Thoughts on the 6542 and 5508

[lx384]

Hi All,

*Sorry. It's Rolex GMT 6542 and Rolex Sub 6536

I've always loved the look of a vintage Rolex. Now I have a chance to trade for either watch. I've yet to buy a 4 digit Rolex, because I don't know how to spot what's real, fake or refinished. I'm not sure what to look out for on the dial and bezel.

These are the pics provided by the owner. Any red flags?

What value will you all place on these 2 watches based on what you see?

Thanks a bunch! :)

[asb396]

Need more photos

6542 looks in pretty bad shape, insert cracked in several places, lume plots, etc. - still an awesome watch

5508 insert looks wrong to me

what are you trading with?

[lx384]

Originally Posted by asb396

Need more photos

6542 looks in pretty bad shape, insert cracked in several places, lume plots, etc. - still an awesome watch

5508 insert looks wrong to me

what are you trading with?

I made a mistake with the Sub reference. It's a 6536.1.

Without revealing what watch I'm trading, he's placing a value at 32k USD.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by lx384

I made a mistake with the Sub reference. It's a 3536.1.

Without revealing what watch I'm trading, he's placing a value at 32k USD.

I think you mean 6536

[lx384]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I think you mean 6536

Thanks! Corrected 👍🏻

[Dan S]

Can you tell us what the seller has disclosed about the two watches? For example, has he indicated that the hands on the GMT are replaced or relumed? Any information about the bezel on the Sub?

[lx384]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Can you tell us what the seller has disclosed about the two watches? For example, has he indicated that the hands on the GMT are replaced or relumed? Any information about the bezel on the Sub?

He mentioned that both are all original. But had to source for the bakelite bezel.

I’ll ask him those questions you asked 👍🏻 Thanks!

[HarryLime]

Have him hit both with a geiger counter and send you the results.

[Juhuatai]

Those GMT hour and minute hands aren't original. The minute hand doesn't extend to the chapter ring.

[cowboy music]

Sub hands aren't original, either, for the same reason - the minute hand doesn't reach to the chapter ring.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by juhuatai

those gmt hour and minute hands aren't original. The minute hand doesn't extend to the chapter ring.

x2😇😇😇

[watchknut]

Both are great references, I enjoy mine.

The 6542 has a lot of red flags. The 6536 has a later bezel insert and hands. Really need to UV shots and Geiger reading.

[Lgear080]

Geiger and then talk. Both look cobbled together.

[lx384]

Originally Posted by Juhuatai

Those GMT hour and minute hands aren't original. The minute hand doesn't extend to the chapter ring.

I've asked him and he said that his hands are steel hands and that they were supposed to be gilt.

[lx384]

Originally Posted by watchknut

Both are great references, I enjoy mine.

The 6542 has a lot of red flags. The 6536 has a later bezel insert and hands. Really need to UV shots and Geiger reading.

I've seen your pics on instagram! Love it!

[lx384]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Can you tell us what the seller has disclosed about the two watches? For example, has he indicated that the hands on the GMT are replaced or relumed? Any information about the bezel on the Sub?

He said that the dial and bezel are all original. And no aftermarket parts. Hands are not the original hands.

[lx384]

The owner said the dial and bezel are all original. What do you all think?

I'm waiting on his reply if the markers are relummed.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by lx384

The owner said the dial and bezel are all original. What do you all think?

I'm waiting on his reply if the markers are relummed.

I can’t weigh in as I don’t know these well enough but it sounds like you’re rushing into a major purchase with little information or knowledge. In that case you have to buy the seller. It doesn’t sound like you trust him enough.


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[Lgear080]

I think not

[lx384]

I have 9 weeks (my watch is currently being serviced) to research these 2 watches and get as much feedback as possible.

I only met the seller once last year. And he came across as a proper watch collector. Still, I would like to seek advice from experts in this forum. Knowledge is key for vintage.

For all those who have chimed in so far, thank you!

[springer]

Originally Posted by lx384

The owner said the dial and bezel are all original. What do you all think?

I'm waiting on his reply if the markers are relummed.

Since you asked "what do you all think," here you go:

It's a "rat." Why would anyone consider it - especially when you know nothing about what you are purchasing or what is correct.

Start with the steel hands (non gilt) and work your way out.

