Tag: Vintage Rolex watches

The vintage market for Rolex watches has been blooming in recent years and last year saw an unexpected upsurge despite the impact of COVID-19. Interestingly, rare and also the most common vintage sports watches are now fetching five-figure price levels.

However, not every vintage Rolex watch carries astronomical levels of resale value. But there are a few best vintage Rolex watches that serve as excellent entry points. Let’s here explore three of the excellent and popular vintage Rolex references that will not break your bank.

Nonetheless, if you want to ascertain your vintage Rolex worth, fill up our online form today and get a free accurate quote. Sell your vintage Rolex watch to The Luxury Hut and get the best possible price. Certain gold variants and rare dial models can fetch you a premium.

1. Rolex Air-King Reference 5500

In 1958, Rolex produced the Air-King series as a subtle, durable entry-level watch. Without a date mechanism, the Air-King is among the most affordable Rolex timepieces. Whether vintage or contemporary, these watches offer some of the best value for money.

• The Rolex Air-King 5500 comes with a stainless steel case of 34mm and acrylic crystal.
• However, while the brand produced this watch as a more affordable edition, the movement powering the Reference 5500 was not COSC-certified.
• The timepiece housed either the Rolex’s in-house Calibre 1530 or 1520 movement.

The Rolex Air-King flaunts minimalist features and a classic styling instead of flashy design, heavy-text dials and added functions. Many collectors relish the series’ simple, reliable design with a perpetual movement and a water-resistant Oyster case.

Moreover, the Rolex Air-King is available in various dial colours and two bracelet options – a dressy Jubilee or a sporty Oyster bracelet. The Air-King Reference 5500 enjoyed an astoundingly 37-year long production run. Eventually, the Reference 5500 model exists in the market today in decent numbers.

2. Rolex Datejust Reference 1601

The Rolex Datejust 1601 was in production throughout the 1960s and 1970s. However, the unique vintage feel and appearance make the Reference 1601 a prototypical Datejust. The watch features a 36mm case size, fluted bezel and acrylic crystal with Cyclops lens above the date display.

• Rolex unleashed the Datejust Reference 1601 in Rolesor or solid gold version for men.
• However, you will find this vintage Datejust housing either Calibre 1575 or 1565 movement depending on the production year.
• Nonetheless, the Reference 1601 is instantly recognised for its pie-pan dial.

Rolex also offered this ‘pie-pan’ dial style to the Day-Date models from the same period. The fact is that this dial design is symbolic of an earlier era in the history of Rolex, and it offers a vintage aesthetic to the Reference 1601.

3. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 1002

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1002 watch houses a time-only movement and flaunts a 43mm case and smooth bezel. Moreover, the dial displays the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text. Well, Rolex produced the Reference 1002 in the 1950s and 1960s.

• The watch features an old-style case, bracelet and acrylic crystal over the dial.
• However, in the early years of production, the Oyster Perpetual Reference 1002 housed the Calibre 1560 movement, beating at 18,000bph.
• But the Calibre 1570 movement replaced this movement in the mid-1960s.
• While the Calibre 1560 offers a 42-hour power reserve, the Calibre 1570 offers power reserve up to 48-hour.
• Additionally, Rolex also fitted the Calibre 1570 with a feature of hacking seconds. With this feature, wearers can pull out the crown to stop the seconds-hand.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1002 is available in different metal and dial options. For example, there are yellow gold, stainless steel and bi-tone models. Among the different dial colours available, champagne and silver-tone dials are the most common in the second hand market.

Are you looking to sell vintage Rolex watches? Call on 0207 242 9160 to get an instant valuation over the phone or fill up our form. The Luxury Hut can provide you with the best possible price for your vintage Rolex based on its model, condition, age, current market price and other essential features.

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The Vintage Rolex Submariner 1680

8 Vintage Rolex Models that Can Fetch a Premium in Pre-owned Market

If you consider the design in general or technological innovation, the 1980s were not a good time for watchmaking.

However, the 1980s was life-changing for Rolex. The brand’s reputation built up slowly and meekly around several stylish and precise tool watches.

With the appearance of the quartz crisis, the brand was compelled to upturn its approach entirely.

But this Swiss-based manufacturer was never the one to set out to throw out the past designs.

However, many Rolex watches from the 1980s are not regarded yet as vintage. Thus, these watches ideally don’t bear similar prestige as the models from the 1960s and 1970s.

Moreover, they also don’t have the modern appeal of the contemporary or the late 1990s models.

Nonetheless, some of these watches from the 1980s are yet more desirable than its counterparts.

Let’s today have a look at 4 of the uncelebrated Rolex watches of the 1980s era.

1. Rolex President Reference 18078

The 1970s era wasn’t a time for over-bright and big things. However, a significant statement piece made its place in the 1980s in the form of gold Rolex Day-Date.

However, the solid gold Rolex Day-Date with Presidential bracelet was more cherished by collectors.

The watch featured bark-textured centre links, a Tiger’s Eye dial and bark-textured bezel.

What’s appealing of the reference 18078 is the dial’s simplicity.

The stone dial has only the printed text and applied crown without any indices.

2. Rolex Submariner Reference 16800

The Rolex Submariner reference 16800 is a little confusing because of its price.

