Rolex 5508

[Roosterfish5]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Alright. I'm going to be optimistic and believe that somebody who already owns 1961, 1971, AND 1972 GMTs - but has never posted on the forum before - isn't a troll and for some reason has limited Google skills. Hope I'm right for the sake of humanity.

Dear Zapokee

Good for you your spot on!

I will be optimistic to and believe there are good guys on here also and not all numpties. No offence intended to the helpful replies and good guys


I am also a member of a couple classic motor bike clubs and often the same thing happens when a newbie raises a simple question, the club idiots seem more interested in picking a fight than been constructive.

Doesn't bother me one bit to be honest but thank you for reply.

[vintagetudor]

still lost

[Kingface66]

Roosterfish5, getting back to the 5508s, what’s your plan for them?

[subx]

Originally Posted by Roosterfish5

Dear Zapokee
I will be optimistic to and believe there are good guys on here also and not all numpties.
...often the same thing happens when a newbie raises a simple question, the club idiots seem more interested in picking a fight than been constructive.

Calling our knowledgeable community members here 'numpties' and 'club idiots' may not be the best way to gain free advice here,
Anyway, you got your advice, didn't you? those 5508s went low because they were terrible examples.
cheers

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by subx

Calling our knowledgeable community members here 'numpties' and 'club idiots' may not be the best way to gain free advice here,
Anyway, you got your advice, didn't you? those 5508s went low because they were terrible examples.
cheers

I fully agree. Borderline communication and inacceptable wording towards recognised experts. The vintage section does not need such arrogant and unfriendly people. Bye Bye!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Welcome to the forum. Jacek is the man for expertise, trustworthiness and peace of mind. If I were you I'd work with him to get your 5508.

Originally Posted by Roosterfish5

Dear Zapokee

Good for you your spot on!

I will be optimistic to and believe there are good guys on here also and not all numpties. No offence intended to the helpful replies and good guys...thank you for reply.

You're very welcome - no offense taken. The good guys are all here trying to help you. Hope we can help you further.

Let's get back to the 5508 discussion.

[tkc324]

Vintage rolex is not for the faint of heart... i would never buy something unless I get couple green lights on this forum first, let alone something in the 20K+ range. Other experts have chimed in, these examples are pretty terrible thus the low price. The truth is if you had came here first, I am sure many would have gave you honest opinion and helped you out. good luck to you.

[28mm]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Well Rooster my post was definitely wrong, I don’t even remember writing it as I received some bad family-related news last night and was not in the right state of mind. What I should have said was a picture would really help, that’s what I meant with my sarcastic remark. My vintage knowledge is limited but the rest of the guys in here are top-notch. Best of luck!

Class act to own your response as you have.

Sorry to hear of the bad family related news and hope it all works out.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by tkc324

Vintage rolex is not for the faint of heart... i would never buy something unless I get couple green lights on this forum first, let alone something in the 20K+ range. Other experts have chimed in, these examples are pretty terrible thus the low price. The truth is if you had came here first, I am sure many would have gave you honest opinion and helped you out. good luck to you.

I may be pointing out the obvious as to why the poster approached it the way he did. He thought he was on to an auction that was flying under the radar and you never know, right? The last thing he wants to do is draw the attention of a huge group of vintage Rolex collectors and flippers to the same auction. You’re kind of shooting yourself in the foot by posting publicly about it and asking details on what’s right and wrong. Of course, the flip side is finding out the problems after the fact (which is what happened here). Non experts can’t win either way.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

I may be pointing out the obvious as to why the poster approached it the way he did. He thought he was on to an auction that was flying under the radar and you never know, right? The last thing he wants to do is draw the attention of a huge group of vintage Rolex collectors and flippers to the same auction. You’re kind of shooting yourself in the foot by posting publicly about it and asking details on what’s right and wrong. Of course, the flip side is finding out the problems after the fact (which is what happened here). Non experts can’t win either way.

The auction was in mid-December. His first post in this thread was a month later.

[Dan S]

OK, just to shine some light on this for people who might encounter these watches in the future and to facilitate discussion, here they are.

Lot #16 from Dec-15 2021 Sotheby's. Sold for $22,680.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auct...-small-crown-a
Serial 400755
Condition report notes lume removed from dial, spidering on dial, service hands, etc.


Lot #28 from Dec-15 2021 Sotheby's. Sold for $22,680.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auct...n-james-bond-a
Serial 488251
Condition report notes replacement insert, service hands, relumed dial, etc. Personally, I'm wondering if the dial should be gilt.

[baumare]

Thank you Dan, I agree that for a serial 488xxx, end of 1969, should be GILT

Sorry I meant 1959...

