Co-Worker wants to sell me his old sub 16800 for $2000 is it worth it?

[Stonedcl]

MY co-worker has a Old sub serial # 8267002 (1983?)ref.16800 with a Matt dial.
It has fallen on REALLY hard times the hands just spin when moving it around does not work at all.. It is beat up.. He said he wants $2K but I think he will take $1500 for it. It was NEVER serviced and like I said the when you rotate it the hands rotate with gravity. The bracelet looks done it is falling apart no chance of saving it and it is missing a bezel.
I have a few questions.
1) Is it worth $1500 if he will take that?
2) How much to get it in working order (worse case scenario)?
3) an I just send the head into the RSC w/o bracelet and have them fix the movement w/o putting a new bracelet on it?
4) RSC or Bob ridley to do the work and why?

Here are some pics..

[handsfull]

I'd pass on that one.

[Speed]

What is it worth to you?

I.e. How much would you be willing to spend Vs. paying $4000-5000 for a minty specimen?

[drockadam]

If it were in good condition, with bracelet. I would buy it.

[globalmedia33]

$1500? I'll pass.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by handsfull

I'd pass on that one.

X2

This will require a service approx $600, but it's also going to require further work which is undetermined not normally covered by the service such as what is going on with those hands and why they freely move, and anything else which possibly could be wrong which is not known until a watchmaker takes a good look at it. Your missing parts, such as the bezel and insert.


You could put it on a nato strap instead of a bracelet which would save you some money.


However too many unknowns which could easily make this project cost you more than what a watch in condition would cost in the first place.


I would pass on this one as well.

[z0mghenry]

Open her up and see what's the condition in there. If it's all cattywampus I'd pass. The money you'd spend restoring might be enough to just buy a minty one.

[Stonedcl]

SO what price would it be worth taking a shot at it?
It would be something I would prob not keep but say I got it for $1000 and had to put $1000 work into it then I can prob keep it for awhile sell it for $3000 down the road..?

would that be worth the risk?

BTW he has all papers and boxes..

[Elementa]

Originally Posted by dddrees

X2

This will require a service approx $600, but it's also going to require further work which is undetermined not normally covered by the service such as what is going on with those hands and why they freely move, and anything else which possibly could be wrong which is not known until a watchmaker takes a good look at it. Your missing parts, such as the bezel and insert.


You could put it on a nato strap instead of a bracelet which would save you some money.


However too many unknowns which could easily make this project cost you more than what a watch in condition would cost in the first place.


I would pass on this one as well.

x2

[moviefreak]

Is your friend Marlon Brando???

[zeuloa]

This would be a great project if you can get it for the right price. If you can have it back to like brand new condition after service for under $5k including price of watch, I'd go for it. Make sure case does not have to be replaced due to rust, cracks, etc...

From what I can tell and working frm prices I think I remember from RSC receipts I've seen here:

Service: $600
Bracelet: $1100?
Dial: $225?
Hands: $200?
Bezel: $280?
Other parts (crown tube, internals, glass, etc): $300?

If I'm correct you are looking at about $4200 (including $1500 for watch) after a good service from RSC. Doesn't seem too bad as watch will be like brand new!

[RolexPete32]

Pass on that. Just not worth the trouble. IT is going to cost you a mint to get back into shape. Go for it if he is willing to take 300 bucks.

[Rjwareagle]

I personally would buy for 1200-1500. Not to bad

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Stonedcl

SO what price would it be worth taking a shot at it?
It would be something I would prob not keep but say I got it for $1000 and had to put $1000 work into it then I can prob keep it for awhile sell it for $3000 down the road..?

would that be worth the risk?

BTW he has all papers and boxes..

I get it, your looking for a bargain.

But the reason those hands move freely maybe because there is actually no movement in the watchcase. This would be easy to determine, but then again even if there is a movement the things we can see that are bad and not very good, and those things we can't see could cost quite a bit to fix but that's very hard to determine.


If you friend lets you take the watch to a knowledgeable watchmaker to get an estomate of work this would be very helpfull to determine what it might cost to fix prior to buying the watch.

However I think you would be better looking for a better condition watch in the first place.

[Adam.]

Originally Posted by Stonedcl

SO what price would it be worth taking a shot at it?
It would be something I would prob not keep but say I got it for $1000 and had to put $1000 work into it then I can prob keep it for awhile sell it for $3000 down the road..?

would that be worth the risk?

BTW he has all papers and boxes..

Will your friend allow you to take it to a RSC to get an estimate to repair it?

[Stonedcl]

I am sure he would let me take it to a watch guy in in town but not sure he would let me send it out.. I am in north NJ so about 20 MIN from NYC so I guess I can go to the NYC RSC and get a estimate.. DO they give estamits while you wait or are they going to hold it for a few days?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Stonedcl

I am sure he would let me take it to a watch guy in in town but not sure he would let me send it out.. I am in north NJ so about 20 MIN from NYC so I guess I can go to the NYC RSC and get a estimate.. DO they give estamits while you wait or are they going to hold it for a few days?

Best to take it to RSC, for a number of reasons. I would call them prior to taking it there to see what they are willing to do for you.

[Htab]

Offer him less

[fjohn56]

Be careful costs add up fast, picked up my 1680 from RSC in LA this week. 93150 bracket with trade in is $900, bezel w/insert is $335, service is about 600, etc $1,950. As the guy above suggested, open her up and see what's on the inside.

[Stonedcl]

If it cost me $2000 with a new bracelet then that would be great because if I can get it for 1k then for $3k I would have a nice "vintage sub" and prob can sell it for $4000 with a bracelet ... I need to get a watchmaker to open it up and then go from there.. If the movement can be restored and the case is fine then I think I'm in the clear but if the movement it rusted or any water go in then it is worthless..

[Tools]

I like the dial, but would want to look at the hands and movement.. If the hands move, it may just be a broken mainspring.

This is a watch that you should only consider if you would not mind spending the money ro restore it, regardless of cost..

It is very likely that the cost of repairs will meet or exceed the market value.. I would NOT par 2,000 for it, perhaps half that if it checks out..

I would do it, but I don't mind restoring a watch back to top condition.. Others may not feel the same way..

[Stonedcl]

Originally Posted by Htab

Offer him less

I think $1000 is the least he will take..

[polarinda]

1 grand

[MoBe]

For $1,200 I`d take that deal if I could open the back and see that it has a servicable movement,however if there`s rust inside I`d pass.

[caryyee]

If you friend will allow you to take it to a RSC and get an estimate, that's great, you can then make a decision based on that. If not, I'd pass, why take a gamble and go thru the stress of wondering if it'll cost you more than it's worth unless you are doing it with the express purpose of making a quick profit?

[77T]

I think you should set a "not to exceed" figure in your mind and offer to share the risk with him. That way neither of you will part unfriendly due to surprises when that oyster is cracked open.

For example, if $3000 is your NTE - then your friend agrees he gets whatever is leftover when the repair is done. Pick your own NTE - that's just an example.

BTW, from the looks of it the case may have problems that can't be refinished so be prepared to have some blems even after it's finished.

[MY-WATCH]

Originally Posted by handsfull

i'd pass on that one.

x2

[kymwatchlog]

in that condition?? he should gift it to you and thank you for gettin rid of his watch.

as many pointed out, it seems the service and parts all add up may not be so worthwhile afterall.

[up2nogood]

$1k and take it to an Indy. Then wear the hell out of it.

[Rags]

$500 tops..