The ref. 16800 is known to be the best “old” Submariner in several aspects.

The watch was ideally the first model to feature the quick-set Calibre 3035 and also, a sapphire crystal.

Moreover, the Submariner 16800 also sported Tritium luminous plots.

Overall, the combination of the retro-elements makes the watch more valuable than the reference 5513 and desirable for regular wear.

3. Rolex Datejust Reference 16234

The Rolex Datejust Reference 16234 can be considered as an ideal “first Rolex” for novelties.

The Datejust watches from the 1980s are robust and clean with exclusive variants.

For example, this Rolex Datejust 16234 features the exclusive Tapestry silver dial.

However, the watch comes with a 36mm case diameter.

Although it may not feel as firm as the vintage references of Air-King, the 36mm is yet a versatile case size that will ideally sit comfortably on all wrists.

4. Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 16760

Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II with the “COKE” bezel in 1983.

The GMT-Master Coke watch was not only a great thing to have in the 1980s but also a coveted model yet in the pre-owned market.

However, reference 16760 paved the way for independently adjustable hour hands in the brand’s lineup.

While the watch sported a slightly broader case, it became popularly known as the “Sophia Loren” or the “Fat Lady”.

However, Rolex offered the watch a thicker case to house the upgraded, new Calibre movement.

So the above Rolex watches are the major 4 uncelebrated Rolex watches and the models have a high demand in the pre-owned market as well.

Do you want to sell your Rolex watch in London?

Get in touch with one of the trusted watch buyers in London – at The Luxury Hut.

Simply, fill up this online form, providing all details about your luxury watch. Receive a free competitive quote shortly.

With The Luxury Hut, you can rest assured you will sell your Rolex watch in London for the best price possible in the second hand market.

Rolex has offered some of the best bezels to its exclusive Yacht-Master and Yacht-Master II collection.

The manufacturer designed and developed the Rolex Yacht-Master watches exclusively for sea-faring. The model is indeed a proud member of the brand’s professional Oyster watch collection.

The Rolex Yacht-Master is unique with its larger hands and more prominent hour markers and all robust features that make it durable and legible in the harshest environmental conditions.

More significantly, the watch flaunts some bold, sporty yet sophisticated bezels that make it stand out of the crowd.

Thus, let’s today explore some of the favourite rare and modern bezels of the Rolex Yacht-Master.

• Rolex Yacht-Master II 116680 with Blue Cerachrom Bezel

Rolex began fitting its watches with Cerachrom bezels in 2005. The Rolex Yacht-Master II ref 116680 flaunts a bright and contemporary Cerachrom bezel.

The watch features a more substantial 44mm stainless steel, two-tone Everose or yellow gold case with blue ceramic bezel.

Overall, the bold size and colour of the Yacht-Master II reference 116680 capture everyone’s attention.

• Yacht-Master 116622 with Platinum Bezel

The Rolex Yacht-Master reference 116622 is indeed a luxury sports watch, featuring solid 950-platinum bezel.

Rolex is known to use this alloy very often in its watches. However, this rarely used alloy used in this sporty timepiece is beloved by many.

• However, the sand-blasted platinum bezel offers the watch a feeling of practicality.
• Additionally, the glossy and raised numerals make it readable.
• To many people, the colour of platinum may seem pretty similar to the colour of 904L steel bracelet and case.
• However, the platinum alloy offers a unique flair to the watch’s design.

Rolex has also produced many iterations of Rolesium Yacht-Master, flaunting sand-blasted Platinum dials.

• Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 with Black Cerachrom Bezel

This matte black ceramic bezel is one of the most popular and coveted Rolex bezels.

• Rolex fitted the bezel to the Everose Yacht-Master 116655 that also features a matching Oysterflex bracelet.
• However, the masculine and sporty bezel comes with two-textured, high-polished raised numerals on a sand-blasted surface.
• Interesting, the contrasting elements in this watch make it suitable to be worn by men as well as women.

The elegant black bezel on the Yacht-Master reference 116655 matches perfectly the flat black dial within the rose gold case, Everose pink gold-serrated ring, and black rubber strap.

• Yacht-Master 16623 with Yellow Gold Bezel

The Rolex Yacht-Master 16623 flaunts 18ct yellow gold bezel that offers a sporty feel to the watch.

However, this yellow gold bezel is different from the ones used on GMT-Master II, and Submariner watches.

The gold bezel on the GMT-Master II and Submariner has ceramic inserts.

On the contrary, the bezel on the Yacht-Master 16623 watch is made of 18ct yellow gold. And it features high-polished, raised numerals on the matte sand-blasted surface.

Do you want to sell your Rolex watch in London?

The Luxury Hut offers you a quick and secure way to sell Rolex watches online or via appointment.

The process is simple.

• Fill up our online form
• Receive a free competitive quote
• Send us your watch for the final offer. Or call on 0207 242 9160 to book an appointment at our Hatton Garden office in London
• Get paid within minutes.

Whether you are looking to sell a Rolex Yacht-Master or sell your Rolex Daytona, you are likely to obtain the best price possible for it without any hassle.

Thus, get in touch with today and sell your Rolex for a competitive price in London.