Buy this Vintage Rolex Before the Price Increase

[@mazin13]

Bought a gloss dial 16800 a few months ago for around 6000$ without box or papers. It's already gone up in price. No regrets. I love the clinking sounds and how it can be worn like a modern watch without worry. Great video 👍

[@RyzFragz34]

Mazin alhamdani Same!!

[@xmuninu]

Stumbled upon your channel and I'm glad I did. You really are passionate about watches. I'm amazed that so many of these 'vintage' Rolexes survived with these dial / lume 'defects'. It must mean that they were never sent to an official Rolex Service Centre for servicing. I say this because when Rolex services a watch they would usually change any defective parts like dials or hands etc. Surely, a Rolex owner of the time would have been pissed off if their expensive watch dial started to show signs of cracks as this would be deemed a defect! At the time they would never have known that these 'defects' would actually make their watch more valuable 30 or 40 years down the line!

[@Manaz101]

Funny that you share the same idea I did John. I looked at getting a 16800, a 83 but have yet to find one that I liked and was in my price. You're getting more relaxed in your vids, good job man!

[@alcapozzi2611]

Think of if you would have jump to the present time. The 6 or 7 grand watch I'd now well over 10..and as high as 13+

[@anthonyvierra1975]

Excellent video John you really nailed it on the 16800. The Calbre 3035 was a huge step up from the 1575. It's a real pain to set the date on a 1575 if you let it sit for a week or two.

[@Phoenixautosales]

I just bought a submariner at an estate sale and it ended up being a 16800. We did our homework and were in awe of all the cool transitional features. Thank you for the extra knowledge. You literally made my day by making this video. Keep it up!!

[@JohnPWatches]

Thanks! Do you plan on keeping it?

[@Phoenixautosales]

Ya I’m going to keep it. I wear it and want it as an investment.

[@alcapozzi2611]

@@JohnPWatches I have one as well..83 just serviced

[@tods.9947]

John, your comfort behind the camera is great! The info is good although I’m not at a vintage Rolex level. But I love the Jag E-type poster behind you.

[@JohnPWatches]

Thanks Tod!

[@dr.raymond4337]

So pleased to have found your channel. Having most of the current Rolex steel sport models, I became interest in vintage. I just recently purchased the 16800 for many of the reasons you discussed, (a complete set for $7.800). Researching the dial, there was a lot of information or possibly misinformation regarding the dial. Saying some of the early matte dials did not have the white gold indices; Rolex utilizing the remaining stock of 1680 dials. That Rolex did produce some matte dials with metal indices before completely transitioning to gloss dials in the 1980's. Mine, from 1986 is now perfectly matte, the tritium has beautifully patinated, along with pearl on the bezel, which now has a reddish hue. Having considered buying some new retro watches with faux patina, I’m glad I got the real thing. Going to now watch your video on Datejusts having just bought two Oysterquartz Datejusts. Regards.

[@JohnPWatches]

Thanks for the addition!

[@dr.raymond4337]

Thanks, again I thought you were spot on.

[@robero11]

I own a 168000. I love it!

[@sephor74]

You can tell you are passionate about vintage! Great episode!

[@JohnPWatches]

Thanks Paul!

[@DrDan-ue9de]

Great video! The only carry-over from the 1680 is the matte dial, so I would consider only the matte-dialed 16800 to be "transitional". I picked up an early 16610 also with "sponge dial", but the benefits of the modern 3135 movement.

[@louise7168]

Got my 16800 just over a month ago got a beautiful matte dial

[@JohnPWatches]

niccceeeee!

[@pengu470]

thank you for adding "girl" .... we do exist in getting these watches lol

[@bryanenglish7841]

Watching this four years later... man, I wish I'd picked one up

[@CovertOperator-n6i]

What about now?

[@mpikers]

I agree. The 16800 is massively underrated. Sapphire crystal and quick set date make it much more wearable than something like a 1680. I picked up a matte dial 16800 a few weeks back for under $7k. Good luck finding another matte dial sub for that price.

[@JohnPWatches]

Was it early matte, lume painted on? Or gloss turned matte?

[@mpikers]

@@JohnPWatches Matte dial with painted lume. It's a '83, last year for matte dials.

[@JohnPWatches]

@@mpikers Good buy!

[@mpikers]

John P I've purchased a few watches from this dealer and sent a few customers his way so I got a "good customer" discount. Also, cash always talks. 😁

[@mpikers]

@@JohnPWatches Thanks! I wasn't really looking for one but it was a deal too good to pass up. Now, it gets most of my wrist time. It really is a great vintage daily driver.

[@doozeybig4130]

I just bought one last week and love it

[@johnice2157]

same here.

[@MF-hq9mq]

Nice vid... you know your vintage watches for sure! Liked and subscribed.

