First Vintage Rolex Purchase - Advice Needed Please

[Timetogetawatch]

Hello - Newbie here looking to purchase my first vintage Rolex as a 1975 birth year piece. Came across this 1501 #375XXXX with box and papers. The seller has been very responsive and has provided all pics I've requested. Would appreciate any and all input. Thanks!

[offrdmania]

Looks like a really nice example OP

[Timetogetawatch]

Thank you, offrdmania.

[onthedial]

@Timetogetawatch
The SN you listed would put it more in the 1973 production year.
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Instagram: @onthedial

[Richard Carver]

Gorgeous watch.

[Timetogetawatch]

@Timetogetawatch
The SN you listed would put it more in the 1973 production year.
_________
Instagram: @onthedial

Thank you, @onthedial. I keep getting differing opinions on this. Hard to know for sure.

[rootbeer7]

It looks great. You're aware that it's 34mm?

[Toronto Soup King]

Hi OP,
34mm watches aren't for everyone - vintage enthusiasts like here on this forum will say they look great on anyone, regardless of wrist size, but as a 6'3" 200+lb guy with a 7.25" wrist, my 6694 (very similar to the watch you're considering and the same exact size) is MARGINAL for normal wear. In a suit, under cuffs, sure, but then nobody really sees your watch then anyway. But it looks undersized when I'm in rolled-up sleeves or a t-shirt. I wouldn't have bought it as a "special" watch, if I had, I'd have been disappointed.

For a guy my size the 36mm Oysters look fine, and the 40mm sport models look modern. But not the 34. 34 is small-ish for many and I've come to the conclusion that it's just a bit too small for me. I wouldn't buy the 1500 you're showing here for my personal use, even if it's a great example of a very nice watch. I'd buy a 6424 or 1018 or, if you like the date, a 160x DateJust, which are widely available in a variety of styles (including the turn-o-graph if you're a real iconoclast) and conditions and prices. Best of luck eh

[TimeToGo]

I agree with OTD about 1973, right there..
There are plenty of charts out there, you can make them work to your advantage though..
Either way, a very nice watch..

[Timetogetawatch]

Thanks for all of your feedback. As nice as it is, I've decided to pass on this watch. Based on additional research, I agree with OTD and TTG on the date, which is a deal breaker for me.

TSK - Thanks for weighing in on the size. It's quite opposite of my Tag Heuer Monaco!

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by Timetogetawatch

Thanks for all of your feedback. As nice as it is, I've decided to pass on this watch. Based on additional research, I agree with OTD and TTG on the date, which is a deal breaker for me.

TSK - Thanks for weighing in on the size. It's quite opposite of my Tag Heuer Monaco!

I agree with the sentiment completely with the notes on the size here... I have a 1601 which comes in at 36mm and doesn't get the wrist time it deserves... I think your Tag Monaco comes in around 38mm? Just a thought but that was a McQueen watch and you could take that into a birth year explorer 1655 and keep the McQueen theme as a thread to your collection... More expensive but imho a sound investment...