[CTech]

Surely a typo with the date. My 5508 has a serial number 489xxx with a case back dated III 59 and it has a gilt dial, thought to be original.

The second one Dan showed above looks as if it has a T<25 inscription so it could be a later service dial.

[Eric88]

So what’s the future look like for these watches?

OP can keep them both and enjoy them in daily rotation.
OP can invest lots to restore them and then enjoy or resell, perhaps break even if lucky.
OP can resell now for a loss and chalk up as a lesson learned.
Maybe other scenarios.

[Mark020]

You need a glass ball for that. However: both are not collectors watches and will a hard sell at even 75% of the purchase costs I think

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Dan S

OK, just to shine some light on this for people who might encounter these watches in the future and to facilitate discussion, here they are.

Lot #16 from Dec-15 2021 Sotheby's. Sold for $22,680.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auct...-small-crown-a
Serial 400755
Condition report notes lume removed from dial, spidering on dial, service hands, etc.


Lot #28 from Dec-15 2021 Sotheby's. Sold for $22,680.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auct...n-james-bond-a
Serial 488251
Condition report notes replacement insert, service hands, relumed dial, etc. Personally, I'm wondering if the dial should be gilt.

Its been discussed before that an earlier service dial on the 5508 also came in all matte. I think Rolex had a matte style SL service dial issued in more recent times but believe Rolex may not offer them anymore.

[Mark020]

The dial is legit

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Mark020

The dial is legit

I assume you are saying that it's an authentic service dial, not that it's original to the watch. The watch is from ~1959 and it's apparently a matte T<25 dial.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I assume you are saying that it's an authentic service dial, not that it's original to the watch. The watch is from ~1959 and it's apparently a matte T<25 dial.

Yes its an genuine service dial. The original would have been gilt.

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I assume you are saying that it's an authentic service dial, not that it's original to the watch. The watch is from ~1959 and it's apparently a matte T<25 dial.

Yes of course. Post above mine is about the fact whether it is a service dial

[MrChamfers]

Originally Posted by avera

I have my grandfather's 5508, with box, papers, original stretch bracelet, etc. I have had it for about 15 years and wore it for about 10. Any sense of how much such a watch should be insured for. I didn't use to worry because it was always on my wrist. Now that it isn't...

You might get better responses by posting your own thread with pics, this thread was a trainwreck. If your watch is in decent condition it is worth far more than either of these poor examples.

What a confusing thread. The OP said he bought 2 5508's for $18k each. But the hammer price was close to $23k plus at least 20% in fees.
Maybe if he's really in the UK he meant pounds, but the brits I know would be loathe to use a dollar sign in place of £‎.

[TuRo]

All politics aside and giving benefit of doubt with any cynicism being tethered / harboured;

5508 range from $20-150k - these and 6536/1 and 6542 gmt (because of bakelite being 50% of value) have one of the biggest ranges of prices a reasonably available piece.

A 20k is usually well worn/polished, with a matte T25 dial all white (or earlier off-white) and hands, wrong bracelet, service bezel and insert and crown and plexi.

At other end, $150k original fresh gilt gloss swiss dial (or gold tropicalisation) and handset, orig.crown, plexi, original brass bezel and red insert, correct caseback and 7206 bracelet and e/l's etc etc etc

* Good 2 colour writing gilt Dial is 60-85% of value and some dials like the rare 4 line C.O.S.C. version can be worth more.

37mm small crowns are undervalued (given rarity) imho and will rise quite a bit in next decade, esp. given trend next decade towards 36-38mm watches now by boutique watchmakers and even Rolex/Tudor/Panerai/AP etc after 42-46mm are becoming less in vogue !

[donaldraymond342]

Hello


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[southtexas]

Originally Posted by avera

I have my grandfather's 5508, with box, papers, original stretch bracelet, etc. I have had it for about 15 years and wore it for about 10. Any sense of how much such a watch should be insured for. I didn't use to worry because it was always on my wrist. Now that it isn't...

Pics would be great!


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by avera

I have my grandfather's 5508, with box, papers, original stretch bracelet, etc. I have had it for about 15 years and wore it for about 10. Any sense of how much such a watch should be insured for. I didn't use to worry because it was always on my wrist. Now that it isn't...

I've noticed that a lot of dealers are listing decent 5508s in the $40k-$50k range at the moment. But as noted above, the value of your particular watch will really depend on condition and various other details.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by donaldraymond342

Hello


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Welcome

This thread just keeps getting weirder

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome

This thread just keeps getting weirder

in kind of an amusing way if you're not easily annoyed.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

in kind of an amusing way if you're not easily annoyed.

Agree



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