Before I decide to blow my life savings . . .

[nigelUK]

I would love your expert eyes on this . .

Now I feel guilty asking you guys again ! . . this is the 3rd time I've asked (yeah I'm counting). But maybe someone gets some enjoyment out of finding faults . . . . not a bad thing when your spending your hard earned !

I can't really find anything wrong with this one (but at a cost !)

I'm told it's Rolex serviced & polished (possibly preferred unpolished), with documents to prove.

Bezel maybe isn't original ? the pearl doesn't seem to match. I dare not tell you the price

[Kingface66]

If I was buying a 1680 without knowing how much of it is authentic/correct/etc. I would certainly mention the price. Just hearing "That is WAY overpriced" from some of the exceedingly knowledgeable people here would be very helpful.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

If I was buying a 1680 without knowing how much of it is authentic/correct/etc. I would certainly mention the price. Just hearing "That is WAY overpriced" from some of the exceedingly knowledgeable people here would be very helpful.

Ok . . take your point. I was probably overstating the price a little. I wasn't sure if you guys though it a bit crass to mention the price

£ 7.5k that's UK pound sterling from a dealer

2 year Rolex warranty (following the recent service). Which I assume means all parts on the watch are genuine ? Otherwise Rolex wouldn't service it or insist on new parts ?

I think guys in the US need to remember how few and far between these pieces are in the UK before judging on price. (& the atrocious exchange rate!)

[GGGMT]

Wow, at that price I'd sure just buy from one of the great vintage sellers here. Then, you'll know exactly what you're getting and take the risk out of blowing your life savings. I'd also look for BP.


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[lee fowler]

Serial number, bracelet code?

[springer]

Nice watch but I would think anyone here should be able to find a stellar example for $8,000 to $8500 that has the correct/original parts.

Based on the date wheel, it appears to be circa 1976-1979. The 93150 bracelet clasp code, if it is original, should be VB (1977) VC (1978) VD (1979). If I were paying top dollar, and would want the watch correct as it can be.

Bottom line is - if you like the watch and the price, why not? You get what you pay for.

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by springer

Nice watch but I would think anyone here should be able to find a stellar example for $8,000 to $8500 that has the correct/original parts.

Based on the date wheel, it appears to be circa 1976-1979. The 93150 bracelet clasp code, if it is original, should be VB (1977) VC (1978) VD (1979). If I were paying top dollar, and would want the watch correct as it can be.

Bottom line is - if you like the watch and the price, why not? You get what you pay for.

That sums it up nicely.

[Wesley Crusher]

Watch looks nice. It has been polished and the lugs are perhaps a hair thin (not a big deal). The crown guards are also fairly thin and the crown is a later replacement.

The asking price seems a bit high to me.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Wow, at that price I'd sure just buy from one of the great vintage sellers here. Then, you'll know exactly what you're getting and take the risk out of blowing your life savings. I'd also look for BP.


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Please point me in the direction of a seller in UK with anything on here ! Please !

[GGGMT]

I was thinking just using a US seller and paying a large import tax. I'm not an export controls lawyer, so Maybe that's not permissible?


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[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Serial number, bracelet code?

Ditto, make sure the correct dated bracelet and clasp are in place,

[Fredrik]

The clasp is a newer variety. It should have holes all the way and the indentation in the end to hold the links. I bet it has the parallel lines on the fold over hinge as well(which it shouldn't have).

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by springer

Nice watch but I would think anyone here should be able to find a stellar example for $8,000 to $8500 that has the correct/original parts.

Based on the date wheel, it appears to be circa 1976-1979. The 93150 bracelet clasp code, if it is original, should be VB (1977) VC (1978) VD (1979). If I were paying top dollar, and would want the watch correct as it can be.

Bottom line is - if you like the watch and the price, why not? You get what you pay for.

Thanks so much for your input & good advice. They say it's 1978 . . all I can see from other photos is that it has 580 end links, not the clasp code but i will ask

Obviously I would view it in person first but want to cover everything as much as I can before travel to view it.

The Rolex service has only just been done . . . I thought this would give me much piece of mind compared to any others I have viewed

[Numismatist]

The real answer to the unasked question, is: Why would you spend your life savings on any watch?

[stevedssd]

White 1680's for sale in the UK are few and far between. I check regularly on Chrono24 and there haven't been any more than 2 original White's on there at any one time in the past 3 months. There's one for £8k without a bracelet and one now sold for the same amount, had service hands.

£7-8k is about the UK going rate for a decent original dial/hands White without B&P. The dealer for the watch in this post has a decent reputation and the watch with a recent Rolex service looks pretty decent, accepting it's had a polish to two.

