Vintage rolexes

Hey guys,

I guess everybody's watch collecting goes through a certain cycle. In a nutshell, I started into IWC portuguese, Big PAMs, and after some switching around I have an AP ROC.... I have been looking for a tool watch of late, and the new Explorer 2 21670 has been singing to me....my local dealer has both this, and a new 39mm 16570, so I will go and compare the two together shortly... I had been thinking in the back of my mind to enter the world of older PAMs, but after searching around looking for a modern rolex, I stumbled in more detail in to the world of vintage rolexes.... damn.... this is now a big problem, hahahaha!!! There are so many lovely models, so many varieties, so many different numberings, and slight nuances... I am sure there is enough to fund a one year course at a university!!

I spotted what I have now discovered is lovingly named the '666', the sea dweller 16660, but after more research there seems to be a matt dial and a gloss dial and nay other varieties...

I will not jump into buying anything without full and proper research, and will not let impulse get the better of me....

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a great resource to study all the variations etc.. I did a search on the forum, and while there are some amazing posts on soem spectacular examples of vintage rolexes, I have yet to find anything definitive out there...

Any recommendations on where to start?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Imran

Available on the marketplace

20,046 Rolex listings are live on the eBay market and 1886 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.

1996 Rolex Explorer II Polar 16570 40MM Cream Patina Steel Box Paper T-Serial

25,000 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

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14,999 USD

Pre-owned - Excellent · US

Rolex Explorer II 16570 Automatic 40mm White Dial #WW1145

14,684 USD

Pre-owned - Good · JP

Rolex 16570 Explorer II with White Dial and 3186 Movement

13,875 USD

Pre-owned - Good · US

You definitely came to the right place Imran..

By: fernando : February 8th, 2012-01:02

and asking the right questions. There are many experts here and I'm sure they will be with you shortly. The triple 6 is a favorite of our Count Vlad who I'm sure will be able to assist you with the finer points. You are absolutely right to do your homewor...

Hello, Imran,

By: amanico : February 8th, 2012-01:22

The story of the Sea Dweller started in 1967, to receive many evoultions, to this day. From the 1665 to the Deep Sea, there were very interesting models. You mentionned the " Triple 6 ", it is one of them. Matte of laquered, there is another very special ...

Thank you

By: ik2000 : February 8th, 2012-06:39

For your guidance in this.... it is very fascinating, a lot of research ahead, but that could be the best part of it all... so many iterations and combinations!!

The research is indeed a superb part of the pleasure you'll have.

By: amanico : February 8th, 2012-12:11

Keep us updated, and if you have any question, feel free to ask. Best, Nicolas

Sea Dweller

By: tim_s : February 11th, 2012-12:19

For the last 18 months I knew I wanted a sea dweller. In what inclanation, I was unsure and as you are about to do, I did quite a bit of research. The long and the short of it is I actually took the plunge (no diving pun intended) with a matte dial 666 fr...