The rocketing demand of the vintage Datejust

[Platypus]

I remember a time 2-3 years ago when nice 1601 and 16014 models could be had for $2800. Today, $4500 is the norm for a decent example. Has anyone else noticed the unavailability of honest clean examples? As a datejust collector, I have even seen rare examples such as the wideboy or linen sell for as much as $5500. Crazy. What is going on?!

[ROLEXster]

Recently serviced my Dad’s 1601.
It’s an awesome watch.
I’ll pass it down to my son, just like he did with me.
.
.


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[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by ROLEXster

Recently serviced my Dad’s 1601.
It’s an awesome watch.
I’ll pass it down to my son, just like he did with me.
.
.


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That’s very nice!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Platypus

I remember a time 2-3 years ago when nice 1601 and 16014 models could be had for $2800. Today, $4500 is the norm for a decent example. Has anyone else noticed the unavailability of honest clean examples? As a datejust collector, I have even seen rare examples such as the wideboy or linen sell for as much as $5500. Crazy. What is going on?!

Think I paid around 2,000 USD for my decent DJ 1600 around five years ago. 4 - 5 grand seems to be the going rate for good 16xxs now.

It's just the way the market's gone as people get priced out of the vintage Sub/GMT/Daytona market and look to more "affordable" models. The rising tide that lifts all boats.

The DJ is still a decent point for entry to the vintage Rolex world, though.

[fskywalker]

Most models have gone up like crazy!


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[1William]

It is the market.

[Sublovin]

If this is your sign that the Rolex market is crazy, you haven’t been paying attention. There are cobbled together vintage Subs with poor condition dials that are well beyond their useful life selling for mid 5 figures! $4,000 for a datejust (still below current msrp) seems quite reasonable

[330ci]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

If this is your sign that the Rolex market is crazy, you haven’t been paying attention. There are cobbled together vintage Subs with poor condition dials that are well beyond their useful life selling for mid 5 figures! $4,000 for a datejust (still below current msrp) seems quite reasonable

plus they use the same movements as the big boys, so even their value in parts is increasing with every new sub record. going to have to maintain these watches somehow and rolex isn't supplying any parts.

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

If this is your sign that the Rolex market is crazy, you haven’t been paying attention. There are cobbled together vintage Subs with poor condition dials that are well beyond their useful life selling for mid 5 figures! $4,000 for a datejust (still below current msrp) seems quite reasonable

Is there a useful lifespan limit to a Rolex?

[JBZ]

There's been a noticeable spike in the asking price for both Datejusts and 36mm Explorers in the last couple of months. Not sure if it's a blip or a real trend.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by JBZ

There's been a noticeable spike in the asking price for both Datejusts and 36mm Explorers in the last couple of months. Not sure if it's a blip or a real trend.

Paid $5500 for my 14270 in June. Very clean example, no box or papers though.

[iliketime]

Originally Posted by chinaski

Paid $5500 for my 14270 in June. Very clean example, no box or papers though.

nice! thought i paid $4400 until ebay collected taxes which made it $4900 almost last year.

[ILuvSubs]

Originally Posted by JBZ

There's been a noticeable spike in the asking price for both Datejusts and 36mm Explorers in the last couple of months. Not sure if it's a blip or a real trend.

A rising tide for all vintage Rolex models brought about by the demand for the sports models?

I think it’s a case of DJs and EXPs getting the attention they rightfully deserve. They have historically been under appreciated relative to the GMTs, SDs, Subs and Daytonas. Compared to the pricing of those sport models, they are undervalued.

Some great variations within the DJ family. I also think there are great variations within the 14270 - blackout dial, tritium, lug holes, Swiss only, luminova, etc.

[Wahlberg]

They sold millions of datejusts between the 60s and end of the 80s but a lot don't appear online. I think a lot are still being worn by the current owners but that could change in 10-20 years. Not trying to sound to sinister.

I still want a clean 1601/1603 and I've been keeping my eyes open the past few years but perhaps I'm too picky and the perfect one will never come.

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

A rising tide for all vintage Rolex models brought about by the demand for the sports models?

I think it’s a case of DJs and EXPs getting the attention they rightfully deserve. They have historically been under appreciated relative to the GMTs, SDs, Subs and Daytonas. Compared to the pricing of those sport models, they are undervalued.

Some great variations within the DJ family. I also think there are great variations within the 14270 - blackout dial, tritium, lug holes, Swiss only, luminova, etc.

I knew the Explorer 1 would go up because of the smaller case and the white dial. It's too funky and special. Especially for 4-5k a short time ago.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

A rising tide for all vintage Rolex models brought about by the demand for the sports models?

I think it’s a case of DJs and EXPs getting the attention they rightfully deserve. They have historically been under appreciated relative to the GMTs, SDs, Subs and Daytonas.

