Vintage Market Prices

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by CSG

Good point, Scottie. To me, most old used watches are old used watches. That some are willing to pay big bucks for a worn watch and call it *patina* is the same craziness we've seen with guitars.

Doesn't affect me personally but I don't get it. I don't want to wear a beat-up watch and I don't want to play a beat up guitar. I also don't want to drive a beat up car.

I think most of this is the stuff of internet forum fever.

that fever sure has been going around a while.

[bluemartinifan]

This is a solid relevant topic that IMO parallels other high end collecting industries.
Does pricing for the finest work from masters like Matisse and Picasso fluctuate and spike over time - sure - are the "best, most highly coveted works of art from these masters always in demand and appreciating in price - yes...

Does pricing for the finest original Mopar, Chevy or Ford muscle cars from the 60s fluctuate and spike over time - sure - are the "best, most highly coveted original muscle cars always in demand and appreciating in price - yes...

As vintage Rolex collectors, it takes us time to "graduate" up to paying for finer, pristine, more expensive pieces - patiently searching for them out of private collections. These rarer watches will IMO provide a positive ROI over time (unless you bought at an insanely high over the market price).
The "mass" for sale vintage pieces that are available on all the forum sites may not be at a bubble - but will be harder to sell and harder to realize ROI as there are just so many of these pieces currently (and likely in the future) to be available.

[MitchSteel]

As long as "Cool" remains cool and trendy, then no worries of any bubble bursting, besides what can be cooler than Vintage Rolex......well, maybe vintage Sports Cars, bikes.....all the things made of "Cool".... see what I'm saying? stay Cool

[springer]

I don't know if we are in a "bubble" but if history is any indication, there will always be a demand for anything old, vintage or classic. As far as vintage Rolex goes, the number of quality pieces on the market is definitely dwindling. Demand, along with disposable income will determine where we go from here.

Enjoy your collections everyone - no matter what you collect.

[RC2]

I am shocked to see how much they have climbed over the past 9 months - such a short time and large increases. I am not paying the prices now - I am pretty much out of the market unless I flip. Guess I need a night job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bluesnowflake]

Rolex/Tudors follow the stock market...stocks go up watch prices go up...interesting enough check the prices of the Tudor Monacos for example....Tudors are near the price of some of the Rolexs....ie., the Tudor MN snowflakes.............just my opine....the thick case Tudor Chronos are the real deal....

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by CSG

And yet, fabulous, incredible pocket watches from the 19th century go for a few hundred at most outside of the really rare items (like a PP minute repeater). No, there's something strange about the old Rolex market that makes no sense to me. Just as well.

Say, is my '89 lug hole TT DJ vintage yet? $8000 anyone?

who carries a pocket watch?

[motoikkyu]

What a lot of people don't realize about the pocket-watches with complications is that these were made by craftsmen at home, not necessarily watchmakers at the bench. There was a whole cottage industry with repeaters. As a result, many were never all that great and are impossible to repair, unless you are able to fabricate your own parts. It's like early CENSORED, matchlocks and flintlocks, the parts were fabricated by different shops or individuals at different times. Without standardized manufacture, it's hard for values/prices to stabilize. Steer clear of individuals who carry pocket-watches or wear monocles or spats, they probably need more help than you are prepared to give.

[cajuntiger]

A nice clean 5513 can be had for around $5000. A new Submariner is $8,000. IMO the vintage piece looks better (not a fan of the silver surrounds) and costs 40% less...seems like a bargain.

[soundserious]

It's new watches from AD that are out of touch with reality. I'd much rather spend my watch money on vintage at 70% of the price of new...and still get the better watch.

[dw.metro]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

A nice clean 5513 can be had for around $5000. A new Submariner is $8,000. IMO the vintage piece looks better (not a fan of the silver surrounds) and costs 40% less...seems like a bargain.

Totally agree with this.

[CrownMe]

Originally Posted by viknijjar

It's new watches from AD that are out of touch with reality. I'd much rather spend my watch money on vintage at 70% of the price of new...and still get the better watch.

Agreed. I will never buy from a AD. For one there ridiculously overpriced and 2. They don't sell vintage in my area.

[jackruff]

Originally Posted by cajuntiger

A nice clean 5513 can be had for around $5000. A new Submariner is $8,000. IMO the vintage piece looks better (not a fan of the silver surrounds) and costs 40% less...seems like a bargain.

Great... send me a link to a "nice clean 5513" for that!!

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by jackruff

Great... send me a link to a "nice clean 5513" for that!!

Yeah, you aren't getting a matte dial for that.