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#1728005 - 08/07/12 02:05 PM
Vintage Rolex...any advice?
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Power Poster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,298
San Diego, CA
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Pretty serious about getting the fiancé a vintage Rolex as a wedding gift. Any of you own one or have any advice?
I did go to a certified Rolex watchmaker and asked for advice and he steered me to a dealer he trusts. That guy had a 70s perpetual date but after reading into these more I think I want the dateJUST. The fiancé won't wear it every day so I think the datejust would be easier to set to the correct date.
Any tips and thoughts are appreciated. Also interested in hearing stories about any work that's ha to be done on one.
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#1728013 - 08/07/12 02:09 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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do not buy on craigslist
That said
Real Rolex will weigh a ton and will not have a quartz movement.
The back of the case will say Rolex and a bunch of other stuff and the part that you set the time with will have a crown on it.
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#1728015 - 08/07/12 02:09 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
edAudit
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How about an un-vintage Rolex?
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#1728017 - 08/07/12 02:10 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Foxboro
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AG has a Polex he will let go for short money.
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#1728018 - 08/07/12 02:11 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Turnpike Exit 10
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I thought it was a Timex, sox?
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#1728020 - 08/07/12 02:12 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
The Sovereign State Of Oklahom...
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The perpetual movment is very difficult to fake. Go with a trusted dealer and spend some time looking closely at known examples. You ewill see the quality of the workmanship. Many of the older ones have also had face changes and things of that nature. If the wrong face was placed on one, it has a pretty serious effect on the value. Know what year and model you are looking and what its supposed to have.
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#1728021 - 08/07/12 02:13 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Bankbb1, PITA
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The perpetual movment is very difficult to fake. That's what she said! 
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#1728022 - 08/07/12 02:13 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Retired DQ
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I thought it was a Tomex, sox? Fixed 
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#1728024 - 08/07/12 02:13 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
A_G
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
The Sovereign State Of Oklahom...
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The perpetual movment is very difficult to fake. That's what she said! BAZINGA!
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#1728025 - 08/07/12 02:13 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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be ready to spend some serious cash for something he won't wear daily, and if it breaks, very expensive to repair...most rolex's are automatic (wind by movement of arm) so if he isn't wearing daily, by a watch box that moves it to keep it running, more problems occur from them sitting idle... Many years ago when I was a teenager, my mom worked for a sports company that gave all employees a his-n-her rolex set, she was single and gave the rolex to me (i was 14, what did i know about a nice watch then). I got it wet and the cost to repair it was going to be close to what the watch was worth, so just be aware... of course, for the same you'd spend on a vintage one, you could buy many name brands that are just as nice but new. I've bought a couple from www.authenticwatches.com. No retail markup, so you save between 20-40% over retail, and they also have sales that can save even more. Carry every major name brand - I love the Oris I bought, for less than 50% of retail.
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#1728026 - 08/07/12 02:14 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Bankbb1, PITA
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Power Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,559
Foxboro
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The perpetual movment is very difficult to fake. Go with a trusted dealer and spend some time looking closely at known examples. You ewill see the quality of the workmanship. Many of the older ones have also had face changes and things of that nature. If the wrong face was placed on one, it has a pretty serious effect on the value. Know what year and model you are looking and what its supposed to have. You watched Pawn Stars last night, didn't you...