Absolutely this. People are starting to sit up and take notice of the awesome but undervalued 16xx. Won't be undervalued for long...

[JBZ]

Originally Posted by ILuvSubs

A rising tide for all vintage Rolex models brought about by the demand for the sports models?

I think it’s a case of DJs and EXPs getting the attention they rightfully deserve. They have historically been under appreciated relative to the GMTs, SDs, Subs and Daytonas. Compared to the pricing of those sport models, they are undervalued.

Some great variations within the DJ family. I also think there are great variations within the 14270 - blackout dial, tritium, lug holes, Swiss only, luminova, etc.

I have two stories that are only anecdotes and dispositive of nothing, but I thought they'd be worth a share.

First, a well known dealer had a 2004 114270 (watch only) on sale back in August. It was listed for roughly $4,700. The same dealer recently listed a 2002 114270 (again, watch only) for about $5,900. In looking at the photos, the cosmetic condition of the two watches looked roughly the same.

Second, I recently inquired about possibly purchasing a 16200 Datejust from a different online dealer. I didn't end up moving forward, but I saw that the dealer raised the price of the listed watch from $4,200 to $4,900 the day after my inquiry.

I'm not surprised that prices are moving up, but I have been surprised at how fast it's happened with these two models. It's just the way Rolex is heading, I guess.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by Paul7

Is there a useful lifespan limit to a Rolex?

are you joking? For the dial (which is what I referred to) Yes, of course. Tritium dies and in many cases flakes and destroys the dial and potentially the movement.



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[Paul7]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

are you joking? For the dial (which is what I referred to) Yes, of course. Tritium dies and in many cases flakes and destroys the dial and potentially the movement.

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All will need maintenance but a Rolex will last several lifetimes. Dials are easily replaced.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by Paul7

All will need maintenance but a Rolex will last several lifetimes. Dials are easily replaced.

What? That wasn’t the question and you are proving my point. So, yes, dials have a useful lifespan and eventually need to be replaced.


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[iliketime]

one of my earliest datejust was a tt full set for around $2,500, boy thats surprising to see

[Claven2]

I don't think it's crazy at all. A vintage piepan DJ is part of a finite supply of decent examples, every year there are fewer of them out there in presentable nick, while overall demand for Rolex has been increasing.

I don't see the prices ever going back down. $5K or so and up is the new normal for a nice one. Such is life.

FWIW, I would not part with my 1601 for $5K. No chance. In fact, I'd not trade it for a new DJ. I can still buy a new DJ any time I want.

[Nick9]

Definitely going up in value/price. I'd say it's three things:

First is that they hold up really well, especially the dials. It's not hard to find DJs, including the older pie-pans, with dials that are in exceptionally good condition. So, even if the watch is nearly 50 years old, they can still look great. Same with wear on the fluted and engine turned bezels--it doesn't detract from wearability.

Second, I believe there is a growing number of people (like me) who prefer a smaller size.

And third, mentioned already, you can get into a very nice !Rolex! watch without having to sell a child or get a second mortgage.

My two cents.

[mikewoods]

I am kicking myself for not buying the 18038 President my local AD had in the preowned case a few years back. The price was a staggering $2800.

[330ci]

Originally Posted by mikewoods

I am kicking myself for not buying the 18038 President my local AD had in the preowned case a few years back. The price was a staggering $2800.

That’s just a crazy price in general. I haven’t seen one that cheap ever lol

[dhknola]

$2800 for a president?!? That's must have been when gold was dipping big time as that sounds like the 18k would cover the metal and make the watch essentially free.

[pierson]

Anyone have any thoughts on this one?

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/datej...id16232645.htm

[carwashchris]

So yes ! I watch both the 1800 & 1600 series and just since January they seem to be up 20 % and probably more when your looking at an un-comon pieces, like WB, Sigma, Gilt, Non-Lume, or blue,black,gray,silver,buckley, dials.

It makes hard to pony up going forward.

But I love it.

[Yachtbuoy]

Originally Posted by carwashchris

So yes ! I watch both the 1800 & 1600 series and just since January they seem to be up 20 % and probably more when your looking at an un-comon pieces, like WB, Sigma, Gilt, Non-Lume, or blue,black,gray,silver,buckley, dials.

It makes hard to pony up going forward.

But I love it.

I picked up a 1603 earlier this year and I notice the price trend for these watches are up from when I bought. Wild.

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by pierson

Anyone have any thoughts on this one?

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/datej...id16232645.htm

Wow, I'm sure Chrono has some reasoning behind that price.

[dhknola]

This thread has me inspired.
I have a line on this example. Bad ding to dial about 8:30/9.
Do the lugs look too thin?
The asking isn’t too bad and I’ve never really contemplated a vintage DJ, but, this thread has me thinking...









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