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AngelaH · 7 February 2009, 04:34 AM

For some time, I've been thinking about getting a new Rolex. After checking out some vintage Rolexes today at a local jewelry store, I'm thinking of getting a vintage watch. I love the look and history of vintage watches.

But I'm not sure what to look for and questions to ask when looking at vintage watches (in terms of replacement parts, papers, serial numbers, etc.) and I don't know how to judge if the price is fair. From an internet search, I found yorktime.com and watchestobuy.com and saw lots of great looking watches, and they seem to be much better prices than the store I saw today. Not too surprising given that the store I was today is in Chevy Chase, MD/DC.

Any suggestions for how to get started? There's another store near me, Alan Furman, that I will be checking out as well.

jdc · 7 February 2009, 04:41 AM

The vintage Rolex sure offer a lot of character that is missing for me in the current line up. Alan Furman is a respected dealer.
Any particular model type you are looking at? If you could post some pictures of the watches you are interested in people will be able to give you a better idea on price originality etc.
Ask the dealer if the dial has been refinished,has it been recently serviced and who by.
Good luck in your search.

yannis · 7 February 2009, 04:43 AM

Hi Angela..i don't know if that helps but here is a webpage related to vintage Rolex watches!
http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/

koronet-kid · 7 February 2009, 04:45 AM

try the vintage rolex forum lots of great info there. www.vintagerolexforum.com

cheers sean

AngelaH · 7 February 2009, 05:12 AM

Thanks for the websites. I'll check those out

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc

The vintage Rolex sure offer a lot of character that is missing for me in the current line up. Alan Furman is a respected dealer.
Any particular model type you are looking at? If you could post some pictures of the watches you are interested in people will be able to give you a better idea on price originality etc.
Ask the dealer if the dial has been refinished,has it been recently serviced and who by.
Good luck in your search.

No, I haven't settled on any particular model yet--there are so many that I like! Re: the dial. Is it good or bad if the dial has been refinished? Also, on servicing, I noticed that yorktime, for example, says that the watches have been serviced by a "watchmaker that was trained by Rolex". I assume this is not the same as having the watch serviced by Rolex.

jdc · 7 February 2009, 05:25 AM

If it is refinished it may cosmetically look good but will not be original and this will devalue the price. Always good to get the best original you can afford, and IMO they look better.
All good watchmakers can work on Rolex. A benefit if it is worked on by a Rolex Service Centre is that you will get a certificate with it. This will also give authenticity. Rolex will only service watches with Rolex parts and have not been altered from the original.

Gasoil4ever · 7 February 2009, 06:35 AM

START SAVING MONEY !!!!!!!!!!!!

SLS · 7 February 2009, 06:39 AM

Try to focus on one model and research it to death, each model will have its own following. Pricing on 5513 Subs & 1675 GMT's have really fallen lately.
~Scott

AngelaH · 7 February 2009, 07:18 AM

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm really such a novice at this. For example, one of the watches that I saw today looked kind of like this one from watchestobuy, including the luminous hands and numbers (can I copy this info? If this is not allowed, please let me know and I'll link instead):

"Here is a very uncommon and all original ROLEX OYSTER dating to 1945! It is SO uncommon to find this version of ALL ORIGIAL dial, having matching pencil blued steel hands and sweep seconds, with the original and matching luminous all intact! Notice the early style ROLEX crown insignia on the dial as well. The stainless steel ref. 4377 ROLEX OYSTER case is in VERY fine shape as well. The manual winding 10.5 Hunter ROLEX movement is cleaned and keeping accurate time. This watch measures 34.5mm., which is a respectable size, almost the same as an OMEGA SEAMASTER (for reference) The original OYSTER PATENT winding crown is also present. On the wrist, this watch looks truly vintage; with the dial looking much more vibrant and clean in "real life". It is very difficult to find all original ROLEX dials such as this classic and uncomplicated variety. Priced VERY well at only $1995."

the one that I saw was estimated to be from the 1950's, and had a new crystal, and new stainless steel bracelet. It did look to be in better shape, especially the back. And the price was $3500. If I wanted to research this particular watch, is the model number 4377?

jdc · 7 February 2009, 07:42 AM

If that is the style then some here like Padi are the experts. The reference is as you said but I would say that price is way, way over what you would expect to pay. I would think nearer $1000/1500.