[@JohnPWatches]

THANKKK YOUU!!

[@johnfay167]

Looking forward to seeing some close up shots of your dial and what you call the sponge. My gloss dial 16800 has many fine cracks - the spider web effect but also what I’d call mottling/spotting mostly around the edge of the dial. I’d wondered if the watch had had some water ingress at some point but after watching your video am thinking it’s just ageing of the dial. Open 6’s and 9’s on the date wheel add to the vintage Rolex feel. Great video btw.

[@JohnPWatches]

The spotting is what I consider sponge. Rolex did not perfect their gloss yet around 85-86 so, some dials just began losing the gloss in patchy areas over time.

[@johnfay167]

John P that’s interesting. I’d wager that lots of these sponge/spider dials were replaced by Rolex when serviced making our original dials more of a rarity. They won’t be everyone’s cup of tea though - some will just see them as defective.

[@bertbaekelmans8959]

I did buy one 4 years ago €5900... It's almost doubled in value... the dial is getting a nice patina.. the metal bracelet has some wear so in order to stop this I wear it with Nato Straps

[@doneil818]

Thanks for the info! I just found one at my jeweler that a local guy is selling for 5k. Just text her and told her I wanted it!

[@freedomvan2970]

Great vid John and glad to see you making them! Sponge dial though? Yikes! How about corral dial?

[@richardlau2973]

Hi John , fantastic video, gain much insights Was very keen in getting a 16800 , checked with my dealer, whom I’ve dealing with and he said he will try sourcing for me Last week , he text me and showed me he found a 168000. Did some readings, and thought was a good buy , and the deal was closed Though already bought the piece appreciate if you would share some in-depth details on the 168000 Do you think was a wise move for the purchase ? Thank you

[@JohnPWatches]

168000 is nice. Price paid?

[@richardlau2973]

S$9800/-

[@pedrosaenz2800]

Saphirre cristal, solid end links, quick set is something that makes them more desirable.

[@JohnPWatches]

end links hollow

[@softmetals3702]

Are the bracelets hollow on these watches?

[@LesterLovesWatches]

For me the 14060 is aesthetically more pleasing minus the date, plus minus two annoying lines of text. And they seem to be cheaper than the 16800.

[@louise7168]

But no matte dial :-(

[@julieta203]

I prefer the smashed in sapphire glass look, think thats going to really take off! Just havent found the right one yet

[@michaelrobertson5207]

Very informative video. My Sub is blue face, ss/gold bracelet, date, purchased new in 1997, and believe it was 3 years old at that time. What model should I own? How can I ID it for certain?n Am just now learning about the variations, etc.

[@JohnPWatches]

Look between the lugs for reference :)

[@pedrosaenz2800]

Would you change the bracelet on a 1680 /16800 for a solid end link and better clasp.

[@brianc8148]

i believe some of the things mentioned could also be said about the 14060

[@pedrosaenz2800]

The 1680 is the one I own. I got it 1976 from my dad. The watch was a beater tool watch. 42 years later I have to be careful to keep in good conditions. The design is the best and by far better than the maxy case. I see the Submariner needs to be redesigned as they did with: James Cameron, GMTII and Datejust....

[@SPQR-Z]

Totally agree on the 16800. One of my favorite Rolex Subs. Been buying this model for many years. I prefer the early matte dial version. Not that long ago you could get one for under 5k if you looked around. I recently sold a nice matte dial without box/papers for 8k so these are going up relatively fast compared to a 16610. A good 5513 is a great vintage but your right, the plastic crystals need to be babied and I wouldn’t trust an acrylic crystal in anything more than splashing around in a pool or showering. The sapphire on the 16800 is every bit as reliable as the modern Subs. Another Sub that has all the correct attributes to accelerate in appreciation is the 116600 Seadweller 4000, 40mm Ceramic. Only made this watch less than 3 years, 2014 to mid 2016. It has the thin lugs (non Maxi case) like the older aluminum bezel Seadweller and Subs. Has the new Maxi dial with modern Chromalight blue lume, new Ceramic bezel insert, Glidelock bracelet. In many ways it is a transitional model to the current Seadweller and Deep Sea. For sure the 116600 will be a very sought after model and you can still get them at around list price.

[@quicksandx54]

It had gone up slightly but not as much as you predicted. Specially compared to other Rolex models...

[@roamy3605]

John: Great video. I've been looking at some of these models. It appears to me that Rolex may have replaced some of these dials at a service interval. What do you think? Specifically a 1985 where the dial looks almost too nice.

[@JohnPWatches]

Hi Roamy, certainly possible! The interesting thing with these watches is that the way the dials handled the years seem to be very inconsistent, and also not tied to specific years. For Example, I've seen spider, matte, and sponge dials all from the same year not too far apart in serials. With more examples studied, the vintage watch community will collectively shed some light on this in the coming years, but until then most of these are likely to lay tucked away in dealer vaults, show rooms, and average-joe security boxes.