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#1728038 - 08/07/12 02:27 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
HappyGilmore
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,228
Cincinnati, OH
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be ready to spend some serious cash for something he won't wear daily, and if it breaks, very expensive to repair...most rolex's are automatic (wind by movement of arm) so if he isn't wearing daily, by a watch box that moves it to keep it running, more problems occur from them sitting idle... Many years ago when I was a teenager, my mom worked for a sports company that gave all employees a his-n-her rolex set, she was single and gave the rolex to me (i was 14, what did i know about a nice watch then). I got it wet and the cost to repair it was going to be close to what the watch was worth, so just be aware... of course, for the same you'd spend on a vintage one, you could buy many name brands that are just as nice but new. I've bought a couple from www.authenticwatches.com. No retail markup, so you save between 20-40% over retail, and they also have sales that can save even more. Carry every major name brand - I love the Oris I bought, for less than 50% of retail. I'm with Happy here. If he's not going to wear it daily, it isn't worth buying. You are better off with a $25 Casio because it will tell time just as well if not better. There are a lot better things you can buy for him for $5,000. *EDIT* All of this is moot if he told you he'd always wanted a Rolex but couldn't afford it. (Not so if he said he always wanted one but would never spend the money for one)
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#1728039 - 08/07/12 02:28 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 56
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Go to a certified Rolex dealer - when I purchased mine the dealer had it on consignment from an estate. During the purchase process - he called Rolex and we verified the watch as authentic and verified the original sale date plus the number on the back. I have owned it for about 12 years - had it in for a cleaning a couple times - nothing else. Mine is gold and stainless steel, gold face, gold trim around the face. Saved $3000 off of retail - for the estate sale. I would recommend buying an automatic winding machine (not expensive) since you are not planning on wearing it every day. Re-setting the time and date can get old - real fast. Good Luck.
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#1728050 - 08/07/12 02:43 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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under the Lone Star
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A Rolex is not a good reliable timepiece. It is a piece of jewelry that secondarily acts as a timepiece.
ComplyForNow is the exception to the rule, in my opinion, you will be surprised how often you will have this in the shop for repairs.
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#1728128 - 08/07/12 04:50 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,298
San Diego, CA
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The fiancé has, in the past, mentioned wanting a vintage Rolex. He's into mechanical things and the workings of a Rolex intrigue him I guess. It's not about getting him a watch. It's not about just getting him a Rolex. It's about getting him a piece of vintage machinery.
I actually did post a want ad on clist and got a hit. The piece looks legit from the photos but the face has some spots from aging. I need to call the guy for some details.
And perhaps he will wet it everyday. Who knows.
I have been researching them and got all the tips on telling if fake or not. I also have a listing of serial numbers and years produced. I'll see if I can find another dealer in town. But the one I went to was the only one the watchmaker said he trusted.
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#1728130 - 08/07/12 04:52 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Posts: 6,298
San Diego, CA
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I meant wear it, not wet it. iPhone problems.
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#1728132 - 08/07/12 04:56 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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You could get him a real on and a fake one and he can wear the fake as a everyday. The fakes keep good time.
You can also tell him you got the fake for the real price and "watch" the blood pressure go up.
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#1728137 - 08/07/12 05:03 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Pennsylvania
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He is already getting the undying and unconditional love and devotion of the woman who means the world to him, why in the world does he need a vintage Rolex too?
<--- Has a Citizen™ Echo-drive™ that keeps perfect time. No hope of ever owning a Rolex, vintage or otherwise.
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#1728138 - 08/07/12 05:04 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
edAudit
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I have a Rollex for sale, cheap.
I also have various Nikey shoes and Couch handbags.
PM me and I'll set you up.
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#1728142 - 08/07/12 05:07 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Peepers
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TX
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#1728144 - 08/07/12 05:09 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,207
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I think it's a cool idea to do a gift like this, it's so personal and something he would never buy for himself, even though it may be somewhat hard to execute. That being said, I think you're on the right track Dip with speaking to a watchmaker/dealer. If you decide to meet the person from Craigslist, I'd recommend meeting at the watchmaker/dealer so it can be examined/appraised by a professional on the spot. If the seller is for real, they shouldn't mind.
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#1728195 - 08/07/12 05:55 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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the thing about this is that if you are going to buy it, better make sure he likes it ahead of time...nothing worse than buying a stainless model and he wanted gold, or vice versa...which is why i don;t buy my wife jewelry, she buys it herself or when i'm with her...and she doesn't buy clothes or bikes for me...
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#1728238 - 08/07/12 06:31 PM
Re: Vintage Rolex...any advice?
Dip
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Pulling people out of the ditc...
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ouch...i thought i was very fashionable in my van heusen shirt, sans-a-belt walking shorts, brown rockports, and black crew socks...plus, i heard that black crew socks are coming back in style, so i was like cutting edge before anyone else knew i was cutting edge...
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