Find a nice 6542 for around $60,000 or settle on a sweet GMT 1675 for anywhere between $15,000-$20,000 with no issues.

There are way too many bottom feeders out there shopping these days. My best advice is "you get what you pay for."

[lx384]

Originally Posted by springer

Since you asked "what do you all think," here you go:

It's a "rat." Why would anyone consider it - especially when you know nothing about what you are purchasing or what is correct.

Start with the steel hands (non gilt) and work your way out.

Find a nice 6542 for around $60,000 or settle on a sweet GMT 1675 for anywhere between $15,000-$20,000 with no issues.

There are way too many bottom feeders out there shopping these days. My best advice is "you get what you pay for."

Thanks Springer.

It's a trade that is being offered to me at 32k USD value. I would gladly do a trade + cash if the guy has a 1675 or a 5512/5513. Unfortunately, I'm limited to these 2 options from him.

At the end of the day, I will have to make a decision and determine if it is worth it or not. So I'm here doing my due diligence.

I agree with "you get what you pay for". Based on prices and condition on Chrono24, it does make his offer look way overvalued. I saw one FS recently on this forum for only 14k but with serviced parts. Again, you get what you pay for applies here. Not bottom feeding here. Just trying to find out originality and fair value and then decide from there.

[roh123]

Where can I find a nice 6542 for 60k? :)

The bakelite insert alone is probably worth close to the 32k value mentioned.

[springer]

Originally Posted by roh123

Where can I find a nice 6542 for 60k? :)

The bakelite insert alone is probably worth close to the 32k value mentioned.

Where can you find one at any price that is decent? Since you seem to know, throw some out there.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by springer

Where can you find one at any price that is decent? Since you seem to know, throw some out there.

I am not the one claiming a price well below what the market normally ask.

Most informed collectors and dealers would at least be around 75-80 for a nice one with all the correct parts. It is a very rare watch and they aren’t flooding the market. An above average bakelite insert like this would always be at least 25-30 even with a couple of cracks. So this at 32 is probably good but it would require some work to make sense.

Each to their own though. ”Nice” is very subjective.

[lx384]

Originally Posted by roh123

I am not the one claiming a price well below what the market normally ask.

Most informed collectors and dealers would at least be around 75-80 for a nice one with all the correct parts. It is a very rare watch and they aren’t flooding the market. An above average bakelite insert like this would always be at least 25-30 even with a couple of cracks. So this at 32 is probably good but it would require some work to make sense.

Each to their own though. ”Nice” is very subjective.

Thanks Roh123.

by work, do you mean finding the correct hands and changing it?

[roh123]

Originally Posted by lx384

Thanks Roh123.

by work, do you mean finding the correct hands and changing it?

I think most people would keep that bezel for a better example.

[springer]

Originally Posted by roh123

I am not the one claiming a price well below what the market normally ask.

Most informed collectors and dealers would at least be around 75-80 for a nice one with all the correct parts. It is a very rare watch and they aren’t flooding the market. An above average bakelite insert like this would always be at least 25-30 even with a couple of cracks. So this at 32 is probably good but it would require some work to make sense.

Each to their own though. ”Nice” is very subjective.

Stop it would you! I said around $60,000. Give me a damn break - you love to go out of your way to misconstrue my comments. I believe 99% of the members that know me know exactly what the point was.

It's not unlike me writing that a nice GMT is $15,000 to $20,000 which is a 20% to 25% spread - same as a spread in prices for any watch including a 6542.

[roh123]

Sorry you feel that way. I think a donator watch and a decent bakelite is cheap at 32. If you know what you are doing. That was the only thing I wanted to say.

A nice 6542 is more often closer to a hundred than 60 in my world. If you got stuck at my ”at least be around 75-80”.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by springer

Stop it would you! I said around $60,000. Give me a damn break - you love to go out of your way to misconstrue my comments. I believe 99% of the members that know me know exactly what the point was.

It's not unlike me writing that a nice GMT is $15,000 to $20,000 which is a 20% to 25% spread - same as a spread in prices for any watch including a 6542.

Lol. He's swedish man... he feels the need to be precise.

We all knew what you meant. Although, I agree with him, for a project 6542 with even a cracked bakelite it really isn't that bad. The 6536 on other hand...