Why so much $$$...

[Rolexcess]

Check out this auction! I'm sure some of you "WIS Guys" can explain the high value/current crazy bidding on this watch:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Rolex-Su...9#ht_948wt_922

Thanks in advance for your input

[HL65]

Because it is a 6538 Big Crown with an amazing dial--an original owner example to boot! Nice examples sell for well north of $100k with original dial and hands-which this clearly has!

[Tools]

If it is truly as advertised, there are only a couple of handfuls of those early original Subs still in existence....

[Rolexcess]

Thanks guys.

[paverman]

I had no idea that a sub could possibly worth that kind of dollars
After reading the various questions and answers on the Ebay listing, I'm real happy for the owner. At 90 something, he obviously had no clue what he has. Pretty cool.

[darthmouse]

I'm appalled by the lowball offers by some people who have asked this man questions. $6k? Really?

[BarkMaster]

$61k+ with 5 days to go? WOW!

I hope Steve M. wins it and gets his story.

[Sose]

Wow! I can only hope to reach my ninth decade much less begin able to sell my GMT for so much!

Great story. Thanks.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tools

If it is truly as advertised, there are only a couple of handfuls of those early original Subs still in existence....

Agree Larry and now genuine ones getting rarer than hens teeth.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by padi56

Agree Larry and now genuine ones getting rarer than hens teeth.

Without a doubt--anyone who had this watch(rare as can be-considered the Ultimate Rolex Grail) in my opinion would have taken time to research it before posting it! To me it seems a bit funny--the responses as "naive" and not knowing at all it's worth etc. seem too contrived. Just my sixth sense--I would be very cautious about buying a 6 figure watch like a Big Crown on Ebay from a non known entity with little feedback. The watch certainly looks legit and the dial is amazing from the photos--but as you always hear on the forum--"Buy the seller". Someone above said they were appalled by questions--I am more surprised by the answers.......

[Rolexcess]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Just my sixth sense--I would be very cautious about buying a 6 figure watch like a Big Crown on Ebay from a non known entity with little feedback. The watch certainly looks legit and the dial is amazing from the photos--but as you always hear on the forum--"Buy the seller". Someone above said they were appalled by questions--I am more surprised by the answers.......

I agree 100%. If the seller is indeed 90+ years old, he is doing a very good job with his listing (text, photos, etc). Not to say that it is not possible, but it just does not feel right. He has sold a lot of tools and fishing supplies and has 100% feedback. Perhaps his grandson is helping.

Just seems a bit strange. I would never spend that amount of money on eBay without holding and seeing the item first, weather the seller has 100% feedback or not. The fact that there is a "No Return" policy is also a bit unnerving.

I hope for "Bob's" sake he does not entertain too many "Can I pick it up locally" questions, as he may be a target for theft, given his age. He needs to be careful and so do all of the potential bidders.


Will be interesting to see the outcome...

[JimSnyder]

Is it the same as Chuck Yeager's sub?

[andrewproctor007]

MMMM.....! Sounds slightly suspicious to me. The guy claims he is in his 90's.....well he seems pretty computer savvy for a 90 year old in fact pretty switched on in general for his age. Also the language he uses would not reflect his age I do not feel. I don't know many 90 years olds that use the internet and online auctions and so quick to repsond to questions etc.

Someone of that age would not post "no" to a question I wouldn't think He only accepts questions through ebay...

He claims not to have researched the value but then says a trip to the AD will restore it to its former value.

Lastly he is accepting payment through Paypal. Well not not to make it obvious but Paypal massively protects the Buyer and NOT the seller......if anyone trades with paypal will know. Plus the fees would be ridiculous.

Something does just not ring true.....the whole I am 90 thing....! I could be wrong but that would be my gut.

Anyone else share a similar opinion?

[rpryan55]

Originally Posted by andrewproctor007

MMMM.....! Sounds slightly suspicious to me. The guy claims he is in his 90's.....well he seems pretty computer savvy for a 90 year old in fact pretty switched on in general for his age. Also the language he uses would not reflect his age I do not feel. I don't know many 90 years olds that use the internet and online auctions and so quick to repsond to questions etc.

Someone of that age would not post "no" to a question I wouldn't think He only accepts questions through ebay...

He claims not to have researched the value but then says a trip to the AD will restore it to its former value.

Lastly he is accepting payment through Paypal. Well not not to make it obvious but Paypal massively protects the Buyer and NOT the seller......if anyone trades with paypal will know. Plus the fees would be ridiculous.

