Help me spend £20,000 on a vintage sports Rolex...

[Hendrikus]

Ok, so I am effectively done with my modern Rolex sports collection - there is nothing I need or want to add and nor can I really be bothered with further AD games.

What I do not own, but have always wanted, is a vintage Rolex sports watch. It could be a Submariner or a GMT or an Explorer etc (I suspect Daytona is out of my budget). I have got a budget of £20,000 for this purchase and would prefer a full set if possible, though not essential.

My only criteria is that I would want something 'ready to wear' - i.e. I am not looking for a restoration project!

I find the vintage Rolex market complex and hard to navigate, so any suggestions would be gratefully received.......

[Innocenti]

For that money you should do well. Have you looked on hq Milton ?

[1665fan]

Naked inverted 6 16520 w brushed bracelet.....or nice rail 1665

[Hendrikus]

Thanks both - gives me some homework to do! Exciting.

[Kingface66]

Is there a particular reference that speaks to you more than others? Or, is your quest simply to own any vintage sports watch? For many, the fun is getting into (ie. learning about the reference, understanding the variations of that reference, and looking at tons of pictures) and then when you’re ready, begin the hunt. And even within those parameters, you will inevitably see other models and might even change your mind.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Is there a particular reference that speaks to you more than others? Or, is your quest simply to own any vintage sports watch?

Which one is the best long-term investment?

[HanDavinci]

I would go for a 1675 Pepsi. You have more than enough budget for it.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G998B met Tapatalk

[L.K Johnson]

Could we just vote this “Thread of the week”! Us vintage geeks will have a field day now!

All full sets below!

You could go 1680 and you will be happy everyday!

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/rolex...id16675919.htm

Or the ultimate summer watch with blue jeans insert!

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/rolex...id16179813.htm

Maxi dial 5513!
https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/rolex...id19254123.htm


Pics:

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Could we just vote this “Thread of the week”! Us vintage geeks will have a field day now!
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Call me old fashioned, but, so much for the thrill of the hunt and the crazy fun discoveries and education that come along with buying and learning about and passion for vintage Rolexes.

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Call me old fashioned, but, so much for the thrill of the hunt and the crazy fun discoveries and education that come along with buying and learning about and passion for vintage Rolexes.

Word!

[Hendrikus]

Oh wow - some great options there! This is going to be fun. Will try and narrow it down to a Sub or GMT tonight I think and then go from there....

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by Hendrikus

Oh wow - some great options there! This is going to be fun. Will try and narrow it down to a Sub or GMT tonight I think and then go from there....

Sounds great!!

[Pilot1985]

How about this one ?

Is a local listing full set 5513 kissing 4 from 1968 but out of my budget...

[HiBoost]

You've got modern refs in spades, but are you skipping over the 5 digits intentionally? 16710BLRO is the all time best Rolex so probably good to pick one of those up to wear while pondering the various 4 digit awesomeness.

[saxo3]

I would not look how to spend 20.000 £ but start searching which 5-digit or 4-digit I like most. Then dig into the details and variants of the chosen Referece.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by saxo3

I would not look how to spend 20.000 £ but start searching which 5-digit or 4-digit I like most. Then dig into the details and variants of the chosen Referece.

Sounds like a good way to go.

[newkidonblock4]

I feel like the best option may be to find & contact *reputable* vintage watch dealers within the UK. Tell them you're a serious client and see what they can offer. If they're close enough, then you might be able to even try them on in person as stuff is beginning to reopen/some places are already open with appointment.

[Nikrnic]

Have Patience above all else. It took me a year for the right one (after passing on many), a 16710 finally found me and and it's only 17 yrs old.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

Have Patience above all else. It took me a year for the right one (after passing on many), a 16710 finally found me and and it's only 17 yrs old.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

This is great to hear and welcome to vintage. At this price I would look at either a red sub (non set) or a full set 1675.

I would avoid gilt until you really know what you're purchasing, its a minefield..

[yowlie]

For wearing and collecting, I absolutely love the 1680. A nice grey steel wrist-polished 1680 with original chamfers, an old fliplock 9315, hopefully smooth from wear, some darkened plots, faded insert, and that tall crystal: very hard to beat.

[Innocenti]

A good 1016

[Swearengen]

A Red 1680 or Mk3 1675

[stevedssd]

Some very good advice above about researching and deciding on a reference and then researching what is available, rather than looking based upon budget. Also full sets with Vintage will add a lot to the price, when there are many very good watches without them. A lot of the joy in acquiring a vintage piece, is in doing the research, so you know about the original v service dials, hands, insert, case polishing, etc etc, as they all affect what will be a fair price to pay for a watch. Also be prepared to pay more for vintage in the UK, as supply is not so plentiful, or if you import, take into account the duties. Good luck in the hunt and keep us posted

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Swearengen

A Red 1680 or Mk3 1675

You'd struggle to get a decent Red 1680 with B&P for 20 grand these days.

Without limiting yourself to sports models, also consider Day-Date 1803s if you like something a little dressy that can also be worn casual. 12 - 15 grand for a nice one.

Or as an entry point, you could try a Datejust 1600, 1601 or 1603 for a few grand just to dip your toe in the vintage water and see if you like it.

Look at HQ Milton and Tropical Watch (both in San Francisco) as trustworthy leaders in the vintage field. Both ship internationally.

Good luck!

[L.K Johnson]

1680 with the tall top hat crystal if you want a bit bulkier.
1675 if you want a sleeker profile and the extra GMT function
5513 if you like a doomed crystal without cyclops

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

1680 with the tall top hat crystal if you want a bit bulkier.
1675 if you want a sleeker profile and the extra GMT function
5513 if you like a doomed crystal without cyclops

Spot on suggestions

[subx]

since full set is not essential,

my pref is for 1680 red, lots of charm ,
although it's a mine field to find a straight one and takes lots of experience to be able to understand what is presented to you... caveat emptor...

another one with tons of charm at that price is a 1655 Explorer II, those are mesmerizing on the wrist.

best of luck in your path !

[Hendrikus]

I am absolutely chuffed with all of the advice and pointers on here so far. Thank you. TRF is the best.

(For those that have sent me a PM, for some reason I can't get my PM function working at the moment so cannot reply - perhaps DM me on my Instagram account? @watchthewatchman).

Thanks all and have a great day.

[Throstle]

Might be worthwhile trying Oakleigh Watches in Norwich - they are in your neck of the woods and will try to source whichever watch you decide on.

[harry in montreal]

Take a pic and get comments on the watch you like. Evaluating condition relative to price is complicated.
I like your approach. I always would prefer one 20k watch than four 5k watches.
Keep in mind this; if you ever get a chance to line up a 1675 gmt to a 5513... the gmt has a very small crown but a larger dial. The sea dweller has a slightly smaller dial compared to the submariner. You can’t possibly go wrong with any of them.