Assistance on a Rolex Presidential

[matthewH.]

I came across a vintage rolex day-date at an estate sale--haven't bought it yet because I wanted to make sure it was authentic. Looks like an early 80's DD. here a couple pictures. Has the box but not the original papers, however he does have the a service receipt (from 1987) from an authorized rolex service center. Does the watch look authentic from the pictures? what more information/photos should I request and what would be a reasonable offer for the watch?

thank you in advance!

[joli160]

A more close up picture of the dial and case would help, but the watch looks OK to me. The bracelet is pretty fairly used and will require a repair job which will set you back 1K, include costs of a movement service perhaps another 1K, than an incomplete set lacking the original certificate is another +/- 20% less in comparison with a complete set.
For price info have a look at chrono24 or watchrecon and look for day dates of similar age.

[dpa94114]

Very nice...hard to tell just by pictures. The basic gold president usually goes between $4-5K...bracelet is usually around the same.

[JustinK]

Look at the service receipt which should tell you the model, serial number and what was done to the watch. With the model number you should easily be able to price the watch on Ebay.

If the watch runs and keeps time your good to go but if not count on a minimum of 1K to service it.

$4-5K is low more like $8-12K retail depending on the model.

Good luck!

[matthewH.]

Thanks for the feedback. The Serial No. on the service receipt is an 8,6xx,xxx, which I believe puts it around 1984, and it also states the movement is a 3055. On the remarks section of the service receipt (1987) it only states "WET WATCH". which I assume the owner must have gone swimming with it on or something.

[JustinK]

Originally Posted by matthewH.

Thanks for the feedback. The Serial No. on the service receipt is an 8,6xx,xxx, which I believe puts it around 1984, and it also states the movement is a 3055. On the remarks section of the service receipt (1987) it only states "WET WATCH". which I assume the owner must have gone swimming with it on or something.

It should be a 18038.

Make sure the work was done if the watch was wet. I would want to see the movement to make sure it shows no signs of corrosion.

[crowncollection]

Need to check the movement. Otherwise looks ok in general model 18038. Need close ups of the clasp markings

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

"Wet Watch" is a red flag... a qualified person should open and inspect it for you.

[springer]

Additionally, the 18038 is referred to as a "single quick" which has a quick-set date feature. Changing the day is manual and not quick set.

[sdwtchlvr]

From those photos it looks good to me. Curious to know what they are asking?

[matthewH.]

Originally Posted by sdwtchlvr

From those photos it looks good to me. Curious to know what they are asking?

Asking $8500 obo

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by matthewH.

Asking $8500 obo

I'd offer $6k and go up to $7 depending on how bad you want it. Figure it's going to cost $1500-2k to get the band restored and movement serviced. If it were me I wouldn't go much Above $6k and would probably start negotiations at $5. $8500 is righteous money for that watch. Especially without seeing the movement

[matthewH.]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

I'd offer $6k and go up to $7 depending on how bad you want it. Figure it's going to cost $1500-2k to get the band restored and movement serviced. If it were me I wouldn't go much Above $6k and would probably start negotiations at $5. $8500 is righteous money for that watch. Especially without seeing the movement

thanks for the advice, $8500 definitely seemed steep to me given age/condition/lack of original papers/etc.

[Lgear080]

$8500 is retail.

There are good 18038s for $7.5, so do the math.