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cbsmohai · 26 November 2007, 05:11 PM

First and foremost, I'm a new member here and I apologize if I'm not following any rules I might have missed.

The reason I created this account, was to research my watch.

This watch was purchased by my father in the early 1980's and was given to my mother in a divorce decree specifically requesting I be given this watch on my 21st birthday.

The thing is, at the time this was simply a standard stainless Rolex and hadn't been so coveted as it is today.

I'm not a watch collector, but I would love to have a fine watch to keep and eventually pass on to my son. I would like to sell my 1655 and purchase another Rolex. The reason I would be doing this would be to begin saving for my child's college and at the same time still have a nice watch.

My question is this:

If I were to sell this watch privately, I'd assume it would bring roughly 16000-18000 dollars, and that's in it's original condition (never had dial, bracelet, etc replaced)

Would a more intelligent approach be to simply leave it in it's SDB and let it appreciate? I do not have books, box, certs etc that went along with it but our family's jeweler has informed me that this watch is a 100% authentic.

The other thing is that my father and I don't speak, and he hasn't been around since I was young. The sentimental value of this watch is nil.

What would you gents suggest?

scottschoe · 26 November 2007, 07:21 PM

If you need the cash, that's an easy reason to sell. Holding onto a watch waiting for it to appreciate is probably not that great of an idea. It's probably due for a service by the way, just make sure the important bits aren't replaced.

cbsmohai · 26 November 2007, 07:39 PM

That's kind of the issue though, I don't need the cash.

I just feel I would be much better suited in a new model Explorer II or Submariner. I've had the watch for 6 years now, and wear it very infrequently.

Again, I'm not a collecter and this is a collector's timepiece. I don't really have any other reason to keep such a watch.

fly-dad · 26 November 2007, 08:05 PM

cbsmohai,

First off...welcome to TRF, I'm pretty new compared to the likes of JJ but I've learned a great deal reading through these threads.

I think we could use some more info on the watch. 16 to 18 seems high...most early 80s "Steve McQueen" Explorer's I have seen list for around 10.

What can you tell us more about the watch?

arttay10 · 26 November 2007, 08:23 PM

Hi cbsmohai,

Welcome to the forum

I don't think anyone can advise you of the correct path to take with your 1655 - Except you.

If money is not your motivation - then you either keep your collectors peice and buy a new Rolex or:
If you want a new Rolex and don't have the spare cash ,Sell it - to fund your new Rolex purchase.

It seems to me you have already made up your mind to sell it - and you are trying to gauge a worth for it on here.
I'm no expert, but as a collector - given the fact you have no box or paperwork and as Scott already pointed out - the watch could proberbly do with a service, your estimate of $16k-$18k is a bit high.

frostie · 26 November 2007, 08:29 PM

Welcome to TRF

SPACE-DWELLER · 26 November 2007, 10:45 PM

Welcome to TRF!

Frankly, I think you will regret bitterly selling that 1655!

I would definately keep it, if I were you, especially since you don't even NEED the cash.

If you want another Rolex, save for it. You can always get some new model, but the 1655's don't grow on trees.

Keep it, my friend!

Lobo · 27 November 2007, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbsmohai

What would you gents suggest?

http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/

Best regards, Lobo.

mc1010 · 27 November 2007, 02:58 AM

a picture would be great :)

cbsmohai · 28 November 2007, 03:43 AM

Thank you guys for the all the helpful advice.

A little more about the watch...

Well, for one...I mentioned my dad purchased the watch in the early to mid 80's but I don't believe it's a middle eighties model. It has a very yellowish/orange hand, as opposed to a more vibrant reddish orange hand. Additionally, the dial is the T Swiss T dial, where I believe the newer model is Swiss T25???

Also, the second hand doesn't have the luminous dot. Therefore this must be one of the earlier 1655's....no?

I have also decided to keep the watch for now. Although I very seldomly wear this piece simply because I'm afraid something might happen to it, I've decided to treat myself to a Sub or GMT now that I'm no longer a smoker. It'll be a present that both my fiance and mother have decided to chip in on (as a reminder that I'm a non-smoker now and forever)

:)

mike · 28 November 2007, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbsmohai

Thank you guys for the all the helpful advice.

A little more about the watch...

Well, for one...I mentioned my dad purchased the watch in the early to mid 80's but I don't believe it's a middle eighties model. It has a very yellowish/orange hand, as opposed to a more vibrant reddish orange hand. Additionally, the dial is the T Swiss T dial, where I believe the newer model is Swiss T25???

Also, the second hand doesn't have the luminous dot. Therefore this must be one of the earlier 1655's....no?

I have also decided to keep the watch for now. Although I very seldomly wear this piece simply because I'm afraid something might happen to it, I've decided to treat myself to a Sub or GMT now that I'm no longer a smoker. It'll be a present that both my fiance and mother have decided to chip in on (as a reminder that I'm a non-smoker now and forever)

:)

Yes. Straight seconds hand is earlier (and to some more desirable). The 24 hr. hand has been known to fade after a while, probably due to exposure to UV rays.

cbsmohai · 28 November 2007, 05:40 AM

Yes mine has faded, and the luminova/tritium has faded from a white to more of an eggshell/off white over time.

mike · 28 November 2007, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbsmohai

Yes mine has faded, and the luminova/tritium has faded from a white to more of an eggshell/off white over time.

