Vintage vs Modern dilemma

[Lesnerelli23]

Hello’s TRF folks!

I’m having a hard time deciding whether I should keep or move on from a 1958 OP 6565. This is my first (and only) vintage piece. I’d like some input from more knowledgeable collectors/enthusiasts.

My reasons for being torn are as follows. Please feel free to weigh in with honest opinions!

Pros: I love the unique look of the watch. The way it aged is beautiful to me, it’s got a vintage warmth to it and I’ve yet to see one even remotely similar. Almost one of a kind. I also got it pretty cheap! Lastly, the 34mm looks great as a dress watch size on my small wrist.

Cons: It DEFINITELY needs a service. When winding, the gears just feel dry. I’ve only worn it maybe 4 times over the year I’ve had it because I’m afraid of causing damage when winding. I haven’t serviced it yet because I was researching trustworthy places near me, I found one finally and they quoted a $580 minimum for a Rolex.

My questions are:

Is $580 comparable to an industry average?

How often should I expect to service a piece of this age?

Lastly, I’m considering trying to trade for a modern Tudor so I don’t have to worry about upkeep of a vintage piece. What would you all recommend in that regard?

Here’s a couple pics to help :)





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[zapokee]

It's a beauty, and you obviously love it, so why get rid?

$580 doesn't sound unreasonable for an RSC service, but may be a little steep for an independent. The usual caveats - don't let them change the dial/hands/case, easy on the polishing (if any).

I'm not usually one for polishing, but Rolex do it very well and sympathetically. My Oysterquartz came back sharp AF with an imperceivable amount of metal loss.

You'd still need to add a few grand cash if you PEXed it for a modern Tudor. I'd keep the vintage one and get the Tudor on top, then you'll have a vingage dress watch and a modern sport watch - a solid cornerstone for any collection.

[shaunylw]

$580 seems reasonable. I would service it and see where you stand. You can always get the $580 back if you decide to sell it. Either way, it’s going to need a service. You might find a renewed connection once it’s serviced and ready to wear again.


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[Lesnerelli23]

Thank you both for the advice so far :)

Yes I do love it and would love it even more if I could wear it more regularly!

I also agree that a service would increase the value enough to be worth it. Or at least I would hope. So if I decided to sell afterward I would still probably break even on what I spent. Valuable point, thank you :)

Currently it’s part of an 8 piece collection and it’s one of the two “non” dive watches lol. So it adds a little variety lol.


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[Dan S]

$580 isn't unreasonable. I'm finding most watchmakers charge a bit more for a Rolex service. If you shop around you might save $100 or so, but you might have to ship it. Regarding a trade for a modern watch, it's apples and oranges. And once you have it serviced, you are probably ok for 10 years, and you're probably not going to wear it very much anyway. If you're going to sell it, however, don't have it serviced. You won't break even, no way.

[Filipão]

Go ahead with its service, fantastic piece!

[miamiclay]

First, as to winding, it’s a perpetual. If you give it a *full* winding and then wear it daily without any further winding, does it run and keep time?

Second, perhaps see what you’re actually offered for it. Idk, but a 34mm two-tone needing service may not bring strong offers.

Given as Zapokee said you clearly love it, it seems unlikely to bring as much as its value to you. And it is lovely.

Finally, this is the Vintage Forum, we’re biased!

[Stan Cooper]

I would keep that baby! It's gorgeous, and the engine turned bezel is icing on the cake. $580 is a fair price for a complete service; I just paid $796 for full service on my GMT-Master II at the New York RSC. After service it should be good for five or ten years before requiring service again.

[Lesnerelli23]

Dan and Filipão thank you both for your input. Always appreciated!

Originally Posted by miamiclay

First, as to winding, it’s a perpetual. If you give it a *full* winding and then wear it daily without any further winding, does it run and keep time?

Second, perhaps see what you’re actually offered for it. Idk, but a 34mm two-tone needing service may not bring strong offers.

Given as Zapokee said you clearly love it, it seems unlikely to bring as much as its value to you. And it is lovely.

Finally, this is the Vintage Forum, we’re biased!

