Please Help - Is a 1989 Presidential - Factory Diamond Dial - worth $6500?

[moneymike]

Hi guys,

I am new here,

I've been looking for a rolex presidential for quite a while,

I found something that is in my price range, but im not a connoisseur and I dont know if it is a good deal or not.

The watch is a 1989 Rolex Presidential, Yellow gold, Champagne Diamond Dial Face, everything is factory, nothing after market.

The watch comes with box and papers.

It's clean and in great condition, I can get it for $6500US

Is it a good price? Am I getting a good deal, or am I getting somewhat screwed?

What would be the resale value on this if I ever want to sell it?

Would I easily be able to get 6-6.5K for it when I want to sell? Or will I get like 4k for it..

Please help, I really am trying to buy a presidential, but I need you guys' opinion and expertise.

Thanks

[Idle Swede]

Buy it.

[Starwalker]

I don't think so, i'm not an expert...but I wouldnt pay that much....its 20 years old...too old, too much. I'm not sure if it is low-ballling, but if its in an amazing condition...i would pay 4K....MAX, maybe even 3.5K - thats how much it would be worth to me. Soemthing is worth as much as it will be bought for - something another member stated.

[Idle Swede]

Originally Posted by kfsal

I don't think so, i'm not an expert...but I wouldnt pay that much....its 20 years old...too old, too much. I'm not sure if it is low-ballling, but if its in an amazing condition...i would pay 4K....MAX, maybe even 3.5K - thats how much it would be worth to me. Soemthing is worth as much as it will be bought for - something another member's line.

You are of course kidding, right?

[Starwalker]

Originally Posted by Idle Swede

You are of course kidding, right?

I guess its a personal thing....I wouldn't mind buying a new one with a reasonable discount when i have the money to do so, or a circa 2000+ model for 12-18K. But TO ME, ...if its that old - I would rather save the money instead and try to get a more recent model and wouldnt mind paying a fair price for it.

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by kfsal

I don't think so, i'm not an expert...but I wouldnt pay that much....its 20 years old...too old, too much. I'm not sure if it is low-ballling, but if its in an amazing condition...i would pay 4K....MAX, maybe even 3.5K - thats how much it would be worth to me. Soemthing is worth as much as it will be bought for - something another member stated.

Too low - 6.5K is fine.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by moneymike

Hi guys,

I am new here,

I've been looking for a rolex presidential for quite a while,

I found something that is in my price range, but im not a connoisseur and I dont know if it is a good deal or not.

The watch is a 1989 Rolex Presidential, Yellow gold, Champagne Diamond Dial Face, everything is factory, nothing after market.

The watch comes with box and papers.

It's clean and in great condition, I can get it for $6500US

Is it a good price? Am I getting a good deal, or am I getting somewhat screwed?

What would be the resale value on this if I ever want to sell it?

Would I easily be able to get 6-6.5K for it when I want to sell? Or will I get like 4k for it..

Please help, I really am trying to buy a presidential, but I need you guys' opinion and expertise.

Thanks

That's not a bad price. My '86 YG DD with black diamond dial is appraised at $24K. But I wouldn't try to get anywhere near that if I were to put it up for sale.

And speaking of sale, don't buy a watch thinking you're going to sell it for more than you paid. Those deals are few and far between. You buy a watch to wear and enjoy (unless you're in the business, but that's a different story).

Remember the old adage: The best way to make $1 MM buying and selling watches is to start with $2 MM.

[moneymike]

I'm not expecting to make money, but I just hope I can sell it at least at what I paid for, I don't mind losing $500 on it or something.

But I am not rich or anything, if I buy it, I need to know that that is what it's worth, and that I am getting a good deal..

[moviefreak]

The gold expert has spoken... do as he commands.. or he will get it..

[Idle Swede]

Originally Posted by moviefreak

The gold expert has spoken... do as he commands.. or he will get it..

Thanks Eduardo but I'm far from an expert.

But an all original diamond dial 1803 with box and papers in excellent condition for $6,500 I would buy in a heartbeat.

[moneymike]

Kfsal must be kidding..

a 90s Twotone datejusts with diamond dials go for about $2500...so offering a $3500 for a presidential....you gotta be kidding.

[Starwalker]

Originally Posted by moneymike

Kfsal must be kidding..

a 90s Twotone datejusts with diamond dials go for about $2500...so offering a $3500 for a presidential....you gotta be kidding.

I'm sure Idle Swede has a more realistic perspective on this

[moviefreak]

Me too... the wife loves the president models... thinks they are very recognizable and have prestige..

[moneymike]

Its still worth it? even tho its a single quick?

I also heard something about the newer ones having 30% more gold in them because the bracelet is solid gold, as oppose to the 1989 I can get which is apparently hollow gold the bracelet...is that thing true?

