Value in 1980's Rolex watches

[5512vs5513]

Hi everyone!

First post here !

I'd like to open a thread on a question that has been on the back of my mind for a few days now:

What is your opinion on the VALUE of buying Rolex from the mid 1980s to early 90s?

My initial thoughts are:

- Damn, these watches are already 20-30 years old
- They were still made with TRITIUM!
- Starting to age nicely
- They seem to have a significant discount vs. watches that are 30-40+ years older

BUT....

- They already look modern IMO
- Not a big fan of the wg surroundings in the markers
- I think (???) production numbers were significantly higher during this time, THUS less scarcity, thus less valuable

I'd like to get input primarily from a value perspective, and potential appreciation of this watches. As you all know, the recent climb in vintage prices has been parabolical. I wonder if you see a similar trend in 5-10 yrs?

That's it folks! Thanks for reading, and looking forward to your responses!!

[gouverneur]

I'm curious about this too. I do suspect over time the last gen of tritium dial watches will be a little more valuable, even if not truly scarce.

[joe100]

The 80s was a time of transition for Rolex. You'll hear the term "transitional" quite a bit with this era.

Take the 16750 GMT. Started out as a matte dial, no wg surrounds but by the mid-80s it has them and a gloss dial, but retains the acrylic crystal. The best of both worlds. However, the gloss laquer used on some of the gloss dials is very fragile.

[sigsauer]

I look forward to the consensus on this as I own a early eighties triple 6 Sea Dweller!

[5512vs5513]

I'd like to add this as food for thought:

A BIG FACTOR with the obsession of vintage Rolex is attributed to the watch's provenance.

We tend to fall in love not only with the watch itself, but also with the idea of how it was used as a TOOL. As you know, back in the 50-70s Rolex watches were relatively inexpensive.

But starting in the 80s and until today, Rolex became a luxury brand. So now I wonder how will perception change 30-50 years from today on watches that are today modern?

Will we be falling in love with a 1980s Sub that belonged to a banker or an oil-man? How will the premium we pay today based on the provenance be interpreted 30-50 years from now? Or will we just stop caring about that?

Getting too philosophical now! But would love to hear your thoughts on that as well :)

[springer]

Originally Posted by 5512vs5513

Hi everyone!

First post here !

I'd like to open a thread on a question that has been on the back of my mind for a few days now:

What is your opinion on the VALUE of buying Rolex from the mid 1980s to early 90s?

My initial thoughts are:

- Damn, these watches are already 20-30 years old
- They were still made with TRITIUM!
- Starting to age nicely
- They seem to have a significant discount vs. watches that are 30-40+ years older

BUT....

- They already look modern IMO
- Not a big fan of the wg surroundings in the markers
- I think (???) production numbers were significantly higher during this time, THUS less scarcity, thus less valuable

I'd like to get input primarily from a value perspective, and potential appreciation of this watches. As you all know, the recent climb in vintage prices has been parabolical. I wonder if you see a similar trend in 5-10 yrs?

That's it folks! Thanks for reading, and looking forward to your responses!!

I believe your observations are well presented and I agree with your conclusions. I don't see a significant appreciation for the later 1980-1990 models now, especially the sport models due to the over-abundant production numbers. But, with the introduction of the ceramic models, and the absence of the sapphire models, the non-ceramic Subs and GMT coke/pepsi stainless models, Sea Dwellers etc, there will come a time someday when these sapphire models become collectible - say another 15 to 20 years. When they do, vintage 16760 GMT IIs and early 16610 Subs will be sought out by collectors because they were the first models with the sapphire crystals and gold surround markers. The same holds true for the later 5513s and possibly the Submariner 14060. While all vintage and older models will most likely appreciate in the future, due to inflation and price increases, your best bet and bang will still be a vintage model such as the Submariner 1680, 16800 in matte as well as a matte 5513, GMT 1675 and matte 16750 along with some of the Sea Dwellers and Explorers and a few other models.

