Where did you get your vintage watch?

[dddrees]

Where you would you recomend getting a vintage watch?

[HL65]

Andrew Shear and Eric Ku for me. Tell them what I am looking for and let them hunt it down. These two gentlemen seem to uncover some of the nicest minty vintage Rolex around--and again -they never hit the street for sale!! Highly recommend them and they are straight up gentlemen as I said before!!!

[Frogman4me]

From Ken if he ever decides to sell any of his perfect examples.
I won't be holding my breath...

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

From Ken if he ever decides to sell any of his perfect examples.
I won't be holding my breath...

If I do you will be first to know!!! How about a Tropical 6262 Daytona-made only for one year from 69'??
Naaaaah You are a Sub guy!!! DRSD or bust my friend!!

[Dan Pierce]

Believe it or not, ebay was a source for a few. Also, TZ, WUS, and our own, Steve Mullholland.
dP

[Clay]

I think the best place to find a nice vintage piece is another collector.....

Dealers are fine, but you will pay a premium........And some of them (Not all) are, shall we say, a little less then honest......(I could tell you stories.....)

I've found that known and trusted collectors, when they decide to part with something, are your best bet......These people are usually into the hobby for the hobby's sake and not to make money....They tend to be more honest and forthright about what it is they are selling.....And the entire experience seems to be more pleasant....

An example....If Ken were to part with a watch, he would be the ideal person to purchase from.......

Having said that, two of the nicest watches I've ever owned came from ebay....But that was many moons ago and I find that things there have changed......

[tattooedfagin]

Mark Lerman

[HL65]

Clay- thanks! Also- Mark Lerman is great- a solid collector who I have bought some pieces from as well as a few other well known collectors. Again- my main point is that most of the super minty pieces never hit the market so you either have to be in the know or have a great hunter on you side!! There is a huge difference between a super mint watch and an very day vintage watch IMHO. Those who have eyes for it spot it immediately as you know exactly what to look for!

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

If I do you will be first to know!!! How about a Tropical 6262 Daytona-made only for one year from 69'??
Naaaaah You are a Sub guy!!! DRSD or bust my friend!!

haha you know me well, I would be lying if I said I didn't think about it! but for now nothing will supersede a DRSD, except maybe a perfect meters first Sub

[NikkiTyler]

I got mine from a pawn shop. I would not recomend doing this but I lucked out by knowing the owner of this shop. I have heard of alot of people getting fakes from pawn shops but these are shops where they rarely deal with Rolex. Now there is alot of shops that you can depend on for this but you need to do your research on the shops before you do so.

[NikkiTyler]

And if they are a member of TRF and own a pawn shop then I would trust it!

[ac001]

I purchased mine from Steve Mulholland. A great person to deal with and a great TRF resource.

[eparisini]

Trusted sellers in ITALY for me!

[onkyo]

I really don't know..... all of a sudden a box shows up on my desk and my bank account has shrunk.

[dddrees]

Not sure what is next for me, I do know the next one will take more time than any of the previous ones. I'm just looking around and considering my options at this point.

Awesome thanks guys.

[VinSub1680]

My first Rolex was 16234 was from my papa. The second was 16800 from the pawn shop. The third and fourth were 1680 4 mil and 5 mil from my friend. Well the fifth one does not exist yet because Mr. Eric Ku will not show his 5513 to me until this weekend.

[jdc]

One on TZ, two Ebay, one from here

[Welshwatchman]

I obtained my 1675 from a fellow member here, located in the USA.

[Michael M.]

Got my 6564 through Greg Minuskin, once he had a 5514 Comex.

[UofRSpider]

I bought my DateJust at a local pawn shop. I had been watching it for about 8 months and we finally reached an agreement. It's a 1984 vintage 18K/ SS with the jubilee bracelet and gold dial. After I bought it I immediately carried it to my Rolex AD and had them authenticate it. 100% original and authentic. I will not post what I paid for it because you would hate me.

Patience was rewarded with regards to my Rolex purchase.

Several weeks prior to my DateJust purchase, the pawn shop sold a vintage seadweller (they basically gave it away). I missed that purchase by one day dang it.

