Found rare vintage Rolex- Please advice

[titus98]

Hello all,

I recently found a watch in an antique fair and was wondering first, if it is legit, and second, how rare is it. I am afraid I paid a bit too much, but cannot be certain of it: I love watches, but I am no expert at all.

The seller said he took it to a professional that stated it was circa 1925-1930, but could not say much more about it.

Please check the photos and hope you can help me confirm whether it is a piece to keep or not such a good finding.

Thanks so much in advance!

[Dan S]

Most of the value is probably in the gold case.

[037]

I'm going to regret asking this, but...

Do you have any large photos that show better detail?

[1665fan]

Turd

[RobW]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Turd

So helpful

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[1675-David]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Turd

Can I nominate this for the "Stupidest Comment of the Month Award"?

[offrdmania]

Most likely the movement is Rolex but not much else. The case is probably an unmarked boutique case, 9ct maybe? Would have to see clearer and closer pics to determine if there are hallmarks or markings.
Rarity does not equal value unfortunately. The value will be in the gold content.

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Can I nominate this for the "Stupidest Comment of the Month Award"?

I think he'd win each month

[oinkitt]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Can I nominate this for the "Stupidest Comment of the Month Award"?

Its an accurate description though!!!!!

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Most likely the movement is Rolex but not much else. The case is probably an unmarked boutique case, 9ct maybe? Would have to see clearer and closer pics to determine if there are hallmarks or markings.
Rarity does not equal value unfortunately. The value will be in the gold content.

Agreed. Unfortunately, prop not worth a fraction of the price of a service.

[77T]

I think he meant turdish- as in, not Rolex


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Turd

If you cannot give a helpful reply best not to reply, just a friendly warning this time.

[titus98]

Thanks so much for your kind help! (except for the friendly "turd").

Unfortunately cannot upload larger photos, I tried but am getting an error message.

I hoped that "rare" and "old" was valued also, but seems is not. And yes, the conditions are not good at all. As a poster mentioned the case does not seem to be original.

Any other comment deeply appreciated!

Thanks again.

[titus98]

By the way, a guess on the possible current value would also be of great help!
Thanks again.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think he meant turdish- as in, not Rolex


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by titus98

By the way, a guess on the possible current value would also be of great help!
Thanks again.

As mentioned above, the value is primarily in the gold. So you would need to know the gold content and weight of the case. You have not even indicated the gold content of the case or shown photos good enough to read the hallmarks. If you take it to a pawn shop, they will make you an offer based on the melt value.

[titus98]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As mentioned above, the value is primarily in the gold. So you would need to know the gold content and weight of the case. You have not even indicated the gold content of the case or shown photos good enough to read the hallmarks. If you take it to a pawn shop, they will make you an offer based on the melt value.

So an almost century old Rolex mechanism in working conditions has almost no value?

[oysterquartz17000]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

No, he was doing one of his 'drop the mike and exit stage left' contributions. We've seen it all before.

[statsman]

Originally Posted by titus98

So an almost century old Rolex mechanism in working conditions has almost no value?

I have seen this a lot in a few years on the board. Vintage Rolex in the company’s sweet spot (1955ish to 1970ish?) command great prices, despite being fairly common and available. Older and rarer, don’t. There are probably several reasons- a 1965 Sub or a 1969 Daytona is just a terrifically designer instrument, aesthetically and functionally. Whereas, there really is not much difference between a three hand 1945 Rolex and a similar Universal of the same period (and. 1945 Universal Compax absolutely will command a premium price).

It takes two to make an auction. For those older Rolexes, rare as they may be, there just aren’t enough buyers to drive prices up.

[titus98]

Originally Posted by statsman

I have seen this a lot in a few years on the board. Vintage Rolex in the company’s sweet spot (1955ish to 1970ish?) command great prices, despite being fairly common and available. Older and rarer, don’t. There are probably several reasons- a 1965 Sub or a 1969 Daytona is just a terrifically designer instrument, aesthetically and functionally. Whereas, there really is not much difference between a three hand 1945 Rolex and a similar Universal of the same period (and. 1945 Universal Compax absolutely will command a premium price).

It takes two to make an auction. For those older Rolexes, rare as they may be, there just aren’t enough buyers to drive prices up.

Sure, I understand that, I am not asking if I have a Sotheby's worth piece, just an approximation, given the characteristics. I do resist to believe that the only value is the melted gold on it...I'd say that's an overstatement.

[statsman]

OK. Here is a very handsome and old gold Rolex. It auctioned for $500. Note that at least $150 was spent cleaning and servicing it for auction. I think it looks nice and would happily wear it...but nobody was willing to bid more than $500.

https://jewelry.ha.com/itm/timepiece...ription-071515

Here is a 1940s working gold Rolex that auctioned for $350.

https://www.ebth.com/items/10026483-...ind-wristwatch

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by titus98

Sure, I understand that, I am not asking if I have a Sotheby's worth piece, just an approximation, given the characteristics. I do resist to believe that the only value is the melted gold on it...I'd say that's an overstatement.

Don't forget that the dial is ruined on the watch. I'm afraid it's not an overstatement. Maybe melt plus $50-$100 at the most. The tiny movement is also not particularly valuable since it was not used in any of the desirable Rolex references. If this were a valuable and desirable watch, you would be getting messages from people offering to buy it.

[77T]

Originally Posted by titus98

Unfortunately cannot upload larger photos, I tried but am getting an error message.

Instead of uploading to TRF, take your larger photos and save them to a photo sharing website. For example, Photobucket or Flickr or another site.

Then share the links here...

This will allow us to look at them without any trouble resizing.

It will not be a problem and you can get more informative replies.



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[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by titus98

Sure, I understand that, I am not asking if I have a Sotheby's worth piece, just an approximation, given the characteristics. I do resist to believe that the only value is the melted gold on it...I'd say that's an overstatement.

OP, this is a hard reality to get a grip on. But unless it is rare, or someone has put money into it to get it up and running and has a buyer in mind, it is worth scrap.

And while it is doubtful that this watch is rare, no one can tell you unless they have better pictures to go by.

When the price of gold goes up, tons of old watches in gold cases are scrapped and sent to the smelter. If you stop by a pawn shop during one of these cycles and see a pile of old cases, it will make you cry. But it just a fact of life.

[titus98]

Thanks all for your valuable input, really appreciate it.
Have a great day!

[aram]

Have to see better pictures....
looks like an original movement.
If all checks out, since it is a Mens size (looks like it) I would say it would fetch $750 on eBay... of course if you have it serviced and in working condition.
It would take a few months to sell however....

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

...it is worth scrap.

Agree. Hundreds rather than thousands, if you can even find a buyer. Sure, it's rare, but there's not much market for these.

However, there's great value in what you've done. You can take this as a lesson and start learnng about buying really great watches. This could be the start of an awesome journey for you.

Come and join us in the rabbit hole now that you've stumbled across the entrance. It's nice down here.

[titus98]

Thanks Aram for the valuable input.

And also zapokee for your nice words. It actually costed well below aram price and can easily get rid of it for same amount, if not higher :)

I love watches and there is always a starting point! I am usually extremely busy and never found the time to start, but hope to slowly get it from here.

Thanks again!