Probably a dumb purchase financially...

[TexasHusker]

If you post a pic of the watch face and tell me what the model number is, I can give you a good idea what the market is. I'm guessing it is a 1660 and if it has the matte face, it is very collectible right now. Not that you would sell it, but you might want to insure it.

Corn do you know where I would find the serial number?

[TexasHusker]

All I see in terms of numbers is “580” in two places on the back of the watch close to where it connects with the bracelet.

[corn18]

Corn do you know where I would find the serial number?

It's on the case between the lugs where the bracelet attaches. The serial number will be on one side and the model number will be on the other. You can remove the bracelet if you want to find the numbers. I'm guessing this has holes in the lugs that holds the pins that hold the bracelet.



My guess is that this is a 5513 matte dial, which is highly collectible. The case is in great shape and not over polished. Crown guards look thick. The ring is a beautiful gray color and not dinged up. The crystal is perfectly worn, just as it should be. The patina on the lumen is fantastic. A very fine example of this model.

If it hasn't been serviced, you might want to consider getting that done just to make sure it is in top running order. Rolex are known to run for 30 years without service, but a watch this important should be cared for. Please do NOT send it to Rolex for service. They will replace all of those beautiful 36 year old parts with new crap and completely ruin the watch. Find someone who specializes in servicing vintage Rolexes and tell them you just want an internal service. I would replace the crystal too as that has no effect on value, but save the old one.

You have quite a remarkable watch there and the connection to your father makes it extra special.

[corn18]

All I see in terms of numbers is “580” in two places on the back of the watch close to where it connects with the bracelet.

That is the model number of the end links on the bracelet, which are correct for that watch.

[corn18]

Corn do you know where I would find the serial number?

The more I look at your dad's watch, the more I drool. It is amazing. Wow. Just WOW!

[TexasHusker]

The more I look at your dad's watch, the more I drool. It is amazing. Wow. Just WOW!

Wow. I had no idea. I felt really bad for taking it, but when I moved him into assisted living (he has late stage Alzheimers now), I just knew that someone would grab on to the watch. I still feel guilty about that.

I am very proud of it though, because I remember when he bought it brand new for $500 and was so proud of it. He gave me his old Seiko which I still have! It's the one thing of my dad's that I can have with me every day and I think of him every time I look at it.

Sometimes the crystal gets so scratched up I can't tell time, so I have gotten a cue tip and just lightly polished it with some plastic polish I have. That's probably a no-no.

Thank you so much for shedding some light on the watch. I'm going to check for the serial number again. EDIT. It looks like from your pictures that I would need to remove the links to see the number so I'll just wait until I need to.

Also, I did pay $2000 to have it fully serviced a few years ago - it had gotten a little moisture in it and I was afraid it would ruin the watch. I probably got ripped off on the "service" but it seems to have fixed it.

Corn you make a very good point about insurance - how much should I insure it for do you think? That might be a really good idea.

[corn18]

Wow. I had no idea. I felt really bad for taking it, but when I moved him into assisted living (he has late stage Alzheimers now), I just knew that someone would grab on to the watch. I still feel guilty about that.

I am very proud of it though, because I remember when he bought it brand new for $500 and was so proud of it. He gave me his old Seiko which I still have! It's the one thing of my dad's that I can have with me every day and I think of him every time I look at it.

Sometimes the crystal gets so scratched up I can't tell time, so I have gotten a cue tip and just lightly polished it with some plastic polish I have. That's probably a no-no.

Thank you so much for shedding some light on the watch. I'm going to check for the serial number again. EDIT. It looks like from your pictures that I would need to remove the links to see the number so I'll just wait until I need to.

Also, I did pay $2000 to have it fully serviced a few years ago - it had gotten a little moisture in it and I was afraid it would ruin the watch. I probably got ripped off on the "service" but it seems to have fixed it.

Corn you make a very good point about insurance - how much should I insure it for do you think? That might be a really good idea.

