50’s & 60’s Rolex prices

[J45]

I have spotted a few vintage Rolex models, 1952 bubble back , 1970 Dial date ref 1500, at really affordable prices. As a newbie to vintage Rolex I am trying to understand the prices. Why would a watch from that era in good shape be so cheap ( relatively)?

[Tools]

The price of any used product is supply and demand. There just isn't the same demand for early models to drive prices up. One day those sought after models today will be bargains of tomorrow.

[MILGAUSS88]

They are both small sizes. The bubbleback at 32mm and the 1500 Date at 34mm.
Where as 40-42mm seems to be the size in demand.
The bubbleback being earlier is also a little harder and more expensive to be worked on.

In the 80's and early 90's the bubbleback was in very high demand in Japan and were more expensive than a Submariner at that time.
They may get more popular than they are now, but I don't think they will ever see that hayday they once had.

[Dan S]

As noted, small watches are not in demand. And even so, those watches are still relatively expensive compared to excellent watches from other brands.

[J45]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

They are both small sizes. The bubbleback at 32mm and the 1500 Date at 34mm.
Where as 40-42mm seems to be the size in demand.
The bubbleback being earlier is also a little harder and more expensive to be worked on.

In the 80's and early 90's the bubbleback was in very high demand in Japan and were more expensive than a Submariner at that time.
They may get more popular than they are now, but I don't think they will ever see that hayday they once had.

I appreciate your response and perspective. I prefer larger watches with my wrist at 7.5 in. I am still very interested in researching these older models.
They are both calling to me for different reasons.

[Dan S]

There are even smaller Rolex models that you might be interested in researching and collecting. I have a friend who collects Speed Kings.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by J45

I appreciate your response and perspective. I prefer larger watches with my wrist at 7.5 in. I am still very interested in researching these older models.
They are both calling to me for different reasons.

Look out for a a few 60s Tudor Oyster models particularly ones with automatic movement. They wear larger than their 34mm would suggest.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by J45

I appreciate your response and perspective. I prefer larger watches with my wrist at 7.5 in. I am still very interested in researching these older models.
They are both calling to me for different reasons.

I was not disparaging you taste, just commenting on why they sell cheap.
I have 8 inch wrists and wear my 36mm Datejust the most.
Occasionally wear 34mm Omega Piepan Constellation. I own watches up to 47mm. And one WWII pilots watch at 54mm.

Ryan Gosling wore a bubbleback in Crazy Stupid Love, I thought that might create some buzz, but does not appear to have.

[J45]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

I was not disparaging you taste, just commenting on why they sell cheap.
I have 8 inch wrists and wear my 36mm Datejust the most.
Occasionally wear 34mm Omega Piepan Constellation. I own watches up to 47mm. And one WWII pilots watch at 54mm.

Ryan Gosling wore a bubbleback in Crazy Stupid Love, I thought that might create some buzz, but does not appear to have.

I didn’t think you disparaged my taste? I really appreciated your comment. I asked a question, I am here to learn. I am fascinated, by pricing on watches that are older and yet command less money. If I can buy a 50’s - 70’s Rolex at a reasonable price, I will probably jump at it soon.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by J45

I didn’t think you disparaged my taste? I really appreciated your comment. I asked a question, I am here to learn. I am fascinated, by pricing on watches that are older and yet command less money. If I can buy a 50’s - 70’s Rolex at a reasonable price, I will probably jump at it soon.

In my experience, I don't see that price generally correlates with age, but personally I can totally understand why older watches can be appealing because of their history. I definitely get an enjoyable vintage feel from 50s/60s watches with their distinctive style cues (e.g. alpha hands and interesting applied markers). But many collectors avoid them because of various factors (size, older technology, radium, concerns about servicing, non-quickset date functions, etc.), and prefer later watches. Personally, I don't find myself wearing watches very often if they are 34mm or smaller, but I get a lot of joy out of larger watches from the 40s, 50s, and early 60s.

These are two of my favorite Rolex watches from that era (6298 and 6424), but they are both 36mm, and therefore not super-cheap.

[Woody]

I have a 6494 (1958) and a 1501 (1974) both of which are 34mm. I also have watches up to 42 mm in my collection. In my view the earlier Rolex models are often of a lower price because; (i) you need some knowledge as to what you are looking for; (ii) you have to buy from a dealer or via a private sale and this can put people off; (iii) the watches are often quite "under the radar" and don't say "look at how successful I have been"; (iv) servicing can be a challenge either due to a lack of parts or because of cost; (v) the watches are often perceived as not as robust and/or don't have the water resistance of current models; (vi) they are generally much lighter and often feel quite flimsy compared to the modern compatriots; and (vii) some have radium dials which can cause some concern amongst buyers.

Personally I really enjoying wearing models from the 50-70s and have not had any issues. For example my 6494 is my most accurate Rolex watch. I can adjust it to within 1 second a day which is not bad for a manually wound movement (cal 1215) in a 67 year old watch. You can also wear them without fear of being mugged in one of the UK's major cities.

[TuRo]

We need a few more so-called A-Listers other than Ryan's Gosling/Reynolds and Clooney to start wearing 34mm before they take off......it could happen, as for example 'kipper ties' and suit lapels in 1977 were 5+ inches across and by 1979 they were just 2 inches across - when fashion subverts it subverts fast and excessively.....

[Woody]

To be honest once you have had a 34 mm watch on your wrist for 20 minutes you soon get used to it. They fit very easily under the cuff and are very comfortable to wear. Not saying I would wear one every day, but they are great to have in a rotation of watches. For reference the pictures are of a 6494 on a 6.75 inch wrist.