I had an opportunity to buy a certified used stainless Sub for about $3k back in 2012.
Stupidly, I passed.
Hard to find one for under $10k these days.
The thing about Rolex watches is, you will never lose money on one.
Bought a GMT Master II in the 80’s, when I sold it in the 2010’s I made a very tidy profit on it.
I received a Submariner in 1986 as a gift from fiancee. She paid $3,600.00. New one today is over $11,000.00. Lousy time keeper but great status symbol!
But you could lose your life. If you meet the wrong guy or seductive ladies...
I have one I purchased in the Ship’s Store aboard the USS JFK back in 1978. It is a stainless steel Oysterdate Precision, and it cost me $150.
I am still wearing it today. I have had It serviced four times the first time was $600 back in in the early 2000’s, but since then, I found a guy who does excellent work by mail out of Pennsylvania and specializes in Rolexes.
He was recommended to me by a guy I know who collects watches, and I would vouch for this man’s work and customer service! Anyone who wants the info can Freepmail me.
I love my vintage Rolex. I don’t wear it in the water anymore, but...along with my wedding ring and right-hand ring, those constitute my valued “man jewelry”!
Anyone who can predict the future accurately can become very wealthy.
If you spent the same $3000 in 2012 on Bitcoin, today it’d be worth at least $20M.
I was looking for a good very accurate watch in 1977 or so when I was a poor grad student, working on an instrument rating in my “spare time”. When I couldn’t afford the new watches he showed me,the counter salesman at a nice jeweler in Austin offered me a used Rolex GMT Master they had taken in trade, for $160. Wore it every day for 15-20 years and it was great. In that time I took it to be maintained. The watchhmaker who serviced it told me the maint history engraved inside the case showed it “it has been around the world” before I bought it.
Last time I checked it was worth $16,000, 100x what I paid for it (in Bidenbucks though). It did cost $2000 to maintain after some years of disuse ( more than 10x what I paid). But I’m never selling, it’s worn on special occasions and going a grandkid someday.
I bought a TAG Hauer Carrera for $2.50 at a thrift store in Tahoe. I bought it, polished it up, and sold it for $2500. That got me addicted to thrift stores.... I was going to give it to my girlfriend at the time but she didn’t wear watches.
Now if only I can find a Patek for five bucks....
I have to check my toolbox in the garage. I remember two Rolex watches from my dads estate I put in there, one mans and a woman’s watch. Thanks for the info.