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ink3027 · 22 February 2018, 11:44 AM

Hello all, this is my first post in the vintage forum. Over the past couple of years I've gotten into Rolex and its history, but only really know anything (and not much at that, haha) about modern references (currently own a BLNR, have owned and sold a 14060M and 16710). I've been browsing vintage pieces lately and find them absolutely beautiful and fascinating and would like to get started learning more and eventually collecting.

From what I can tell here, some popular references seem to be the 5513, 1680, and 1675, among others. Would one of those be a good first purchase, or would you guys recommend something else? I'd like to stay under $10k if possible (maybe even $7.5k, or is that too much of a stretch?) for the first entry into the world of vintage.

stmoore · 22 February 2018, 10:04 PM

A good starter is one you love.

Pick your favorite reference and buy the best you can find - overpay by 10% if you have to. Trust me.

DLRIDES · 22 February 2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ink3027

Hello all, this is my first post in the vintage forum. Over the past couple of years I've gotten into Rolex and its history, but only really know anything (and not much at that, haha) about modern references (currently own a BLNR, have owned and sold a 14060M and 16710). I've been browsing vintage pieces lately and find them absolutely beautiful and fascinating and would like to get started learning more and eventually collecting.

From what I can tell here, some popular references seem to be the 5513, 1680, and 1675, among others. Would one of those be a good first purchase, or would you guys recommend something else? I'd like to stay under $10k if possible (maybe even $7.5k, or is that too much of a stretch?) for the first entry into the world of vintage.

I went through the same process about a year ago, one of the three mentioned would be a great choice. Read and absorb all the information you can, buy from a TS, beware of the vintage pitfalls ! The 5513, 1680, and 1675 all have “transitional” models from the eighties that may be a good first step.

jhunter3 · 22 February 2018, 10:43 PM

As a "new" vintage fanatic, I vote for the 1680. Be patient, do your homework. Find at least one reliable expert to help you evaluate possible buys. I like the suggestion of overpaying a little, if you have to. And as they say, "buy the seller."

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Rebel · 22 February 2018, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhunter3

As a "new" vintage fanatic, I vote for the 1680. Be patient, do your homework. Find at least one reliable expert to help you evaluate possible buys. I like the suggestion of overpaying a little, if you have to. And as they say, "buy the seller."

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

That is a great looking watch, my friend. Great example to share with the OP.

jhunter3 · 22 February 2018, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel

That is a great looking watch, my friend. Great example to share with the OP.

Thank you! I'm over the moon with it. 5.4mil serial, c.1978, one or two owners off from the original owner.

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ink3027 · 22 February 2018, 11:14 PM

Thanks all for the help.

Are there any vintage-specifics websites I should check out for sales, or is WatchRecon still a primary resource?

DLRIDES · 22 February 2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ink3027

Thanks all for the help.

Are there any vintage-specifics websites I should check out for sales, or is WatchRecon still a primary resource?

I would suggest using one of the TS here on TRF. Cruise the ads, and you will quickly learn which sellers have vintage. You can always contact them too, they have a contact network to source from.

avilhena · 23 February 2018, 12:41 AM

The Red 1680, but it is very hard to find one of these below 10k nowadays.

jhunter3 · 23 February 2018, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ink3027

Thanks all for the help.

Are there any vintage-specifics websites I should check out for sales, or is WatchRecon still a primary resource?

PM'd you with a couple of suggestions--not sure I'm allowed to post publicly here. Let me know if you didn't get it.

clock · 23 February 2018, 02:59 AM

I’ve had positive transactions with Andrew Shear and Jacek. Both TS’ers.

Beelzy · 23 February 2018, 04:02 AM

Get a nice 5513, while you can still find one in that price range.

AWS · 23 February 2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmoore

A good starter is one you love.

Pick your favorite reference and buy the best you can find - overpay by 10% if you have to. Trust me.

Very good advice

J. W. Hall · 23 February 2018, 09:01 AM

Enjoy the learning process and be patient. The shortest time between deciding what vintage watch i wanted and making the purchase was 2 years. The longest is about 27 years—that was for an AirKing that came on my radar in 1990 and I finally pulled the trigger on one a couple of months ago. I don’t recommend a decade of hunting, but one nice thing about vintage watches is there’s no rush: the model won’t be discontinued in a month or so. The watches are out there for the hunting thereof.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ink3027 · 23 February 2018, 11:03 AM

I think I'm currently leaning toward a 5513. My first Rolex was a 14060M which I absolutely loved, so naturally I gravitate to the 5513. That's going to be the focus at this point.

05carbondrz · 23 February 2018, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avilhena

The Red 1680, but it is very hard to find one of these below 10k nowadays.

Be lucky to find a nice all original white 1680 for that price.

bluemartinifan · 23 February 2018, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmoore

A good starter is one you love.

Pick your favorite reference and buy the best you can find - overpay by 10% if you have to. Trust me.

Agreed. Think of it as paying now for forward enjoyment and possible gain.

Max16013 · 23 February 2018, 10:32 PM

Aside from what you’ve already mentioned, maybe a 1016

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brandrea · 23 February 2018, 10:38 PM

So many great choices out there. The number one rule is to do your research and buy from a trusted source

I went with 5513

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Fabrice M · 24 February 2018, 02:12 AM

I would go with an Explorer 1016. You can find fabulous example for about you budget, and as far as an investment, they have been really gaining a lot of traction the past couple of years. No to say it’s Don Draper’s watch in MadMan....; ).

Kingface66 · 24 February 2018, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

I would go with an Explorer 1016. You can find fabulous example for about you budget, and as far as an investment, they have been really gaining a lot of traction the past couple of years. No to say it’s Don Draper’s watch in MadMan....; ).

