The Most Affordable Vintage Rolex Model?

[ref1655]

I was asked this question the other day by a colleague at work & after pondering for a moment, I arrived at the manual-winding Rolex Speedking/Precision.

this model can be purchased for anywhere from $950-$2000 (depending upon its condition & whether the watch includes a SS oyster bracelet).

granted, they look a bit small compared to today's modern Rolexes but the Speedking does have a legacy of its own going back to WW2.

as a youngster, I recall seeing a number of these models worn during the late 50s-early 60s...many had been purchased by GIs/veterans during their assignments on the European front.

my father had one as well. he mentioned that they ran about $25.00 at the time & when it finally stopped working (late 1950s), he chucked it as one would a disposable Seiko 5...kinda' wish he had held on to the watch as I would have found a use for it later down the road, either as a keepsake or as an everyday 'beater'.

during the late 50s-early 60s, one could purchase an exquisite dress/sports watch for under $500.00 & even a $100.00 Hamilton was considered something special. unfortunately those days are long gone.

[andromeda160]

Speedking and Oyster models are 2 different sizes, speedking is 31mm, oyster is 34MM. They are the cheapest though, I bought one as my first nice watch and have loved it ever since. I would venture to say there really isn't a better watch out there for the money. I doubt mine will go out of style or be completely destroyed In my lifetime.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

Speedking and Oyster models are 2 different sizes, speedking is 31mm, oyster is 34MM.

thanks for the clarification...looking back, most of the ones I remember must have been the 34mm Oyster. wouldn't mind having one myself.

[offrdmania]

Model 6694 Oysterdate. It has a 35mm case with a 19mm bracelet and can be had between 900-1600.

[JustinK]

An Oysterquartz wont cost you much more than 2k. Not the cheapest but a lot of watch for the money.

[motoikkyu]

34 mm without a date, manual wind,readily affordable, would be the 6426. I rarely see them break 1K, although many potential sellers would like to get more for them. I bought an Oyster Centergraph on eBay a few weeks ago for $310, it needed $80 in service to get it working well and keeping excellent time. 29mm, so I have it on a wide band, cuff style.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Model 6694 Oysterdate. It has a 35mm case with a 19mm bracelet and can be had between 900-1600.

While not necessarily the cheapest, I agree that the Date would be the best fit today for someone looking for an entry level previously owned Rolex. It's got the date feature, it has the cyclops, for the most part it's a downsized Datejust, even shares a lot of dial designs with it. It's 1mm smaller than the DJ but if you have a smaller wrist you can get the classic Datejust look (within reason) for 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

[zapokee]

For me, the most affordable at today's sizes would be a Datejust @ 36 mm.

Milage may vary, but some people find it hard to pull off watches smaller than this. Maybe factor in a few hundred bucks for a nice bund strap to make smaller models bigger. What appears nice in an online photo is often unexpectedly small on the wrist.

[Gina Marie]

1965 1603 for around 2300 with orig bracelet, replacement bracelet, bill of sale and deposit ticket, chrono cert, and stamped guarantee....for around 2300. Also orig box. Required a service but the seller was a stud and covered a large chunk of it. Love the Daphne hands. I have a few vintage subs and gmts and even an orange hand but this one is my favorite.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Gina Marie

1965 1603 for around 2300 with orig bracelet, replacement bracelet, bill of sale and deposit ticket, chrono cert, and stamped guarantee....for around 2300. Also orig box. Required a service but the seller was a stud and covered a large chunk of it. Love the Daphne hands. I have a few vintage subs and gmts and even an orange hand but this one is my favorite.

Great job, I have a 1603 as well, 1967-68, cost me $2,500 no box but fully serviced, one of my faves as well. Frankly, it's the only Rolex I own that I don't need to worry about, there's some inner peace from that.

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Great job, I have a 1603 as well, 1967-68, cost me $2,500 no box but fully serviced, one of my faves as well. Frankly, it's the only Rolex I own that I don't need to worry about, there's some inner peace from that.

Nice 1603, one of my favorite watches! Is your crown not all the way screwed in? In that pic it looks a couple mm from the case. If its all the way in you should have your watchmaker trim the stem a bit.

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Nice 1603, one of my favorite watches! Is your crown not all the way screwed in? In that pic it looks a couple mm from the case. If its all the way in you should have your watchmaker trim the stem a bit.

Not wearing it today, I'll take a look when I get home. Thanks.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Gina Marie

1965 1603 for around 2300 with orig bracelet, replacement bracelet, bill of sale and deposit ticket, chrono cert, and stamped guarantee....for around 2300. Also orig box. Required a service but the seller was a stud and covered a large chunk of it. Love the Daphne hands. I have a few vintage subs and gmts and even an orange hand but this one is my favorite.

I think that's a steal at $2300, with box, paperwork, etc ... Just beautiful!

Like others have said, vintage DJs are the best bang for buck in the Rolex world, IMHO. You still need to be careful looking for one, of course. There are many out there, but actually not that many that are in great shape. Worth the hunt, though!

[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by swish77

You still need to be careful looking for one, of course. There are many out there, but actually not that many that are in great shape. Worth the hunt, though!

So true, lug thickness, corrosion, scratches and gouges, dial and bezel condition all factor in determining value.

