Vintage Rolex Prices...

[rkk208]

Hey guys,

how is the price trend in vintage rolexes?

It's not like I want to make fortune but I at least want watch that will increase slightly in price so that I won't lose when trading for another watch.

Any recommendations? Something below 20k would be greatly appreciated.

Interested in sports models like 1655, 1680 Red...

What do you guys think about daytona? 6263?? (although it is out of my budget)

[Frogman4me]

If we knew which watch would go up in value we would be rich. Nothing is guaranteed therefore the best insurance is to buy a watch you really enjoy without going in debt over it. Enjoying and appreciating the watch should be the value in itself. The monetary consistency that Rolex seems to offer is just a bonus.

[HL65]

X2! Buy one you really like. Decide on a Sub, Exp, SD etc. A lot of options in that price range with the 6263 not being one of them of course. Since you asked- great watch- especially with a PN dial!

[cruvon]

short answer, check the list on the link below if you like any in your range:),offcourse there are more than that so look up the threads here too to see what you like

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=180464

[springer]

Here is my best advice, and while some might not agree, it is based on numbers, many numbers. Nobody can predict what a collector watch will be worth in the future. The same holds true for almost any collectable. Whether it will appreciate or depreciate is anyone's guess. Years ago, the hottest collector Rolex was the "bubble backs." While the "bubble backs" are still collectable and valuable, they tanked in value many years ago and the market never came back to where it was. If you purchased one twenty years ago, it could have depreciated, appreciated or, if lucky, it might be worth what you paid for it now. The "bubble back" Rolex definitely fell out-of-favor with collectors. Enter a new generation of collectors now, and the Rolex sports models are the hot ticket.

Currently, there are thousands of collectors for vintage sports models in the $5,000 to $9,000 price range. As the prices increase, the collector base dwindles substantially. There are not as many collectors in the $10,000 to $20,000 price range and as prices escalate further, so does the collector base. It is this way with any collectable.

Some day, you, along with everyone else, will have to liquidate a watch or collection. When that time comes, and if your collector watch maintains or appreciates in value, the larger the base of buyers, the better it is for you. As far as the collector Rolex watches go, if they continue to appreciate in value, all the vintage sports models should do well. Of course the nicer watches would probably do better, but again, if they market maintains some appreciation, I would want a watch that would be easy to sell with a large number of collectors in my selling range.

With that said, if I had $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on a vintage Rolex now, I would purchase a very nice GMT 1675 and a very nice Submariner 1680. I would look for a watch that is as complete as possible as they bring the best prices when it comes time to sell. And who knows, while Submariners seem to be the hot ticket now, GMT's might change all that in the future, especially since Rolex isn't making multi-colored bezel inserts anymore, which are very popular.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by springer

Here is my best advice, and while some might not agree, it is based on numbers, many numbers. Nobody can predict what a collector watch will be worth in the future. The same holds true for almost any collectable. Whether it will appreciate or depreciate is anyone's guess. Years ago, the hottest collector Rolex was the "bubble backs." While the "bubble backs" are still collectable and valuable, they tanked in value many years ago and the market never came back to where it was. If you purchased one twenty years ago, it could have depreciated, appreciated or, if lucky, it might be worth what you paid for it now. The "bubble back" Rolex definitely fell out-of-favor with collectors. Enter a new generation of collectors now, and the Rolex sports models are the hot ticket.

Currently, there are thousands of collectors for vintage sports models in the $5,000 to $9,000 price range. As the prices increase, the collector base dwindles substantially. There are not as many collectors in the $10,000 to $20,000 price range and as prices escalate further, so does the collector base. It is this way with any collectable.

Some day, you, along with everyone else, will have to liquidate a watch or collection. When that time comes, and if your collector watch maintains or appreciates in value, the larger the base of buyers, the better it is for you. As far as the collector Rolex watches go, if they continue to appreciate in value, all the vintage sports models should do well. Of course the nicer watches would probably do better, but again, if they market maintains some appreciation, I would want a watch that would be easy to sell with a large number of collectors in my selling range.

With that said, if I had $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on a vintage Rolex now, I would purchase a very nice GMT 1675 and a very nice Submariner 1680. I would look for a watch that is as complete as possible as they bring the best prices when it comes time to sell. And who knows, while Submariners seem to be the hot ticket now, GMT's might change all that in the future, especially since Rolex isn't making multi-colored dials anymore.

well put John!!

[chestercopperpot]

Yes, very well put sir.

[HL65]

Just to come back to this one: The truth of the matter is none of us know the future and all of us would like to think we do. Of course if we had a say the vintage market would be on fire and constantly going higher. As for your question: Look around and do your homework--Don't ask us who each have different tastes for what we like. Find a reference that speaks to you regardless of what it might be: GMT, Sub , Exp etc. Get what you like not because you are looking to make money but because you are looking to enjoy it and wear it!! Taste and opinions are all subjective...Happy hunting!

[DiamondJack]

If I was only collecting for a relatively short term monetary profit in mind (less than 5 years), I would probably not buy Rolex at all. Whilst prices will quite possibly improve, subject to world economic events, the impact of China and emerging economies on the well known "I have an expensive watch" brands, Rolex is already highly sought after and therefore one could say already fairly "toppy" in terms of prices. I personally have only bought Rolex because I love wearing them and the design, history and recognition of the brand.

