What’s a fair price for a complete set unpolished 16710?

[DoctorA]

I know the classifieds have some of them, and other websites have some as well, but prices are alllll over the place!!

A couple of years ago they were on the $6k-$7k range, today I see them as low as $8k and as high as $16k and I’m not talking the 3186 caliber

So what’s a fair range for an unpolished no lug holes SEL complete set with no service history?

[Dsmith1974]

A good set late model is going for 10K GBP at TS in London.


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[ADR1982]

I haven't seen full sets for less than 10k usd anywhere

[1665fan]

A couple weeks ago 6-7k?? Try 2-3 years ago

[Swaye]

12K. You can get variance around there but about 12K is what people are asking now. I have seen a couple in the 10.5-11K range a few weeks ago but they were snapped up within a day.

[SubMarine]

I need to search for the link, but the 3185 has been proven to be more reliable than the 3186.

[samson66]

Makes me wish I had held onto my 16710 a little longer but didn't have the funds to add rather than trade. Mine is probably worth $3K more today than when I flipped it 18 months ago. Oh well, easy come easy go...

[037]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

today I see them as low as $8k and as high as $16k and I’m not talking the 3186 caliber

So what’s a fair range for an unpolished no lug holes SEL complete set with no service history?

You've answered your own question here. "Fair" is whatever you're willing to pay for the condition. If you're hunting for a bargain then it'll take some time. If you want the best of the best then it'll be at the higher end.

[swils8610]

2 or 3 years ago 7k to 8k. Today...12k to 15k...


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[dhknola]

If you can live with out the 'full kit' you can still find nice examples for what seems like the 8-9k range, they do seem to have an inordinate 'full kit' value of at least 10k and seemingly more like 12k.
While from an investment stand point, full kits are certainly worth the premium (for now at least), I remember an old watch dealer telling me (and it worked bc I bit and bought the watch) "You can't wear the box and papers".

[khalifam]

Hey, I recently purchased a 16710 K serial box, papers swing tags and manuals for 8k. I think I over paid by about £500 but I purchased as everything was in its original condition and the seller was highly recommend. I took it to Rolex at St James and over the years I've got to know the technician, he had a quick look at the watch and told me it's running within COSC specification and no need for a service,overall I'm happy with what I paid and if I paid £7500 I probably would have had to service it which could have cost me £500-£800.

Good luck if you're buying!

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[DoctorA]

Should the original bezel insert color make a different in the value?
Black vs coke vs Pepsi?

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

Should the original bezel insert color make a different in the value?
Black vs coke vs Pepsi?

Not necessarily as the Bezel insert can be changed. There's speculation that the LN marked reference won't be changed to a pepsi/coke however, when I asked Rolex St James this question they said it's true but 9/10 times they will change it.

Remember, a 16700 can only come on a Pepsi and all black insert

The 16710 can be changed for all three.

Some dealers who don't know what they are doing sell the black ones for less than the pepsi... This is ridiculous but at the same time... A good opportunity to grab a steal!!!



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[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by khalifam

Not necessarily as the Bezel insert can be changed. There's speculation that the LN marked reference won't be changed to a pepsi/coke however, when I asked Rolex St James this question they said it's true but 9/10 times they will change it.

Remember, a 16700 can only come on a Pepsi and all black insert

The 16710 can be changed for all three.

Some dealers who don't know what they are doing sell the black ones for less than the pepsi... This is ridiculous but at the same time... A good opportunity to grab a steal!!!


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Wait, I didn’t know that you can’t change a born black 16710 to a Pepsi or Coke inserts! I thought they are all interchangeable

[khalifam]

My understanding is that if the original paperwork or the case signifies that the 16710 is a LN then RSC may refuse to change it. If you do a quick search on Google with "16710 ln to BLRO?"" You'll see countless threads on this topic.

Like I said though, when I asked RSC about this they said it's true however, 9/10 times they will change it...

I'm sure someone with a wealth of experience will chime in shortly and make things a bit more clearer :)

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[meyers]

Originally Posted by khalifam

Hey, I recently purchased a 16710 K serial box, papers swing tags and manuals for 8k. I think I over paid by about £500 but I purchased as everything was in its original condition and the seller was highly recommend.

So, quick conversion, you paid a little north of 10K USD

For comparison, I purchased an equivalent unpolished set for 9K USD in Q3 2017.

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by meyers

So, quick conversion, you paid a little north of 10K USD



For comparison, I purchased an equivalent unpolished set for 9K USD in Q3 2017.