Btw do you guys know what is the exact weight of gold in the 1989 as opposed to the newer 2000+?

Also, Is the 1989 18kt gold like the new ones or is it 14kt gold?

Thanks so much

[Tools]

Originally Posted by moneymike

Its still worth it? even tho its a single quick?

I also heard something about the newer ones having 30% more gold in them because the bracelet is solid gold, as oppose to the 1989 I can get which is apparently hollow gold the bracelet...is that thing true?

Btw do you guys know what is the exact weight of gold in the 1989 as opposed to the newer 2000+?

Also, Is the 1989 18kt gold like the new ones or is it 14kt gold?

Thanks so much

You're buying a watch, not the gold in it... the difference is irrelevant. However, the early bracelets are lighter than the new ones...but not by 30%.. All Rolex gold is 18k and has been for quite a while.. You need to go back to the 60's to find 14k.

If this watch is as stated....... and the bracelet does not exhibit stretching of the gold at the attaching links...it is a very, very good deal.. You would be able to sell the bracelet alone for 4 or 5k and the watch for the same on a nice leather strap..

[WatchSnob]

If you don't buy it have the seller contact me.

[greekbum]

With a name like MONYEMIKE dont sweat it just buy it and enjoy

[moneymike]

tools, thanks for the constructive post
any ideas as to how I can tell if or how much the bracelet is stretched..

Also any other tips would be appreciated thanks

[Tools]

Originally Posted by moneymike

tools, thanks for the constructive post
any ideas as to how I can tell if or how much the bracelet is stretched..

Also any other tips would be appreciated thanks

close the clasp and hold the watch in front of your face with the dial vertical........ the watch should have a minimum droop to it if the bracelet is tight.... some droop is OK, but it should not be floppy.....

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by moneymike

tools, thanks for the constructive post
any ideas as to how I can tell if or how much the bracelet is stretched..

Also any other tips would be appreciated thanks

Here's a helpful guide for you.
This 1st pic is considered streched.
The 2nd pic is not.
Notice how the watch head is not tilted at all, but completely at 90 degress.

[slcbbrown]

That's a decent price. I don't think you'll find a much better deal out there.

[crown71]

Buddy, I would buy it but first I try to see if he would go $500 lower. RSC staff once told me that the older watches are better than the late, reason being if you have a 20 year old watch that has proven itself just by surviving 20 yrs. You buy a 2009 rolex watch you would have to wait 20 yrs to know if its the same quality and by then that old watch would be 40 yrs old and it goes on and on.

[greekbum]

Money hold the watch kinda like this and the more the bracelet drops the more its stretched.

[Starwalker]

is there a way to de-stretch a bracelet?

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by kfsal

is there a way to de-stretch a bracelet?

Most of them Yes They have to be rebuilt.There is a couple of guys that can do this.I have had it done and the results where good.It was not new but way better than before.

[Starwalker]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Most of them Yes They have to be rebuilt.There is a couple of guys that can do this.I have had it done and the results where good.It was not new but way better than before.

Thanks, I'm gonna try to see if i can get it done, my father has a rose-gold president with the bark finish but the bracelet is in a horrible conditionl, need to find a local watch maker / repair guy that i can trust.

anywyas i dont want to hijack this tread. Back to the main question.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by kfsal

Thanks, I'm gonna try to see if i can get it done, my father has a rose-gold president with the bark finish but the bracelet is in a horrible conditionl, need to find a local watch maker / repair guy that i can trust.

anywyas i dont want to hijack this tread. Back to the main question.

Its not cheap to do this and on a gold bracelet it is alot of work.I think I paid around $800.00 but considering a good used bracelet was 4-5k it was well worth it for me as I could not stand to wear it with the stretched out bracelet.Finding a good used rose gold bark bracelet will be like finding a needle in a haystack.Whoever you go with ask for pictures of there previous work.On a president bracelet this can take many days to do. Below is a link of the guy I used a few years ago on a 1803 president.

http://www.classicwatchparts.com/ind...?c=4&p=general

[Czechman]

Forget about tightening the bracelet, it's VERY expensive and this whole thing about stretched bracelets is way overblown, IMO. Stretched bracelets are a fact of life with vintage Rolex's and once you accept that you'll be well on your way to ENJOYING your watch rather than anguishing over it's foibles.

I have two Oysterquartz presidential's and the bracelets are technically stretched (worn is a more correct term) but they wear beautifully and I wear them with pride.

Of course, if the bracelet is worn to the point of being on the verge of falling apart, that's a different story.

[Czechman]

Kfsal, post some pix of the bracelet and post the appraisal to have it restored... and then tell us what you decide.

[jdrolltide3838]

It's a decent deal. I sold a complete package 1984 model w/ no diamonds at $5100 and picked up a diamond dialed one recently for a little more