Rolex 16030

[NewRolexer95]

I am having passion for rolex watches, actually I am saving up for my first rolex, I always thought of buying new one, but then I came up to a guy who sells vintage watches, and that is when a Rolex DateJust 36mm

- Reference: 16030
- Movement Caliber: 3035
- Serial Number: 578xxxx
- Manufactured: 1978

It’s unpolished with all its scratches, The case as well has few scratches some are minor and some are deep scratches, although comes with original vintage Rolex box , as well as red tag
The jubilee bracelet is suitable for medium size wrists, it has exactly 19 links
The overall condition of the bracelet, dial etc is great ( the only note is some minor scratches on case , plastic crystal)

I have contacted him and he offered me a price of 4,200$. But as a newbie, I have no idea if this price is good? do I need service for the watch? what things I need to watch out? should I buy this?

I know 4,200$ isn't much for many people, but for myself (the country I am from) it is a lot of money.

[Dan S]

It’s not a crazy price but not a bargain for a private sale. The watch looks fine but it’s a common variant and doesn’t carry a premium.

[Nick9]

I think that’s a reasonable price these days, and those are very nice watches. That one looks in good condition.

[NewRolexer95]

What a price would you consider a bargain for this type of watch? and what about the service of the watch? should I pay attention to when last time it was serviced?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer95

What a price would you consider a bargain for this type of watch? and what about the service of the watch? should I pay attention to when last time it was serviced?

A bargain price would be lower. These are very common watches, you can do some research on sales prices (not asking prices) at auctions, on the forum, etc. Ultimately, you'll have to balance the price vs condition vs convenience for buying locally. We can't buy it for you.

And sure, you can ask if it has been serviced, but most of the time you'll have to take care of that yourself.

[NewRolexer95]

Originally Posted by Dan S

A bargain price would be lower. These are very common watches.

When you say these are very common watches, you mean this dial color or the 16030 DJ Rolex in general?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer95

When you say these are very common watches, you mean this dial color or the 16030 DJ Rolex in general?

What I'm saying is that it should not be hard for you to do some research on valuation. It's the most common variant of a common reference, but you can also look at other variants and references and make adjustments.

Your previous question, "What a price would you consider a bargain for this type of watch?" is impossible to answer. There are many prices that would be a bargain, and I think you should do some research yourself so that you will understand the market.

[TimeToGo]

.
Welcome to the Forum!

You can do research in this forum, ebay, etc. The lowest priced are in the low to mid $3k, with some being serviced.

What's important is what they sell for in your country. And yes, it is important to know the service history because that is another expense that will come down the line.

[Mccall86]

I think you can find a comparable watch in the mid $3k's with enough looking. I picked up this 16000 in December from eBay for $3100. And the blue dial is more difficult to find and generally more desirable. Ebay was running a 10% off luxury watches promo at the time which saved me a few hundred but I was seeing other 4 and 5 digit DJ models in the mid 3ks during my looking. There are always a lot of these DJs on eBay and with their authentication process it’s pretty safe to buy one from there.




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[NewRolexer95]

Originally Posted by Mccall86

I think you can find a comparable watch in the mid $3k's with enough looking. I picked up this 16000 in December from eBay for $3100. And the blue dial is more difficult to find and generally more desirable. Ebay was running a 10% off luxury watches promo at the time which saved me a few hundred but I was seeing other 4 and 5 digit DJ models in the mid 3ks during my looking. There are always a lot of these DJs on and with their authentication process it’s pretty safe to buy one from there.



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That is a nice watch, personally I like the blue dial, but preferably on a jubilee bracelet

[TuRo]

In UK a keen price on that would be £3250 / $3800 btw - US and Japan seem a bit cheaper than uk on 16030/1601/1603 .

[0nly5iv3Digits]

You can do better in terms of condition and price

[Mccall86]

Originally Posted by NewRolexer95

That is a nice watch, personally I like the blue dial, but preferably on a jubilee bracelet

Thanks. It seems most vintage DJ are on jubilees so that shouldn't be tough to find. It did take a while to find a blue dial at a good price though - silver dials seemed to be the most abundant. I personally like the smooth bezel/oyster combo because it flies more under the radar but the classic DJ look IMO is fluted bezel/jubilee. Good luck with your search!

[physicist]

Get something with a sapphire crystal for your first daily wear watch.

[physicist]

Get something with a sapphire crystal for your first daily wear watch.

[racerx]

Not a bad price, but not great either. Look around before you purchase. For reference, I bought a 16030 new in 1987 for $995.

[NewRolexer95]

Originally Posted by racerx

Not a bad price, but not great either. Look around before you purchase. For reference, I bought a 16030 new in 1987 for $995.

WOW 900$ for a classy watch, that is something! is it holding up strong?

[NewRolexer95]

Originally Posted by physicist

Get something with a sapphire crystal for your first daily wear watch.

I was thinking about the same, I have a Tissot watch with sapphire crystal, it is holding great against scratches, I would wish that watch had a crystal sapphire

[NewRolexer95]

Originally Posted by Mccall86

Thanks. It seems most vintage DJ are on jubilees so that shouldn't be tough to find. It did take a while to find a blue dial at a good price though - silver dials seemed to be the most abundant. I personally like the smooth bezel/oyster combo because it flies more under the radar but the classic DJ look IMO is fluted bezel/jubilee. Good luck with your search!

Thanks a lot, I do agree that a blue dial vintage is a catch

[NewRolexer95]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

You can do better in terms of condition and price

3800$ would be great?