Discussion
I all, just after some help, pointers, advices or just thoughts...anything will help.
I currently own a GMT IIc bi metal rolex. It's very nice, and was for my 40th last year. I was not after a GMT in particular, but like it due to its bling but not bling, if you know what I mean. I did really like a sub, or deap sea but fell onto the GMT. It is my first 'proper' watch, and I thought it was a keeper - for the grand kids and all that.
Anyways, hope that sets the scene for my thoughts on what I have, in being that I like it.
However, we are looking for a nice sports watch for the wife. She likes a daytona, but we carnt afford one right now. In my local Indy dealer today, he had a 1970 sub, which I immediately fell in love with, (about £3300), no papers or box. Now bearing in mind it was made at the same time as me (yes we are both 40 years old), I like this a lot. So, it's very nice, though with a noisy bracelet, it rattles a lot. I could up grade the bracelet, and keep the old I guess. It did sit very nice and light on my wrist.
The dealer also had a 1999 (again about £3500) sub with date which the wife liked, and would be happy with, and we could change this for a daytona in the future I guess.
My dilemma is, should I px the GMT for the watch from my birth year and the 1999 sub? This would include about £1,500 being put in to change.
Any help and guidance would be much appreciated, i know my heart is set on a watch from my birth year, which would definitely stay with me 'for the kids', and it gets the wife a watch too, however any help in buying a vintage rolex would be of help.
I currently own a GMT IIc bi metal rolex. It's very nice, and was for my 40th last year. I was not after a GMT in particular, but like it due to its bling but not bling, if you know what I mean. I did really like a sub, or deap sea but fell onto the GMT. It is my first 'proper' watch, and I thought it was a keeper - for the grand kids and all that.
Anyways, hope that sets the scene for my thoughts on what I have, in being that I like it.
However, we are looking for a nice sports watch for the wife. She likes a daytona, but we carnt afford one right now. In my local Indy dealer today, he had a 1970 sub, which I immediately fell in love with, (about £3300), no papers or box. Now bearing in mind it was made at the same time as me (yes we are both 40 years old), I like this a lot. So, it's very nice, though with a noisy bracelet, it rattles a lot. I could up grade the bracelet, and keep the old I guess. It did sit very nice and light on my wrist.
The dealer also had a 1999 (again about £3500) sub with date which the wife liked, and would be happy with, and we could change this for a daytona in the future I guess.
My dilemma is, should I px the GMT for the watch from my birth year and the 1999 sub? This would include about £1,500 being put in to change.
Any help and guidance would be much appreciated, i know my heart is set on a watch from my birth year, which would definitely stay with me 'for the kids', and it gets the wife a watch too, however any help in buying a vintage rolex would be of help.
Does the 1970 sub have paperwork with it, even Rolex service papers? A dealer's 'It's a Rolex, honest' paperwork doesn't help you much come re-sale time. However, if it's a keeper, you'd send it back to Rolex to be serviced anyway and then have your provenance.
Is it a date (1680) or non date (5513) model? If with date, then that's a decent price. For a 5513... It'd have to be very clean. Tritium dial or later? Please tell me it hasn't been replaced with the modern dial with white gold rings around the hour indexes?
Bracelet will just take a standard replacement heavy oyster link, but you're pushing up the price all the time.
Is it a date (1680) or non date (5513) model? If with date, then that's a decent price. For a 5513... It'd have to be very clean. Tritium dial or later? Please tell me it hasn't been replaced with the modern dial with white gold rings around the hour indexes?
Bracelet will just take a standard replacement heavy oyster link, but you're pushing up the price all the time.
Thanks for the input guys. It's a non date, so a 5513. Not too bothered about it being slightly over on price, don't forget it's not for investment, more a purchase from the heart.
No papers or anything. I trust the dealer, I have bought a lot from him over the years, including the current GMT.
How much am I looking for a proper rolex service? The face is all original, with a nice yellow patena. I would have to change the bracelet as it would be a daily wearer, it is far too clanky to put up with.
No papers or anything. I trust the dealer, I have bought a lot from him over the years, including the current GMT.
How much am I looking for a proper rolex service? The face is all original, with a nice yellow patena. I would have to change the bracelet as it would be a daily wearer, it is far too clanky to put up with.
Trax said:
How much am I looking for a proper rolex service? The face is all original, with a nice yellow patena. I would have to change the bracelet as it would be a daily wearer, it is far too clanky to put up with.
£500-700 for a service from Rolex for that I'd estimate. A new, later Oyster bracelet would be around £700ish. Although you'd find a decent second hand one for a fair whack less.
£3300 for a 5513 isn't that bad really, the days of a sub-£3k with no-provenance are over (unless the watch is a wreck or has issues) so it seems fair to me.
The decision over whether to go for it or not, comes down to whether you like vintage or modern Rolex IMO. I'd go for the classic one as I much prefer the subtle differences in look (if it's a matte dial 5513, all the better!) and the less glitzy look.
£3300 from a dealer sounds ok to me for a 5513 (and a steal if it's a 5512). I do favour modern watches as every day wearers though - I've owned vintage Rolexes and, while they wear fine, I was never as relaxed wearing them as I am my modern ones - down to the hassle involved with damaging them, more than anything.
Rolex serviced my 1680 last year for about £450.
Rolex serviced my 1680 last year for about £450.
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