Have you regret going into vintage watch?

[amphr1]

I really like the look of the Tudor 79090 blue dial, but I know I can't stand the hollow bracelet and every example I've seen only has a lot of flex which I hate. So if I were to buy one I'd switch it out to nato strap. I have never bought a vintage watch before and think there's a good chance I'll hate it. Since these days buying watches are sight unseen, I wonder if others have gone through the same journey and decided to stick to modern Rolex/Tudor or went to the deep end. Btw I fully intend to wear it regularly if I do end up buying it, so it need to be accurate and can handle the daily ware of life.

Thanks in advanced for your thoughts!

[cerendigit]

Yes I have. I have an omega sitting in a drawer because I can’t find parts for it.

If you are going to go vintage, stick with the simple time-only pieces (and avoid chronos and other more complicated movements) At least, they’ll be easy to service.


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[Polar Bear]

Went vintage once and it was enough for me to decide i'm not the type of watch wearer that can have acrylic crystals and little to no water resistance (thats also how i found out i'm not a Speedmaster guy)

[77T]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

Yes I have. I have an omega sitting in a drawer because I can’t find parts for it.

If you are going to go vintage, stick with the simple time-only pieces (and avoid chronos and other more complicated movements) At least, they’ll be easy to service.


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Have to agree - especially because donor movements can be found to salvage parts.

On your Omega, you might go that route if it’s an important family heirloom.

My watchmaker and I had to do that for a 50+y.o. Seamaster. Had sat in a drawer at my Mom’s home for 30 odd years before my restoration efforts.


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[TomLou]

I have bought average condition vintage Rolex four times and once a Tudor Sub.
I spend $200 each time for service, loved them for awhile and then sold them
to finance the next purchase. Keep anything exceptional that is a full set.

[MorningTundra]

Vintage (not antique) are robust and practical. Buy with care and guidance and you’ll be fine.

[grimps]

Originally Posted by 77T

Have to agree - especially because donor movements can be found to salvage parts.

On your Omega, you might go that route if it’s an important family heirloom.

My watchmaker and I had to do that for a 50+y.o. Seamaster. Had sat in a drawer at my Mom’s home for 30 odd years before my restoration efforts.


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I used to pick up old Omegas from Ebay and other places a few years ago.
They was cheap enough to take the risk on and a lot of fun.
I'd take them to an old watch maker in my Town that wore a Constellation Pie Pan himself so knew what he was doing.

A 1960s Seamaster or Constellation was as good as any Rolex of that period and could be picked up for 2-300 pounds 10-15 years ago.
I've not looked at the prices for a long time but I'm guessing they will have shot up a lot now

[Oystersteel92]

No regrets at all. My first Rolex was (and is) a 1601 Datejust from 1968. I got a great deal on it back in 2018 because it had a service dial and service bracelet from 2005. I sent it to Rolex Dallas to be serviced and it came back looking and performing like new. I was worried I wouldn't warm up to the acrylic crystal, but it hasn't been an issue at all. Love the pie pan dial and the 1570 movement is a wonderful machine full of history, and still keeps chronometer time after all these years.

Unless you're going really old, like a Bubbleback, it's hard to go wrong with a vintage Rolex. I watch a lot of watch restoration videos on Youtube and the Rolexes always clean up so beautifully, more so than any other brand I think.

One advantage to the sheer number of watches that Rolex has produced over the years and are still in service...parts availability is very good.

[Dan S]

Definitely stay away from vintage watches. Leave them for us.

[ILuvSubs]

I started out with modern and my collection is actually mainly vintage or neo-vintage. I find no problems with robustness, reliability or accuracy.

The 4 and 5 digit cases seem to me to be the goldilocks case size. I don't mind the hollow end links either. It adds to the charm even if it doesn't give you the same bank vault-like security and confidence of a glidelock bracelet.

[alwayshere]

no doubt vintage is a minefield if you don't want to pay dealer prices.

I have had movements DOA, faulty or fake parts more times than I can count.

Do I enjoy finding gold nuggets time to time? absolutely.

[MrChamfers]

This seems to have worked for me so far, for a 1675, 1680, 5513 (all minefields these days). 2 needed service, one needed hands replaced:
Do your research here before you buy.
Do your research here again before you buy.
Use escrow if its a private seller, or buy from a dealer.
If anything is not right when you get the watch return it or, see if the seller will pay for the repair, then send to Ridley or LAWW.

[datejust24]

If you’re the type that is going to nitpick at every little scratch or superficial dent that has absolutely ZERO to do with the piece you’re after and how it performs etc. then definitely stay away from vintage - they’re watches first off…surprisingly so many people who initially get turned on by vintage pieces until they handle one..then it’s “oh wow it feels like a pos” - “the bracelet is so rattly and crappy feeling compared to my (insert any 6 digit reference)” - that one in particular irks me the most …the list goes on and on about the bitching on a watch they thought they wanted until actually handling one…then here comes the laundry list of unrealistic complaints that these individuals seem to forget might “plague” the 50+ year old watch they’ve dreamed about, since it was once used as it was intended to be used, god forbid …blows my mind honestly, so if you think any of the aforementioned attributes might trouble you…please do yourself and the seller for god sakes a solid and stick with that shiny new monstrosity that these fools are paying PM prices for and waiting 3 years to maybe get ..and oh yeah that’s after bundling a platinum DD and annual calendar PP and a threesome with the spouse the AD owner and salesman LOL

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Vintage (not antique) are robust and practical. Buy with care and guidance and you’ll be fine.