Entirely normal. Sounds like a lovely watch.

cbsmohai · 28 November 2007, 06:35 AM

I'll get some pics up very shortly.

26 November 2007, 05:11 PM	#1
cbsmohai "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Travis Location: Central Texas Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 284	Questions regarding my Rolex Explorer II - 1655 First and foremost, I'm a new member here and I apologize if I'm not following any rules I might have missed. The reason I created this account, was to research my watch. This watch was purchased by my father in the early 1980's and was given to my mother in a divorce decree specifically requesting I be given this watch on my 21st birthday. The thing is, at the time this was simply a standard stainless Rolex and hadn't been so coveted as it is today. I'm not a watch collector, but I would love to have a fine watch to keep and eventually pass on to my son. I would like to sell my 1655 and purchase another Rolex. The reason I would be doing this would be to begin saving for my child's college and at the same time still have a nice watch. My question is this: If I were to sell this watch privately, I'd assume it would bring roughly 16000-18000 dollars, and that's in it's original condition (never had dial, bracelet, etc replaced) Would a more intelligent approach be to simply leave it in it's SDB and let it appreciate? I do not have books, box, certs etc that went along with it but our family's jeweler has informed me that this watch is a 100% authentic. The other thing is that my father and I don't speak, and he hasn't been around since I was young. The sentimental value of this watch is nil. What would you gents suggest?

26 November 2007, 07:21 PM	#2
scottschoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA Posts: 3,295	If you need the cash, that's an easy reason to sell. Holding onto a watch waiting for it to appreciate is probably not that great of an idea. It's probably due for a service by the way, just make sure the important bits aren't replaced. __________________ __________________

26 November 2007, 10:45 PM	#7
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Welcome to TRF! Frankly, I think you will regret bitterly selling that 1655! I would definately keep it, if I were you, especially since you don't even NEED the cash. If you want another Rolex, save for it. You can always get some new model, but the 1655's don't grow on trees. Keep it, my friend! __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

26 November 2007, 07:39 PM	#3
cbsmohai "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Travis Location: Central Texas Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 284	That's kind of the issue though, I don't need the cash. I just feel I would be much better suited in a new model Explorer II or Submariner. I've had the watch for 6 years now, and wear it very infrequently. Again, I'm not a collecter and this is a collector's timepiece. I don't really have any other reason to keep such a watch.

26 November 2007, 08:05 PM	#4
fly-dad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Peter Location: Maui Breach Watch: GMT IIc Posts: 230	cbsmohai, First off...welcome to TRF, I'm pretty new compared to the likes of JJ but I've learned a great deal reading through these threads. I think we could use some more info on the watch. 16 to 18 seems high...most early 80s "Steve McQueen" Explorer's I have seen list for around 10. What can you tell us more about the watch?

26 November 2007, 08:23 PM	#5
arttay10 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancashire, UK Watch: ???????? Posts: 2,187	Hi cbsmohai, Welcome to the forum I don't think anyone can advise you of the correct path to take with your 1655 - Except you. If money is not your motivation - then you either keep your collectors peice and buy a new Rolex or: If you want a new Rolex and don't have the spare cash ,Sell it - to fund your new Rolex purchase. It seems to me you have already made up your mind to sell it - and you are trying to gauge a worth for it on here. I'm no expert, but as a collector - given the fact you have no box or paperwork and as Scott already pointed out - the watch could proberbly do with a service, your estimate of $16k-$18k is a bit high.

26 November 2007, 08:29 PM	#6
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	Welcome to TRF

27 November 2007, 02:58 AM	#9
mc1010 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Mark Location: * Posts: 240	a picture would be great :)

28 November 2007, 03:43 AM	#10
cbsmohai "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Travis Location: Central Texas Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 284	Thank you guys for the all the helpful advice. A little more about the watch... Well, for one...I mentioned my dad purchased the watch in the early to mid 80's but I don't believe it's a middle eighties model. It has a very yellowish/orange hand, as opposed to a more vibrant reddish orange hand. Additionally, the dial is the T Swiss T dial, where I believe the newer model is Swiss T25??? Also, the second hand doesn't have the luminous dot. Therefore this must be one of the earlier 1655's....no? I have also decided to keep the watch for now. Although I very seldomly wear this piece simply because I'm afraid something might happen to it, I've decided to treat myself to a Sub or GMT now that I'm no longer a smoker. It'll be a present that both my fiance and mother have decided to chip in on (as a reminder that I'm a non-smoker now and forever) :)

28 November 2007, 05:40 AM	#12
cbsmohai "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Travis Location: Central Texas Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 284	Yes mine has faded, and the luminova/tritium has faded from a white to more of an eggshell/off white over time.

28 November 2007, 06:35 AM	#14
cbsmohai "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Travis Location: Central Texas Watch: Sub Date 16610 Posts: 284	I'll get some pics up very shortly.

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