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I don't really want to spend more than £1000 as I want to be able to wear it every day and not be too stressed if it gets a few knocks etc... my budget is dependant on how much change I have after a new kitchen... I like the older Rangers but know that they are sometimes not what they seem and many have been made up out of parts etc etc
My father has a late 60s 1601 Rolex Datejust in 36mm (I think) that may one day be left to me. It has a grey face and he has always complained that it is not as legible as he would have liked so I've been looking for something with a black dial to contrast.
First thing I found was the BB 36 but couldn't get over the hour hand shape so started looking at older models. The cheaper one ticks nearly all the boxes, only downside being it doesn't have the original rolex strap... I like the date window and have to have the smiling 'self winding' text
@>>>>>> I don't have particularly small wrists, just think larger watches look a bit naff on me, I'm used to wearing a casio MQ24 so 34mm will be fine I think...
Cheers all!
mattyc-
If you look at the dials and hands on these side by side they’re very different. I much prefer the classic look of the 32mm, it’s perhaps less legible than the much more more modern 34mm but a far more beautiful execution of the DJ family. But as you say it’s 32mm. It’s not really the dial colour that affects legibility, the hands are narrow, what little lume that is there won’t work any more.
Price wise you should’ve looking at £550 for a 32mm Tudor, £1000-£1400 for a 34mm Tudor, £1900-£2200 for a Rolex 1500 (34mm) or £2200 for a Rolex 1601 (36mm). You can also look at an air king 5500. Search back through this thread as I think this discussion was had a while back. I would hold out for one with an original oyster bracelet as it’s quite common for people to trade up. A silver / champagne Tudor in 34mm would complement the 1601 nicely.
freddo
Quite a difference in price, how much do you want to spend? I’d say it’s better to pay over (or save longer) what you budget to have a watch you love rather than settle for a watch you kinda like but is easily affordable.
£600 for anything auto and Tudor seems reasonable but if you’re set on the more modern Ranger I’d wait.
I’ve been saving for a year now to get a really decent vintage watch, I’d always get to a grand then spunk it stupid stuff and I’m amazed how the process has helped me narrow down what I actually really really want. Condition is everything, patience, patience and more patience (I’m very impulsive so this is the hard bit).