Something does just not ring true.....the whole I am 90 thing....! I could be wrong but that would be my gut.

Anyone else share a similar opinion?

Yup. I do. This one smells a bit.

[JimSnyder]

I don't think so. If Steve is after it I'd bet it's the real deal. I'll bet the seller is stunned at what he has and good for him

[HL65]

And unless Steve made a trip out there to see it himself there is no way he would know--again-all sellers feedback for low priced things. I have seen tons of hijacked Ebay accounts selling rare watches! Again--unless Steve has magical powers we don't know about--he has no more insight than any of us--again unless he went and saw it for himself or knows the seller--both of which I doubt. To each his own--sometimes life's lessons are costly.

[dsio]

LOL @ the guy offering $6k to end it immediately. Feel really great for the guy selling it, really seams like a genuine old guy that's probably going to get a significant improvement in his financial security out of selling his watch.

Some guys there decent enough to tell him to let the auction run and get his best money too.

[dooder202]

Wow

[andrewproctor007]

t***1( 265) US $61,201.00
Nov-29-10 17:49:10 PST

n***n( 762) US $61,101.00
Nov-29-10 17:45:16 PST

n***n( 762) US $31,011.00
Nov-29-10 17:45:02 PST

The Bid history also looks a little odd and does not flow. The bid appears to increase by $30,000 in the space of 4 minutes? That type of bidding would not appear to be rational or follow the normal and past bidding on the item.

Anyway I hope it is an old 90 year old guy who is going to make a mint on his old purchase.

he mentions in the auction " I'm downsizing and need to unload a lot of what are really just souvenirs". Crikey if this is typical of what he has and what he classes as souvenirs then he may well be sitting on a small fortune.

[aleiberman]

I found the same watch and seller on another site asking over $121k.

http://cowatches.com/vintage-rolex-s...ner-dive-watch

[cocopeep]

as the above posts says, "first he is naive to the value of the watch" but then does seem to realize the value of the watch, since he did not end the auction early when offered to end the auction at $15,000

[tkc324]

This is very interesting. I would think having a transaction thru ebay and paypal would be pretty safe. After all both accounts needs to verified and registered with a credit card. So if anything bad were to happen at least there are some traceble information.
I am a bit skeptical about a 90 yr old man utilizing ebay to sell things.. but i have seen stranger things.
I certainly would not buy something off the internet unless I get to see it first and varify it with my own experts.

[aleiberman]

cowatches.com site is down now. figures.

[nowzen]

Originally Posted by aleiberman

I found the same watch and seller on another site asking over $121k.

http://cowatches.com/vintage-rolex-s...ner-dive-watch

a/ the price was 12,100. not 121,000. so probably posted when it was at that price.

b/ this blog is simply a link to the same ebay auction

c/ the site is still up

3 strikes & your out...

[aleiberman]

LOL - i'm just starting trouble i guess :)

I really hope this is legit. It's a great story.

[ParisDakarBmw]

The pics look like a red triangle 5508. If the story, and pics are legit, that's a beautiful watch, and awesome scenario.

I do find it interesting that a guy 90 years old is working an Ebay account as well as he is. Maybe his son is handling the auction, and is tending to it for a handsome cut.

Some things are almost too good to be true, but sometimes they are true. I just hope the buyer does a thorough background check before making a deposit into a bogus account, or getting a stolen item.

We'll see how it pans out!

[HL65]

Little Crown 5508 vs. Big crown 6538--similar dials - much different crown size equals much different values!! There are plenty of 5508's out there and few 6538's. I know someone in La who paid well over $100k for his.

[MonBK]

Do you guys really think an educated buyer that bids 60K-70K for a watch isn't going to do a face to face deal?

[HL65]

Personally--an educated buyer in my opinion -- on a watch that will sell for over $100k would do a pre-buy inspection first. He would want to see the sides of the case to check numbers as well as examine the dial in person-as that can seriously add to or detract from the value on these watches. He would also want to get a feel for the seller and references. Again--the answers to his questions seem contrived to me--that is just my sense. I hope I am wrong though!!

[Cru Jones]

Are there really that many $100k ebay watch auctions? I would have thought something of this stature and expense would have been more properly handled by an auction house....and might have gotten higher bids that way, too?

Anyway, I'm obviously not a collector, LOL, and not much of an ebay guy, either....I have a problem gathering the courage to buy anything off of ebay, let alone a vintage Submariner.