What would you buy?

[Longtimelurker]

I have been lurking in the shadows on this forum for quite some time. I have seen very wonderful pieces and gained lots of knowledge in regards to the watches. I don’t really like the modern watches as to me they are to big and bulky looking and I have tiny wrist. I know there is an assortment of watches in the vintage collecting. I have come here to get a feel for what you would purchase had you been in my shoes. My budget is 28k. I would love to buy a Gold GMT, preferably a Rootbeer, I like the 168o but I know that isn’t happening at that price in gold. Pepsis are nice as well. Just not sure what to buy. It will be my first Rolex purchase. Any ideas.

Thank you

[Longtimelurker]

There is also the 16808

[perry911113]

I agree with you on your perception of the new modern watches.
I will soon have a 3rd 34mm a 6494 to add to my 1970 Air King 5500 and my 1988 15010. I think the new ones are on steroids.
If I were to go with a larger sized vintage Rolex I prefer the GMT. I myself prefer stainless and love the Rootbeer and Coke (Black/Red).
Best of luck in your selection and purchase process.

[TuRo]

28k buys all manner - some thoughts off top of the sweed... 1655 mk1,1675 gilt (just) 16550 cream, 16520 (just) 1665 gw, all manor of 37 and 39.5mm Subs eg 5513,5512 (just) 5508, 6536, 1680 red and bicolour 1675/3 nipple with big change you might squeak a naked gold 80s 16758 too if a non nipple or black dial on a strap - jubilee might be a stretch as extr 5k...lovely early 1016 gilt too are about that !
Tudors Monte carlos 7159/69/49 and 7928 gilt Pcg all under 20k too...hope that gives food for thought !

[Dan S]

It sounds like you want a gold sport Rolex, so you clearly have your own distinct taste in watches, which is great. If your heart is set on a gold GMT, then go for it. Usually our gut tells us what is right, even if it's not the most common choice for others.

[Toronto Soup King]

Your budget and your wrist say top-tier 1016 or 1803, but if you're under 7" wrist, consider a 34mm watch. A 5500 Explorer is a nice watch. Also you can find full gold OP Date watches for far more reasonable prices than the 36mm models. Good luck

[Longtimelurker]

Thank to all who have shared there own insights. I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I think Dan has hit it in the head. I really would like a 18k GMT or SUB. More so the Rootbeer, but I am having a hard time finding one with a band at my price point. My wife won’t let me spend a penny more. 28k is my absolute most I can spend. At least she is letting me spend this.

[Longtimelurker]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Your budget and your wrist say top-tier 1016 or 1803, but if you're under 7" wrist, consider a 34mm watch. A 5500 Explorer is a nice watch. Also you can find full gold OP Date watches for far more reasonable prices than the 36mm models. Good luck

It’s small but maybe not that small
They just would look super bulky
When I was at my AD I tried in a JC and it was gigantic
Something for shaq

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Longtimelurker

Thank to all who have shared there own insights. I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I think Dan has hit it in the head. I really would like a 18k GMT or SUB. More so the Rootbeer, but I am having a hard time finding one with a band at my price point. My wife won’t let me spend a penny more. 28k is my absolute most I can spend. At least she is letting me spend this.

As was already suggested, the watch head on a leather band first. Then after your wife gets over the cost of the initial purchase you can buy the bracelet separately. Don't be discouraged by the initial asking price, make a ridiculous offer.

[Longtimelurker]

So I have narrowed it down, either a 1675 Rootbeer 18k or a Submariner 16808. What do you think is the better choice.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Longtimelurker

So I have narrowed it down, either a 1675 Rootbeer 18k or a Submariner 16808. What do you think is the better choice.

Agree with Toronto Soup King. I think both of these might be too big for your small wrist. The 1675 has a flatter profile that makes it wear smaller than a Sub, so if these are the only two options, I'd go that way.

However, I'd look at other options suitable for your wrist size. There are lots of nice 34 mm examples like the Air King or Date, and 36 mm models like the Datejust and Day Date. The Day Date 1803 is a particularly good option if you want gold and have a 20k+ budget plus a smaller wrist. They come in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold, with a wide choice of dial colors.

Look around a little more. It feels like you're ruling out a lot of size options that might be more suitable than a GMT or a Sub.

Either way, you're not really spending money if you buy any of these watches. You're just parking it in another vehicle. Good luck!

[TimeLord2]

You might want to check the listing on this forum to see what is available for both as they might be listed a while ago but still unsold. Here's a 16758 that popped up from October of last year https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=824444
and another
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=824654
Both without papers but at your budget, papers will be a reach. I like the first one with a little vault patina, fat lugs and tight bracelet…
16808 from January this year!
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ighlight=16808
They do come up quite frequently. Have these fine people (TRF) offer critiques on your choices.
Also try watchcharts.com and set up an account for free.

