ik2000
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My observations over 10 years
I became really interested in vintage Rolex pieces when I moved to HK, in 2007. For the first time, I could see DRSDs Mk 1-4, Red Subs, Great Whites etc etc, all together, all in the flesh.
Beautiful pieces, full of character. The dials just oozed class, with the bubble domed plexi to the patina. Modern rolex just couldn't compete with the character of thiese pieces. There was a famous dealer in HK (known for watch pictures in front of his sofa, many here will know of him). Seemed like a very nice guy, I spoke to many people who had dealt with him, including seeing one who bought a stunning 1675 GMT with the red turning to a beautiful pink on the bezel. Beautiful watches, and not priced too badly in 2007.
Then one day, one of the 'big boys', who runs a website and vintage rolex online market place, decided to call him out online. (It might have been in 2010 or so, I can't remember). Why does every watch have perfect patina, why is everything just perfectly aged, he would ask. The accusations were rude and aggressive (but he did have a point, in my opinion), and there was a lot of defence of the HK dealer. In the end, if someone with so much clout in the vintage world is calling out this dealer, then I had to stay away.
Then as time goes by, and I read more and more, and get a better idea of individuals involved in this world, I then started to worry about the big dealers.
When you start making 'hommage' watches, and when an innocent individual asks is Rolex will service these watches, you get angry and abusive responses asking 'who are you in the world of vintage watches'. When you take a step back, and see how many spare parts are sitting in inventory of these guys, and what you can do with these spare parts.... well, then it gets very scary. And when these pieces started fetching more than 100k USD...
This deceit and trend really grew when a collector base in SE Asia built up over the last 10 years, pretty much since the financial crisis finished. Suddenly there was a big new group, with lots of cash, and a huge interest in every small detail about vintage rolex. A perfect new audience, with an awful lot of cash.
The blueberry bezel just goes to show the lengths and 'wording used' to try and pass things off and make a huge huge profit.
Unfortunately, the stain of all of this means that I will never buy a vintage Rolex, even from an established auction house. It is a real shame, but IMO, you really have no idea what you are buying anymore in the world of vintage. The cash involved means it is very hard to see who is honourable, and who is not.
Thanks for bringing up this important topic, I feel the watch community stays away from this 'elephant in the room' because a lot will have also been involved in purchasing said watches, and as time goes by, realise that maybe what they bought isn't what they believed it to be.
Americano brings up a good point regarding the internet. Even ten years ago, the resources on the net for vintage pieces wasn't huge, 20yrs ago even more so. You would have no way of ever knowing how to detect a true vintage watch, except for trusting the dealer. And not just any dealer, just a small group dedicated to these pieces.
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My opinion on the current vintage Rolex market
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Its is really not so difficult Rolex
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Americano. Been saying it for over 20 years.
PN’s tropical dials. The stinking rich dealers have had a right laugh. Can’t believe their luck I would think. M.
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My observations over 10 years
I became really interested in vintage Rolex pieces when I moved to HK, in 2007. For the first time, I could see DRSDs Mk 1-4, Red Subs, Great Whites etc etc, all together, all in the flesh. Beautiful pieces, full of character. The dials just oozed class, ...
Thank you for your comment
I also noticed many Rolex collectors jist are looking at their Rolex for Image. Lets say a Lange Sohn collector looks at the horological perfectionism of a timepiece. Rolex collectors are easy victims for scams.
Thanks for sharing, the conclusion you reached was the same as many of us although I think you may been more diligent in your research/observations.
For me I didn’t know the players, or the stories really. There was just enough hair, and values were too high such that mistakes (as a buyer) were costly, for me to stay away.
I feel lucky to have not pulled the trigger, but also really annoyed
I believe there are many decent guys in the industry, who are resellers, who entered in the early 2000s. They, like the rest of us, take our knowledge from a very, very small group of people - 'the experts'. With Rolex not willing to get involved in any v...
I dont want to self promote
But i only sell barn finds and one owner . Restoring it is up to the buyer .
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us 🙏🏻
My interest in vintage Rolex peaked some eight ~ ten years back. However, the more I delve into the subject, the more hesitant I became... resulting in my ‘arms length’ resolve! Nowadays, I’m just happy to acquire modern Rolex pieces direct from authorise...
