Nice Vintage below $20k

[rkk208]

What would you guys recommend?

Since this one I am buying as vintage won't be enjoyed as much as modern Rolex, I would like something that will hold value for a long period of time, or make little fortune - would be better.

What I am really interested in is:

1. I really want watch to be in good shape - I don't want really old models where it is impossible to find hands without rust on them.

2. Preferably below 20k.

[Tijssan]

[Kanger]

The Freccione for sure. You'd have enough money left over for a nice 1680. To be honest, 20k can get you multiple nice vintage pieces :)

[SWIMPRUF]

20k is too much, But I'd recommend a yellow gold Day-Date.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by rkk208

What would you guys recommend?

Since this one I am buying as vintage won't be enjoyed as much as modern Rolex, I would like something that will hold value for a long period of time, or make little fortune - would be better.

What I am really interested in is:

1. I really want watch to be in good shape - I don't want really old models where it is impossible to find hands without rust on them.

2. Preferably below 20k.

If you're not going to enjoy wearing it as much, why go vintage then? I would not buy watches for investment purposes, I would buy a watch to enjoy and wear. But if you do decide to go look for a nice vintage, I would look at a 1655, a DRSD, gilt 5512 with pcgs, gilt 1675 with pcgs, etc... You have a lot of options.

[rkk208]

Originally Posted by kanger

The Freccione for sure. You'd have enough money left over for a nice 1680. To be honest, 20k can get you multiple nice vintage pieces :)

What is Freccione? Is that 1655 EXP II? I really love this piece. Perfectly fits my criteria

1) Not too old. You can find good looking ones with lug thick enough
2) Attractive Orange GMT hand

But how is the value on this watch? I mean, I have seen this ranging from 10K to something near 20K. Unlike modern rolexes, buying vintage requires more thinking.

[rkk208]

Originally Posted by kyle L

If you're not going to enjoy wearing it as much, why go vintage then? I would not buy watches for investment purposes, I would buy a watch to enjoy and wear. But if you do decide to go look for a nice vintage, I would look at a 1655, a DRSD, gilt 5512 with pcgs, gilt 1675 with pcgs, etc... You have a lot of options.

Well, owning a vintage itself can be a great enjoyment. No need to wear it all the time to enjoy it...

[Speed]

Originally Posted by rkk208

Well, owning a vintage itself can be a great enjoyment. No need to wear it all the time to enjoy it...

[Yazo]

Originally Posted by rkk208

buying vintage requires more thinking.

Ummm.. yeah... I think that's the whole point?

[RolexWatcher]

I think your question is quite hard to answer. It is too general.

Buying vintage takes time and needs more thinking as you said.

Every vintage piece is unique and has its own unique price.

As to rust, yes, just buy something without rust!

All the best with your search!

[HL65]

First off--definitely don't buy for any other reason but to enjoy and wear. Second- prices vary greatly depending on the year, type, and condition of each reference. Third- Do your homework and decide what model you like and narrow down from there. Happy hunting!

[cruvon]

Tough question to asnwer but to make it easier if you were born in the years of the popular sports vintages start with a birth year vintage maybe, that way even if it loose value you wont be sorry.

[dddrees]

What models do you like. You will have to buy something within your budget, however which one makes you smile the most? Focus on your enjoyment, because there are no guarantees that these watches will be as valueable to others a year from now, let alone 10 or 20 years from now. The true value is the enjoyment you will recieve from owning and wearing one of these magnificient time pieces.

Ask yourself why you want one and if it is trully for the right reasons. Then take a look around and find the right one for you. Enjoy your hunt.

[JEC]

Pretty much anything outside of a Daytona, DRSD, Milgauss, or Milsub I suppose. I wish I had such dilemmas to ponder.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by rkk208

Well, owning a vintage itself can be a great enjoyment. No need to wear it all the time to enjoy it...

If that is the case why not just have a photo of a vintage? no , watches are for wearing.

[oldbronco]

anything vintage has more panache, mystique, & style than any modern McRolex. anyone can buy a watch. hunting for & finding a great vintage is where the fun is.

[Welshwatchman]

I'd say a 1665, 1655 or 1019 in as good, original and complete condition as possible.

Then wear it well.

As for the $20k limit, who's ever bought a watch or a car under budget?

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

First off--definitely don't buy for any other reason but to enjoy and wear. Second- prices vary greatly depending on the year, type, and condition of each reference. Third- Do your homework and decide what model you like and narrow down from there. Happy hunting!

x2 .....all day long

But I want to throw my 2 cents in becasue something about this post just frazzled me.