[@robertschmidt9584]

Again great video and you’re giving FED a run for his salt!

[@WrongTimeWatch]

Dang, now I want to buy one. Would have to sell all of my watches and then some though.

[@aaronschen9896]

Are you sponge dial worthy?

[@JohnPWatches]

Sponge.

[@dadbod_way6916]

Great video, thank you

[@johnjames9728]

Looking to get a day to date but I'm still early in my career. So, I was thinking of getting a vintage Day-Date Rolex that would increase in value.

[@coreyasherman]

Hey John, what are your thoughts on 5513 matte vs 14060m 2 liner? Also, will the 14060's change to matte eventually? Seems like the 5513s are priced way more than the 14060s unjustifiably.

[@JohnPWatches]

Good idea. I would be surprised if the 14060 changed matte, or at least within a normal lifetime, though perhaps on their earlier examples. Honestly, it is really too early to tell on this one. If we approach it logically though, perhaps after 300 years the gloss would have turned matte. Seams reasonable right? But no way to know in the near future.

[@7rslender]

Great Video. I bet after this ... prices will start to go up ... damn! ;-)

[@tephedlukewarm]

The term has been coined it called a stardust dial John .

[@magicmike7066]

Fed said you bought a GP Laureato, is it the 38 and is it as nice as it looks?

[@JohnPWatches]

Yes, the 38mm and a very excellent watch. It really should have saved the brand, but unfortunately very few people paid attention. For those that like an extremely well made, highly finished, in house sports watch, and don't necessarily care if people recognize the brand- buy one before GP stops selling them just as they did the first time they released these 30 years ago. I suppose I am obligated to make a video review since I really am the only advocate of the brand.

[@magicmike7066]

That’s good to hear, congrats on the purchase man. I’d really like to see some other dial variations other than just that blue one, cause it really is a gorgeous watch.

[@a4groupak124]

I want to sell rolex watch 1960 i have 4piece of the ae watch What will tha price???

[@JohnPWatches]

Not sure what you mean. Please contact directly and I will help thanks!

[@a4groupak124]

How will I contact with you?? I am from Bangladesh..

[@a4groupak124]

I have four Japanese watch made in 1960. They run through blood contact..

[@Robert.Dickson]

Great video, and an education.

[@Ranghocsing]

Love the review

[@Anthonyvo]

Damn you, John! Now, I'm searching.

[@mauriebarnes8272]

Great video!

[@RyzFragz34]

What year is this one??

[@JohnPWatches]

86

[@RyzFragz34]

John P Thank you for the reply. So when did the date set change. I have a 1983 and it takes me forever to change date.

[@mzdbow]

What about the 168000?

[@JohnPWatches]

It has newer steel than the 16800, so some of the points in this video do not apply. Nice watch though!

[@MS-sy8ls]

John P - apart from the upgraded steel the “triple zero” is just the same, right? Great vid BTW, very informative! 👍🏻

[@Ranghocsing]

You hit the spot again jp

[@JohnPWatches]

Thanks! I try to make videos that have not been done before.

[@Ranghocsing]

Thank you jp for the like hehe I guess your craft is really with vintage take time to study and review more vintage in the future... hoping you be watchfinder soon 200k subscribers good luck

[@Ranghocsing]

Thank you jp for the like hehe I guess your craft is really with vintage take time to study and review more vintage in the future... hoping you be watchfinder soon 200k subscribers good luck...

[@magicmike7066]

Your intro should be, it’s it’s me john p

[@JohnPWatches]

You're giving me ideas ;)

[@bingcrosby1378]

Not all that shine is gold guys, collectors will buy the 1st edition or the last one if you buy one in the middle don't expect to any significant gain.

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

Go strong jhon 😻♥️👌🏻

[@vincentong4852]

I came i saw i subbed. Dude, you are a good vintage rolex guy. I love it, pls report to clyve the wrangler as friend, maybe can go on air liveshows with him sometimes, gonna be cool with rolex topics. Ignore that fatso ac3 channels though.

[@JohnPWatches]

Thanks! Not sure who those people are :)

[@davidmoynahan8473]

Trolling ebay right now!

[@brackpersian]

why get a submariner when you don't even go swimming, let alone diving!

[@bertbaekelmans8959]

I swim and shower with mine 😎

[@alvinaguilar9450]

I have the exact watch he's talkin about. Message me if interested.

[@maialopes7352]

Are you a diver?

[@JohnPWatches]

A little bit of free diving and snorkel

[@Fredrikwatchesandartwork]

👍🇸🇪

[@alvinaguilar9450]

John p. Contact me please