Vintage Watch Purchase Tips
Discussion
Hi All
Not something that I need but have always hankered after a birth year watch-1967 unfortunately...
Would prefer a steel bracelet sports type watch. Looking on line today the price spread on late 60s watches is pretty huge, especially on Rolex. The common theme with 60s watches seems to be no box or papers which is not ideal from a provenance perspective as don't want to buy a watch masquerading as something it isn't age wise. Other point that concerns me a bit is whether it might have been stolen.
Would appreciate any tips on buying a vintage watch/good retailers outside of eBay/Chrono24 which might be a good option to source a genuine watch of that age.
Thanks All.
Not something that I need but have always hankered after a birth year watch-1967 unfortunately...
Would prefer a steel bracelet sports type watch. Looking on line today the price spread on late 60s watches is pretty huge, especially on Rolex. The common theme with 60s watches seems to be no box or papers which is not ideal from a provenance perspective as don't want to buy a watch masquerading as something it isn't age wise. Other point that concerns me a bit is whether it might have been stolen.
Would appreciate any tips on buying a vintage watch/good retailers outside of eBay/Chrono24 which might be a good option to source a genuine watch of that age.
Thanks All.
I can't give any tips on vintage watches - but I suspect many 58 year old watches might lack the original receipt.
I wouldn't buy a modern Rolex without the original papers and box as I would forever wonder if it had been stolen - but something of that age I might be more willing to.
I wouldn't buy a modern Rolex without the original papers and box as I would forever wonder if it had been stolen - but something of that age I might be more willing to.
Your chances of finding an old watch with box and papers is vanishingly small. The reason there is a massive premium for such “full sets” is because it’s so rare. Many people even now don’t keep boxes and papers, let alone back then.
Personally a 60s/70s watch with box and papers is completely unbelievable, the average buyer did not keep them, they went in the bin, or were used as cigarette boxes (as intended) and have not survived. The only buyer who would have kept them is the one who would have everything receipt etc. A box alone is so likely to be a marriage it’s of literally no value to me.
Box and papers is absolutely no guarantee of it being genuine or it not being stolen, there are so many fake boxes etc.
http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/
https://bulangandsons.eu/
https://cartermarsh.com/
Are great for vintage Rolex as are the Burlington Arcade shops, but they are really costly.
Personally a 60s/70s watch with box and papers is completely unbelievable, the average buyer did not keep them, they went in the bin, or were used as cigarette boxes (as intended) and have not survived. The only buyer who would have kept them is the one who would have everything receipt etc. A box alone is so likely to be a marriage it’s of literally no value to me.
Box and papers is absolutely no guarantee of it being genuine or it not being stolen, there are so many fake boxes etc.
http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/
https://bulangandsons.eu/
https://cartermarsh.com/
Are great for vintage Rolex as are the Burlington Arcade shops, but they are really costly.
Have you tried Birth Year Watches? don logan said:
Not strictly accurate thou ….nikaiyo2 said:
Your chances of finding an old watch with box and papers is vanishingly small. The reason there is a massive premium for such “full sets” is because it’s so rare. Many people even now don’t keep boxes and papers, let alone back then.
Personally a 60s/70s watch with box and papers is completely unbelievable, the average buyer did not keep them, they went in the bin, or were used as cigarette boxes (as intended) and have not survived. The only buyer who would have kept them is the one who would have everything receipt etc. A box alone is so likely to be a marriage it’s of literally no value to me.
Box and papers is absolutely no guarantee of it being genuine or it not being stolen, there are so many fake boxes etc.
http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/
https://bulangandsons.eu/
https://cartermarsh.com/
Are great for vintage Rolex as are the Burlington Arcade shops, but they are really costly.
I have a 1965 Submariner with original papers and 5 service receipts from Rolex . Had it checked out by Mike at the old watch shop . I bought it after loads of research to get the serial number correct for my birth year and the correct dial . I bought via eBay … but turned out to be a Rolex dealer .Personally a 60s/70s watch with box and papers is completely unbelievable, the average buyer did not keep them, they went in the bin, or were used as cigarette boxes (as intended) and have not survived. The only buyer who would have kept them is the one who would have everything receipt etc. A box alone is so likely to be a marriage it’s of literally no value to me.
Box and papers is absolutely no guarantee of it being genuine or it not being stolen, there are so many fake boxes etc.
http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/
https://bulangandsons.eu/
https://cartermarsh.com/
Are great for vintage Rolex as are the Burlington Arcade shops, but they are really costly.
I also bought a gmt2 at the same time via eBay and had it checked out by a dealer prior to funds transferring .
Vintage watches are a bit of a minefield - I looked many watches that were “ original “ but had the wrong crown for example
Do loads of research
ds666 said:
I have a 1965 Submariner with original papers and 5 service receipts from Rolex . Had it checked out by Mike at the old watch shop . I bought it after loads of research to get the serial number correct for my birth year and the correct dial . I bought via eBay … but turned out to be a Rolex dealer .
I also bought a gmt2 at the same time via eBay and had it checked out by a dealer prior to funds transferring .
Vintage watches are a bit of a minefield - I looked many watches that were “ original “ but had the wrong crown for example
Do loads of research
Thanks ds- going off the idea a little as will probably end up with a dud!I also bought a gmt2 at the same time via eBay and had it checked out by a dealer prior to funds transferring .
Vintage watches are a bit of a minefield - I looked many watches that were “ original “ but had the wrong crown for example
Do loads of research
ds666 said:
Don’t give up - the hunt is part of the challenge !
And a proper vintage Rolex is loverly
Don’t give up man, just be careful, do loads of research online into the model you want. Also try on what you are thinking of buying, get a feel for the watch you are interested in.And a proper vintage Rolex is loverly
Decide what’s important to you, does absolute originality matter to you? Some of the weirdness that affects vintage Rolex prices are mind boggling, flat 4s, fat fonts, meters first etc etc etc.
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