Let's See Your Watches! The Vintage Watch Thread.

[eightbore]

You need to research that a little better, try http://www.timezone.com/ Rolex absolutely does not discount. An AD (Authorized Dealer) takes a substantial risk of having his AD yanked if caught doing so.

With all respect, I don't need a web forum to tell me that Rolex "doesn't discount". In spite of the way Rolex would like dealers to behave, I've purchased about four different watches over the years...every one from highly reputable and well-known brick and mortar dealers...and never paid more than 20% off the retail price. One can only assume that this represents the rule rather than the exception that I just coincidentally happened to encounter each and every time I bought.

Best,

eightbore

 

[Martinis at 8]

With all respect, I don't need a web forum to tell me that Rolex "doesn't discount". In spite of the way Rolex would like dealers to behave, I've purchased about four different watches over the years...every one from highly reputable and well-known brick and mortar dealers...and never paid more than 20% off the retail price. One can only assume that this represents the rule rather than the exception that I just coincidentally happened to encounter each and every time I bought.

Best,

eightbore

I would say that is the exception, not the rule. Or that you have some very persuasive skills. So did you say four different Rolex watches? My personal experience says otherwise in dealing with AD's. Right now it appears to be just you and me debating this issue, and on the internet it really is difficult to see who can bench press more, uh...because it's the internet.

Timezone.com, by the way, is considered the premier site for discussions on watches, all brands. The reference is also for others who may also be interested in horology.

Enjoy your Omega Seamaster, they are great watches!

M8

 

[eightbore]

Please don't misinterpret what I'm saying (it's tough to "hear" tone on the internet and I don't want you to think I am being argumentative). I'm not really debating an issue, but rather speaking from my own personal experience. Others, as you, have seen the world through completely different eyes. I've owned an Air-King, Explorer I, Sea Dweller, and a really neat Tudor Chronograph (a pre-Tiger that I miss more than the others) all marked down 20-25% from a well-known brick and mortar authorized dealer. It's been a about 8 years so maybe Rolex has really tightened up on dealers since then. If I ever bought another, I think I'd hit the used market and get an older two-tone GMT as they seem to be best bargain in the Rolex world these days. [huh]

Best,

eightbore

 

[Martinis at 8]

eightbore,

I think I am being the "argumentative" one here, apologies for that, but really this is just information we are exchanging here for the others - I mean we got our watches.

I'm reacting to what you posted.

...I've never met even reputable dealers who wouldn't knock 20% off without batting an eye (some even more). That means he's probably making 20% or more on the item after the discount which means [R]olex sold it to the authorized dealer at around $4000...

You used the plural, so I was inferring from what you wrote that you meant this was the norm for dealers. However, later you stated...

I've owned an Air-King, Explorer I, Sea Dweller, and a really neat Tudor Chronograph (a pre-Tiger that I miss more than the others) all marked down 20-25% from a well-known brick and mortar authorized dealer...

Okay, so I guess it was one AD that was actually offering the discount. I'm just stating that in general that's rare. I'm not questioning your individual testimony.

Now here are some facts for '07: The SS Sub Date retails for USD $5,175 as per '07 pricing. In Texas with 8.25% tax, the total would be $5,600. The AD pays Rolex $4,275. So by '07 pricing, if the AD discounted 20%, then he makes nothing on the sale of the watch. I think he would only do that if he had to dump the product for some strange reason.

I have seen gray market offered for $4,475 new, and with open papers. These are risky ventures, however, as unless one is a Rolex expert one is not sure what one is getting. The SS Sub Date has high demand, and quite frankly I had to wait for mine to come in. I don't see any market forces whereby any reputable dealer would even want to discount, much less risk losing his Rolex AD.

We do know this however, every watch that Rolex makes, it sells. There is no surplus, there is backlog. Demand is high despite the criticisms of the watch company. And as you can surmise from this thread, I am also a critic of Rolex even though I am customer, as are you. For one the SS Sub Date isn't even shown on their website anymore. All that's shown are the gaudier versions. They are getting away from their roots, which confuses me as to the resurrection of the Milguass.

Cheers,

M8

P.S. What happened to the Tudor?

 

[eightbore]

As I implied, I have no idea what current retail is (not in the market), what dealers actually pay (don't care that much), or what "incentives" might exist to dealers beyond their standard margin (works to help dealers sell 15,000 cars, why not watches). All I know is what I paid and what prices I was offered by other authorized dealers while shopping. I have bought from one dealer historically but I would obviously shop around before buying. The relatively famous dealer I buy from (obviously, it would be against my and their interest to reveal their name here) offers better after sale customer service even though their prices were matched by at least one or two other ADs in my town. As I said, none of these rolex prices represented anything near full retail though it's possible Rolex has become tougher with their dealers over the last few years. Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

As for the Tudor, it went away when I needed urgent car repairs in graduate school and was almost simultaneously offered more than I had paid for the watch. :eusa_doh:

Best,

eightbore

 

[Marlowe P.]