7 February 2009, 04:34 AM	#1
AngelaH Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 85	Any tips for how to get started researching vintage Rolexes? For some time, I've been thinking about getting a new Rolex. After checking out some vintage Rolexes today at a local jewelry store, I'm thinking of getting a vintage watch. I love the look and history of vintage watches. But I'm not sure what to look for and questions to ask when looking at vintage watches (in terms of replacement parts, papers, serial numbers, etc.) and I don't know how to judge if the price is fair. From an internet search, I found yorktime.com and watchestobuy.com and saw lots of great looking watches, and they seem to be much better prices than the store I saw today. Not too surprising given that the store I was today is in Chevy Chase, MD/DC. Any suggestions for how to get started? There's another store near me, Alan Furman, that I will be checking out as well.

7 February 2009, 04:43 AM	#3
yannis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Real Name: Yannis Location: Europe Watch: maniac Posts: 9,070	Hi Angela..i don't know if that helps but here is a webpage related to vintage Rolex watches! http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/ __________________ Rolex Submariner 116610LV \| Tudor 79220N DSSD MEMBERS - OWNERS CLUB

7 February 2009, 06:35 AM	#7
Gasoil4ever "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cameroun Watch: GS Snowflake Posts: 1,534	Any tips for how to get started researching vintage Rolexes? START SAVING MONEY !!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ 16710 GMT Master II "M" , SD4000, GS Snowflake, Stowa Marine Original.

7 February 2009, 06:39 AM	#8
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	Try to focus on one model and research it to death, each model will have its own following. Pricing on 5513 Subs & 1675 GMT's have really fallen lately. ~Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

7 February 2009, 04:41 AM	#2
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	The vintage Rolex sure offer a lot of character that is missing for me in the current line up. Alan Furman is a respected dealer. Any particular model type you are looking at? If you could post some pictures of the watches you are interested in people will be able to give you a better idea on price originality etc. Ask the dealer if the dial has been refinished,has it been recently serviced and who by. Good luck in your search.

7 February 2009, 04:45 AM	#4
koronet-kid "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: John Location: AT HOME Watch: deep-sea Comex Posts: 676	try the vintage rolex forum lots of great info there. www.vintagerolexforum.com cheers sean

7 February 2009, 05:25 AM	#6
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	If it is refinished it may cosmetically look good but will not be original and this will devalue the price. Always good to get the best original you can afford, and IMO they look better. All good watchmakers can work on Rolex. A benefit if it is worked on by a Rolex Service Centre is that you will get a certificate with it. This will also give authenticity. Rolex will only service watches with Rolex parts and have not been altered from the original.

7 February 2009, 07:18 AM	#9
AngelaH Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 85	Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm really such a novice at this. For example, one of the watches that I saw today looked kind of like this one from watchestobuy, including the luminous hands and numbers (can I copy this info? If this is not allowed, please let me know and I'll link instead): "Here is a very uncommon and all original ROLEX OYSTER dating to 1945! It is SO uncommon to find this version of ALL ORIGIAL dial, having matching pencil blued steel hands and sweep seconds, with the original and matching luminous all intact! Notice the early style ROLEX crown insignia on the dial as well. The stainless steel ref. 4377 ROLEX OYSTER case is in VERY fine shape as well. The manual winding 10.5 Hunter ROLEX movement is cleaned and keeping accurate time. This watch measures 34.5mm., which is a respectable size, almost the same as an OMEGA SEAMASTER (for reference) The original OYSTER PATENT winding crown is also present. On the wrist, this watch looks truly vintage; with the dial looking much more vibrant and clean in "real life". It is very difficult to find all original ROLEX dials such as this classic and uncomplicated variety. Priced VERY well at only $1995." the one that I saw was estimated to be from the 1950's, and had a new crystal, and new stainless steel bracelet. It did look to be in better shape, especially the back. And the price was $3500. If I wanted to research this particular watch, is the model number 4377?

7 February 2009, 07:42 AM	#10
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	If that is the style then some here like Padi are the experts. The reference is as you said but I would say that price is way, way over what you would expect to pay. I would think nearer $1000/1500.

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