LOVE the 1016....except that on Draper's wrist is not a 1016. It's clearly got a sapphire crystal (probably 114270) as people have posted about over the years,

Valle de Joux · 24 February 2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ink3027

Hello all, this is my first post in the vintage forum. Over the past couple of years I've gotten into Rolex and its history, but only really know anything (and not much at that, haha) about modern references (currently own a BLNR, have owned and sold a 14060M and 16710). I've been browsing vintage pieces lately and find them absolutely beautiful and fascinating and would like to get started learning more and eventually collecting.

From what I can tell here, some popular references seem to be the 5513, 1680, and 1675, among others. Would one of those be a good first purchase, or would you guys recommend something else? I'd like to stay under $10k if possible (maybe even $7.5k, or is that too much of a stretch?) for the first entry into the world of vintage.

The 5513's are a great watch to start a 'vintage' collection.....

John Ireland · 26 February 2018, 03:39 AM

If you really want to stand out while at the same time being stealth, look for a two tone DateJust and put it on a dark brown croc strap with a steel or gold plaque Rolex buckle. Probably the most overlooked combination around. Yet when you see it, you'll be amazed at how fantastic it looks.

actionkwj · 28 February 2018, 01:16 AM

HQ Milton is a great Trusted Seller (I’ve visited their store in Da Francisco) and they’ve got a lot of watches to learn from on their website. You’ll see the varying prices dependent on condition across a wide variety of models.

The 1680 is my more “affordable” vintage Rolex grail, but a 60s gilt GMT is the heavy hitter I’d truly aspire too. Gilt dials won’t make sense until you see them in person and then they’ll ruin you for anything else, LOL!

Follow my watches on Instagram @vintagearmadillo

22 February 2018, 11:44 AM	#1
ink3027 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 715	Could anyone recommend a good starter watch for vintage Rolex? Hello all, this is my first post in the vintage forum. Over the past couple of years I've gotten into Rolex and its history, but only really know anything (and not much at that, haha) about modern references (currently own a BLNR, have owned and sold a 14060M and 16710). I've been browsing vintage pieces lately and find them absolutely beautiful and fascinating and would like to get started learning more and eventually collecting. From what I can tell here, some popular references seem to be the 5513, 1680, and 1675, among others. Would one of those be a good first purchase, or would you guys recommend something else? I'd like to stay under $10k if possible (maybe even $7.5k, or is that too much of a stretch?) for the first entry into the world of vintage.

23 February 2018, 12:41 AM	#9
avilhena "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Brazil Posts: 1,115	The Red 1680, but it is very hard to find one of these below 10k nowadays. __________________ Once you wear the crown, you can never go down.

28 February 2018, 01:16 AM	#24
actionkwj "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: san diego Watch: me soak up the sun Posts: 1,245	Could anyone recommend a good starter watch for vintage Rolex? HQ Milton is a great Trusted Seller (I’ve visited their store in Da Francisco) and they’ve got a lot of watches to learn from on their website. You’ll see the varying prices dependent on condition across a wide variety of models. The 1680 is my more “affordable” vintage Rolex grail, but a 60s gilt GMT is the heavy hitter I’d truly aspire too. Gilt dials won’t make sense until you see them in person and then they’ll ruin you for anything else, LOL! Follow my watches on Instagram @vintagearmadillo

22 February 2018, 10:04 PM	#2
stmoore Banned Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: US Watch: Gilt Posts: 1,592	A good starter is one you love. Pick your favorite reference and buy the best you can find - overpay by 10% if you have to. Trust me.

22 February 2018, 10:43 PM	#4
jhunter3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Charleston, SC Watch: 1680 Submariner Posts: 316	As a "new" vintage fanatic, I vote for the 1680. Be patient, do your homework. Find at least one reliable expert to help you evaluate possible buys. I like the suggestion of overpaying a little, if you have to. And as they say, "buy the seller." Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

22 February 2018, 11:14 PM	#7
ink3027 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 715	Thanks all for the help. Are there any vintage-specifics websites I should check out for sales, or is WatchRecon still a primary resource?

23 February 2018, 02:59 AM	#11
clock Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: in a house Posts: 13,510	I’ve had positive transactions with Andrew Shear and Jacek. Both TS’ers.

23 February 2018, 04:02 AM	#12
Beelzy "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Chris Location: Cen-Cal Watch: 16610 Posts: 869	Get a nice 5513, while you can still find one in that price range.

23 February 2018, 09:01 AM	#14
J. W. Hall "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 50	Enjoy the learning process and be patient. The shortest time between deciding what vintage watch i wanted and making the purchase was 2 years. The longest is about 27 years—that was for an AirKing that came on my radar in 1990 and I finally pulled the trigger on one a couple of months ago. I don’t recommend a decade of hunting, but one nice thing about vintage watches is there’s no rush: the model won’t be discontinued in a month or so. The watches are out there for the hunting thereof. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

23 February 2018, 11:03 AM	#15
ink3027 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 715	I think I'm currently leaning toward a 5513. My first Rolex was a 14060M which I absolutely loved, so naturally I gravitate to the 5513. That's going to be the focus at this point.

23 February 2018, 10:32 PM	#18
Max16013 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Here Watch: DJ 16013 Posts: 247	Aside from what you’ve already mentioned, maybe a 1016 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

23 February 2018, 10:38 PM	#19
brandrea 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 73,585	So many great choices out there. The number one rule is to do your research and buy from a trusted source I went with 5513 Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

26 February 2018, 03:39 AM	#23
John Ireland "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 191	If you really want to stand out while at the same time being stealth, look for a two tone DateJust and put it on a dark brown croc strap with a steel or gold plaque Rolex buckle. Probably the most overlooked combination around. Yet when you see it, you'll be amazed at how fantastic it looks.

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