Johhny Depp style and vintage watches

His watch is great, I dig his stlye so. I've been looking for a thread on a guide to buying vintage watches any ideas?

 

[Newteh]

Start one

I do not have a vintage watch but I have this;

The range was based on Aviation watches from WWII.

Regards

 

[skyvue]

A watch thread exists already, I think, but I don't recall the exact name of it.

I have two vintage watches, both presents from girlfriends.

One, a Gotham brand watch, I received some twenty years ago from the woman I loved at the time. It is from the 1950s -- I'll have to take a picture of it to share here.

And this one I received a few months from my then-fiance, now-wife:

 

[scotrace]

Bump For Renewed Interest.

 

[skyvue]

Here's the previously promised picture of my other vintage watch:

 

[David Conwill]

A-11 Military Wristwatches

I have seen some incidental talk about these in threads, but a Google search encourages me to believe that I'm not duplicating a topic for my first "original" post.

First, a little backstory: My grandfather was an AAF officer from 1940 to 1945 (and an AF officer from 1950-1968). When I was in elementary school he passed down to me what I now know is a Bulova-built A-11 wristwatch (a 10AKSCH - which means it has a sweep second hand and the hack feature). Alas, as most young kids would, I overwound the thing.

Fast foward about a decade. I had just graduated college and decided to reward myself by having a Rolex dealer in Kalamazoo repair my grandfather's watch. Well, within two days it wasn't working again and I've been too upset and disgusted to look into why until now.

Anyway, I figure I will leave the watch repair to the professionals once again, but I'm curious to know details about my watch. Anyone have a resource to decode the serial number on the back? It's AF 44-177871. The "AF 44-1" part is part of the same stamping as the rest of the markings on the back, but the "77871" looks to be hand stamped. I'm fairly certain "AF" indicates "Air Force" and "44" is probably the year of production, but it would be sorta neat to find out exactly when in that year it was made.

Lastly, does anyone know where I can get a proper canvas strap for it? 1940s military watches are on the small side for modern men's bands and my wrists are a bit thick for a ladies' band.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Lucky Strike]

I've considered buying an old A-11 for my very modest collection. Very attractive watches.

There's a very good forum for military watches - you should post the story about the watch there, as they love a watch with a known provenance.

The different numbers and codes should be easy to crack for the guys there, and there are all sorts of links to specialist vendors of watchstraps, restorers, etc. You should probably lurk around there a little before you decidse to do anything with the watch, as over-restoring very often ruins the attraction of an old watch, I find.

 

[BellyTank]

Hi-
There are several A-11-suitable canvas watch bands on eBay right now-
khaki or olive colour. Prices range from $9.99 up to $20-something.
There is at least one specialist military watch guy who carries perfect replicas but I can't remember who he/they is/are- sells on eBay and has a shop... Search on eBay with "canvas watch band" and look at the results in "bands". there are a few and a few more listed differently.

I have a 1943 dated Elgin A-11.

It stopped recently and needs a new crystal- don't like the plastic one it currently has.

I think there was a wave of FL A-11 buying a while back.

B
T

 

[David Conwill]

Thanks very much for the help, fellows. I missed your replies earlier - I think because I depend too much on the "New Posts" tab and often don't get through all the new posts before it resets itself.

I don't intend to over-restore the watch if I can help it, I would just like it to run. The aforementioned Rolex dealer installed a new crystal and replaced one of the springs and the rubber gasket. Everything else is as-original (nicks and scratches on the case, finish wear, etc.) and I hope to keep it that way.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Spitfire]

http://www.chronometer.net/accesories.htm

You might try this one. (Scroll down a bit)
I got some of his canvas one piece watcbands for my A11.
Good luck.

 

[BellyTank]

aha!

That's the one, Spitfire!
Well done.


B
T

 

[Spitfire]

Piece of cake, Watson

 

[Bama Mike]

I love this thread and I'm more passionate about watches than most things. I don't have the best collection, but I enjoy each piece I have for its own reason. Included in this set is a not so cleverly arranged group shot and a few individual shots. The green bezel Rolex Submariner recently got sold. I miss it already.

My current collection includes:
1. Rolex DateJust, stainless steel, jubilee bracelet, white dial, roman numerals, automatic movement.
2. Timex Indiglo, leather band, quartz movement
3. Citizen Eco-drive dress watch, black dial, black leather band
4. Bulova dress watch, white dial, brown leather band, quartz movement
5. Citizen Eco-drive, titanium dive watch (great after much wear over 11 years)
6. Seiko "Black Monster" dive watch, stainless steel, automatic movement
7. St. Moritz Momentum dive watch, 500m, quartz, black rubber band
8. Hamilton Pocket Watch, 10kt, manual wind railroad watch circa 1931, inherited from my great-grandfather.

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[Mid-fogey]

Wow...

...I'm in awe.

 

[LocktownDog]

I absolutely love the Hamilton.

Richard