Huh! Who wants a Vintage Rolex???

[topcat30093]

Well actually I do.

I can't explain why over the past few months I have yearned for one! Perhaps it my age, my current collection or the stunning vintage Rolex watches that I have seen over the past few months and the excitement that I hear in owners words when writing about their new acquition.

Who can tell, what I can say is that I have looked at dozens nay hundreds of photos of vintage Rolex watches, all showing various degrees of vintage appeal, from their patina through to the history of the piece and the stories that come with it.

So the search was on to locate a genuine Vintage Rolex piece, in my case I had set my parameters on a 1680 red, hopefully MF with all it's B&P's. But I soon realised how scare they were and at what cost they would be
Then came the problem of finding a genuine and untampered piece. WHAT A BL**DY NIGHTMARE, how can there be so many frankenstein watches out there!! I thought that I knew a respectable amount about watches, but this field was a whole new minefield!!

So, slowly I started to learn, about Gilt Edge, Chapter Ring, Rail Track, Exclamation Dial, relume, ghost bezels, lug sizes, polished or unpolished etc, etc.

Now very fortunately, for me, I struck up a conversation (via PM) with a fellow Watchprosite member, which soon led to emails being passed back and forth, the member was extremely knowledgeable and very patient. A bit like a master teaching his disciple, no matter what stupid question I would ask they were always quick to guide and educate me. And for that I shall be forever grateful

Now, as I had previously mentioned, i was looking for a Red Sub 1680 with a fantastic patina. For me they filled three things:
1) A classic Sub
2) It had red writing on it and
3) It had the date.

Now, I live in the far South of the UK, where the wheel, phone and TV have only recently been invented if you get my gist . So purely on a whim, I contacted a small watch & jeweller in town who I knew stocked pre owned Rolex watches.
So I asked the question "Do you have any vintage Rolex watches, such as a Red 1680" No came the reply "But I do have a lovely 5512 from 1961, serial number starting 693*** with SWISS and Exclamation dial at 6 o' clock, gilt dial, chapter ring, PCG, beautiful patina and sits on a rivet bracelet " Thank you said I "But I am really after a 1680"
But, when I told my fellow collector, he advised me to look more into it more detail. Long story short after phone calls (including one from my mentor to the actual jeweller), emails & visits by myself. And an awful lot of support (including discussions with other collectors) and encouragement. I finally purchased my first vintage Rolex watch.











My photos do not in any way do the watch justice, the colour of the dial , markers & hands are truly awesome, they just look so warm and can only be appreciated in the flesh. As with the gilt writing and chapter ring. Though its bemusing to see the colour of the markers can vary so much in the different light! The bezel is slightly faded and to top it all the accuracy of the watch itself is beyond belief, for a watch that is 51 years old. I have to say that it is on par with my Explorer II and Patek 5205G. Before, I finish my final words must go to those members (you know who you are) who gave up so much of their time to help & support me in this quest. Without your support, I wouldn't be wearing such a stunning piece.

Thank you

Regards Tony

PS My next piece, hopefully, will be a vintage Rolex from my birth year 1958.

[Kingair]

Congrats

Great watch !

Enjoy it

HAGOne

[HL65]

Beautiful--well done!

[Puffy]

that's a great piece tony!

I was only waiting for a thread where you'd announce your first vintage and here we are!

there's no turning back now...

[dddrees]

Great looking watch, Congrats Tony.

[Mr. Clean]

Truly an amazing watch. Congrats!


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[HERITAGE82]

.... Congrats she's a beauty!!

[eparisini]

Big Congrats!

[s4dan]

Tony...congrats on your first vintage Rolex and what a stunning acquisition Absolutely love it mate.

[kxux]

Congratulations. It is a beauty. I wonder when I will dip my foot in the vintage watches. They have great appeal. Enjoy wearing it.

[bewithabob]

nice one!

[caryyee]

Total congrats! I'm yet to make the jump to vintage but I do yearn for a 1964 birth year sub with gilt dial, that would be another of my grail watches!

[cbusjer]

Very nice!


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[drockadam]

That is absolutely beautiful!

[topcat30093]

Thank you for all your positive comments.
It is certainly a very special piece,

[Goiguidoc]

Very good choice.
Gilt dials are beautiful.
You won't regret the 1680 red.

[Tudor66]

That is a stunner Tony, I have been bitten by the vintage bug as well. I'm currently looking into 1680's and 5513's. I already have a Tudor Sub w/out the date from 1966,. once I picked up this Tudor I stopped wearing my other other watches.
Perhaps it's my middle age, but I seem to be only interested in wearing, sharing and discussing vintage watches these days...

[Robbyvm]

What a beautifull 5513, it's again amazing to read how this community helps each other when someone is trying to learn about the wonderfull world of vintage rolexes...fantastic !


Now good luck in searching a killer Red Sub !

[azguy]

sweeeet

[Submarino]

Gorgeous! Congrats!

[Beaumont Miller II]

Tony that's a great looking 2 line 5512. Congrats.

[cronin]

Wow, what a great looking watch.

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Congrats

Great watch !

Enjoy it

HAGOne

+1

[wangany17]

What a catch! After grabbing a Red Sub recently I can tell you that the quest to find a perfect one will be challenging but not as challenging as your serendipitous find of that lovely 5512. Very nice.

[ob1]

Fantastic Tony! Much nicer than a red sub. Wear in the very best of health

[gregorpal]

Stunning, and nice story Tony. Congrats!

[janagler]

Congrats, that's a great looking watch! Enjoy it in good health!

[topcat30093]

Thanks once again :)

It is so comfortable to wear and I would dearly love to know its history.
But what I can say is with the watch came a paper receipt that fits in with the age of the watch. And though I can't prove that it was the actual receipt it would be nice to think that it was :)
The receipt had the word " 3 Wings" and beside it RCAF and the name of a town located in Germany. By doing some research, this relates to the Royal Canadian Airforce who had a squadron named 3 Wings and where based in Germany..........To much of a coincidence?? I'm not sure.

Anyway I am certainly finding it hard to take it off and put it back in the safe.
But its safer there than when I am at work!

Regards

Tony

[1675-David]

Very nice!

[Atomant]