Today's bargain watch that I'm not buying

Fitz II wrote: »

I agree with you really, those old "unpolished" Rolex are a bit scummy, but those collectors are just crazy for the patina and originality. That the watch has made it this long without being overhauled is like catnip to this type of collector, and it market value is probably more than 70k.

Pretty much this. The vintage Rolex crowd go nuts for originality, it seems no matter how tatty it looks. Like you say the fact it hasn't been refreshed by Rolex in the interim makes it rare. Years back on another forum a guy chimed in with enquiries about his dad's Rolex. Turned out it was/is a Milsub his father had been issued with in the 70's. Problem was his dad had sent it in for a Rolex service a few times since he got it. They'd replaced the unique to the Milsub hands and the bezel. They'd even drilled out the fixed lugs. What was left of the original was the dial and case and most of the movement. Now of course it was still a valuable watch, but the servicing had absolutely decimated what would have been the value if had been left alone. Now I can well understand Rolex and this chap's dad not caring about that sorta thing back in the 70's and 80's. It wasn't a thing yet to nearly the degree it is today, but still.

There was a very similar Rolex again years back on teh Antiques Roadshow. Described as an issued milsub, but had the mercedes hands and was on a bracelet so clearly the fixed lugs had been altered. Again I'd reckon through servicing down the years. Could well have been the owners requesting the changes too. Wanting to make it look more like a "proper" Rolex with the right handset and the ability to wear it on a rolex bracelet when vintage was just an "old watch". Getting dials "cleaned" AKA redials was very much a thing in the old days too. Well if a man had a watch for all his adult life and didn't want it looking tatty it's a logical thing to do. Even brands would offer the service.

On the other hand you have the Heuer Bunds where the market wants them to look like they were made yesterday(and many were...).

It can also be dealerspeak too. With added Eastern promise of "Wabi". Tropical dials one example. We can't find a dial that's not fecked so we'll sell it as more "authentic". For me personally if it's pre 1945 some age is fine and expected really. Post that date I'd be less happy, but I would still prefer some age to things. NOS and restored is another minefield. Depends on the type of watch too. I'd take more wabi on a tool watch than I would on a dress watch.