If I was buying with a commercial profit in mind, then I would look at other well known brands re-positioning themselves into the higher end market - perhaps Omega with all their new boutiques and celebrity endorsement signings. Vintage Omega are, IMO, still well under-priced and are of similar quality but just not as sought after (at the moment) as Rolex.

For example, there is now a vintage Omega store in Burlington Arcade in London and vintage Speedmaster prices are starting to move as collectors gather pre-moon Speedy's into their collections. But the golden rule when investing solely for monetary reasons, is not to follow the herd and hope your contrarian approach pays off. Best of luck in your gamble

[RLX-lvr]

Well said John, great post!

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by springer

Here is my best advice, and while some might not agree, it is based on numbers, many numbers. Nobody can predict what a collector watch will be worth in the future. The same holds true for almost any collectable. Whether it will appreciate or depreciate is anyone's guess. Years ago, the hottest collector Rolex was the "bubble backs." While the "bubble backs" are still collectable and valuable, they tanked in value many years ago and the market never came back to where it was. If you purchased one twenty years ago, it could have depreciated, appreciated or, if lucky, it might be worth what you paid for it now. The "bubble back" Rolex definitely fell out-of-favor with collectors. Enter a new generation of collectors now, and the Rolex sports models are the hot ticket.

Currently, there are thousands of collectors for vintage sports models in the $5,000 to $9,000 price range. As the prices increase, the collector base dwindles substantially. There are not as many collectors in the $10,000 to $20,000 price range and as prices escalate further, so does the collector base. It is this way with any collectable.

Some day, you, along with everyone else, will have to liquidate a watch or collection. When that time comes, and if your collector watch maintains or appreciates in value, the larger the base of buyers, the better it is for you. As far as the collector Rolex watches go, if they continue to appreciate in value, all the vintage sports models should do well. Of course the nicer watches would probably do better, but again, if they market maintains some appreciation, I would want a watch that would be easy to sell with a large number of collectors in my selling range.

With that said, if I had $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on a vintage Rolex now, I would purchase a very nice GMT 1675 and a very nice Submariner 1680. I would look for a watch that is as complete as possible as they bring the best prices when it comes time to sell. And who knows, while Submariners seem to be the hot ticket now, GMT's might change all that in the future, especially since Rolex isn't making multi-colored bezel inserts anymore, which are very popular.

Well said John. I would like to add that vintage Rolex in general is the softest I have ever seen it at the moment. Every person will have a different opinion on this and for many reasons. Over the last 6-8 months I have noticed a new trend and a big spread on the same ref #s. I will use a matte 1675 for example. Non can be had under 3k and between 3-4k all sell quick and in any condition even junk well polished chipped dials,mix match hands etc sell. Complete mint sets in no issue status are selling same ref# and year for say 5-7.5k Now all the watches in between are NOT selling and sitting.So we have a strong low end and top end market but anything in between is dead. I see the same with most models as well and the spreads are big with the reds etc. The top end seems strong because there is only a handfull of these watches available. The low end because its the watch people want and cheap.The mid end is no mans land as people are factoring in the cost to make it no issue and buyers are spooked. I buy watches I like and dont look at $$$ as most of these watches have gone up 10-100 times what they were new,how much more can they go?

[mike]

Originally Posted by springer

Here is my best advice, and while some might not agree, it is based on numbers, many numbers. Nobody can predict what a collector watch will be worth in the future. The same holds true for almost any collectable. Whether it will appreciate or depreciate is anyone's guess. Years ago, the hottest collector Rolex was the "bubble backs." While the "bubble backs" are still collectable and valuable, they tanked in value many years ago and the market never came back to where it was. If you purchased one twenty years ago, it could have depreciated, appreciated or, if lucky, it might be worth what you paid for it now. The "bubble back" Rolex definitely fell out-of-favor with collectors. Enter a new generation of collectors now, and the Rolex sports models are the hot ticket.

Currently, there are thousands of collectors for vintage sports models in the $5,000 to $9,000 price range. As the prices increase, the collector base dwindles substantially. There are not as many collectors in the $10,000 to $20,000 price range and as prices escalate further, so does the collector base. It is this way with any collectable.

Some day, you, along with everyone else, will have to liquidate a watch or collection. When that time comes, and if your collector watch maintains or appreciates in value, the larger the base of buyers, the better it is for you. As far as the collector Rolex watches go, if they continue to appreciate in value, all the vintage sports models should do well. Of course the nicer watches would probably do better, but again, if they market maintains some appreciation, I would want a watch that would be easy to sell with a large number of collectors in my selling range.

With that said, if I had $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on a vintage Rolex now, I would purchase a very nice GMT 1675 and a very nice Submariner 1680. I would look for a watch that is as complete as possible as they bring the best prices when it comes time to sell. And who knows, while Submariners seem to be the hot ticket now, GMT's might change all that in the future, especially since Rolex isn't making multi-colored bezel inserts anymore, which are very popular.