The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 8 October 2018, 01:01 AM   #1
harry in montreal
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Montreal
Watch: The Habs pick 1st!
Posts: 3,589
How many vintage collectors have virtually stopped buying because of the push in $?

I use daily to fight off urges to buy at least one Tudor or Rolex on eBay per month. I have not bought anything in about 18 months. Well, one minisub I suppose. That’s it. Am I alone ?
harry in montreal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 01:02 AM   #2
linesiders
2024 Pledge Member
 
linesiders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RedSox Nation
Watch: U Talkn Bout Wilis
Posts: 5,418
Yes, still buying ; )

It is getting harder though
__________________
I'm a sailor peg. And I've lost my leg. Climbing up the top sails. I've lost my leg!
linesiders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 01:51 AM   #3
lhanddds
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Watch: of course
Posts: 8,429
Know just what you mean Harry. We don’t really like to refer to a collection as an investment but, then again, if there is some sort of market correction, we don’t want to see some sort of crazy collapse in values either. I picked up a significant number of vintage pieces in 08 and 09. I remember what happened then.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
lhanddds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 01:56 AM   #4
BlackOnyx
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 51
When I started some 3.5 years ago I paid EUR 6.250 for a matt dial 5513. It was sooooo much money. Imagine where we are now. The same watch, which I still have is now worth at least 10K.

For me the hunt is always nice. Last year I found a real cool Air-king blue dial, full set for a real good price. My last catch was an awesome day-date. Vintage Day-dates are just waiting to really go up in price. That's the fun of the game, trying to buy something low (and which you love!!!)
BlackOnyx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 02:35 AM   #5
Dr.Smellody
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 5,183
I haven't stopped... but slowed way down... I've gone from 16 Rolex to a more refined six Rolex collection that get worn.

If prices ever fall (or stock market) I have several that I'll aquire.
Dr.Smellody is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 03:04 AM   #6
Richard Carver
"TRF" Member
 
Richard Carver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 2,237
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody View Post
I haven't stopped... but slowed way down... I've gone from 16 Rolex to a more refined six Rolex collection that get worn.

If prices ever fall (or stock market) I have several that I'll acquire.
I think I'm headed that direction. I last sold a watch in 2008 and bought my last one in 2015. I actually have watches I haven't seen in three years. It's past time to bring this house to order. Six sounds so good!
Richard Carver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 03:29 AM   #7
lee fowler
2024 Pledge Member
 
lee fowler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: UK
Watch: GMT
Posts: 2,507
Quote:
Originally Posted by linesiders View Post
Yes, still buying ; )

It is getting harder though
This.
__________________


Instagram: @lee1563
lee fowler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 03:56 AM   #8
1665fan
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: East coast
Posts: 6,583
Still buying, it might be a disease lol. But pickier than ever for sure
1665fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 05:29 AM   #9
Rvltn123
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 36
I've been eyeing a red subs for nearly 10 years and after seeing the prices sky rocket these past several years I finally pulled the trigger. Sure... wished I purchased when they were "only" $6-9k USD. Don't think I will be a collector with prices the way they are these days. :-)

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Rvltn123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 06:12 AM   #10
fusionstorm
"TRF" Member
 
fusionstorm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Piedmont, CA
Watch: various vintage
Posts: 2,272
I'm always looking, but am not currently "hunting". Prices keep moving to never before seen levels. Should a major global financial meltdown happen, I doubt we'll ever see prices fall to Great Recession levels ever again. Too many vintage collectors and dealers "keeping their powder dry" and ready to pounce should prices take a tumble and the supply of available nice condition vintage increase (don't hold your breath)...........
__________________
1680 MK II 2.2M (my daily); 1655 MK IV 8.1M (my 1st vintage); 16660 x 4 - 8.0M spider & matte 7.4M, 8.0M, 8.0M; 16610LV F MK I/MK I; 116528 Z; 14060 M COSC; Tudor 75090

Gone.....never forgotten: 14000 F, 14060 V COSC, PAM 048, 16623 F, 1680 MK V 3.1M, 16800 matte 8.3M & 1655 MK IV 7.4M
fusionstorm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 07:28 AM   #11
Gina Marie
"TRF" Member
 
Gina Marie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: USA Baby!
Posts: 1,068
I think our Canadian friend up north is commenting on the dollar strength and not the prices of vintage. I agree the dollar mvmt makes it harder for intl to buy. Makes it easier for me to go to canada and shop though.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Gina Marie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 09:08 AM   #12
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
I'm still buying nice examples but they are definitely getting harder to find. I found two nice vintage GMTs a couple weeks ago from a forum member and grabbed them both - one was a 1675 and the other was a 16750.
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 October 2018, 03:45 PM   #13
harry in montreal
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Montreal
Watch: The Habs pick 1st!
Posts: 3,589
Gina, I wasn’t really thinking about FX. Our cdn$ was lower in 2007 than it is today. It’s just the price level of everything. Even undesirable Tudor models seem to be priced at $2k and 3k. I have a nice collection, and I consider myself to be very fort7nate. Should a big correction to the mkt occur I will still be okay.
harry in montreal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 12:53 AM   #14
Gina Marie
"TRF" Member
 
Gina Marie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: USA Baby!
Posts: 1,068
Oh, sorry....thought you were talking about FX. My bad.

