So you are looking for a particular watch...

[Clay]

And you come across the reference you're looking for...
Now I know there is no concrete answers and I know some of these topics over-lap...
But what would you say are your TOP TWO priorities???

If enough people answer, I'll put the data together and we'll see what we have...

1) Dial condition

2) Hands and dial match in color

3) Case condition

4) Box & Papers

5) That the watch has a service history that can be documented.

6) Originality (Does it have the correct insert, bracelet etc.)

7) Price

[mruhland31]

5,6 in my opinion but I am very new to the world of Rolex

[pdoukas]

Clay, horrible question. I need more than 2, but if I had to use your choices, I say dial and case. All else can be sourced and serviced.

[andromeda160]

Buying a Rolex takes all of these into account it's obvious everyone wants the most original Rolex they can get, of it's vintage box and papers are going to be less important to most people as it exponentially increases the price for a daily wearer. No one would take 2 of these things and buy a watch based on it and price is always a factor when buying a watch.

[Frogman4me]

1 and 2 and can I please have 3!

[Darlinboy]

1) Dial condition

3) Case condition

Those would be the first two, but pulling the trigger would require more. Box and papers would be dead last for me.

[financeman]

I agree that 1, 2, and 3 are the most important things to me.

[francis]

7 Because if it is completely unreasonable then the others don't matter (though if the price was right 1 and 2)

[MitchSteel]

Agreed with #7, price should reflect on the other listed conditions.However, I'd rather pay a bit more for a piece if all the conditions are met."Hunting"for the right matching dial, hands, whatever can certainly be exciting and fun, but just buying an original, matching piece involves a bit of research and looking at ALOT of pictures.....which I like, haha

[htinez]

thats pretty tough...1 and 3

(sorry - off subject - MitchSteel - that looks to be the backend of a 144 de lux? - I inherited mine from parents - it was a 71 imported from the UK - built like a tank - would have loved to put a V8 in her as her 4 cylinder always stuggled - loved it though anyway - nice one)

[Brenngun]

1, 3 followed by 6.

[Vincent65]

if I can only choose two, then 1. and 3.

[withthesword]

3 and 7. if the case has had little to no polishing, chances are it'll last that much longer. everything else can be replaced with period correct parts. providing the case and movement are good, you can probably get a good price on a piece that's got a crummy bezel, dial, and hands. it'll probably take a couple years to get it looking super mint, but you'd have a nice thick case to work with.

not to mention, if the case is really good, chances are the rest of the thing has been taken care of anyways.

[HL65]

Well of course 1 is dial is most important in vintage followed by case. You can always source matching hands but not matching case.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Well of course 1 is dial is most important in vintage followed by case. You can always source matching hands but not matching case.

x 2 !

HAGWe

[SennaFan]

Case First
Dial Second

/Thread

[gregorpal]

1 and 3. No doubt

[964RS]

1+3

[topcat30093]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

1 and 2 and can I please have 3!

+1

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by Darlinboy

1) Dial condition

3) Case condition

Those would be the first two, but pulling the trigger would require more. Box and papers would be dead last for me.

+1. Case is the hardest to rectify.

[Michael M.]

I'd say 1 & 3....but when I'm normally buying I look for everything but 4 & 5

[subtona]

case condition and price for modern pieces...

i don't really go for the vintage pieces, dial and hands would be a consideration here.

[Warnsboy]

Originally Posted by darlinboy

1) dial condition

3) case condition

those would be the first two, but pulling the trigger would require more. Box and papers would be dead last for me.

x2

[HL65]

Originally Posted by subtona

case condition and price for modern pieces...

i don't really go for the vintage pieces, dial and hands would be a consideration here.

Wrong forum.

[DrLindaPhD]

1) I'm drawn to it
2) Dial condition
3) Case condition
4) Price

[powerfunk]

7 and 1.

[Beaumont Miller II]

I am glad to be in good company with 1 and 3. For the right dial and case, I would search for better hands...at that point we are just talking about time and a little more money. Time is on my side, money not so much.

[joe100]

I like originality. No fiddles. But, for the right price I can be interested in anything. Just depends

[subtona]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Wrong forum.

got me, i have to start paying attention to the forum heading

matching & correct dial and hands... i wouldn't want to be left to search for those things


but one day, a long time from now, ill have some pretty sweet vintage pieces with my current collection

[bgriz]

1 & 3 followed by 5