I think it was Springer who recently jokingly suggested that our friends from the US should come over to the UK to sell their vintages, you would all be very welcome if you did.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

The real answer to the unasked question, is: Why would you spend your life savings on any watch?

It's not exactly my life savings

sorry ! . . . sometimes the way we english express ourselves is a little hard for others to understand.

I'm a person of average income not a millionaire !

[ejvette]

if its your life savings i might buy a timex and keep the money in the bank

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

White 1680's for sale in the UK are few and far between. I check regularly on Chrono24 and there haven't been any more than 2 original White's on there at any one time in the past 3 months. There's one for £8k without a bracelet and one now sold for the same amount, had service hands.

£7-8k is about the UK going rate for a decent original dial/hands White without B&P. The dealer for the watch in this post has a decent reputation and the watch with a recent Rolex service looks pretty decent, accepting it's had a polish to two.

I think it was Springer who recently jokingly suggested that our friends from the US should come over to the UK to sell their vintages, you would all be very welcome if you did.

Couldn't agree more, just picked a very original one owner unpolished GMT at a bargain price from our recent trip to the US.

[springer]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

Thanks so much for your input & good advice. They say it's 1978 . . all I can see from other photos is that it has 580 end links, not the clasp code but i will ask

Obviously I would view it in person first but want to cover everything as much as I can before travel to view it.

The Rolex service has only just been done . . . I thought this would give me much piece of mind compared to any others I have viewed

Having a newer or replacement bracelet is not a deal breaker for many collectors. For me, if I'm paying top dollar, I prefer my watches to be correct.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

White 1680's for sale in the UK are few and far between. I check regularly on Chrono24 and there haven't been any more than 2 original White's on there at any one time in the past 3 months. There's one for £8k without a bracelet and one now sold for the same amount, had service hands.

£7-8k is about the UK going rate for a decent original dial/hands White without B&P. The dealer for the watch in this post has a decent reputation and the watch with a recent Rolex service looks pretty decent, accepting it's had a polish to two.

I think it was Springer who recently jokingly suggested that our friends from the US should come over to the UK to sell their vintages, you would all be very welcome if you did.

Thank you . . . your obviously seeing the same as me . .

[springer]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

The clasp is a newer variety. It should have holes all the way and the indentation in the end to hold the links. I bet it has the parallel lines on the fold over hinge as well(which it shouldn't have).

X2. Good eyes - I missed that while checking the photos earlier today. The sides of the clasp in the photo here indicate it is a later replacement bracelet as Fredrik observed.

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

I was thinking just using a US seller and paying a large import tax. I'm not an export controls lawyer, so Maybe that's not permissible?


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The most recent 1680 for sale on here in the states is $8700 , at todays exchange rate that is £6700 ... add insured shipping say £150 ? add VAT say £700 if I'm lucky or £1200 if I'm not . .. and you arrive at same money

...for a watch with no Rolex service or warranty and from a private seller

[rootbeer7]

I would use the knowledge here to negotiate on the price. Actually it looks like a good piece, albeit not absolutely original in every way. The dial I assume is flawless?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by nigelUK

The most recent 1680 for sale on here in the states is $8700 , at todays exchange rate that is £6700 ... add insured shipping say £150 ? add VAT say £700 if I'm lucky or £1200 if I'm not . .. and you arrive at same money



...for a watch with no Rolex service or warranty and from a private seller

Yeah, but for the same money, you take the risk out of it; you don't come away with the fundamental questions about the piece like you've posed above. With HQMilton, MMorgan, etc, you'd know the answers. I'd go that route if it were me.


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[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

The clasp is a newer variety. It should have holes all the way and the indentation in the end to hold the links. I bet it has the parallel lines on the fold over hinge as well(which it shouldn't have).

Good spot Fredrik :cool thanks

possibly not a deal breaker for me but a bargaining tool maybe

[scooba]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Serial number, bracelet code?

Ditto

[nigelUK]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Yeah, but for the same money, you take the risk out of it; you don't come away with the fundamental questions about the piece like you've posed above. With HQMilton, MMorgan, etc, you'd know the answers. I'd go that route if it were me.


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You've made me look again . . .that's not a bad thing

[scooba]

Don't let a replacement bracelet put you off, There are plenty on VRM. Sell this one to,cover the cost of buying a period correct 93150 or just replace the clasp to one with a more suitable code

[GGGMT]

Sadly, I'm on those websites drooling 1-2 hours a day. You've probably noticed the 1680 on HQ; bobs got a few as well, recognizing everyone's got their views on these sellers. I've bought Great watches from both. Good luck!


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[nigelUK]