Dr. Ito's thorough analysis of mechanical watches!! Vol.24 ~ What is a vintage Rolex that has high asset value?

Good evening everyone!

This column talks about mechanical watches from an engineer's point of view. This is the 24th installment.

"What is a vintage Rolex that has high asset value?"

I will talk about this topic.

Vintage Rolexes are becoming increasingly popular among enthusiasts because they allow you to enjoy the taste of aging that current models do not have. As their popularity = demand increases, in recent years their asset value has also been attracting attention.

Many readers of this column are probably interested in the "conditions" and "trends" of vintage Rolexes, which tend to become highly valued assets.

What are vintage Rolexes that are highly valuable?

In general, vintage Rolexes that are "close to the original" or "rare models with low circulation" tend to have high asset value. This time, I would like to explain this in three parts.

1. Consistent individuals

Vintage watches that are close to the original condition from when they were manufactured and sold tend to fetch high prices, which is closely related to the manufacturer's after-sales service policy.

When you ask the manufacturer to overhaul your watch, they often replace parts even if they are damaged in a way that doesn't affect use, because they want you to use it with peace of mind in a condition as close to new as possible. This makes the watch look nice, but it will be far from its original condition.

In other words, the older the model, the more times it has been overhauled, making it difficult to maintain the original condition. Therefore, models that are close to the original are considered to be highly valuable.

Even for vintage items of the same model, items that are close to the original, even if they have some dirt or scratches, are traded at a higher price than items that look beautiful but have changed parts. In some cases, the price difference can be more than double.

The dials and hands of Rolex watches manufactured from around 1963 to the late 1990s used a luminous paint called "tritium." When this was replaced during an overhaul, it was replaced with parts that used new luminous paint such as Luminova.

However, tritium has the characteristic of being prone to discoloration over time, and this change over time is one of the great attractions of vintage items. Although there are individual differences, when tritium turns amber and becomes so-called "burned" it has a more tasteful atmosphere and appearance than new items, and there are many enthusiasts and collectors who prefer the burnt state, and its popularity = high demand creates a price difference.

However, there is also another demand for vintage Rolexes that have had their dials and cases replaced and have been thoroughly overhauled by the manufacturer, so that they can be used safely on a daily basis. Please rest assured that we clearly state the replacement parts and sell them at a fair price that takes these into account.

2. Special changes over time

Normally, things that deteriorate over time tend to lose value, but in the case of vintage Rolexes, if there are special appearance changes due to aging, the price may actually increase.

In particular, watches with distinctive changes to the dial tend to fetch high prices. Here are three examples of vintage Rolexes that are likely to fetch high prices.

・Tropical dial

A tropical dial is a dial that was originally black but has turned brown over time. It is highly popular and in high demand, making it considered to be a very valuable asset.

The tropical dial has a unique feel that is unique to each watch, and it's really cool!

・Brown Change (Patrizzi)

The "Daytona El Primero Ref. 16520" is commonly known as the "El Pri Daytona". This particular watch has a black dial with brown sub-dials. It was discovered and made known to the world by Oswald Patrizzi, the founder of the watch auction house "Antichorum", and is therefore also known as "Patrizzi" among watch enthusiasts.

The darker and more evenly discolored the watch is, the higher its value. A "Darth Vader" watch, in which the sub-dial has discolored almost completely black, is often traded for over 10 million yen.

This is a very popular model at Commit Ginza, and often sells out on the same day it arrives.

3. Double name

Rolex has many collaboration models with famous brands, which are called "double-name models." Double-name models are very rare, and their prices soar due to their rarity, and it is not uncommon for them to be traded at prices several times higher than regular models.

The double-name model was created to raise Rolex's profile and expand its sales channels, and the dial features not only Rolex but also the brand name of the collaborating partner.

When talking about famous double-name models of Rolex, the name Tiffany comes to mind first. They also produced double-name models with Cartier and Comex.

When purchasing a double-name model, please be careful of its authenticity. Double-name models are highly rare and trade at high prices, but there are many fakes with dials that have been altered later. Some even have fake certificates, so when considering a purchase, choosing the right store is very important.

The more reliable the store is for authenticating the double-name model, the more experienced the appraiser is, and the more vintage Rolexes are handled. If you are looking to purchase a double-name model, please consult Commit Ginza, which meets all of these criteria.

summary

What did you think?

Vintage Rolexes have a wide price range even for the same model. Many people find it intimidating and hesitate to buy one. If you have any concerns, please feel free to ask the staff at Commit Ginza.

We will explain the characteristics of each individual item, recommended points, price differences, asset value, etc. until you are satisfied.

We hope that this article has been useful to you and has piqued your interest in luxury watches! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly and we will answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.

Look forward to the next one! See you next time!