First and foremost, men, unlike women, do not have a lot of options to use accessories to identify with. We get a wedding ring, a watch, and unless you can hold on to them, a pen. Anything more than that then you're a pimp, gigilo, or Greek (like me......lol) and you stand out of the crowd like you NEED to show something off. The idea is to be identified, not STAND OUT. That being said, my grandfather told me once about 40 years ago when I was three something I have never forgotten. A man can be distinguishably identifiable by the watch that he wears and the pen he uses to sign his name with.

I have a few "nice" watches. A couple of Bulovas a TAG and my favorite is a $250 Swiss Army Officer's watch. I wear that one every day and for just about every occasion. The reason, IT MEANS SOMETHING TO ME.I bought it 20 years ago right before the Gulf War and let me tell you, it's seen plenty of action. I've taken care of it the best that I can. I get it cleaned as much as I change the battery and that's about it. But I love that watch knowing it means more to me than a price tag. And When I hand it down to my son, he'll know, regardless of a fixed price, that it is indeed priceless.

Now, I'm about to embark on a Rolex journey. I'm specifically looking for a birth year Rolex. It's going to represent the year I was born.....sure.....and that's going to mean a lot to me. As for the value, well, I'll never be able to place a value on it. Not now, not ever. Becasue in addition to it being my birth year watch, it'll be my unborn son's birth year watch one day (due labor day). And just saying that make me teary eyed.

I guess the bottom line is that if you're going to buy a watch, make it mean something to you so you're itentified. Kind of like a dogtag. It doesn't have to have your name on it, but it needs to represent you somehow.Sure I care how much I spend on it, and I do have a budget. But in the long run, when I look at it, I'll know it's something that represents me and not some dollar sign, regardless of the scratches or anything else.

Just my 2 cents.

Pete

Oh, BTW......I sign my name with Montblanc pens........period.

[clay1680]

Very well put Pete, I agree completely.

My first Rolex was a gift from my dad when I graduated college, one that he had worn for nearly 20 years before he gave it to me. It's priceless to me and I will never get rid of it (unless I pass it down myself). But the thing is it could have been a Swiss Army and I would still treasure it as much, it would still represent the same thing to me.

Good luck on the search for your birth year, I'm also on a search for mine ('77).

[adt]

Originally Posted by rkk208

What would you guys recommend?

Since this one I am buying as vintage won't be enjoyed as much as modern Rolex, I would like something that will hold value for a long period of time, or make little fortune - would be better.

What I am really interested in is:

1. I really want watch to be in good shape - I don't want really old models where it is impossible to find hands without rust on them.

2. Preferably below 20k.

i think a nice vintage that would suit your requirements would be the 1655 mk 1 dial and mk1 bezel with box and paper. i feel this could likely keep value. depending on your taste, a really nice complete set gilt chapter ring 1675 with pointed crown guards is a great choice in my opinion. if a sub, i'd go for a 1665 great white or a 1680 meters first red sub. a complete 5508 if you dont want a date.
so many choices. good luck on your hunt. i enjoy having all my vintages but i only can wear one at a time so i agree you can enjoy having a vintage 'off' the wrist. looking at them makes me smile! cheers, andrew.

Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk

[cruvon]

For around your budget, I would aim for a 1680 red MK1 or a birth year red sub with B&P or a Double Red SD 1655 without B&P. Both, judging by their current popularity/desireability, would possibly hold value or "might" slightly appreciate in the next 10 years atleast depending on an improving world ecomomy. I say "slightly" increase because most of their future appreciation for the near future atleast has possibly already been built into the current prices unless you get a steal buy. But over the long term there are never guarantees which way these supposed investments might go. Hard to predict what a new generation of young people might love (read up about what happened to Rolex bubblebacks owing to a change in style to larger diameter watches but also read up about how some vintages have appreciated over the years). So make sure you buy for the love of vintage so that if there is ever a writeoff we wouldn't be that sorry or think we might have broken the bank beacuse we would have enjoyed it much like say that fast car in our garage:). If it appreciated, that's a bonus.

Also here's a thread I had attempted to capture some prices in, hope it helps
http://www.rolexforums.com/~trfcom/s...d.php?t=180464

[teeva3333]

1655 straight hand for me. But i think 1655 all mk1 with box paper will be hard to come by. DRSD is very nice too but a good condition one will be tough to find under 20.