This made my Day! 5510

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by Jfullm42

And no they were actually good with her and told her how much it was worth and they are going to be splitting the profit with her. Good shop

nice to hear about decent folk ,,, great watch too
i hope everyone comes out well

[Jfullm42]

Just got some better photos from the shop

[okthenor]

Amazing.............

[JustinK]

Unreal, what a find.

[QueueCumber]

I'm still thinking this shouldn't be called "all original" since there is no red triangle insert. Also, shouldn't it have a copper bezel as well? Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like a few things have been replaced on this one.

[J!m]

Possibly chrome plated copper? With wear the plating wears off. No wear here...

But I don't know the intimate details of these older models. Just a thought...

[Jfullm42]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

I'm still thinking this shouldn't be called "all original" since there is no red triangle insert. Also, shouldn't it have a copper bezel as well? Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like a few things have been replaced on this one.

I am by no means an expert on vintage watches, but the more I look into 5510's I see 58's sans the red triangle and with an insert that looks like this, someone know for certain? I know there are only around 30 known to exist and it sounds like they've had some strong offers on the watch so maybe others know something as to the originality.

[brandrea]

Vintagehour.com has a pretty decent article discussing the 5510.

[RolexJNJ]

Really an amazing watch! But I also believe it is missing the original red triangle insert. The original bezel assembly should be made of brass. Because this one shows no discoloration, it's hard to tell from the pics if its original or not. If the watch was ever serviced at an RSC, there's a good chance they would have replaced the entire bezel assembly, not just the insert. Regardless, great find!

[Jfullm42]

Don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but if you were interested I just got word from the watchmaker that a deal has been made with at gentleman from NY who is going to be coming out next week. Looks like he's going to have a good Christmas!

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by J!m

Possibly chrome plated copper? With wear the plating wears off. No wear here...

But I don't know the intimate details of these older models. Just a thought...

Surely nickel plated brass. If the watch is lightly worn then the brass will not be visible as the nickel plating won't have been worn off. This bezel ring is likely original.

[Wesley Crusher]

Jeez, that watch is beautiful. What a find!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by RolexJNJ

Really an amazing watch! But I also believe it is missing the original red triangle insert. The original bezel assembly should be made of brass. Because this one shows no discoloration, it's hard to tell from the pics if its original or not. If the watch was ever serviced at an RSC, there's a good chance they would have replaced the entire bezel assembly, not just the insert. Regardless, great find!

There's a few pages dedicated to the 5510 in the Mondani book on Subs. Here's a page which shows the bezel insert version without triangle, and the bezel itself still showing the nickel plating.

[QueueCumber]

Does Mondani claim it is all original? How do you know that the one in his book hasn't had the bezel and insert replaced? The subs from 1959 that I have in my collection all have red triangle inserts.

All the original 5510s I've seen that friends of mine own all have red triangle inserts. Again, just asking, and would love a confirmation from an expert on 5510s...

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

Does Mondani claim it is all original? How do you know that the one in his book hasn't had the bezel and insert replaced? The subs from 1959 that I have in my collection all have red triangle inserts.

All the original 5510s I've seen that friends of mine own all have red triangle inserts. Again, just asking, and would love a confirmation from an expert on 5510s...

I think that you will find that the red triangle was on some and not others as certainly seems to be the case with 5508's. One thing I have learnt over time is that there are a number of small details and variations on these pre-matte vintage pieces that even the experts aren't sure about or are in debate over.

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

I think that you will find that the red triangle was on some and not others as certainly seems to be the case with 5508's. One thing I have learnt over time is that there are a number of small details and variations on these pre-matte vintage pieces that even the experts aren't sure about or are in debate over.

The 5508 was produced in large quantities over a few years while the 5510 was produced in a very small number over like one year IIRC. That's really not a valid comparison. I understand people want to sell this watch at the highest price point possible, but let's not throw all reasoning out the window to do so.

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

The 5508 was produced in large quantities over a few years while the 5510 was produced in a very small number over like one year IIRC. That's really not a valid comparison. I understand people want to sell this watch at the highest price point possible, but let's not throw all reasoning out the window to do so.

All reasoning?

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

All reasoning?

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

Charming. You are officially off my x-mas card list!

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

Charming. You are officially off my x-mas card list!

You and my X!

[psv]

One of my favorite Subs, always wanted one. Someone is going to score on this one. What is the asking price?

[QueueCumber]

Actually, I lied. My X probably will give me a x-mas card, and I know exactly where I would like her to put it...

[cdweller]

Wow, what a great find! I love stories like this, especially when the original owning party is treated fairly and everybody wins. I respect a shop that treats clients who are naive to the value of their pieces well. Somebody is going to get an amazing 510, based on the pictures. Thanks for sharing the story with us

[jedly1]

the bezel insert and the bezel are replacements.

the bezel insert would have been red triangle when sold new.

yes there are many including in books that have lost them along the way, but none of them started out that way.

[ginge82]

'They are going to be splitting the profit with her'

If this is a 130-150k watch, what exactly are they doing in services rendered to justify taking upward of 75k off this lady?

Perhaps I misunderstood, but that seems outrageous behaviour.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by ginge82

'They are going to be splitting the profit with her'

If this is a 130-150k watch, what exactly are they doing in services rendered to justify taking upward of 75k off this lady?

Perhaps I misunderstood, but that seems outrageous behaviour.

My thoughts exactly.They should be getting a commission fee of 15-20%,Not 50%.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

My thoughts exactly.They should be getting a commission fee of 15-20%,Not 50%.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but finding the right buyer willing to shell out big money isn't an easy task. There are many businesses that take a commission higher than 15-20 percent, including the art world, in which I work. The industry standard is 50 percent commission for galleries who sell artists' work.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by swish77

I don't have a dog in this fight, but finding the right buyer willing to shell out big money isn't an easy task. There are many businesses that take a commission higher than 15-20 percent, including the art world, in which I work. The industry standard is 50 percent commission for galleries who sell artists' work.

that is interesting, I guess the galleries (rightfully so) put a premium on their wall space?

[QueueCumber]

Galleries can ask any price they want, but what they ultimately get from educated consumers is quite different. I say this as an art buyer.....

[ginge82]

Originally Posted by swish77

I don't have a dog in this fight, but finding the right buyer willing to shell out big money isn't an easy task. There are many businesses that take a commission higher than 15-20 percent, including the art world, in which I work. The industry standard is 50 percent commission for galleries who sell artists' work.

Every gallery I have done business with and know well have a 35-40% commission on sales and for that they do an awful lot to justify that take.

50% on a 150k watch is crazy and if they take that they are certainly NOT a 'good shop'.