Yes, prices are up. In a big way. Items are trading stronger than ever. A 16528 sold for 75k recently, and I dont even think it was NOS. Perhaps NNOS or KLNOS (near or kinda like). The community is getting larger every day but the supply is limited. We all know that during times of crisis liquidity is key and these have liquidity to a certain extent......

I dont see a crisis in the near term so I would assume a + or - movement of 5 or so % in the next 12 months.

As rates rise, other investments begin to look more attractive and will drain money from collectables. Fact of life. Apple watches are far more toxic I think, but what do I know.

I look at classic cars as an example. Who is going to want them when electric cars far out perform and do so at a fraction of the damage to the environment. I think either they lose value like coke memorabilia or a cottage industry pops up to convert them to electric.

I saw a guy with an apple watch on one wrist and a watch on the other. Hopefully that is where we are going and classic watches become like art, timeless!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Gina Marie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 02:02 AM   #15
motoikkyu
"TRF" Member
 
motoikkyu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: PRJ
Posts: 1,731
The rise in prices is staggering. It gives me terrible mixed emotions. On one hand, it would be financially responsible to sell everything I have acquired and invest the cash. On the other hand, there is a certain satisfaction in wearing a watch that is worth four times as much as you paid for it. If there's a third hand, it's harder to wear said watch and risk scratching it, now that it's become so valuable. Conclusion: rising vintage Rolex prices can cause mental decline.
__________________
"Do you like Breitling?" "I don't know, really, I've never been Breitled"
motoikkyu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 02:19 AM   #16
roh123
"TRF" Member
 
roh123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
Personally I don’t buy as much anymore. Price increase is one parameter and exchange rates another. My local money is nowdays kind of soft which makes it a good time to sell off stuff I feel is overpriced in general. Other than that things work as always for me as a collector. I consolidate and move up in quality/rarity if there is something I like. If not; I stay put. People dealing can’t stop buying just because prices sky rocket so I understand that some still buy. Who knows where we will end up..

Regardless if the market moves up or down me as a collector kind of hates todays levels. Every purchase becomes so important when watches costs more than a very nice car. I prefered how it was some years ago when you could still play around and try more watches. Current levels also makes the market slow and small when few people sell great watches as they expect them to appreciate even further.
__________________
Instagram: @perj123
roh123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 02:36 AM   #17
SubKing
"TRF" Member
 
SubKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: USA
Watch: where do i start??
Posts: 3,254
I think its safe to say prices are way up and harder to buy for sure!

https://www.lunaroyster.com/watches/...perfect-patina
SubKing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 03:26 AM   #18
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gina Marie View Post
Oh, sorry....thought you were talking about FX. My bad.

Yes, prices are up. In a big way. Items are trading stronger than ever. A 16528 sold for 75k recently, and I dont even think it was NOS. Perhaps NNOS or KLNOS (near or kinda like). The community is getting larger every day but the supply is limited. We all know that during times of crisis liquidity is key and these have liquidity to a certain extent......

I dont see a crisis in the near term so I would assume a + or - movement of 5 or so % in the next 12 months.

As rates rise, other investments begin to look more attractive and will drain money from collectables. Fact of life. Apple watches are far more toxic I think, but what do I know.

I look at classic cars as an example. Who is going to want them when electric cars far out perform and do so at a fraction of the damage to the environment. I think either they lose value like coke memorabilia or a cottage industry pops up to convert them to electric.

I saw a guy with an apple watch on one wrist and a watch on the other. Hopefully that is where we are going and classic watches become like art, timeless!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Electric cars are nice for commuting but good like taking one on a long trip. If I need a 0-60 performer, it won't be an electric.
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 04:35 AM   #19
exador
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NZ
Posts: 2,600
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubKing View Post
I think its safe to say prices are way up and harder to buy for sure!

https://www.lunaroyster.com/watches/...perfect-patina
Peak madness.
exador is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 04:51 AM   #20
Jp28
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Here and there
Posts: 565
I was lucky to buy my 3 before prices went crazy. Certainly could not afford them now, or rather would not pay the relevant amount for them. Given where prices are may even cash out my DRSD as it is not getting worn and then there are some amazing pieces I could buy with the money, even after taking some cash from the table.
Jp28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 05:54 AM   #21
SubKing
"TRF" Member
 
SubKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: USA
Watch: where do i start??
Posts: 3,254
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jp28 View Post
I was lucky to buy my 3 before prices went crazy. Certainly could not afford them now, or rather would not pay the relevant amount for them. Given where prices are may even cash out my DRSD as it is not getting worn and then there are some amazing pieces I could buy with the money, even after taking some cash from the table.
when you let your DRSD go, just keep in mind what you will have to pay for it if you ever want it back... You may even have to settle for a worse condition example due to the dry market.

