DD36 (18238): What do you think of the condition?

[TomWambsgans]

Not sure if this belongs in the Vintage forum, so my apologies in advance if I got this wrong.


Thought I'd poll the experts on the condition of this 18238. I'm considering buying it.

[1William]

It looks good for what it is. Can you provide details on pricing and age and completeness of the watch.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by 1William

It looks good for what it is. Can you provide details on pricing and age and completeness of the watch.

Sure. $18.5k. Box, hangtag, but no papers. A Serial. All links.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by TomWambsgans

Sure. $18.5k. Box, hangtag, but no papers. A Serial. All links.

Nice condition (likely unpolished) but the ask is too much imo. Wouldn’t pay more than 14.5 for it, personally.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Nice condition (likely unpolished) but the ask is too much imo. Wouldn’t pay more than 14.5 for it, personally.

Wow. Where might I get a watch like this for $14.5k? I thought the bracelet in particular looked quite good and from what I've seen this price seemed on the high end, but not beyond the pale.

[yowlie]

18.5 should get a crown collection dial . . . .

[TomWambsgans]

Thanks for the feedback. What about this one at $14.25k? It's older (R serial/1988), more stretch in the bracelet, has been polished.

[mobster600]

Condition is everything. If you find an older watch in excellent condition its going to go for a premium. If you dont want to pay up for a really nice condition watch, then dont buy this. If condition doesnt matter to you, yes you can find an 18238 for less

[KY..]

Is it possible to get a better price on the first one in the 15-16k range?
Remember, neither have a special dial as the gold/champagne stick dial is very common and have no added value.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by mobster600

Condition is everything. If you find an older watch in excellent condition its going to go for a premium. If you dont want to pay up for a really nice condition watch, then dont buy this. If condition doesnt matter to you, yes you can find an 18238 for less

I totally agree, and generally want a 18238 that is in exceptional condition, especially when it comes to the bracelet. Just wanted to check with people whether this watch met the "exceptional condition" bar.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by KY..

Is it possible to get a better price on the first one in the 15-16k range?
Remember, neither have a special dial as the gold/champagne stick dial is very common and have no added value.

Highly, highly unlikely. Reputable dealer, doesn't really haggle.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by TomWambsgans

Thanks for the feedback. What about this one at $14.25k? It's older (R serial/1988), more stretch in the bracelet, has been polished.

That one is short 2 links. Subtract $600 for that. I’d pay $13k for that one not a penny more.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by ronricks

That one is short 2 links. Subtract $600 for that. I’d pay $13k for that one not a penny more.

Thanks. I totally missed that.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by TomWambsgans

Wow. Where might I get a watch like this for $14.5k? I thought the bracelet in particular looked quite good and from what I've seen this price seemed on the high end, but not beyond the pale.

14.5 won't get you anything good, i think 16-17 is around the range for one in great condition. check out tropicalwatch (Jacek on this site), he primarily deals with vintage pieces in great condition

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by huncho

14.5 won't get you anything good, i think 16-17 is around the range for one in great condition. check out tropicalwatch (Jacek on this site), he primarily deals with vintage pieces in great condition

I forget that not everyone has wholesale access 15K all day for great condition, double on Sundays'.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I forget that not everyone has wholesale access 15K all day for great condition, double on Sundays'.

This pass muster with you? You're really putting me through my paces!

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by TomWambsgans

This pass muster with you? You're really putting me through my paces!

Yikes. I'd generally stay away from C24. Prices and sellers (often, though not always) out to lunch. This one is just delusional on the part of the seller...

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Yikes. I'd generally stay away from C24. Prices and sellers (often, though not always) out lunch. This one is just delusional on the part of the seller...

Agreed. C24 is sketchy.

[jgottsman11]

without papers $15,000 is fair for what it is. $18,500 it better be full set mint unpolished which it isn't unfortunately

[Kingsking]

You can get one on 47th street for 12k , same condition

[illiguy]

Looks great, OP

[Daytonaman799]

An extra 1k for amazing condition is important. I would gladly pay a little more to get as close to super mint as possible.

[TomWambsgans]

Just as I start hunting a 18238 in earnest, the watch becomes popular with influencers and the like? Oh, hooray.

https://robbreport.com/style/watch-c...ng-1235871671/


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[rolex_DateJust]

I purchased my 18238 full set unpolished for $17.5 a few months back. You can definitely get one a bit cheaper but condition is what mattered to me and that’s what they were going for when I purchased mine. I highly doubt you’ll find a complete set in excellent condition for anything less than $15k like others have stated unless you’re a dealer buying wholesale or from someone who’s willing to let go of it for a steal. I may be wrong though if prices have gone down, I’m not sure since I haven’t been on top of the market lately since I purchased mine.

The first watch you posted is in decent shape, considering the year, and the bracelet is in great condition as well for the year. If they’re willing to drop the price a bit seeing it’s got everything else except the papers, I’m sure they’ll accept a reasonable offer from you.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by rolex_DateJust

I purchased my 18238 full set unpolished for $17.5 a few months back. You can definitely get one a bit cheaper but condition is what mattered to me and that’s what they were going for when I purchased mine. I highly doubt you’ll find a complete set in excellent condition for anything less than $15k like others have stated unless you’re a dealer buying wholesale or from someone who’s willing to let go of it for a steal. I may be wrong though if prices have gone down, I’m not sure since I haven’t been on top of the market lately since I purchased mine.

The first watch you posted is in decent shape, considering the year, and the bracelet is in great condition as well for the year. If they’re willing to drop the price a bit seeing it’s got everything else except the papers, I’m sure they’ll accept a reasonable offer from you.

Thanks for the response. I've noticed prices creeping up and then I stumbled upon the article I linked above. Guess I'm not the only one who's noticed.

If you don't mind my asking, where did you find your 18238?


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[yowlie]

Originally Posted by TomWambsgans

This pass muster with you? You're really putting me through my paces!

this is the worst of the three. The second has softening of the bezel. Look for sharp crisp bezel. There are many exceptional examples because these are often gifted and put in a drawer and/or worn in an office.

[TomWambsgans]

Originally Posted by yowlie

this is the worst of the three. The second has softening of the bezel. Look for sharp crisp bezel. There are many exceptional examples because these are often gifted and put in a drawer and/or worn in an office.

Yeah, there was zero chance I'd have bought that. For a whole host of reasons.


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[Zach69SS]

Op, I think, $15K is very fair for that DD 36, the condition very good, the bracelet looks good too. The asking price is a bit strong for what it is. but as I always say condition is everything and you may find something for less and the condition may not be the same.


So if you like the piece and price get it, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

Enjoy!

[investorcody91]

I have the same sentiments as others have shared. I think the condition is pretty good but for that price I think you could do better.

[TomWambsgans]

Thanks all for the feedback. I don't know whether the watch is unpolished but I assume it is and the bracelet looks pretty good to my admittedly untrained eye.

Comparison shopping for similar-ish watches, I found similarly high prices for unpolished watches being sold without box/papers, which made me view this one as priced on the high end of the band, but not absurdly.

1. 18038, tapestry dial. Unpolished. No box, no papers. $22k.

2. 18238, black dial. Unpolished. No box, no papers. $25k.

Etc.

I'll propose a small discount to the dealer tomorrow and see what that gets me.