I bought an 1958 Omega Seamaster on eBay several years ago and got a terrific deal on it. Runs great and is worth at least double what I paid for it. I also had it authenticated after I received it. Since the purchase I installed an original Omega SS buckle and SS crown on it (it had an aftermarket crown).

Ebay has always concerned me. I have gotten some great deals but I also see franken-watches advertised frequently. If you know your product you are one step ahead of the game.

[adam78]

Depends on what you're looking for. I've bought quite a few very nice watches on eBay, although I must say that the very first vintage Rolex I bought was a "learning experience" for me (5 years ago). You have to do the research first; it's so easy to get burned on the 'bay. I've also bought from certain dealers such as WBAW, watchestobuy, and one great bubbleback from a local vintage place (which I wouldn't really go to again, as they are very pricy).

[Newportkrieger]

Steve Mulholland had provided me with both a matte 5513 and 16750. Great guy to deal with and a great source of information before a purchase.

[Yazo]

Originally Posted by tattooedfagin

Mark Lerman

Yup.... and you know where I found him? Ebay of all places!!

[stevemulholland3]

Originally Posted by ac001

I purchased mine from Steve Mulholland. A great person to deal with and a great TRF resource.

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

Steve Mulholland had provided me with both a matte 5513 and 16750. Great guy to deal with and a great source of information before a purchase.

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Believe it or not, ebay was a source for a few. Also, TZ, WUS, and our own, Steve Mullholland.
dP

Thanks guys!
and it was my pleasure dealing with both of you as well!
But seriously,you need to be extra careful with vintage Rolex..and you need to buy one from someone who not only knows a lot about the models but who also can disassemble one and knows the ins & outs of the movements as well as the external factors.
There are many sellers who I deal with on a regular basis at our IWJG shows and they are top notch guys and very knowledgeable as well.But as soon as I get home and start going thru my purchases inside and out to get them ready for the market place I would say at least 5 out of 10 have some internal parts that are aftermarket or simply for the wrong model/movement and they where "rigged" to work in the watch.
I am not saying that these guys knew about it or had anything to do with it,but the fact is that they didnt have the necessary skills to determine these matters.
so please..just be careful and have your investment inspected by a professional.

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by stevemulholland3

There are many sellers who I deal with on a regular basis at our IWJG shows and they are top notch guys and very knowledgeable as well.But as soon as I get home and start going thru my purchases inside and out to get them ready for the market place I would say at least 5 out of 10 have some internal parts that are aftermarket or simply for the wrong model/movement and they where "rigged" to work in the watch.
I am not saying that these guys knew about it or had anything to do with it,but the fact is that they didnt have the necessary skills to determine these matters.
so please..just be careful and have your investment inspected by a professional.

That is quite scary!

[Dr. Robert]

Steve Mulholland right here on TRF!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by stevemulholland3

Thanks guys!
and it was my pleasure dealing with both of you as well!
But seriously,you need to be extra careful with vintage Rolex..and you need to buy one from someone who not only knows a lot about the models but who also can disassemble one and knows the ins & outs of the movements as well as the external factors.
There are many sellers who I deal with on a regular basis at our IWJG shows and they are top notch guys and very knowledgeable as well.But as soon as I get home and start going thru my purchases inside and out to get them ready for the market place I would say at least 5 out of 10 have some internal parts that are aftermarket or simply for the wrong model/movement and they where "rigged" to work in the watch.
I am not saying that these guys knew about it or had anything to do with it,but the fact is that they didnt have the necessary skills to determine these matters.
so please..just be careful and have your investment inspected by a professional.

If I go vintage I definitely don't want to get burned,that is for sure.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

That is quite scary!

And oh how true! I hear even worse in Europe at the shows. Every Oyster you buy needs to be cracked opened and looked at thoroughly by an expert as Steve says! Every single detail checked over mm by mm! If you don't have a great trusted watchmaker and expert--don'y buy a vintage Rolex or Panerai for that matter!! A lot of bad people out there looking to feed on buyers!!
Great advice Steve!

[Alcan]

You can't get any more vintage than this one which I found on eBay.

[Paracentesis]

From Yotittyyhaha!

http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/sports.html