Yep, 9k USD right now amounts to £6956 and I was finding it utterly impossible to find a 16710 decent condition with B&P for anything under £7000 ($9705).



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[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by khalifam

My understanding is that if the original paperwork or the case signifies that the 16710 is a LN then RSC may refuse to change it. If you do a quick search on Google with "16710 ln to BLRO?"" You'll see countless threads on this topic.

Like I said though, when I asked RSC about this they said it's true however, 9/10 times they will change it...

I'm sure someone with a wealth of experience will chime in shortly and make things a bit more clearer :)

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I understand that RSC might not do it but if I can source a coke and a Pepsi inserts I can change it myself on an originally black one..... correct?

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

I understand that RSC might not do it but if I can source a coke and a Pepsi inserts I can change it myself on an originally black one..... correct?

Yep 100% you can put any colour you like on it if YOU are fitting it. You can even source a multi coloured one from eBay if it's the correct dimensions!!

Have you tried watchfinder? They had a deal where they would guarantee to buy the watch back from you in two years time at the price you purchased it...





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[Fleetlord]

Are you buying it to wear or collect?

[tkc324]

Best way to get one for cheap is to buy a black 16700 and swatch out the bezel yourself.

[904VT]

IMO no more than $8k to $9k at the very most. Doesn't mean they aren't selling higher places, I just don't see them being worth it. Cool watches, but the modern bracelets are much better imo and those early 3186s had issues, so can't for the life of me understand why some sell at a premium and others are willing to pay a premium for it.

[joe100]

Some classic responses in here. Some folks are quoting low numbers and saying “I wouldn’t pay more than $x,xxx because it’s not worth a penny more. Ha! Well it’s not 2011 anymore. If we’re being honest, these watches really aren’t worth much more than $3500, but we don’t live in that world anymore. One nice thing about Rolex is that it does command a value that far exceeds the sum of its parts.

The last good value in Rolex is the 16570, for now. There will come a day when we look back at ~$5000 Explorer IIs with nostalgia, and I’m sure the same crowd will be saying “oh they’re not worth a penny more than $8500!”.

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Are you buying it to wear or collect?

To wear it but I’ve never bought a used model before and want it to be as prestige as possible so even though I will be wearing it but I want a “collectible” unit.

[ADR1982]

I've bought additional inserts from watchmakers with Rolex parts account. They or you can switch it out in 5 mins. Not a big deal at all.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by joe100

Some classic responses in here. Some folks are quoting low numbers and saying “I wouldn’t pay more than $x,xxx because it’s not worth a penny more. Ha! Well it’s not 2011 anymore. If we’re being honest, these watches really aren’t worth much more than $3500, but we don’t live in that world anymore. One nice thing about Rolex is that it does command a value that far exceeds the sum of its parts.

The last good value in Rolex is the 16570, for now. There will come a day when we look back at ~$5000 Explorer IIs with nostalgia, and I’m sure the same crowd will be saying “oh they’re not worth a penny more than $8500!”.

Agreed 40mm Exp2 are beautiful watches and essentially the same watch as the 16710.......if we take the 2008 price of the 16710 ~$5750 and adjust for inflation, it would be:

~$6800 today (and that's if you believe inflation is really as low as claimed. The basket imo is a non-relevant basket for actual consumers)

1986 16710 msrp of $1625 is only $3770 in 2019 dollars

If we took current 2019 prices and said they were ~$12k for 5 digit GMT Masters, in 1986 dollars that would've cost you only $5175


Seems to me no matter which way you look at it these are overvalued watches right now that imo may not persist in the long-run. We'll see what happens next recession

[strafer_kid]

These prices may not slip back too far even if there is a recession, particularly if the scarcity of new models continues....time will tell?

[037]

Good, unpolished examples will likely remain strong. Lesser examples will flood the market in a down economy. But, let's hope we don't find out.

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

To wear it but I’ve never bought a used model before and want it to be as prestige as possible so even though I will be wearing it but I want a “collectible” unit.

I bought and sold a complete set no holes 16710 last year. US papers will signify the original insert color (first letter after 16710), so if you buy with US papers, the most discerning collectors will want one with the "B" but most buyers won't care because they are easily interchangeable.

I just think the US papers with "B" is a bonus, but really shouldn't charge a premium, but we've all seen crazier (stick dial GMT II for example).

Condition, as always is more important.


16710A - Coke Bezel (red/black)
16710B - Pepsi Bezel (red/blue)
16710N - All Black Bezel

Pictures off the web for example of insert color codes:

[ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[Gtecko]

this watch will never go back to what is used to sell for couple of years ago ... new pricing are 8K USD and up.