First steps into the vintage world

[triple.lindy]

Hi everyone
I am looking for some experience/advice on beginning the research and hunt for a birth year watch(is 1981 considered vintage or just kind of old??). I'm thinking GMT 16750 but also considering a sub 16800 or explorer ii 1655. I figure as I research, I will land on which one it will be or I will just know when I find the right one.

From what i'm seeing the complete original watches fetch higher prices and the ones with service parts seem to be somewhat lower. I don't think all original(or box/papers) is important to me as of now, but again I am just beginning this journey. I think I would be good with something with some service parts but would like it to show some age like its wearer:)

Can an older watch be a mostly daily wearer? Are there things I need to be more careful with than my moderns?

I have looked at the trusted sellers list and spent time scrolling their inventories simply to see what's out there.

Any suggestions or advice on where to research or what I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated!

[1665fan]

A 1981 piece can definitely be a daily wearer....with my vintage I just act like none of them are waterproof so I don’t get them wet....I do get them pressure tested and they get rained on or washed in the sink but never more than that....high impact events I would just take it off

[interestedwatcher]

The 1570 movement is a workhorse. It can be worn daily.

Agree with 1665 - don't go diving with one (even though more than likely it could take it).

[iliketime]

You are going to have to scrutinize condition very very carefully and pay close attention to any pitting especially in the case back area. I bought a 1980 datejust some time ago, and after repair at rolliworks, i found out due to the pitting, it wouldn't past water proofing. however, they did some laser work and the case was able to pass pressure test. Always request caseback opened pictures!!

[motoikkyu]

I regularly wear 1940s bubblebacks. I don't play tennis or operate construction machinery with them, let alone shower or swim/dive, but they are great for daily wear. I think my rootbeer is 16750. It's a great watch, by any standard. The 1655 is an expensive option, but I actually think the examples I'm seeing on the market are comparatively "good deals" when all things are considered. If you like the vintage look, I think you'll be impressed with how these watches wear.

[triple.lindy]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

A 1981 piece can definitely be a daily wearer....with my vintage I just act like none of them are waterproof so I don’t get them wet....I do get them pressure tested and they get rained on or washed in the sink but never more than that....high impact events I would just take it off

Thanks. I barely get my moderns wet so this will be easy for me to do

[coelacanthus]

I wear my birth year Tudor Sub (1981) regularly and don’t worry about getting wet. I’ve even done some diving with it for the sake of doing it but won’t recommend others to do that. The key is proper service and checking. All WR providing parts must be checked and renewed that includes all gaskets, crown and crystal, and the retainer ring around the crystal must be checked. And also make sure there is no rust on flange surface or the gasket can’t make proper seal. I did all of above before I took it to diving.

[L.K Johnson]

The perfect watch for you would be a 16800 with matte dial (vintage-ish) and sapphire crystal (modern)...snatched this pic from the web for inspo...

[triple.lindy]

Sounds like the best of both worlds and looks awesome!!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

The perfect watch for you would be a 16800 with matte dial (vintage-ish) and sapphire crystal (modern)...snatched this pic from the web for inspo...

Totally agree with L.K. I am still perplexed as to why I sold the 1983 matte dial I had that was....oh...pretty much frickin' perfect! But, yeah, it's best of all worlds.

Damn it. Now I fear some drunken, late-night, online perusing of 16800s in my future...

[Jackie Daytona]

You can undoubtedly wear a 1981 model year daily. I’ve worn my matte 16750 daily for years only stopping very recently only because I bought more watches and change to a different each week currently.

I think the either the 16750, or 16800 are both a fantastic chooses that could easily be a daily wearer.

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Totally agree with L.K. I am still perplexed as to why I sold the 1983 matte dial I had that was....oh...pretty much frickin' perfect! But, yeah, it's best of all worlds.

Damn it. Now I fear some drunken, late-night, online perusing of 16800s in my future...

Love late night drunk Rolex web cruisin’...think I accidentally bought some watch related stuff of the bay with a couple of drinks under my belt : )

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Love late night drunk Rolex web cruisin’...think I accidentally bought some watch related stuff of the bay with a couple of drinks under my belt : )

Oh, man, right??

Years ago, I was doing some ill-advised, completely unauthorized eBaying after some ill-advised, completely unauthorized home-drinking, and woke the next morning to an eBay email congratulating me on the being the winning bidder of a 150 lb., 1970 vintage bass amp that I had NO room for, no funds for, and no actual NEED for.

It remains in my front hall....12 years later.

[beachboy17]

16800 is a beauty...I have one,and since its sapphire it can take a beating......

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Love late night drunk Rolex web cruisin’...think I accidentally bought some watch related stuff of the bay with a couple of drinks under my belt : )

I bought my 1964 gilt 5513 Sub years ago when I was more than a little bit drunk, for what would today be a very good price. Glad I did - I would have never spent that much without the Dutch courage. Floreat bibendum!

[triple.lindy]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Love late night drunk Rolex web cruisin’...think I accidentally bought some watch related stuff of the bay with a couple of drinks under my belt : )

I definitely find more things that I "need" browsing late at night rather than during the day. By day, I'm logical and responsible and by night I'm saying YOLO. It's like a weird superpower!

[ravenhome777]

I'm a 1981-er as well. I was looking for a birth watch as my first Rolex, but found an incredible 1982 16753 that I took the plunge for. Close enough! :-)

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Oh, man, right??

Years ago, I was doing some ill-advised, completely unauthorized eBaying after some ill-advised, completely unauthorized home-drinking, and woke the next morning to an eBay email congratulating me on the being the winning bidder of a 150 lb., 1970 vintage bass amp that I had NO room for, no funds for, and no actual NEED for.

It remains in my front hall....12 years later.

Great story! And every time you walk pass it, it reminds you of that drunk night!

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I bought my 1964 gilt 5513 Sub years ago when I was more than a little bit drunk, for what would today be a very good price. Glad I did - I would have never spent that much without the Dutch courage. Floreat bibendum!

Great pick-up!

Originally Posted by triple.lindy

I definitely find more things that I "need" browsing late at night rather than during the day. By day, I'm logical and responsible and by night I'm saying YOLO. It's like a weird superpower!

Word! 100% agree!

Originally Posted by ravenhome777

I'm a 1981-er as well. I was looking for a birth watch as my first Rolex, but found an incredible 1982 16753 that I took the plunge for. Close enough! :-)

Gotta love 16753, one year off is close enough...but you could also look at as you still have the possibility to pick up another watch that actually is from 1981 : )

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by beachboy17

16800 is a beauty...I have one,and since its sapphire it can take a beating......

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Very nice!!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

...one year off is close enough...but you could also look at as you still have the possibility to pick up another watch that actually is from 1981 : )

It's good that you're not too rigid about the year, because unless you buy a watch with original purchase papers, any Rolex you buy from the early 80s won't have any demonstrable connection to any year, except perhaps for the bracelet. It will just be an estimate from a table on the internet. And if you buy a watch with papers, that will only show what year it was purchased, not when it was manufactured or shipped.

I definitely suggest you go slow and take your time to figure out what's important to you.

[Pocosso]

You are lucky, 1981 is the year for a 16750 matte dial, to me one of the nicest Rolex ever made.
If you cam across one without white gold tritium containers it only can be from 1978 to 1982/83. I would suggest you to go for one of this.