Been thinking of vintage Rolex lately.

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:15 am

I've owned a 1675 before and loved it. Everything was original but it was over polished and without bracelet so I got a smoking deal on it years ago. But I didn't own it long enough to see it through a service.

I've always wanted a birth watch. I realize the novelty of a birth watch may not appeal to some but '81 16750s come up now and again (Jacek gets a lot it seems) and an all original would just so happen to have a maxi-dial I want.

I tried to do this with a Speedy 145.0022 but finding an '81 Moon watch seems to be a unicorn. I've been casually looking for the last couple years and have never seen one. It must have been a low production year or I simply have had bad luck. Tons of them made every other year surrounding '81, though...

The Milgauss GV would have to go if I went 16750 but not necessarily for the Speedy. My reservation has always been how will service go because if I do this it'll be a move to last. It's already a 34yr watch. Will the 3075 be serviceable until I stop ticking and at what cost?

Sidheguitarist · Post by **Sidheguitarist** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 9:49 am

'81? Don't you still need a note from your mom to buy a Rolex, or something?

Just kidding, you should totally do a birth year Rolex. Maybe even a birth year Porsche; we knew how to build stuff by the time you came along. All my birth year gear would be even more decrepit than I am...

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:16 am

Just debating the longevity of service.

Part of me wants to do it but I don't want to be marooned or paying AP prices.

Post by **toxicavenger** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:23 am

Over a certain amount of time I would think for service will be your only option. So if you think you won't be able to afford it later on then get something else. Hell a 81' Seiko would cheap to fix

dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:23 am

If you can find a nice 16750 from your birth year, and that should not be difficult, snatch it. IMO, 16750s are undervalued right now. You should have no trouble servicing it now and in the future; there are multiple good options for vintage Rolex service.

blowfish89 · Post by **blowfish89** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:08 am

Keep the MilgaussGV for another year, and I will take it off you bro

Add a vintage one, not substitute.

But I get your thinking. I was smitten by a 1675 I tried recently. The Rolexes from my birth year all have the WG surrounds, at least you can get some nice tritium ones.

Post by **matt.wu** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:29 am

Service on vintage isn't any more expensive than modern. And if anything, the movements are more basic/common.

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:45 am

What's your take on parts availability, Matt?

You foresee them drying up anytime soon with the indys?

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 3:51 pm

toxicavenger wrote:Over a certain amount of time I would think for service will be your only option. So if you think you won't be able to afford it later on then get something else. Hell a 81' Seiko would cheap to fix

I may do that. Although '81 didn'y yield too many sexy watches from seiko, did it?

Maybe a 6309 with the re-issue?

BBK357 · Post by **BBK357** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 7:00 pm

Not sure that you have any experience with watch service after reading your post. Wu is correct, vintage service cost the same. Parts for those Rolex, internal anyway are common and still supplied.

I just bought a birth year 83 sub and I do not regret it at all. It's currently being serviced by an authorized Rolex/private and it'll be about $550. Did it need services? No. But I'm keeping it for at least a while and I wanted to make sure it was water right.

Post by **toxicavenger** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 7:10 pm

sierra11b wrote:
toxicavenger wrote:Over a certain amount of time I would think for service will be your only option. So if you think you won't be able to afford it later on then get something else. Hell a 81' Seiko would cheap to fix
I may do that. Although '81 didn'y yield too many sexy watches from seiko, did it?

Maybe a 6309 with the re-issue?

Seiko 7548

Sidheguitarist · Post by **Sidheguitarist** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 7:39 pm

BBK357 wrote:
I just bought a birth year 83 sub and I do not regret it at all. It's currently being serviced by an authorized Rolex/private and it'll be about $550. Did it need services? No. But I'm keeping it for at least a while and I wanted to make sure it was water right.

Great looking piece, too.

