I have to say, I have a weakness that borders on obsession with watches with stickers on the back cover, that's why today my article is about those stickers on Rolex watches.
In a world of collecting in which there is a permanent debate about whether a watch has been polished or not, if it is in NOS condition (New Old Stock, by the way, stay tuned for the next installment), the famous stickers, anywhere on a watch but especially on the back cover, can shed some certainty about the life that said watch has led.
I have to say that, in my perception of a watch, the condition of the case plays a fundamental role, in such a way that for me it is as important as the dial, hands and bezel combined.
My reasons are simple: a dial, some hands, an original insert in a bezel... all are recoverable from the point of view of the existence of a large market for vintage parts. You can always find one out there, even if you have to seriously dig deep into your pocket. Not a box.
I know what you're thinking: what about laser welding? While I think it is an acceptable practice, as long as it is 100% clarified at the time of a sale, to me its effect on the value of a watch is about the same as that of a repainted dial. It devalues the piece significantly. This doesn't matter of course if the piece is not going to sell, but...
I think that laser welding is a good option if we like to have our watches like new or even recommended if a watch has a serious problem such as a very visible dent in a specific part or has suffered a terrible accident. But honestly, in my opinion it has the same effect on a watch as changing an old tritium dial with patina for a shiny one with luminova indexes. Its value decreases. I leave it there.
Well, now to the topic. I am going to present some photos of watches with stickers, all discontinued. Some of them are mine or I have brokered them for a friend or facilitated a purchase. Others I have taken from the network. They all have stickers on the back.
I hope you like them as much as I do and that you can delve a little deeper into this very interesting aspect of the Rolex world.
You will forgive me for only putting photos of the stickers, you can see those of the watches in my next column.
Here is the hologram sticker of a Submariner 116610LV from 2004, these are the last custom stickers that Rolex made, and then put the transparent ones with the green trim:
How about this sticker of a 1992 Sea-Dweller 16610?
Here is a beautiful sticker of a GMT Master 16700, also from 1992.
A magnificent Tudor Prince Oysterdate 74020 from 1994.
Two other Tudor, Oysterdate Chronotime better known as Big Blocks, from the 90s.
A 1997 Daytona Zenith 16520.
Below we have a magnificent Daytona Zenith 16528 from the late 90s.
Tudor Submariner 79090 from the 90s.
And this Submariner 5513 from the last ones at the end of the 80s, very rare!
Tudor Advisor 10050 from the 80s. A discreet sticker.
Day Date 18238. The most distinguished watch:
Day Date Oysterquartz 19018 impeccable. How I like these!
Daytona Zenith 16518, this time with a leather strap.
Tudor Submariner 9401 from the 1970s.
1987 Daytona 6263 in spectacular condition!
Another 6263 with a lot of pedigree.
A Tudor Submariner 7928 from the 60s, rare!
GMT Master 1675 from the 60s!
Air King 5500 from 1969.
Tudor Date-Day 7020 from 1969.
Explorer 1016 circa 1963.
Day Date 1803 from the 1960s.
Incredible Daytona 6265 in gold.
Photo: Internet
And we could continue like this for hours. Not all of these watches are immaculate, but most are unpolished.
It's funny, but the sticker is just becoming an extra value in the price of the watch. Many buyers and sellers even forget to mention it in their ads! I myself have been able to obtain several watches this way, and I have never mentioned it as an interesting factor when negotiating, but now you know: the sticker is one more step towards achieving that precious vintage watch that we have always dreamed of finding.
In the next chapter, linking to this content, I will show most of these watches in all their glory and we will talk about polished, unpolished, LNOS and NOS.
Stay tuned!
