Rolex luminous is always between the gold surroundings and hardly ever will go over it, something you see with later resumed dials a lot, the luminous material is often bigger then the white plot…. What is the price of your vintage Rolex in current market?? It’s with the matte parts where you can determine if a watch is polished or not. A vintage Rolex watch is generally defined as one that is older than 30 years old. Settle for honest quality is my advise, no matter the reference, believe in true patina and buy the best your wallet allows you to!! Thanks to Chrono24, worldwide collectors Vintage Rolex Watches for Sale at our store offers you a window into the past that traces back generations. With the … Close up of the  “White Swiss” added on top of the track..(follow the link to more vintage Rolex study). Rolex Passion Report is a fully independent initiative, without any legal, economic or other ties with the famous luxury watch maker. By doing so, you change history and to me one should always save the old original part where the watch was found with and mention the upgrade when it’s been sold. Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly stunning watch that transcends fashion and will be passed down to children and grandchildren. Look For Authenticity First, Everything Else Later. Specially the left corner lug seems to have some honest scratches on the chamfer of the bevel. Close up of a fully in tact radium 6 o’clock Explorer ref 6350 marker from 1953…. Furthermore it has little dents on the common edges of the case, show wear on the crown and leave marks between the lugs from the bracelet that was attached between the lugs. Buying a Vintage Rolex is Not Without Challenges Vintage goods are great to have, but vintage Rolexes can be very tricky–because there are so many fakes out there. The lugs are especially difficult to handle, so this is an area that requires extra attention with your magnifier. (Image on Forbes: Ethan Pines). 5512 SCOC, again we bright luminous added on the glossy dial.. Something we particularly see on Meter first Red Sub’s, MK2 Seadweller’s and GMT Masters but also on regular 5513 Subs or Daytona’s from around 1968-1972. Also individual service codes are always engraved by the watchmaker…. The geiger went really crazy on the early Panerai tools, below a high reading on a compass.. And on a original untouched Panerai depth meter…. It’s more like the early 1959 Submariner 5512 ‘ thin fingers’ coronet.. Close up of a rare service dial, one that only has a added “T” behind the radium SWISS, clearly added later and maybe a finished swiss dial that never got laminated and was used as service dial by adding the T and tritium. Above clearly visible are the 2 generation luminous stamps, the one below, swiss only and the one above, stating now that the luminous is of new generation, < 0.25MSv. Below I will post some pictures from unused vintage Rolex so you can compare yours with. A vintage Daytona, as well as a great investment, is unquestionably cool. The same we see between the lugs, where bracelets with their end links always leave visible marks. Good Luck! Older examples have a personality of their own and it’s displayed in the fading of their bezels or the patina on their dials—much like the passing years add a certain character to the faces of some men (so I’m told). If you doubt buying from pictures, always make sure you see the watch in your hands before finishing the deal. In the modern vintage watch world, which is full of “put together“‚”swapped“‚”cosmetically enhanced” and “photoshopped” online and offline offers, at first we have to determine the meaning of the words: “all original“. These last 2 lines are added on top of the already finished laquer, there where the Submariner & 200m=660FT, is below the finish.. . Here are the cheapest Rolex watches and where to buy them. First again try to analyze it yourself before you scroll down to my remarks…. Small scratches will be on top of the matt finish and you will see a depth in it, besides the fact that the newly added polishes are never having the same structure sand lines when it’s done afterwards. I strongly believe that even a simple steel Airking or Datejust, a Explorer 1 or even a Cellini will become highly collectable as long it’s alive and fresh and all original condition having it’s necessary patina all over, Once everybody understand the importance of originality, we will see that a simple red sub in great condition will be worth double or triple the money they sell now in average, Again, the luminous on the dial and hands, are the condition meter showing you what happened over the years with the watch, My believe is that the dials have been stored for a long time at a dry place and that this has cracked the surface…. 