BBK357 · Post by **BBK357** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 8:51 pm

Sidheguitarist wrote:
BBK357 wrote:
I just bought a birth year 83 sub and I do not regret it at all. It's currently being serviced by an authorized Rolex/private and it'll be about $550. Did it need services? No. But I'm keeping it for at least a while and I wanted to make sure it was water right.

Great looking piece, too.

[THUMBS UP SIGN]
Thanks man

mikeylacroix · Post by **mikeylacroix** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:17 pm

Ya dude..the even markers r a winner

blkgsl · Post by **blkgsl** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:33 pm

Lots of parts and even donor movements for that vintage. You'll be fine with a rolex. Do it, it's a great "sentimental" piece.

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:13 am

Browsing the last couple days has been quite depressing.

I should have followed my gut and bought a birthyear 16750 back when they were $2500 cheaper.

Jacek just sold a nice 94010 asking $6700. It had great colors but black with no hardware. Seemed nuts but someone thought the price was right.

Been looking at the 16710, too... Should have never let that one slip. Decent examples are ridiculous. There's no way a freshly serviced 16710 is worth $7000 IMHO. If Rolex releases a Platinum Coke at Basel I'm washing my hands of them.

dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 12:07 pm

The other way to look at it is, this is the cheapest whichever vintage Rolex you want will ever be from now on.

BBK357 · Post by **BBK357** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:50 pm

dukerules wrote:The other way to look at it is, this is the cheapest whichever vintage Rolex you want will ever be from now on.

#truth

Post by **toxicavenger** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:54 pm

BBK357 wrote:
dukerules wrote:The other way to look at it is, this is the cheapest whichever vintage Rolex you want will ever be from now on.
#truth

unless you buy high

jeckyll · Post by **jeckyll** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:10 pm

sierra11b wrote:
toxicavenger wrote:Over a certain amount of time I would think for service will be your only option. So if you think you won't be able to afford it later on then get something else. Hell a 81' Seiko would cheap to fix
I may do that. Although '81 didn'y yield too many sexy watches from seiko, did it?

Maybe a 6309 with the re-issue?

I happen to have a 1981 6309...

:-)

BBK357 · Post by **BBK357** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:21 pm

toxicavenger wrote:
BBK357 wrote:
dukerules wrote:The other way to look at it is, this is the cheapest whichever vintage Rolex you want will ever be from now on.
#truth
unless you buy high

#truth

sierra11b · Post by **sierra11b** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 6:33 pm

dukerules wrote:The other way to look at it is, this is the cheapest whichever vintage Rolex you want will ever be from now on.

Very true but it's getting to be a big money game even for the lesser models.

mfxr · Post by **mfxr** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:46 pm

sierra11b wrote:There's no way a freshly serviced 16710 is worth $7000 IMHO.

I purchased my 16710 through Jacek earlier in the year, and he was kind enough to facilitate an RSC service for me (+ ABC watchwerks doing a light polish, so best of both worlds IMO)

Mine did not have B&P but was issued a service certificate of course. All up it was less than $6k (also included an additional new bezel insert)

Obviously if you want full kit, mint condition then you are going to have to pay more.

geoffcotton · Post by **geoffcotton** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:56 pm

I went through the same mental torment last year. I chased two mint original 1665's great whites. Both approx £10k each.
Given that I owned a 2003 SD that was mint and stood me to just less than £4k I decided the additional £6k was a step too far, plus keeping them in the same mint condition was highly unlikely.
Just my thoughts. The vintage market is an absolute mine field with regards to getting a totally original watch, with box and papers etc.

good luck.

JBZ · Post by **JBZ** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 6:29 am

BBK357 wrote:
dukerules wrote:The other way to look at it is, this is the cheapest whichever vintage Rolex you want will ever be from now on.
#truth

Yup. At least judging by the trend in Jacek's prices, the price of vintage Rolex is ever increasing. He just listed a 1983 16660 with hangtags for $13,000+, which is nuckin' futs.

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