Head Scratcher on this 16528 Pricing

[soicanbefree]

Every now and then I run across a listing that just seems way out of wack with market pricing which makes me wonder.

Am I missing something?

Is there something rare or desirable I don't see?

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...h-papers-A3259

As far as I have always understood it the champagne is the least desirable and attractive of the 16528 configurations with white leading the way slightly ahead of black.

This seems like a pretty nutty price for an champagne 16528 when the yellow/black with nice box and papers are going for at least 10K less.

[springer]

This classic Daytona has the Zenith movement with inverted "6" dial. It also has the original warranty paper and hang tag but missing the rest of the accessories. The watch appears to be in excellent condition with the original bracelet.

Research these models again within the parameters I mentioned and I think you'll see it is not your average classic Daytona.

[swish77]

Agree with Springer. There are a couple of things that set this apart, as mentioned, but try finding another gold Zenith Daytona like this. There are probably some out there, but not many.

Also, in terms of desirability of dial, that's subjective. If I were in the market for an old-school yellow gold Daytona, I'd much prefer this dial, which was never on an SS model, unlike the white dial.

Still, it's perhaps a little high on the price, but much better to overpay for a great example than get a good deal on a mediocre example. In five years, this might seem like a bargain.

[Initial_J]

HQMilton is very diligent about authenticating and inspecting the pieces that they sell. They are also forthright about anything that might influence value negatively (ie watch has been polished, bracelet doesn’t match, etc.). That’s why they garner a premium to other vendors (as they say, buy the seller not the watch).

This watch also does appear to be in very nice condition (look how tight the bracelet is) and comes with papers. I think papers add quite a lot of value with the zenith models for whatever reason. I don’t think the inverted 6 is all that rare. Agree with the OP that this price is high and there’s likely room to budge, but it’s definitely not a piece that goes for sub $30k like some 16528s out there.

[soicanbefree]

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback gents.

Just never been a desirable configuration for me. I think the only way I could spend 40-60K on a 16520 or 16528 is for a porcelain dial or very early L serial floating dial.

On second look I do see that the condition is top top for a gold watch of the period.

I disagree that being Zenith (they all are from this era) or inverted 6 should command much premium but to each their own.

I'll chalk it up to the lesson that condition trumps all and perhaps me being a bit out of step taste wise on dial desirability.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by soicanbefree

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback gents.

Just never been a desirable configuration for me. I think the only way I could spend 40-60K on a 16520 or 16528 is for a porcelain dial or very early L serial floating dial.

That ship has sailed on the porcelain dial Daytona sets many years ago, unfortunately.......

[1665fan]

Also looks unpolished or nearly unpolished....yes you are missing alot

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

That ship has sailed on the porcelain dial Daytona sets many years ago, unfortunately.......

I know. I was in the market 2-3 years ago at that price point and didn't pull the trigger.

Well it seems I have been somewhat vindicated and proven correct.

The asking price has dropped from 45250 to 39850 since I made this post.

Price also dropped about 5 grand on that 1803 that was listed at the same time.

Maybe they were both just listing errors.

[1665fan]

I just saw it yesterday at 39k and that’s about right...45 is too much that’s for sure

[fusionstorm]

I’ve bought and sold thru HQ Milton on a number of occasions both ways. They do take timepieces on consignment. It very well could be the 16528 set in question was consigned by an owner who had very high expectations of what the seller would net after the consignment fee. Once it sits for awhile without any offers, the price could be adjusted.

[SweetJones55]

What would dealers pay whole-sale for this exact watch? Should tell us everything we need to know about the $39k price tag.

[SweetJones55]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Also looks unpolished or nearly unpolished....yes you are missing alot

Serious question, what would make a watch "nearly unpolished"? It seems every time I ask a dealer about a watch, it has always been "lightly polished". Is that an actual thing or a marketing ploy to try and hide the fact that it has been fully polished? Could it be that "lightly polished" means it's been polished once and not several times?

[PVR]

This watch from HQ is worth about 33-34k. Dealers would pay about 30k for this watch and try and make 10% or so. The price is very high for this watch as the champagne dial is the least valuable of all of the inverted 6 colors (Dont shoot the messenger it just is) and it has a light polish and isnt unpolished.

Let me add that the entire watch, including bracelet, has been refinished with light polish and brushed areas re-brushed. They did a nice job but, this watch has been refinished in its entirety.

They had a white dial inverted 6 a couple of months ago that I commented on that sold recently for 37k which was better than this watch in every way.

HQ will never see 40k for this watch. My guess would be 33k tops.

[RyanPrasad]

Originally Posted by Initial_J

...I don’t think the inverted 6 is all that rare. Agree with the OP that this price is high and there’s likely room to budge, but it’s definitely not a piece that goes for sub $30k like some 16528s out there.

Originally Posted by soicanbefree

.....I disagree that being Zenith (they all are from this era) or inverted 6 should command much premium but to each their own.

I'll chalk it up to the lesson that condition trumps all and perhaps me being a bit out of step taste wise on dial desirability.

As someone who is in the constant hunt for a 16520 I would say that most agree, an Inverted "6" dial is more desirable than an upright "6'. How much that is worth is certainly debatable. I personally think the inverted 6 is a fun little Rolex detail that adds to the collectibility as well.

In terms of this model... Gold on gold also looks like its aged to a nice slight rosey tone. If only I had a free 40k........

[1665fan]

It’s a beauty...worth 35 all day being a full set

[1665fan]

It’s a beauty...worth 35 all day being a full set

[subx]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

It’s a beauty...worth 35 all day being a full set

but what's up with all that corrosion on the subdials and hours markers...

[1665fan]

I don’t see any corrosion but I can’t make the pics any bigger in my phone....I have seen some ss examples with quite a bit of corrosion which means water got in there somehow or some of the black dial SS have been altered to enhance the Patrizzi affect