$10K to spend on a used Rolex: what would you buy?

[plexigary]

Greetings all! So I own an Explorer 114270 but I'm looking to get a second Rolex. I've got a $10K budget and would like to buy either a used Submariner, Sea-Dweller or GMT. I have equal interest level in those three, and age-wise I'm open to anything from the '70s to contemporary models.

I'm curious, with $10K which watch/reference would you buy this week? What's the biggest bang for the buck right now in terms of long-term value, in your opinion?

Thanks for your time, I really appreciate the knowledge and experience of all you longtime Rolex owners here.

Cheers!

[jgottsman11]

Yacht Master 116622 or 268622 Rhodium dial. Stunning watch

[mike morris]

SubC or GMT C black

[Xenon]

$6,300 for a New 36mm Datejust or New 39mm Oyster Perpetual and pocket the remaining $3,700.

[HORNBLOWER]

Sub C date.

[Tools]

I would get a GMT because that is what I like, and enjoy wearing.

What do you like?

[Calatrava r]

A black GMT with the green hand would be my choice.

[msdtra]

Agree on Sub C Black with date or GMT II Black

[jamesthejeweller]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

A black GMT with the green hand would be my choice.

Yup, me too

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Geckobros]

A 14060M or maybe a 114300 Rhodium (sold my white dial due to boredom with it).

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Xenon

$6,300 for a New 36mm Datejust or New 39mm Oyster Perpetual and pocket the remaining $3,700.

Good recommendation. I’d go datejust 41 tho on jubilee and purchase an oyster bracelet as well. Jubilee for dressy situations and the oyster for casual.

Of the OPs choices though I’d go GMT

[descartes]

16600 is best bang for the buck

[richamby]

Get a 14060 sub or 14060M if you want a Sub.
It you want a date on a Sub, get a Sea Dweller 16600.
Top choice but might be hard to get a super nice example for 10K a GMT 16710 pepsi.

Whichever you chose, base it off the nicest example available.

[Kigan]

Day-Date/Daytona TT.

[brnalkn]

Dont think about the value long term.Buy what you want.

[thefollandgnat]

Get a polar 16570, white to your Exp's black. You'll then have "1" and 2 and some change.

[RolexRog]

Originally Posted by plexigary

Greetings all! So I own an Explorer 114270 but I'm looking to get a second Rolex. I've got a $10K budget and would like to buy either a used Submariner, Sea-Dweller or GMT. I have equal interest level in those three, and age-wise I'm open to anything from the '70s to contemporary models.

I'm curious, with $10K which watch/reference would you buy this week? What's the biggest bang for the buck right now in terms of long-term value, in your opinion?

Thanks for your time, I really appreciate the knowledge and experience of all you longtime Rolex owners here.

Cheers!

Day/Date President, brother. I actually did that recently, but came in under your alloted budget: $8500 - including tax and everything.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would get a GMT because that is what I like, and enjoy wearing.

What do you like?

I'd have to agree; don't get what others tell you but get what you like on your wrist. If it's going into a safe never to be worn. You're better off investing your money wisely in mutual funds and brag about that instead of owning a Rolex.

[Lamontsanders]

A 16710 if you can find a good one

[RolexRog]

Oooooh, it seems you can get a Datejust 41 for a cook 10K.

[jjackson99]

Another vote for a 16600 since that’s what I just picked up.

Don’t think you’re finding a gmt or a subc date under 10k with box/papers. Can get a subc no date or a 5digit example in that price range but I’d still go SD over those two.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by RolexRog

Day/Date President, brother. I actually did that recently, but came in under your alloted budget: $8500 - including tax and everything.

I am curious to see what an $8,500 President looks like when mint 20 year old Presidents sell for $17,000.

[plexigary]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts so far! This is really helpful.

And I agree with you brnalkn, but that's the problem. I like all three (Sub, SD, GMT) and I can't decide... was hoping some expert opinion would tip the scales. This will definitely be a watch I wear regularly and I like all three of these on the wrist.

I'm pretty set on a sport model, although my girlfriend is rooting for a vintage President...

[acheronsgrief]

Originally Posted by Xenon

I am curious to see what an $8,500 President looks like when mint 20 year old Presidents sell for $17,000.

4-5 digits with unknown history and no bracelet usually go in this range.

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by RolexRog

Day/Date President, brother. I actually did that recently, but came in under your alloted budget: $8500 - including tax and everything.

Do you really have a president if it doesn't have the president bracelet though? It will be VERY tough to find one on a president bracelet for under $10,000

[GradyPhilpott]

If I had $10,000 that I just had to spend on a watch, I'd get with my used-watch guy and see what vintage watches he has in stock and keep in touch until I found the one I wanted.

It's always good to have a local seller whom you trust and have built a good relationship with.

Under normal circumstances, I do this on a regular basis and I keep an eye out for watches that are not in high demand and I do get some sweet ones from time to time.

Here's a fine example and you'd still have about $7,000 to work with.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

Do you really have a president if it doesn't have the president bracelet though? It will be VERY tough to find one on a president bracelet for under $10,000

4 digit President from 1965 for $9,500:

https://nypost.com/2020/06/30/protes...-hall-protest/

5 digit President from 1980 for $10,000:

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-da...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[plexigary]

Thanks again for everyone's input on this. I've narrowed it down a bit, but it seems like my decision now is really about classic case vs. super case.

Submariner 14060M vs 114060
GMT Master II 16710 vs 116710

I know there are some technical advancements that happened when these newer Sub and GMT references were released. But I feel like I'm leaning toward the classic designs in terms of their visual aesthetic.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum

There ask a lot of 5 digit love here on the forum. They wear quite differently on the wrist which is another deciding factor to consider

[Chester01]

I have an issue with buying used. Its like its someone else's watch, memories, associations and not mine. I appreciate the patina on vintage watches, but it not earned patina and not from my life anyway. At that price point if you have a 7 inch or greater wrist, I would go new Exp II.