Flea Market Stories

[mattyb65]

There was a thread last summer about sharing your best Rolex purchasing story. Some members shared stories about picking up their Rolex at a flea market. I'm interested to hear more about our members' flea market adventures.

So guys, tell us your Rolex flea market stories (good or bed)!

[greekbum]

One of my best finds ever and im not a flea market person.I have a very thrifty friend and he goes to the flea market every saturday to get produce.My car broke down and I asked him to give me a ride so he says we gotta stop by the flea market for a little bit to get some produce.I wandered around and spotted a guy selling old costume jewelery and he had some watches.There I saw what looked like a tudor chrono.(later found out monte carlo version)I asked to see it and he says its a fake ROLEX.I looked at it and said its a Tudor and he says but it says Rolex on the back its a chineese fake.The watch was definatly well worn and the band stretched.I said how much for the fake Rolex he said $100.00 I said are you kidding a new fake is $50.00 in china town he said make me an offer I said $20.00 and there you have it my best find at a flea market.Ok guys this was in 2001 way before these things went up in value.A tudor in my mind than was its a poor mans Rolex.I dont think I would have given him $50.00 for it that day.LOL Funny how things changed.Sorry no pics I sold it after having it serviced.

[2th Dr]

Wow! Great story. All I've ever seen at flea markets are obvious fakes.

[yannis]

Originally Posted by greekbum

One of my best finds ever and im not a flea market person.I have a very thrifty friend and he goes to the flea market every saturday to get produce.My car broke down and I asked him to give me a ride so he says we gotta stop by the flea market for a little bit to get some produce.I wandered around and spotted a guy selling old costume jewelery and he had some watches.There I saw what looked like a tudor chrono.(later found out monte carlo version)I asked to see it and he says its a fake ROLEX.I looked at it and said its a Tudor and he says but it says Rolex on the back its a chineese fake.The watch was definatly well worn and the band stretched.I said how much for the fake Rolex he said $100.00 I said are you kidding a new fake is $50.00 in china town he said make me an offer I said $20.00 and there you have it my best find at a flea market.Ok guys this was in 2001 way before these things went up in value.A tudor in my mind than was its a poor mans Rolex.I dont think I would have given him $50.00 for it that day.LOL Funny how things changed.Sorry no pics I sold it after having it serviced.

Wow! Impressive! Was that in Greece Niko?

[padi56]

Well my best finds at boot sales were a silver 15 jewel 1922 Rolex Unicorn dial un-signed quite common in the early days of Rolex,only about 1 in 5 had Rolex on dial.And a 1924 S.steel Rolex Unicorn quite a rare metal then and more expensive than silver, both picked up for £5 each.But my best buy was same style case as the unicorn but with the Rolex name on dial and 17 jewel movement.When bought crystal and case was covered with paint all I new it was silver, so I picked that one up for £8.

Rolex Unicorn from 1922 silver case.



movement scan.




Rolex Unicorn scan from 1924 S.steel,

19

Rolex from 1924 same case as the Unicorn but 17 jewel movement.



All watches still running and keeping very good time,S steel unicorn restored a bit and sold.

[yannis]

Nice watches Padi!! You must have an awesome collection mate!!

[greekbum]

Oxi Yannis here in Florida.

[mattyb65]

Loving the stories. Any more out there? Anybody also have any good (or bad) ebay stories. I love the idea of people finding treasures.

[e-man67]

Good Lord that Tudor Monte Carlo is such a beautiful watch! What a huge find! I need to hit some flea markets!