Need info on a Speedking from the pros

[Josh-L]

Hey guys.... new member here. I have zero knowledge of vintage Rolex's but I'm looking to get one. I found a Speedking I'm interested in that is within my budget. Here are some pics. I'd like to know if it is all authentic or a redial or anything else you guys see that might stand out as being off. Thanks for the help.

[motoikkyu]

Just as long as you are aware, and have tried on a Speedking. They are little guys, they wear smaller than the bubblebacks.

[Josh-L]

Yes I'm aware of the smaller size. I have tiny little girl wrists! lol

I would love something a little larger but the speedkings are the only thing in my budget.

[motoikkyu]

That might not be true, if you are patient. Be sure to look at 6426s. That's a 34mm oyster with a reliable manual movement, time only, 19mm band. My brother has smallish wrists and the Speedking looks great on him. I personally have worn my Oyster Centregraph, which is smaller than Speedking at 27mm, but I cheated and put it on a very wide, hippy strap. You can sometimes find a 6426 in the $550-800 range in decent condition.

[Josh-L]

Cool. Thanks for the info! I was trying to stay in the 800 to 1k range. I don't care if the case is a little rough but I want it to be all original and not a refinished dial.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Josh-L

Cool. Thanks for the info! I was trying to stay in the 800 to 1k range. I don't care if the case is a little rough but I want it to be all original and not a refinished dial.

In that price range you can also look into the 34mm and 36mm vintage Tudors which will use the Rolex bracelets and Rolex cases.

[Josh-L]

Not interested in a Tudor. I searched those larger model numbers and there's nothing close to my price range. Is there a better place to look other than eBay? I'm also still interested in the speedking I posted if it looks good and original.

[motoikkyu]

The last Speedking I purchased did not have the bracelet and was about $550, all told. It was at least ten years older (more vintage-y, ha, ha) than the one you are looking at. That example is a fine watch, I just don't consider it a $900 watch, no offense intended.

[Josh-L]

Exactly the info I'm looking for. Thanks

[Josh-L]

What do you guys think about this one? I know it doesn't have caseback or movement pics but does the dial look correct?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1954-R...%257Ciid%253A8

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

That might not be true, if you are patient. Be sure to look at 6426s. That's a 34mm oyster with a reliable manual movement, time only, 19mm band. My brother has smallish wrists and the Speedking looks great on him. I personally have worn my Oyster Centregraph, which is smaller than Speedking at 27mm, but I cheated and put it on a very wide, hippy strap. You can sometimes find a 6426 in the $550-800 range in decent condition.

i agree. i think the 6426 or 6694 (if one wants/doesn't mind the date function) is a better value and looker. altho the watches the OP pictured look nice on the computer screen, in real life the speed king is a very small watch and doesn't really hold it's own when worn-no matter what size wrist. a slight stretch of the budget will get the OP into the more mainstream 6426-6694 range.

[offrdmania]

Here are a few vintage Tudors in your price range that are pretty nice. These are 34mm and use a 19mm bracelet. Makes the 34mm look much bigger on the wrist.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Tudor-...UAAOSwHMJYG5fP

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tudo...oAAOSwXeJYFgIo

http://www.ebay.com/itm/14K-Gold-Bez...MAAOSwLnBX7PKl

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tudor-Prince...8AAOSwVyRXTeIP

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tudor-Rolex-...AAAOSwcLxYDktN

[romia705]

Never knew, Thanks for the info...

[zapokee]

Don't discount the Tudor. These are outstanding watches and often nicer than their Rolex counterparts in this price range. If you're looking for under-the-radar connoiseur cool, Tudor's your bag.

[Josh-L]

Thanks for all the links but I do not want a Tudor.

[motoikkyu]

I passed on a 6427 this weekend that was quite decent (88% +)but didn't have a bracelet. He was asking $750.

[Josh-L]

Ebay?

[motoikkyu]

No, eBay usually wants stupid money for manual-wind. Actual dude selling actual watch at local market-fest. I see he three to seven times a year, we sometimes do biz. I don't have his info. Did you have interest in watch without bracelet? That would certainly make me feel a bit like a clone.

[Josh-L]

Yeah the bracelet isn't a huge deal for me since I have tiny wrists I usually have a custom leather strap made anyway.

[motoikkyu]

I should see him first week in December: if he hasn't moved it and I have the capital, I'll pick it up. There's always a buyer for these online so it's not a risk at that price.