For the crystal, you can buy some stuff called polywatch to polish it. Tape off the ring so you don't get anything on it. It's too nice to muck up. DO NOT polish any of the metal. That is what is valuable. It's a one owner, honest watch and that is what makes this watch collectible.

I would get it appraised and put it on a personal article floater. Vintage Rolex are getting mad money right now, so I can see this one being worth $10,000. You can't really replace it because of the sentimental value, but that's what a replacement would likely cost in that condition.

[TexasHusker]

Thanks again so much for all of the thoughtful feedback. Again, I had no idea!

What is weird is that I bought my wife a stainless and gold rolex (kind of a basic one) back probably 20 years ago for around $2K, and I don't think it's worth much more, if any, more today.

Odd.

[corn18]

Ladies rolexes do not hold value as well. Especially precious metal ones. Not sure why. Just not as popular I guess.

[Like2Plan]

Ladies rolexes do not hold value as well. Especially precious metal ones. Not sure why. Just not as popular I guess.

I look at the Rolex and it looks like a watch to me. No elevated pulse. LOL

Obviously not my thing. Still, this thread is interesting. Your knowledge of watches is pretty awesome. You're like one of the experts on Antique Roadshow discovering treasure.

Still, I am wondering why Texas had to spend 2k to service his submariner watch because a little moisture got in it. Aren't those watches supposed to be water resistant (or water proof?) up to 200 or 300meters? (Or, has Texas been wearing his watch whilst diving ?).

[TexasHusker]

I look at the Rolex and it looks like a watch to me. No elevated pulse. LOL

Obviously not my thing. Still, this thread is interesting. Your knowledge of watches is pretty awesome. You're like one of the experts on Antique Roadshow discovering treasure.

Still, I am wondering why Texas had to spend 2k to service his submariner watch because a little moisture got in it. Aren't those watches supposed to be water resistant (or water proof?) up to 200 or 300meters? (Or, has Texas been wearing his watch whilst diving ?).

Well, consider the fact that it had been unserviced for around 33 years. I am assuming that a seal eventually failed.

I do suspect that "service" of these watches might be shady. The guy (watchrepair.net) called me and said "I had to replace so-and-so and so-and-so due to rust, blah blah blah. Who am I to argue with him? And what am I going to have him do, send the thing back to me in pieces? He did say "if it's too much, I can offer you $2000 for the watch." I said "not hardly. Fix it and send it to me."

In the future I am going to do more due diligence.

[corn18]

I look at the Rolex and it looks like a watch to me. No elevated pulse. LOL

Obviously not my thing. Still, this thread is interesting. Your knowledge of watches is pretty awesome. You're like one of the experts on Antique Roadshow discovering treasure.

Still, I am wondering why Texas had to spend 2k to service his submariner watch because a little moisture got in it. Aren't those watches supposed to be water resistant (or water proof?) up to 200 or 300meters? (Or, has Texas been wearing his watch whilst diving ?).

Water is the worst enemy of a mechanical watch. And old watches can have brittle seals if they are not maintained. A typical Rolex service on a newer watch is $500. On a vintage watch, it’s usually around $750. $2000 is steep but if they were able to save it (which it appears they were) it is well worth it for that watch.

[corn18]

Well, consider the fact that it had been unserviced for around 33 years. I am assuming that a seal eventually failed.

I do suspect that "service" of these watches might be shady. The guy (watchrepair.net) called me and said "I had to replace so-and-so and so-and-so due to rust, blah blah blah. Who am I to argue with him? And what am I going to have him do, send the thing back to me in pieces? He did say "if it's too much, I can offer you $2000 for the watch." I said "not hardly. Fix it and send it to me."

In the future I am going to do more due diligence.

He offered you $2000? What a sleazeball. If you ever need service in the future let me know. I know a few reputable repair places that will take care of that beauty.

[Captain Save]

so we have some under the radar high rollers in here.

[~bs]

did you check the shop in yelp? I've found that sticking to 4.5-5 star rated businesses in yelp have saved me a lot of headaches.