[Longtimelurker]

Thank you very much for the heads up on these TimeLord

[Longtimelurker]

They are gone

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Longtimelurker

Thank you very much for the heads up on these TimeLord

My pleasure but I am not as versed in these references as many of the others who have already commented. For watches this old, and budgetary concerns, some compromises must be made. I think it's safe to say a full set is not going to happen but you will be able to find some very nice examples. For whatever reason I have noticed that the all gold 16758s do sell for less than the 16808s but that is more of an observation than anything else, as I have never been looking to purchase one. Not to say that I wouldn't want one, just wayyyy outside my budget. Good luck! I'm interested to see what you find!

[Longtimelurker]

Which of these two?

Big price discrepancy. The 1675 is 9 k more but about the cheapest I can fine that’s a Rootbeer.
I can get the 16808 and pick up a solid gold band to with little waiting or I can buy the 1675 and save for the band for a while.

What is the better choice?

[TuRo]

No idea tbh - but you might have a tiny competitive perfect storm in US as there are 3 x 16808s in USA on your budget on C24 at what are nearly trade prices in the uk( the black dial is reserved though and one one bracelet has a service dial granted) - you often find that when you get a cluster of watches similar condition dealers drop their collective prices to move them on quickly and release cash flow happens all the time with say 6263/6265 and Monte Carlo Tudors where there is a smallish pool of buyers and temporary oversupply on C24.

The sub is not usually much cheaper than the Gmt (but a brown commands circa 3-4 more over a black ….. btw). I’d say in uk Sub is usually a bit more than a black nipple Gmt esp if nipple dial sub in gold.

Whatever you decide get some views on the watch with good photos and the dealer/seller before you comit is my advice - and be equally careful on the gold oyster as are some horror stories of iffy ones given their value !

Ps I personally like an aged purple dial to go with an aged purple bezel insert…they can be picked up for low-ish money (few hundred dollars) and they really make the overall purple look which I love most about early blue tritium gold and bi-colour models.

[Longtimelurker]

Thanks Paul
The 16808 seems to me to be a little cheaper without the nipple dial at some. Not sure in the UK like you are but I appreciate your suggestions.

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by Longtimelurker

a little cheaper

This is how I started out and I wish I hadn't, frankly. It all worked out for me - I'm not a dealer or a trader, I only buy watches to wear - but had I held out for better examples early, the watch on my wrist would be worth far more money than it is.

If you're giving up some part of what you want by going for a cheaper option, for something you'll prize and wear as best and never sell, the price had better be such a screaming hot deal that every time you look at your black-dial-wish-it-was-brown GMT you think, "OMG what a deal I got haha" rather than thinking, "FPS I shoulda spent the extra $3K on the one I really wanted". Because you might be wearing this watch for a long time. Anyway good luck eh

[Longtimelurker]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

This is how I started out and I wish I hadn't, frankly. It all worked out for me - I'm not a dealer or a trader, I only buy watches to wear - but had I held out for better examples early, the watch on my wrist would be worth far more money than it is.

If you're giving up some part of what you want by going for a cheaper option, for something you'll prize and wear as best and never sell, the price had better be such a screaming hot deal that every time you look at your black-dial-wish-it-was-brown GMT you think, "OMG what a deal I got haha" rather than thinking, "FPS I shoulda spent the extra $3K on the one I really wanted". Because you might be wearing this watch for a long time. Anyway good luck eh

I hear you
After going back and forth, I am now leaning more towards the 1675 Gold Rootbeer GMT. The two tone isn’t bad either but the Rootbeer seems to be the one that keeps calling me and or speaking to me. Idk. What a dilemma to be in. Lol.

[motoikkyu]

What Pete said goes for me, as well. This is a major purchase and not something anyone "needs" so your primary criterion needs to be your happiness with the item and not necessarily the price. All money looks the same, and I can always get more at some point, but an example of the watch that I want means a lot.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

What Pete said goes for me, as well. This is a major purchase and not something anyone "needs" so your primary criterion needs to be your happiness with the item and not necessarily the price. All money looks the same, and I can always get more at some point, but an example of the watch that I want means a lot.

What do you call a modern Breitling with a Burberry dial - A Chavitimer of course!

[Longtimelurker]

So I have narrowed it down to theses three.



That sub is beautiful. The purple. The first GMTs plots are sexy and have taking on such a beautiful creamy patina. The third is sexy as well.

They range from 23k to 33k

I thought this would be easier than it has turned out. It is very hard to narrow down what you want. I could get a Pepsi and a coke or a two tone Rootbeer. I could get two pieces for the price of one or maybe even three. Such a hard decision.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Anyway good luck eh

There's a Canadian.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Longtimelurker

...or I can buy the 1675 and save for the band for a while.

I wouldn't buy one without a bracelet if you'll want a bracelet later.

Even regular steel vintage bracelets in decent condition are hard to find, and gold ones are hen's teeth.

[Longtimelurker]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I wouldn't buy one without a bracelet if you'll want a bracelet later.

Even regular steel vintage bracelets in decent condition are hard to find, and gold ones are hen's teeth.

That sure brings up the price.