14270 Explorer Advice

[GooseHoward]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here.

My father gave me a birth year Datejust when I completed my degree a few years ago and I love it so much I've decided to buy a 14270. I've saved my money and finally have around $6k and I'm looking for a 14270 with lug holes, tritium lume, and the original bracelet. I've seen all sorts of examples pop up with prices all over the place and what I'm wondering is if I've saved up enough for a higher-rated example (box, papers, not overpolished, etc.) or if I should just continue saving because I'll never find what I'm looking for in the $6k range.

[fskywalker]

Hi I think that $6k should be enough for a nice 14270 full set. I have recently seen a few in great conditions without paperwork for $5000 so the extra $1k should allow a full set. Keep in mind you can buy a nice watch only 14270 and then send it to Rolex Service Center for service (cost of about $700) and will then have paperwork for it (good to have an older piece service if don’t have service records for it)




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[sillo]

6k should definitely be enough for a good example with your criteria. The really early blackout ones are going to out of your range, but I think those are way overpriced anyway.

Just be prepared for the hunt. I've been keeping an eye out for the exact same thing (not quite ready to pull the trigger, but want to gauge the market) and tritium/holes/full set 14270s do not pop up often.

[jb335]

I am slightly in the market for this exact reference and build (not seriously looking yet though) and I think you can get one for that price. May have to sacrifice b&p. Not sure.

Like everything, they have crept up lately.

[Juggernaut]

I had a 214270 for the past year and loved everything about it....except the 39mm case size. I’m now preferring smaller watches for my 6-3/4” wrist. I am also hunting for a 36mm Explorer and I’m a huge fan of lug holes. Problem is that many of the older Tritium-dialed examples have crackling dials. I had a nice Tritium Submariner which had an even “sponge” texture that was transitioning the dial texture from glossy to matte. But these cackling Explorer dials are not my thing. I almost bought a holes case 14270 with a service dial, but passed on it due to the higher price/lower resale value factor.

I wonder if Rolex changed the dial for the later Tritium (like S-series) because it seems like the crackling is happening to the earlier E/1991 examples....or maybe it’s nust a matter of time...

Comments?

[GooseHoward]

Update: I found one through a seller in Japan and had it imported to me. I paid a little over $6k but it came with all original booklets, papers, box, and tags. The watch is unpolished from a single owner with lug holes and the Swiss T<25 dial I was looking for, plus the case & dial are in fantastic shape for a 26 year old watch. The only issue I've had is that with my wrist being a slim 6.5", I can't get the bracelet to sit straight; permanent removal of a link from the 6 o'clock side would work but would ruin the taper. I'll probably just live with it considering that the watch looks so great on my wrist otherwise.