Owning a vintage Rolex watch is an aspiration for many but actually finding the right watch isn’t always the easiest. Investing in a watch is not a process that you should rush, especially if it’s something you’ve been wanting to do for some time.
We have put together a few tips that will ensure you find the right Rolex.
5 Tips for Shopping for a Vintage Rolex
- Know how to spot the fakes
Unfortunately, there are a vast number of fake Rolex watches in the market today and knowing how to spot a real versus a fake Rolex is one of the first things you should know as a buyer. Over time, the quality of fake timepieces has improved, making it even harder to spot the real deal. It is always preferable if a watch is accompanied with its original documents, and maybe its box. But this is not always possible. One of the most important features you will want to look at when evaluating one of these timepieces is the dial. The dial is the most intricate feature and can tell you a lot about whether or not the watch is real. The downside is that in order to make this distinction, you will need to know a bit about the brand as well as the era that particular watch was produced in. If this is not your forte, rather speak to a professional before you invest.
- Look for weathered features
A Rolex is built to be durable, which is why they age so well. Rugged and worn features are what make a vintage watch so appealing and attractive. A true vintage Rolex will more than likely have one or two quirks about it such as a faded dial or worn bezel, so keep an eye out for these features if you’re looking for a watch with real character.
- Ask as many questions as you need to
Since you’re about to make a big financial commitment, take the time to ask as many questions as you need to about the timepiece you are interested in. There really is no such thing as a stupid question if it means you’ll be satisfied with your purchase. Some of the key questions that you’ll want to ask include when last the watch was serviced, whether or not the seller can provide you with all the documentation and how well it keeps time. The more a seller can tell you about the history of a watch, the better.
- Know your price point
The price range of a vintage Rolex can be quite vast and the last thing you want to do is find a watch that you absolutely love that’s outside of your budget. Set your budget from the get-go to make it easier to narrow down your search. You may even want to start by outlining the brands and features you are interested in and then setting a budget accordingly if this purchase is important to you.
- Pay attention to the details
This is where you can really tell if you’re about to purchase a real vintage Rolex. There are a lot of intricate features to pay attention to. As mentioned, the dial is one of them but you can also look at aspects such as whether or not the bracelet has stretched from being worn over the years. A fake watch will have a much newer look to it than a genuine vintage piece.
Now that you know what to look out for, you can start your search for the perfect vintage Rolex to add to your collection. This is also the perfect timepiece if you’re looking to start your collection this year.