0 = Smooth/Domed Again this is what I mean with „matching all over patina”. Below you see a early Submariner which has been resumed with luminous. Often when a deal is to good to be true, something is smelling fishy. Here are some general advises for checking out the originality of your vintage Rolex: In some cases, you also see the watch maker marks, below in the middle to the right are the inscriptions made by the watchmaker who serviced it, if these start with GE you know Geneva has officially serviced it but in almost all cases are the marks not giving you any more info maybe except a date as every watchmakers uses his own system. In many cases, after new collectors get their feet wet in the vintage Rolex market with something like a standard Ref. Below you see that at this pre stamped the depth rating for small crown was used and added over the already finished lac. he chronology of the ownership, custody or location of a historical object. Registered Design & Model Depose engraving still clearly readable on this pink gold Rolex Killy.. Fresh hall mark on the sides of this unpolished pink gold Padellone ref 8171…, The Rolex stamps & 18 carat hall marks spread over the 3 of the 4 lugs insides…. There are a number of important things when buying a pre-owned Rolex watch. In a constantly developing market, where fine and honest quality has gone mad price-wise during the auctions, I wanted to add a basic guidance for you how to determine the originality of a vintage Rolex and make all details better understandable for any watch collector who is serious about his hobby. I want to discuss the following important issues around collecting watches: Below you see a original ‘iced” plastic crystal on a early Rolex Explorer that chanced transparency due to the radium dust…. This post was written by Philipp on January 13, 2020. This is due to the fact that the hour hand was pushed to hard while placing it back and then slowly damaged the surface of the dial. Any bid you win will also be bound by the establishment’s General Conditions of Business, your guarantee of authenticity should anything be found to be amiss after the fact. 6 = Turn-O-Graph Here’s a NOS Ref 6263 Daytona. This should immediately ring your alarm bells telling you something unoriginal has happened, somebody has restored it incorrectly…. That is the fee for the auction house which is in most cases about 25 % fee for hammer prices realized up to $ 100.000,=. The world of vintage Rolex is full of scam and laster, relying on a trustable dealer, who has a reputation to defend, is most of the cases the best option you have. 5x = White New buyers enter the market and are solely interested in building up a collection of very nice looking, iconic wristwatches. However, there have been many iterations of the Submariner since their inception. There’s a great demand for the Rolex GMT-Master and the GMT … I specifically add this remark as nowadays we see cases been „laser welded” ( steel or gold is added to the worn case by laser and afterwards polished in catalogue style). So many Rolex dials of so many different models but then, once you start studying them, you’ll find out more differences for the same type of dial are being made. If you were thinking that your pockets might not be quite deep enough to join the elite at one of these events, think again. Same much brighter almost greenish colored luminous we see on the last version of the small crown, here below 5508 SCOC 4 liner from 1962…. Don’t just buy a vintage Rolex watch based on the blue-eyed seller. That doesn’t mean you get away without having to do your due diligence here as well. All plots are perfectly shaped and color on the dial is matching the luminous of the hands, first owner find still in all original condition.. Paul is the company's Founder and CEO. Since some while now we, the inner circle of hardcore vintage Rolex dealers & collectors, have noticed that fake Submariner dials are being sold as genuine. Rolex Submariner. But once you focus on the hands you see again that they are to short. 9x = Mother of Pearl, – second digit: Rolex during service or an independent watchmaker? A older dial plate used for a newer case design perhaps? As watch brands have delivered their watches over the world in sometimes different configurations, due to import tax, local taste or for instance special orders, the ultimate version to have, is the one being shown in their catalogue at the yearly watch shows ( think of Basel World ) As many global watch brands used to do and in particular the penny-pinching swiss ones, factories always used their left over stock of spare parts in their next designs. To get this damaged dial yet again attractive and all matching, dealers will re-lume it to hide the water damage. Do you want to learn to buy vintage Rolex safely? As most Rolex are waterproof, using the Oyster concept, the screw thread thats attached on the case back will reveal you heavy use or not. From the Panerai book of Volker some more geiger results. This “Underline Explorer 1016 has a tritium radiation, less the 0.25 Msv. Then analyzing the dial, you will see that the graphics are different then the regular ones, specially the coronet and the lining of the SCOC text below on the dial. In the past people liked to invest in properties, stocks etc, but now we see many people that can afford to spend their extra money in art – collectables. restored? Next, you have to know how a NOS Rolex case looks like, what exact curve is the bevel making and how wide is it as with every reference it’s different then you can compare it. During the years the number changed from 3 to 4 digit in the 30’s, from 4 to 5 digit in mid 80’s and recently from 5 to 6 digits for the newest models. As Rolex has delivered many different markets in the world, sometimes using local suppliers like we see with bracelets a lot for instance, many different versions of the same