This

Originally Posted by alwayshere

no doubt vintage is a minefield if you don't want to pay dealer prices.

I have had movements DOA, faulty or fake parts more times than I can count.

Do I enjoy finding gold nuggets time to time? absolutely.

There is an actual hunt and chase and pieces generally are never the same.

[harry in montreal]

I own a 79090 with a folded 9315 band. It’s such a special watch and you get used to the band. You can always just sell your 9315 for big bucks and buy a 78360 or 93150 if you prefer the weight. This model sub has a plastic crystal(you can polish it), a metal insert (scratches and doesn’t shatter) and an eta movement. I personally stay away from new ceramic/in house movements as I find Rolex service counters to be a complete screwing.

[bunnyman]

Vintage all the way! Modern is good for everyday as easy to repair and service but nothing beats the character of vintage. No crown guards are super elegant too.

Generally I've found that buying vintage is a bit simpler. From a forensic standpoint anyway. A Geiger counter is really all thats needed to test its authenticity. Looking at the movement too of course.

[bunnyman]

For the hollow link bracelets, soak them in a bath of baby oil once every so often and it will take away that horrid noise they make too!

[Toronto Soup King]

I'm a vintage kinda guy anyway. Aside from the computer equipment and a few bits and bobs, my office is mostly furnished with things that are multiples of my own age. Back when stuff had to last they made it well, up and down the scale, and when I go the estate sale is gonna be epic

[Lesnerelli23]

I love mine and have no regrets thus far :)

[1665fan]

Love them…..everybody needs a matte dial or three in the collection

[powerfunk]

I love vintage but if you start going too much older than 1965ish, servicing seems to get a lot tougher.

[dhknola]

I don't even like Rolex past SEL era (around 2004-ish), the 6 digit references just lack charm to me.

[Nick9]

Only vintage for me, and I’ve had many many different brands over the years.

I am very fortunate to have a trusted local watchmaker with a truly colossal inventory of vintage parts, donor movements, etc etc etc. It’s very rare for us to look elsewhere for parts; but has happened. Only one “couldn’t find it” in about 15 years.

There are fantastic and friendly resources online. Anyone who asks before they buy will get great advice.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I have never bought a vintage watch before and think there's a good chance I'll hate it. Since these days buying watches are sight unseen ...
Thanks in advanced for your thoughts!

If you have ANY doubts then vintage Rolex is probably not for you. It's too expensive a hobby not to be fully committed to it. You need to love it and be willing to spends hours/weeks/months/years researching.

I do disagree with the "sight unseen" comment. That's just not true. I've bought many vintage Rolexes after seeing them in person. Also, keep in mind that there are quite a few good dealers who have a no-questions-asked return policy.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by datejust24

..and oh yeah that’s after bundling a platinum DD and annual calendar PP and a threesome with the spouse the AD owner and salesman LOL

Holy cow, things have changed quite a bit since I bought my last new Rolex!

[Nickn]

My youngest watch a 16753 dates to 1978
I have never had a problem getting a vintage watch repaired
Parts are available if you know who to ask
I am not very interested in modern watches

[carwashchris]

Originally Posted by morningtundra

vintage (not antique) are robust and practical. Buy with care and guidance and you’ll be fine.

x 2

[zapokee]

My regrets are more about what's absent:

- Selling my excellent 5512. What the **** was I thinking?

- Not buying that mint Omega Seamaster 300 at 7 grand about five years ago after the dealer was nice enough to lend me it for a day to try it out

- Not buying that Big Red Daytona from Jacek for 16 grand many years ago

But there's much more in the positive column, so the balance is good. :-)

[RolexGonz]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

I'm a vintage kinda guy anyway. Aside from the computer equipment and a few bits and bobs, my office is mostly furnished with things that are multiples of my own age. Back when stuff had to last they made it well, up and down the scale, and when I go the estate sale is gonna be epic

Agree with this - I’m a vintage guy. I prefer old houses to new (mine was built in 1880), prefer old furniture to new for most part, and even old cars to new. If you appreciate vintage things, you’d probably be more into vintage watches too. I’ve never considered a new watch, though I probably would buy a new gmt at retail if I could :)

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by zapokee

My regrets are more about what's absent:

- Selling my excellent 5512. What the **** was I thinking?

- Not buying that mint Omega Seamaster 300 at 7 grand about five years ago after the dealer was nice enough to lend me it for a day to try it out

- Not buying that Big Red Daytona from Jacek for 16 grand many years ago

But there's much more in the positive column, so the balance is good. :-)

yeah.... those are also for me.

I had a chance to buy a solid 5513 FF for $5K about 5 years ago. Otherwise I have run pretty hard at the others that I have seen.