Clay, yes, it runs just fine :) Although it loses about 25sec/day so I’d like that improved.

I asked in this forum purposely lol. I was counting on the bias :) I figured I should ask the people that appreciate vintage as I do. Not sure speculative watch traders and instagram motivated buyers would be much help lol.


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[pk552502]

I'm guessing the sale of the watch wouldn't bring that much money. You might as well just keep it and get it serviced so you can wear it more often.

Make sure the quote you got for the service is the final expected price. I got a quote to service a datejust and they later tacked on an additional $100 for a mainspring after I had already mailed it to them. A mainspring should be replaced with every service, so I just assumed it was included in the original quoted price. On the other hand, a local watchmaker's original quote was a little higher, but the cost of the mainspring was included.

[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by pk552502

I'm guessing the sale of the watch wouldn't bring that much money. You might as well just keep it and get it serviced so you can wear it more often.

Make sure the quote you got for the service is the final expected price. I got a quote to service a datejust and they later tacked on an additional $100 for a mainspring after I had already mailed it to them. A mainspring should be replaced with every service, so I just assumed it was included in the original quoted price. On the other hand, a local watchmaker's original quote was a little higher, but the cost of the mainspring was included.

Thank you. Ya, actually they said $580 minimum (for Rolex), any parts needed would be on top of that…. But, estimates are free so I could find out for sure with no risk.


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[TuRo]

Service it - it's just 20% or so of its value approx even though it's probably a 70/80s service dial if a 58.

[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Service it - it's just 20% or so of its value approx even though it's probably a 70/80s service dial if a 58.

I’m curious now about the dial. Here’s a better pic of it. Most pictures make it look gold or linen but to me it looks like it was white originally and yellowed over time. Let me know what you think:)



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[SudiYunus]

Service n keep it, IMO

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Lesnerelli23

I’m curious now about the dial. Here’s a better pic of it. Most pictures make it look gold or linen but to me it looks like it was white originally and yellowed over time. Let me know what you think:)



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Dials on non-professional were typically 'Swiss' radium until 61/62...then 't swiss t' (tritium) from circa 62 onwards, is only reason I say it - it really doesn't effect value or collectability (if that's a word even) on a non-professional piece. It has a nice interesting patina btw.

[Lesnerelli23]

Thanks for the info Paul!!! Just curious to learn as much as I can :) I see what you were reg to, glad I have that knowledge as well now.

Thanks again :)


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[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

't swiss t' (tritium) from circa 62 onwards.

I had the impression that the “- T SWISS T -“ dials were contemporary with sigma dials, with the sigmas indicating gold hands and indices, and the dashes indicating steel. Is that correct?

(My 1000th post, yikes!)

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

I had the impression that the “- T SWISS T -“ dials were contemporary with sigma dials, with the sigmas indicating gold hands and indices, and the dashes indicating steel. Is that correct?

(My 1000th post, yikes!)

Interesting thoughts sir,
As far as I'm aware, Sigma dials were introduced in 1970 (by a gold consortium, APRIOR, which wanted to promote gold and incl Rolex and a few other manufacturers). It was a marketing disaster though as nobody realised what it was, wouldn't pay extra, there were delays of items and raw mat. to dial manufacturers, pilferage, off-cut waste, sticking recalls etc etc and was gently dropped a few years later !
They are contemporary but introduced after t - Swiss -t was introduced. I was not aware of hands being gold, but indices were gold of course.
As for the dashes I hadn't heard that the dash between t and swiss (t - swiss-t ) denoting steel (as usually 0 in the model no) but you certainly mostly find t swiss t on precious metal pieces rather than a hyphen (and the one that catches people out t swiss made t (as original not service dial) and then you also find before the t also, as in - t swiss t - too, and I'm not sure what that denotes !?
Happy millennium.

[lupus66]

guess that is not a 58 dial/hands.

[Old Expat Beast]

Dial and hands look about 1963 or later. Are you basing 1958 off the serial and an internet serial chart?

[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Dial and hands look about 1963 or later. Are you basing 1958 off the serial and an internet serial chart?

Yes, it’s a 6 digit starting with 359,XXX :)


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