reference have come to the market. If you’re a watch collector or in the market for a luxury watch, Chronoexpert is one of the best global marketplaces for luxury watches, with a huge range of new and pre-owned watches. Now we know what is the best is to collect, next step is to determine the quality. It’s due to the extensive experience and knowledge of the collector or the dealer to upgrade a already nice and original watch into the most wanted “Catalogue Style”. On the left you see a service crystal with a facet on the edge, there where the original crystal is domed. But, as with all things vintage Rolex, there are some exceptions. In But then it looks like Rolex is using their heritage look at Tudor for a one-off modern interpretation of their ref 7923…. After 1964 radium ones where forbidden and later tritium ones lost their luminance in 15 years. Bracelet There are a number of important things when buying a pre-owned Rolex watch. Moisture and condens will be sucked up by the luminous and make it chance color to dark and ugly, then it will destroy the top layer of the dial. Advise: Use Google to find pictures of original old watch catalogues. Over the years, Rolex … Therefore the auction houses arrange viewing days prior the auction. 1 = Rotating/Engine Turned (early) Then a close up of the compound of the luminous. NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 Conclusion: All over this is a great looking Rolex Sea Dweller, from the “white” period with rare “Rail Dial” still in adorable original condition, hardly or not polished, having a matching all over patina of case, bezel, dial, hands and bracelet. Not buying a Daytona or even a Paul Newman because 1 lume dot is missing and although the total watch is nice and crisp, is nonsense! Check below the stunning work LA Watch Works did…. Not easy, as it requires highly developed polishing skills because you only get one shot. From the front hardly visible but once you turn the dial slightly you notice the infrastructure of cracks. The to each glossy Rolex dial unique tiny cracks are only visible when you play with the light. The biggest problem one can have with a watch is humidity, entering through a broken crystal or damaged crown. Once you’re the winner of a auctioned lot, you will have to pay a premium on top of the hammer price. In case of any emergency you can always send me a picture to info at Rolex Passion Report .com where I will have a closer look at your question and give you my free opinion. Sell Rolex Oyster Datejust. My previously written. Unlike sites like eBay or Craigslist, you’re dealing with experts whose only job is to buy and sell watches, with all the specialist’s knowledge. All 600 plus examples that where sold in the US had to be tested on the presence of strontium 90…  Below you see a official Rolex document that states that the 6542 GMT master has been tested and no violence of AEC regulations. Another interesting detail is the white surface underneath the radium plots that was added to the dial so the luminous could stick on easily. – Above the serial number is also visible now ( last 3 digits are covered ) making this a 2.731.xxx, which is 1971. Check also following studies: Many more interesting articles I have shared with you in the past you find in my RPR Archive. Above collection is carefully put together by 1665collector. I really hope the above quick guidance I set up will help many novice and senior collectors to understand what they are seeing. OK, here we go. 3 = Stainless Steel and 18k Yellow gold (Yellow Rolesor) Besides that, given the fact that this is also a swiss radium dial, we don’t see any corrosion on top of the gilt hands, done by the radium dust. As I reported you several times in last decade, the fakers are getting better and we all have to be very careful in what we buy for our collection. You have a great overview of all models by reference, you see all case backs, movements and dials. Which also tells us that most likely this Sea Dweller has not been serviced by Rolex yet as then most likely the patinated hands (with little corrosion on top) would have been changed. Moisture made the pencil hands inside turned dark as well as the plots on the dial greenish. In below picture you can also clearly see the transparant paste in the hands that was added before the radium luminous came on top. When watch collecting started long ago, the focus was always on highly complicated movements, built in pocket watches and later after WWII commonly in wristwatches. Take as much time as you need to investigate the seller among forums and by reading testimonials. Examine the screw thread. The with the previous glossy dials so matching gold print chanced with the matte dials to a modern white print…, The more yellowish color of the tritium is cleverly visible in next experimental Rolex SeaDweller. This unusual dial we only see around 5.7 to 6.2 million serial making it when you study below serial number list from end 1978 – 1979. The purpose of servicing a watch was also to maintain the high standard Rolex always aimed for. eBay is an unregulated marketplace, so you are essentially gambling on the trustworthiness of a stranger. Equally black which vintage rolex to buy we are talking about auction houses should stop using photoshop it you... 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