[The_Walrus]

Originally Posted by springer

i believe your observations are well presented and i agree with your conclusions. I don't see a significant appreciation for the later 1980-1990 models now, especially the sport models due to the over-abundant production numbers. But, with the introduction of the ceramic models, and the absence of the sapphire models, the non-ceramic subs and gmt coke/pepsi stainless models, sea dwellers etc, there will come a time someday when these sapphire models become collectible - say another 15 to 20 years. When they do, vintage 16760 gmt iis and early 16610 subs will be sought out by collectors because they were the first models with the sapphire crystals and gold surround markers. The same holds true for the later 5513s and possibly the submariner 14060. While all vintage and older models will most likely appreciate in the future, due to inflation and price increases, your best bet and bang will still be a vintage model such as the submariner 1680, 16800 in matte as well as a matte 5513, gmt 1675 and matte 16750 along with some of the sea dwellers and explorers and a few other models.

x 2

[5512vs5513]

Originally Posted by springer

I believe your observations are well presented and I agree with your conclusions. I don't see a significant appreciation for the later 1980-1990 models now, especially the sport models due to the over-abundant production numbers. But, with the introduction of the ceramic models, and the absence of the sapphire models, the non-ceramic Subs and GMT coke/pepsi stainless models, Sea Dwellers etc, there will come a time someday when these sapphire models become collectible - say another 15 to 20 years. When they do, vintage 16760 GMT IIs and early 16610 Subs will be sought out by collectors because they were the first models with the sapphire crystals and gold surround markers. The same holds true for the later 5513s and possibly the Submariner 14060. While all vintage and older models will most likely appreciate in the future, due to inflation and price increases, your best bet and bang will still be a vintage model such as the Submariner 1680, 16800 in matte as well as a matte 5513, GMT 1675 and matte 16750 along with some of the Sea Dwellers and Explorers and a few other models.

Sport on, and my thoughts exactly.

Late 5513 and early 16610 and 14060 on the Sub side will perhaps be the one's that hold value better. Now that the bezel material has been discontinued, the next move for these watches would be a new dial on unreleased models (no wg surroundings) .

I wanted to buy a nice sports Rolex next year for by 30th birthday and from my birth year, but I keep getting pulled to earlier models so I'm gonna hold off to that. Vintage lover at heart.

[Loevhagen]

As long as the prices increase for 30-40+ vintage Rolex, other will start to collect the 20 odd years Rolexes - and that by it self will create a momentum for the price of those watches. Simply because someone that just starts to get interested into the Rolex vintage marked, will have to mature / acclimatize themself to the high vintage prices for de facto vintage models.

[watchcrank]

While acrylic crystal watches still rule the majority of collections, the early sapphire 16550, 16760 & 14060 are creeping up in values. Nice looking and patina well plus have the advantage of being easier to care for if they are used as intended. It would be a great way to start a less expensive collection of watches imo.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

While acrylic crystal watches still rule the majority of collections, the early sapphire 16550, 16760 & 14060 are creeping up in values. Nice looking and patina well plus have the advantage of being easier to care for if they are used as intended. It would be a great way to start a less expensive collection of watches imo.

very good advice

[swish77]

Prices for '80s and '90s tritium sports models have already been climbing, especially Sea-Dwellers and GMTs. It's not a debate of will they go up, but how much. Try finding a tritium hands/dial in good shape on a 16600 or 16710, for example, especially with patina. It ain't easy. Took me almost a year to find this one. I also tracked down a tritium GMT. Are they out there? Yes. Are there tons of good examples for sale out there? No, not nearly as many as you'd think. With time, they'll be fewer and fewer, of course.

[5512vs5513]

Beautiful piece!

[bluemartinifan]

Beautiful SD Aaron.
A nice plexi sub or GMT is $7500 + and rising and is or becoming out of reach for many newer collectors. This has already driven prices up for tritium sapphire subs and GMTs and IMO will continue to do so. Most of us started with a nice 14060, 16610, 16710 and then moved up. I think that evolution will continue and continue to drive up prices for the NICER sapphire tritium references.