Antique Roadshow Tonight: Rolex Red Submariner Watch, ca. 1972

[warpath]

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/sea...972--201504A45


Rolex Red Submariner Watch, ca. 1972 VALUE (2015) | $15,000 Retail – $17,000 Retail

Seems a bit steep considering the condition.

[bscepter]

saw this. very cool. a few weeks back there was a gold paul newman daytona that was valued at $100k. somebody should post that.

[subx]

hmm, hands lume look redone ( he only mentioned replacing the crystal ), and that very cool ultra fat font insert pre dates a MKIV dial... thats weird

[Oyster Lover]

In 1972, man buys a “Red” submariner for $129 at a shop in Montego Bay. He wears it and doesn’t polish it, just has it cleaned and changes plastic crystal one time at non AD.

Today, watch looks pretty beat up, but still has paperwork (no box).

Same watch just got appraised on Antiques Roadshow for $15,000 - $17,000.

And so, in case you were ever wondering if you can make money on your watches, yes, indeed, over time, and with a bit of luck.

Why?

Because the “current value” of $129 spent in 1972 is just $745. So the owner of this particular watch made a killing!

Another way to look at it would be, if you invested $129 in the stock market in 1972, what would it be worth today? The "Historical returns investing calculator" (based on the S&P Composite Stock Price Index) says it would be worth $7,757.73 in 2013 (last year results are available) and so you're still ahead of the market!

Here’s the link to the appraisal:

http://www.tpt.org/antiques-roadshow...watch-ca-1972/

[samshah]

That is a great story! Having a single watch for over 40 years is pretty awesome, along with the potential adventures that watch may have had.

Watches are a hobby / passion for me. Net-net, I'll likely put more in than i get out in terms of monetary value. To me, stocks and securities are much better investments.

[filfoster]

Originally Posted by samshah

That is a great story! Having a single watch for over 40 years is pretty awesome, along with the potential adventures that watch may have had.

Watches are a hobby / passion for me. Net-net, I'll likely put more in than i get out in terms of monetary value. To me, stocks and securities are much better investments.

Yes. Watches don't pay out quarterly cash dividends even if they might go up in value over time.
On the other hand, (or wrist), a Rolex can be enjoyed every day, everywhere.

[Oyster Lover]

Originally Posted by bscepter

saw this. very cool. a few weeks back there was a gold paul newman daytona that was valued at $100k. somebody should post that.

Here's the Paul Newman Daytona appraisal link.

I have to say I would not spend $100k on a watch, unless it was owned by Abraham Lincoln...

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/sea...970--201503A19

[JohnBaker3]

The service done on the watch put on the wrong crystal; should have a cyclops over the date (top hat version)...

I think he should have the hands redone; looks like some lume is falling out of the minute hand; a better color match would be nice too...

Serial number of 2.63M makes it a 1970 vintage as well....

[ABChop]

Value seems high on it too no??

[fusionstorm]

Original warranty certificate. Original bill of sale. Sounds like some other papers and/or booklets came with it. Apparently never polished, or polished just once (wish they showed some additional views of the watch). And provenance now includes an appearance on Antiques Roadshow.

Even if datewheel isn't correct, it's easily a $15K retail value with the above considerations included.