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Reload this Page Once upon a time in Texas - vintage finds are alive and well.
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Old 13 November 2022, 04:15 AM   #1
springer
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Once upon a time in Texas - vintage finds are alive and well.
Good things can be had for those with patience- even during these times of high inflation and diminishing watch prices. The later models have seen some significant price reductions this year, but many of the quality vintage models are still in demand. Additionally, while nice vintage sets are rarely offered for sale anymore, there are still some nice sets lurking out there.

Last week I was offered an Explorer II set from an original owner that was consigned to a close friend of mine. It didn't take very long for me to pull the trigger on this 1980 Explorer II 1655 after seeing the photos and hearing the back story on the watch.

The watch is in excellent condition and has been serviced by the Rolex NYC RSC twice, once during 1987 and the second time during the late 1990s. The watch dial, hands, bezel and bracelet are original to the watch. At one point during a service, the owner asked the RSC to install a sapphire crystal and a Submariner flip-lock clasp to his 78360 Oyster bracelet. The RSC offered to sell him a complete 93150 bracelet, which the owner declined, and the sapphire crystal installation was denied by the RSC.

This will be my first 1655 for the collection which will fit right in with the two or three vintage GMTs that I collect. And, speaking of vintage sets, if you are a collector and have a vintage set that you want to show off, let's see some photos of those beauties in this thread.
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Old 13 November 2022, 04:41 AM   #2
tkc324
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Sweet Jesus…
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Old 13 November 2022, 05:38 AM   #3
Dan S
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Congrats, JP, what a great find.
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Old 13 November 2022, 06:33 AM   #4
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Wow.

Still some out there indeed!

Congrats!
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Old 13 November 2022, 07:17 AM   #5
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Simply lovely!
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Old 13 November 2022, 07:24 AM   #6
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A beautiful watch and an exceptional overall package. Congratulations and enjoy it.
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Old 13 November 2022, 07:24 AM   #7
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Wow. What a beauty!
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Old 13 November 2022, 08:20 AM   #8
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Can’t be bettered !
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Old 13 November 2022, 08:23 AM   #9
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Fantastic. What a set.
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Old 13 November 2022, 09:07 AM   #10
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Thank god Rolex RSC denied the owner’s requests

Wonderful pick up JP, outstanding
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Old 13 November 2022, 09:13 AM   #11
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You found a beautiful watch! It looks fantastic…
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Old 13 November 2022, 09:42 AM   #12
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awesome
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Old 13 November 2022, 10:18 AM   #13
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That's absolutely gorgeous! I love the look of the 1655, but would miss the individually adjustable hour hand of the 3185 and 3186 movements. It is a beauty, and obviously well cared for over the decades.
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Old 13 November 2022, 10:38 AM   #14
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They originally bought it at Nordstrom?
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Old 13 November 2022, 10:48 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Incroyable12 View Post
They originally bought it at Nordstrom?
Yes, and Marshall Fields also sold Rolex back in the day.
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Old 13 November 2022, 11:29 AM   #16
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That is an amazing catch. It is the model I loved before the 5-digit version came out. And the full collateral makes it all the better. Congrats!


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Old 13 November 2022, 11:49 AM   #17
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Such an incredible example. Congrats JP!
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Old 13 November 2022, 04:27 PM   #18
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This is a killer find. Congrats JP!


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Old 13 November 2022, 04:30 PM   #19
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Congratulations!!! Sweet
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Old 13 November 2022, 04:38 PM   #20
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Amazing condition for its age John.
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Old 13 November 2022, 08:33 PM   #21
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So jealous - that’s a beautiful watch
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Old 13 November 2022, 08:50 PM   #22
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Such a tight case, congrats!
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Old 13 November 2022, 08:54 PM   #23
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She’s a keeper.
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Old 13 November 2022, 09:39 PM   #24
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Very nice find!

'Not except' ;-)
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Old 13 November 2022, 10:19 PM   #25
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Congratulations! It’s beauty!
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Old 13 November 2022, 11:10 PM   #26
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Congratulations.
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Old 13 November 2022, 11:26 PM   #27
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Just wow!
Surprising though to see such poor writing skills from the Rolex employee regarding the crystal and the bracelet (blue note on the estimate ) .
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Old 13 November 2022, 11:48 PM   #28
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Nice catch! I have wanted one of these for a long time but have never managed to be in the right place at the right time!!
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Old 14 November 2022, 12:04 AM   #29
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Spectacular! Congratulations
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Old 14 November 2022, 12:19 AM   #30
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That's a beauty John, congratulations!
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