I personally would hold on to it.
SubKing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 06:36 AM   #22
116710er
"TRF" Member
 
116710er's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 'murica
Watch: yer six.
Posts: 576
I got lucky on my vintage piece and now I'm going to just hold for either the next "crash" or if I come up on another "deal of a lifetime"...my mistake was starting on this part of the hobby way too late. I wasted a lot of time and money on nonsense...
116710er is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 06:41 AM   #23
zapokee
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,342
My buying has certainly slowed, but this is also because I was lucky enough to more or less complete the collection of stuff I really wanted before prices got silly.

I'm enjoying the lower end of the market now - "undesirable" stuff like 34 mm Tudor and Rolex still offers fantastic value and has plenty of room for price increase (was happy to see Eric Ku make this point on the Hodinkee podcast). Remember when PNs were undesirable?

Vintage Day-Dates still offer great value. They've barely moved in price for years, and are ripe for an increase as people get priced out of the market on Rolex sports models.
zapokee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 07:31 AM   #24
05carbondrz
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 2,030
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubKing View Post
when you let your DRSD go, just keep in mind what you will have to pay for it if you ever want it back... You may even have to settle for a worse condition example due to the dry market.

I personally would hold on to it.
When I sell a Watch I’m done with it.I’m never going to aspire to own something I sold off.There are so many great References out there that it makes no sense to track down something you sold IMHO.
05carbondrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 10:58 AM   #25
Tom1675
"TRF" Member
 
Tom1675's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Real Name: Tom
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,171
I bought two in the last 6mo but they were the right deal and both were transitional matte sports watches that haven't spiked as vertically with the other tulips. Like many other respondents here, the right piece and price will be to much for us to take!
Tom1675 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 11:19 AM   #26
SubKing
"TRF" Member
 
SubKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: USA
Watch: where do i start??
Posts: 3,254
Quote:
Originally Posted by 05carbondrz View Post
When I sell a Watch I’m done with it.I’m never going to aspire to own something I sold off.There are so many great References out there that it makes no sense to track down something you sold IMHO.
Over the years, I always missed certain pieces that I sold. So I owned them multiple times. I thought I was done with them and a couple years passed and I missed them immensely. Some pieces I wanted but there were flaws that bothered me on certain pieces, so I sold them with hopes of finding better examples..

Money also has a lot to do with it. Some people might not be crazy about letting a piece go but they want to cash out at “the right time”.

For some ppl, this problem exists in this hobby and for others, it does not.

I personally think, if you’re a millionaire, you might not worry so much about market value fluctuations on these pieces. You just buy what you like and never need to liquidate to either raise money for a different watch or out of fear the market will collapse. You just keep buying. Even if there are pieces that don’t get any wrist time, you might refer to it later. That’s my 2 cents.

For me, because I’m not a millionaire, I am really never done with any watch I have sold off over the years.

I have made certain moves over the years that allowed me to get my collection to where it is today. There are still many pieces I would love to own, but I feel lucky I own multiple grails.

I don’t think anyone is really ever done with a watch. Once the piece is gone, I typically start to think about what made me fall in love with the watch in the first place. Especially if it were a DRSD I sold. Could never fall out of love with that one.
SubKing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 01:04 PM   #27
116710er
"TRF" Member
 
116710er's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 'murica
Watch: yer six.
Posts: 576
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubKing View Post
Over the years...
Well said, my sentiments exactly!
116710er is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 01:17 PM   #28
05carbondrz
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 2,030
I guess I have just conditioned myself from collecting something or other since I was 7-8yrs old.I can Honestly say that of all the Things I’ve collected I have never sought out something I sold in the past.I just have the “been there,done that” mentality I guess.
05carbondrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 08:34 PM   #29
zapokee
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,342
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubKing View Post
I think its safe to say prices are way up and harder to buy for sure!

https://www.lunaroyster.com/watches/...perfect-patina
45 grand is optimistic pricing for a MK IV FF Red Sub. Asking price and selling price often differ, but it's a hot market. Good luck to buyer and seller.
zapokee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 October 2018, 09:53 PM   #30
roh123
"TRF" Member
 
roh123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
Quote:
Originally Posted by zapokee View Post
45 grand is optimistic pricing for a MK IV FF Red Sub. Asking price and selling price often differ, but it's a hot market. Good luck to buyer and seller.
Dealers just push prices up when they can sell. This example is indeed very nice but pricing can't go on forever. Red subs are the typical newbie premium vintage Rolex. For around 50k there are a lot more to be had other than matte subs from the 70's.
__________________
Instagram: @perj123
roh123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.