16XX lugs were thinner than the succeeding 16XXX models and a good test of how much meat is left is to look at how much spring bar is visible in the hole. If the end of the bar is close to the hole that means a lot of metal has been polished off. If the spring bar protrudes, pass. Look at the side of the watch, is the lug hole centered in the lug? If the hole is close to the top of the lug lots of metal has been polished off the top of the lug.

Corrosion is as important as case condition. Never buy an older Rolex without seeing the case back off. If that area is corroded, pass or get the watch cheap! They can corrode under the bezel as well but if the CB is clean likely the bezel area is as well.

Case damage. To remove scratches and gouges requires removing metal, removing metal is bad. :) Case backs and bezels can be replaced but factor that in your offer.

Our vintage Rolex mostly revolve around the dial in determining value but the DJ not so much, original dials are readily available for 150-400 depending on the desirability. There are many repaints around as well.

Bracelets. If it has one make sure it is Rolex. If you can tie it in a knot allow for a trip to Mr Young. Sellers usually add at least 500US for the inclusion of a bracelet,try to get it for less. :)

I leave movement condition to last as any elderly Rolex usually needs a lube unless there is a fresh receipt that a service has been performed.

Bear in mind, as these watches approach 60 years old and beyond they are not perfect specimens. For me the only deal killer is corrosion, the rest I can deal with at some level or other. YMMV

[speedolex]

Great post RC.

[m-abz-t]

I was just about to start a similar post - can anyone recommend / list some vintage / collectors rolex watches less than £2.5k. With model numbers please.

Would you classify the DJ 16013 to be one?

[speedolex]

Originally Posted by m-abz-t

I was just about to start a similar post - can anyone recommend / list some vintage / collectors rolex watches less than £2.5k. With model numbers please.

Would you classify the DJ 16013 to be one?

Assuming you want stainless steel, yes. The four digit numbers to focus on are the 1601 and 1603, their five digit counterparts are newer. For the really low prices, you're looking at the 1970's and 1980's but as stated in words and shown in photos in this thread, watches from those decades don't look much different than their current counterparts, some will say those older ones were better with their pie-pan dials, fat hands, and lightweight bracelets.

It's a buyer's market, there are just a ton of examples out there, buy from a reputable seller and you'll be all set. Also note how the older DJ's look dressy on a bracelet and sporty on a strap, if you get one that isn't two-tone you're really getting two Rolexes in one for your $2,500.

[Qinhan]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Off topic, but nice jeans!

[m-abz-t]

haha thats true.. nice jeans.. and thank you for the reply.

[watchyou]

How about a 1600 DJ?

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by watchyou

How about a 1600 DJ?

i have a black 1600 as well. a great choice but very rare. it took me years to find one and they trade at a significant premium to other 160x watches.

[77T]

In the under $1000 category it'd be the Speedking considering first cost alone. It'd also be on a strap vs. bracelet.

If you consider total cost of ownership, including resale or trade value after you move it onward, then the 1601 or an Airking can't be beat IMHO. You'd be at $0 or even ahead if held for more than 5 yrs.

[m-abz-t]

Maybe a silly question but which one would you prefer 1601 or 16013 ?
I have a DJ 16013 Gold bezel and jubilee bracelet with roman numeral dials etc. I did like it when I first got it but im considering a change.

[dysondiver]

air kings seem to go at humble money , but again , 34mm isnt every ones taste ,,, id say try a few before you go shopping .

[mineral]

You can consider Air king or 34mm oyster date precision. They have vintage charm yet affordable.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by watchyou

How about a 1600 DJ?

This. What a stunner with the smooth bezel as opposed to the 1601/1603 styles!

[218225]

Nice one!

[Birky101]

For me the best bang for bucks is this beauty

Sent from my Harrier Tab from EE using Tapatalk

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

So true, lug thickness, corrosion, scratches and gouges, dial and bezel condition all factor in determining value.

16XX lugs were thinner than the succeeding 16XXX models and a good test of how much meat is left is to look at how much spring bar is visible in the hole. If the end of the bar is close to the hole that means a lot of metal has been polished off. If the spring bar protrudes, pass. Look at the side of the watch, is the lug hole centered in the lug? If the hole is close to the top of the lug lots of metal has been polished off the top of the lug.

Corrosion is as important as case condition. Never buy an older Rolex without seeing the case back off. If that area is corroded, pass or get the watch cheap! They can corrode under the bezel as well but if the CB is clean likely the bezel area is as well.

Case damage. To remove scratches and gouges requires removing metal, removing metal is bad. :) Case backs and bezels can be replaced but factor that in your offer.

Our vintage Rolex mostly revolve around the dial in determining value but the DJ not so much, original dials are readily available for 150-400 depending on the desirability. There are many repaints around as well.

Bracelets. If it has one make sure it is Rolex. If you can tie it in a knot allow for a trip to Mr Young. Sellers usually add at least 500US for the inclusion of a bracelet,try to get it for less. :)

I leave movement condition to last as any elderly Rolex usually needs a lube unless there is a fresh receipt that a service has been performed.

Bear in mind, as these watches approach 60 years old and beyond they are not perfect specimens. For me the only deal killer is corrosion, the rest I can deal with at some level or other. YMMV

Very useful post - - much appreciated. You mentioned some of these getting towards the 60 years old mark - my oldest right now is about 48 years old (a GMT 1675). Was just wondering about parts availability and servicing on some of these really older models? Many thanks!

[dexvd]

Originally Posted by speedolex

Where is that leather nato from?