takes the cake!!

This one's a classic

[Chiboy]

My first Rolex was a TT DJ that I got new in 1985. My father had a client in the jewelry business and he was able to get me one for cost from one of his friends. I think it was $1640 for a $2375 list. I wore it every day for 31 years until I got my Daytona. Now that I know, I can't help think "I could have bought a 6263!!!!" But I've enjoyed the watch immensely, and today it's worth, I don't know, $3000-$4000.

I got impatient on the waitlist for a white SS Daytona (got on list 11 months ago) and bought a platinum Daytona last December. The plan is to make a few quid (as you Brits say, lol) when it comes in, to (in my head) reduce the cost of the platinum one. But I'm not sure. I may just keep it. I still think it's the most awesome value and best looking watch out there for $12k.

Fun thread.

[ekbusdriver]

I really LOVE these stories!! Thanks for sharing.
and that youtube video....I was near speechless "watching" it. Fantastic!!!!

[Moggo]

I bought one of the last of the 16610 models and got 10% discount in the UK, those were the days :) Worth more than I paid I guess now.

Also got an SD4K for £5200 a year back before the hype when they discontinued them so I guess that's worth more than I paid now.

Not going to retire on the profits though :)


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[adawil2002]

My 16550 Polar purchased in 1986 for $1,360. Got lucky, it's a cream rail dial and is currently my most valuable Rolex. Have seen them advertised from $14K to $18K.

[ap1]

I'd say everyone owning a 116500 has gain, 5711 (blue) too. As for the losers, too many to list. Wg Rolex (Daytona panda) was my worst - about -37% on dealer trade from my already nicely discounted bnib purchase price.

[m j b]

Now, if you want to start a thread about how much money I lose on every flip...

the closest I came to "making" money was on my first Rolex, a used 14060M that I bought at full retail from DSW. A few years later I wanted to upgrade to the ceramic, so I sold it here for almost what I had paid for it. Since I hadn't had to service it or put any money in it, I thought that was pretty good.

[traf]

Originally Posted by tomilg

My biggest profit.....I responded to a Craigslist Ad. A gent was selling a Vintage 18K Datejust with a Presidential Bracelet for $3900... I was the first one that called him and he lived a couple of miles away. I was there in 15 minutes and bought the piece and then immediately took it to my jeweler who offered me $7900...I'm not a PM guy so instead, I traded for a beautiful 16710 Pepsi he had in his case and $2300 in cash....in the end I'm into the 16710 for just $1,600.

Vintage Datejust:


16710 Pepsi:

Well played

[KarlS]

My best Rolex was the 116655 where I only lost GBP1000

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

What year was that?

2008. Lucky for me, the 116718 sold today is identical to the ones launched a decade ago.

[OldOak]

My first Rolex was a SD4000, pre owned from a dealer in Leicester as i was passing by the shop. £6k. I wanted a Sub but he told me this was basically the same..... looking back he knew jack all about Rolex! I wore it non stop for 6 months and it was just a little tall and bulky. you know what is coming. I didn't know enough about the watch or the brand, so i sold it for £5k!! and got a no date sub. I didn't regret it as it wears so much better, but my god i wish i had kept it now! Apparently the guy i sold it to just has it sat in his safe, I get over it with the fact that i am not rich and i love to WEAR my watches!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by kilyung

2008. Lucky for me, the 116718 sold today is identical to the ones launched a decade ago.

I remember seeing this GMTc for sale unworn in 2011 for £11K, now retail is £25K, but at the time I was just getting my head around paying £5K for a SS Subc Anyway another Patek price rise in Sep means a bit more profit on mine.