Refurb or leave a 1965 Rolex?

Refurb or leave a 1965 Rolex?

Author
Discussion

Nikolai

Original Poster:

283 posts

145 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Looking for some opinions on what to do with my 1965 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Date. Its been well worn and has scratches on the glass, and the back has been engraved with 'to (name) from the (name) family'. A place near me will refurb and service, including microwelding the case back to remove the engraving for £650. Although this seems reasonable for this type of work, it is a lot of money to spend to then be uncertain of its final resale value.

Do you think its current condition would mean its going to end up going for relative peanuts on eBay, and I would be better off paying for the service and repairs, or is the originality preferred?

Thanks


Nigel_O

2,858 posts

218 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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I assume you haven't inherited it from a family member? If you have, I would have it serviced, but keep all the patina.

If you've simply bought an old Rolex, I think its not unreasonable to "de-personalise" it. I would have thought a replacement case back would be cheaper than having the engraving filled, but I guess it would be nice to keep some originality.

I guess the decision depends on what you intend to do with it. Are you looking to keep it or flip it?

Nikolai

Original Poster:

283 posts

145 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
It was inherited but from a chain of the family I never knew and it has no sentimental value. It's not the sort of thing I'd ever wear so essentially I'm just storing it in a cupboard for years until I guess I just give it to my son who is only 4. Seems more sensible for someone else to get enjoyment out of it and I can use the money on something that's more beneficial to my family.

So I'm looking to sell it.

Edited by Nikolai on Saturday 13th February 10:50

bristolbaron

4,756 posts

211 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
For clarity, you are planning to sell the watch and want to know if you’ll achieve a selling price at least £650 higher by refurbishing it first?

Generally I’d say people prefer an original patina/story, however if you have no paperwork you’d probably see an increase in selling price due to receiving a service card. The other consideration is a higher selling price also comes with higher sellers fees so they’d need to be factored too.

What are you hoping to achieve price wise?

Mr Pointy

11,146 posts

158 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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bristolbaron said:
What are you hoping to achieve price wise?
Answering that is a good way to get the thread deleted.

bristolbaron

4,756 posts

211 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
Mr Pointy said:
Answering that is a good way to get the thread deleted.
Good point! In which case, ‘did the repairs give an idea on current value’ might be a better question?

Nikolai

Original Poster:

283 posts

145 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
I have looked at sold prices of this watch on eBay which is my only barometer of value so far. It does have original box and paperwork.

I suppose even if it doesn't get refurbished it at least needs to work, so if it doesn't tell the time that is the minimum that needs to be fixed, even if the new owner wants the engraving removed that's up to them.

Nikolai

Original Poster:

283 posts

145 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
bristolbaron said:
For clarity, you are planning to sell the watch and want to know if you’ll achieve a selling price at least £650 higher by refurbishing it first?
Yes, and if sellability is affected by either not servicing or getting it serviced.

bristolbaron

4,756 posts

211 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Nikolai said:
Yes, and if sellability is affected by either not servicing or getting it serviced.
It’ll limit your market if it’s currently not working.

It’d be worth getting an offer from Dom Hackett and a couple of the other traders based on current condition and seeing what the gap is from eBay sold prices, bearing in mind sellers fees, PayPal fees etc.

Servicing and laser welding is almost certainly a good idea if you’re going for a private/higher price sale, the outstanding question is general case/bracelet refurbishment and that’s a 50:50.

Mr Pointy

11,146 posts

158 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
It might be worth getting a price for a new case back & offering it for sale with both the new one & the old one with the engraving. The engraving is a drag really as it will definately affect the price but then so will having to sell the watch with laser welding & refinishing. I'd probably go as far as a service (always helpful) & a new glass (& offer the original as well) but the case back work might not be worth it.

stevewak

495 posts

129 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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What does it say on the back? Could be interesting if military or something. I would ask for a replacement back and keep original.

I expect it's a 34mm and the PH watch massive will be down on that as its too girly for their manly wrists. That is the sort of watch that the racing drivers, pilots, army officers and explorers wore in the 50s and 60s. Like in Ice Cold in Alex.

bluezedd

1,007 posts

81 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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I'd replace the glass, get it serviced and wear it.

Don't replace the dial, hands etc.

Also don't ever send it to rolex as they replace parts and steal your original parts.

Getting it serviced might be a waste of money if you're not going to wear it for 20 years

If it's for your son you might be best letting him decide what to do on the engraving situation. It will probably eventually mean more to him if you do wear it.

Edited by bluezedd on Saturday 13th February 14:48

cerbfan

1,159 posts

226 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Hi Nikolai,
I'd be interested in buying this off you if you do sell it. I've sent you a message. Cheers, Dylan

AJB88

12,263 posts

170 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Get it serviced only and sell.

Nikolai

Original Poster:

283 posts

145 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for the above all. Have wound the spring and it's all working fine, ticking away nicely. I think a service and new glass is a sensible thing to do. Especially as the glass scratches leave shadows across the face. Test wearing it now to make sure it's not for me.

GCH

3,984 posts

201 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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it isn't glass or sapphire, its acrylic. Try a £5 tube of polywatch & some elbow grease before paying for a new crystal - you will be amazed.

Not so common with alpha hands either.

hkz286

146 posts

83 months

Tuesday 16th February 2021
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if its the original crystal i really wouldn't change it for a new one.

Edited by hkz286 on Tuesday 16th February 16:18

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th February 2021
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I love age/wear/patina on watches, but thats personal preference.

I have 4 or 5 watches in my collection that I simply don't wear, including a couple of Rolex models, because they are mint condition. Every time I wear them I seem to pick up a tiny new mark of some description, and it just stops me wearing them, because I know the next buyer will be a fussy bd and everyone seems to want everything 'as new'.

I don't really keep watches 'forever' and like to chop and change a bit, so selling them does seem to come around eventually.

I'm currently looking to buy a really, really beaten up old GMT from the 70's or 80's, because I would happily wear something that looked like it had been properly worn and battered for 40 years.

NDA

21,486 posts

224 months

Tuesday 16th February 2021
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Mr Pointy said:
It might be worth getting a price for a new case back & offering it for sale with both the new one & the old one with the engraving. The engraving is a drag really as it will definately affect the price but then so will having to sell the watch with laser welding & refinishing. I'd probably go as far as a service (always helpful) & a new glass (& offer the original as well) but the case back work might not be worth it.
This.

Don't bother with the welding - take Mr Pointy's advice (and mine) and put a new case back on it, new glass and ensure the originals go with the watch. This will appeal to both collectors and 'normal' buyers. smile

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 16th February 2021
quotequote all
NDA said:
Mr Pointy said:
It might be worth getting a price for a new case back & offering it for sale with both the new one & the old one with the engraving. The engraving is a drag really as it will definately affect the price but then so will having to sell the watch with laser welding & refinishing. I'd probably go as far as a service (always helpful) & a new glass (& offer the original as well) but the case back work might not be worth it.
This.

Don't bother with the welding - take Mr Pointy's advice (and mine) and put a new case back on it, new glass and ensure the originals go with the watch. This will appeal to both collectors and 'normal' buyers. smile
This.

It'll give you the best chance with most buyers.