Is there a guide...?

[Bisquitlips]

Guys,

I am looking at a couple of pre-owned Rollies and was wondering if you know of a guide that would give us some hints of what to look for when purchasing pre-owned.

The things I am concerned about is how to tell if you are looking at an all original example. I know this is a broad question, but honestly I am so new at this that I wouldn't know if a link in an Oyster bracelet is non-Rolex and so forth.

Right now I am looking at a SS/YG DJ 1993 vintage and a vintage date Sub circa 1987. The DJ doesn't appear to have hardly any stretch in the bracelet which is a good thing, but also suspicious to me. The date Sub has very nice petina and I see nothing wrong with the timepiece. But again... I just don't have the knowledge to be sure.

Perhaps the best thing would be to take the watches to an experienced Rolex collector in my area, but I don't know of one.

I guess I am looking for a book suggestion or website that would give some knowledge to us novices.

[Tools]

I don't think that their is a "guide per se..

There is a bunch of information about spotting a fake, such as "The Rolex Report". But, most of these type of guides are for the novice who is purchasing a fairly new model and concentrates on the typical 100 dollar replica.

Their are fakes in the vintage market and early models where parts have been substituted to get the best looking "frankenwatch" imaginable and only experts would notice.

Having said that, you need to have confidence in the source, and you need to know what the real deal actually looks like... crispness of font, crown guards, rehaut, case-back, bracelet.. etc.