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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
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Thought on originality of this 1803?
Hi all,
I'm considering purchasing this 1803 as a b-day gift to myself. I'm meeting with the seller today at my local watch maker to have it looked at, but after going through some of the vintage threads and educating myself I have a few questions regarding the originality of the watch. First thing I noticed was that is was marked, "Swiss", but there are no lume plots on the dial. I also noticed that the indices slightly go over the edge of the pie pan dip which makes me wonder if this is an original, service, or even shoddy custom job from an independent watch maker? The case appears to be polished, but I'm unsure of how much it's been polished. I also noticed there aren't any engravings on the backside of the lugs or on the case back. For reference, the seller said the serial number is 789602 but hasn't taken off the strap to check yet (which I'll have my watch maker do as well as open up the case back to view the movement). What are your thoughts on this watch? Should I buy or stay away? Thank you for your help |
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#2 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: North Florida
Posts: 16,672
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The serial indicates about a 1960-61 year of production and the dial would be appropriate. The watch shows excessive polishing, possibly the reason you do not see the 18k mark on the back of the head. Although by looking at the listing, there appears to be a small mark where it should be. Bad pictures. I think the watch is over priced. Do you have documented service with the watch? I recently sold two 18038s for less than $7k each, that should give you an idea that the asking price is up there. The lugs appear like toothpicks from the back. I would pass on this. |
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#3 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
|
Quote:
Thank you, I thought it was over polished. I quoted him at $5k and he accepted, would that still be considered over price? |
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
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Thank you, I thought it was over polished. It does not come with service records, but I quoted him at $5k and he accepted, would that still be considered over price?
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#5 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 X2 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2008
Real Name: Matt
Location: Wine Country, Ca
Posts: 5,918
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The lugs are quite polished yes, but the mid part of the case isnt. There is still material showing around the bezel. An excessively polished Day/Date case will usually be much smaller on the sides than the bezel.
Im not so sure I would qualify the polishing as excessive since it can be corrected. Luckily, the sides of the lugs can be built back up and reshaped with gold laser welding. It isnt cheap and would cost a couple grand but the end result would be exceptional. You did good for $5K because the Day/Dates have been up over the last few years. Not a watch that you will be able to flip for a profit but a nice watch to hold onto, be able to wear and appreciate.
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TRF Member 11738 |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,792
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Love the "claw hands." Those are pretty rare.
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#7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: 33139/95460
Posts: 1,339
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Real Name: Paul
Location: Cantabrigia - G.B
Watch: ing the detectives
Posts: 2,712
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Yes I too but don't know dates to a specific range....Mike Wood would know mind.
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Another sunrise with my sad captains With who I choose to lose my mind And if it's so, we only pass this way but once What a perfect waste of time.... My Sad Captains - ELBOW |
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Real Name: Paul
Location: Cantabrigia - G.B
Watch: ing the detectives
Posts: 2,712
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Agree worth $400-600 alone, perhaps more to right buyer!
Love rare handset pieces.... like a concord gmt, I saw a handset go for Ł10,000!!! https://www.watchprosite.com/rolex/r...29103.7324938/ Ł4400 for watch was keen price in my book, but I'd need to have checked engravings. I prefer the early more subtle non-bling stuff personally eg 4467, 6611, 6612, 6611b and these earlier ones of Op's find too etc....
__________________
Another sunrise with my sad captains With who I choose to lose my mind And if it's so, we only pass this way but once What a perfect waste of time.... My Sad Captains - ELBOW |
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#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,549
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$5K still a good deal even with those thin lugs..
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#11 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Itinerant
Watch: 79010sg
Posts: 8,282
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Pass.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#12 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2021
Real Name: Keith
Location: California
Watch: 60s to 90s
Posts: 1,284
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I guess someone wanted the lugs to be pointed to match the hands.
And the bezel is very polished too. I’m just not a fan of it even at the 5k price point.
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Just an admirer/enthusiast of vintage Rolex/Heuer/Zenith/Breitling/Hamilton watches since the 80’s… ”I Do Love The Details, But I Can Choose If I Accept The Flaws…” |
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#13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally wanted to treat myself for my birthday (this Saturday) with a lovely gold vintage, but it appears this may not be in the cards for me this year. |
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#14 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: North Florida
Posts: 16,672
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OP did you buy the watch? |
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#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
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No, I didn't. The seller broke mazel and sold it from under me within 30 minutes of our planned meet up time.
I was disappointed at first, but without service history and the cosmetic condition of the watch I'm starting to feel like I may have dodged a bullet. |
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#16 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: North Florida
Posts: 16,672
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Quote:
![]() If it is not meant to be, so be it! ![]() |
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
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#18 | |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Colorado
Posts: 70
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Quote:
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#19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Real Name: Chris
Location: Washington D.C.
Watch: Navitimer World
Posts: 16
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Tags |
1803 , vintage 1803 , vintage daydate , vintage rolex |
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