Buying first Rolex for Hubby -- need advice

[Wifey]

Hi! I'm going in today to buy a vintage Rolex for my husband (it's our 10th anniversary tomorrow). I've been researching and looking at various models for the past 3 weeks, and today I pull the trigger.

Though I'm buying this watch for mostly sentimental reasons (10th anniversary, plus we just had our first baby, a son who will inherit the watch, etc.), I want to know that the watch is also a good investment and value.

Since I can't seem to include links in my posts, here's the info from the store's webpage (the dealer is Wanna Buy a Watch in los angeles):

Rolex SS Datejust ref 1600 circa 1967
serial # 1.7 million circa 1967. 36mm full size man's model with smooth bezel and very pleasing original silver satin pie pan dial with applied silver indexes and luminous baton hands. Self winding calibre 1570 movement with sweep seconds and date. Offered on fine cordovan cuff strap or your choice of fine leather strap.

It's a beautiful and perfect looking watch to my untrained eye. And it very much looks like my husband's style (especially on the brown leather cuff strap). I imagine he'd wear it often, though perhaps not on a daily basis (he works from home).

my questions about the DJ are:
1. i read that a datejust can be annoying if you don't wear it too often because you have to wind it forever to change the date. true? is it really that annoying?
2. does it really matter that the datejust doesn't come with papers or box? does it hurt the value, and/or should the shop not be charging as much considering there are no papers/box?

This dealer has the watch priced at 3k, which is the very top of my budget. I'm willing to pay their inflated price because I know this dealer is reputable, and frankly I'm short on time (ironically?), and because I don't know enough about vintage watches to be scouring ebay or other cheaper sources.

Anyway... I appreciate any and all advice anyone can give me! Especially red flags i should be looking for when I'm looking at the watch in person, and any tips on how to haggle down the price ;)

Thank you!

[Wifey]

Just figured out how to post the link... Clearly, I'm a newbie.

http://wannabuyawatch.com/indpages/39523.html

[roro]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. Wannabuy is a pretty good vintage watch shop. Ken the owner is a nice guy and I don't know if Christine is still working there but she's a gem. Try to get her to help you when buying if you can.

The date change on a Datejust is easy to do. You do not have to go around the dial twice to change the date. You pull out the crown to the first click and turn to change the date. They can show you at the shop. The reason why its called a Datejust is because the DATE is easy to ADJUST ;-)

Nice watch. I like the sobriety of the silver dial. The main drawback I see to this watch is that it doesn't have its original metal bracelet (which is a nice element to complete a vintage Rolex). Maybe you can use this as an excuse to get Ken to knock down on the price. He drives a hard bargain though so good luck.

Correct vintage bracelets (Jubilee for this model I think) can be found on the maket but tend to be fairly expensive especially if they are in excellent shape.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Kayvan

[Wifey]

That helps tremendously. When you say an original band would be expensive, how much approximately? I have no idea what that could mean... 500? 1000? Though I do actually prefer it with the leather cuff band, I'd love to give my husband a metal band as a future gift.

[Rolex2]

No doubt the datejust SS. the 1600/1570 cal will last forever. I have two 1500/1570 cal dates (my avatar) from the 70s. One for 20 years. They will outlive me easily.

On bands, get a jubilee SS--a genuine Swiss one or a genuine USA made one from that period--by JB or S&I.

[Wifey]

Thanks, Rolex2. I assume JB stands for Jubilee. What does S&I stand for?

[ndb80]

Originally Posted by Wifey

Thanks, Rolex2. I assume JB stands for Jubilee. What does S&I stand for?

i think they are the companies that manufactured them at the time of release of that watch...even JB is a company probably.. jubilee is only the name of the style as is oyster bracelet etc, but many companies made them for rolex over the years...

also it may be a good idea to covertly take your husband to try some models on, not all rolexes sit well on all wrists...its matter of literally body contours vs case shape vs bracelet type vs bracelet tightness...

Box and papers are nice, but ultimately are only really needed if the watch is ever to be resold, on top of adding a premium they generally make second hand sales a lot easier and smoother...

if you are defintely sure the watch is staying with your family and become a heirloom thing then box and papers do not really play a part other than in the presentation of the gift itself...

[Wifey]

Thank you, ndb80.

As far as trying them on my husband, the guy at the store said he'd allow us to come in and exchange the watch for anything else in the store if my husband didn't like it, no questions asked. So if it fits him less than perfect, we'll go in and look at other watches/bands/etc.

I have another newbie question: are all Rolexes chronometer? And/or is this datejust a chronometer watch?

[CapitalIQ]

As others have said, I would be very careful buying vintage. Almost all would require a full service which can easily cost up to $500.

Most are chronometer certified with the exception of some Submariner No-Dates and the very early Submariners. This is very vague, but from what you're looking for, its going to be superlative chronometer officially certified.

[roro]

The one you are considering is a Chronometer (it is written on the dial above the 6). A nice stainless steel Jubilee bracelet in good condition could run in the several hundred dollar range. It all depends on the seller and the condition.

[cruvon]

I believe if you had the time to wait and pick which you don't since you have to purchase today, you might have got a better price considering that it doesn't have an original bracelet or papers. Looks good though and is not always about the price plus is the thought that counts, am sure your hubby will be happy. Btw just so that you are aware, these vintage Datejusts are 36mm diameter, much smaller than the average watch, so ensure your husband would be comfortable with the size.
To answer your question about whether all Datejusts are chronometers, not sure, but some chronometer Datejusts don't specifically write that on the dial face, you will need to research by the watch's reference/model number to make sure.
For example, my wife's Datejust in pictures below doesn't have chronometer explicitly written on the dial face but is a chronometer in contrast to the Submariner in the second picture like with the Datejust in your link, where it's explicitly stated on the dial above the 6 O" Clock position as Kayvan(roro) above pointed out.
Lastly, make sure you direct your hubby to this vintage forum after you gift it to him so that he appreciates vintage even more:)

[Wifey]

Cruvon: thank you, and I will most definitely send my hubby here! You guys have all been super helpful and it seems like a great community.

[Rolex2]

Originally Posted by Wifey

Thanks, Rolex2. I assume JB stands for Jubilee. What does S&I stand for?

JB stands for JB Champion--watch band manufacturer of that period in US.
Forget what S & I stands for. Another US watch band company.
Both companies made Jubilee bands for Rolex.
They are rare--especially the JBs. I have a JB on my gold/SS date.

Rolex was assembling watches in US for sale here to save on duty fees.
Installing US made bands for watches to be sold here.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Wifey

Cruvon: thank you, and I will most definitely send my hubby here! You guys have all been super helpful and it seems like a great community.

Pleasure, do post pictures of the watch!:)

[roro]

Wifey,

Cruvon is right. Your hubby needs to post pics. This is the entry fee to be part of the forum!

Kayvan

[Rolex2]

Sorry. That's C&I USA Rolex band. Not S&I.

C&I and JB Champion were the two genuine Rolex bands made in USA in 60s and 70s.