Thought on originality of this 1803?

[CGrate]

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

[TimeToGo]

.
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.

[CGrate]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
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.

Thank you, I thought it was over polished. I quoted him at $5k and he accepted, would that still be considered over price?

[CGrate]

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?

[offrdmania]

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.

[powerfunk]

Love the "claw hands." Those are pretty rare.

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Love the "claw hands." Those are pretty rare.

“Cigarette boat” hands, yes?
I think of those as 1963-64, but I don’t actually know.

[alwayshere]

$5K still a good deal even with those thin lugs..

[GGGMT]

Pass.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KY..]

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.

[TimeToGo]

.
OP did you buy the watch?

[CGrate]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
OP did you buy the watch?

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.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by CGrate

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.

If it is not meant to be, so be it!

[Hadiy]

Originally Posted by CGrate

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

Stay away, if you have to go through all this stress just to own it

[CGrate]

Originally Posted by Hadiy

Stay away, if you have to go through all this stress just to own it

Good point. The owner ended up selling it from under me after we agreed to the sale and 30 minutes before our scheduled meet up at my watch maker. Needless to say, I think I dodged a bullet.

[CGrate]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

If it is not meant to be, so be it!

Agreed!

[CGrate]

Originally Posted by KY..

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.

I agree. I love these vintage pieces, but it's hard to justify what they've been through. My watch maker has this gorgeous Omega Constellation Day-Date 168.029 in solid YG for sale, but the previous owner ended up polishing the case and taking it out of its original brushed beauty and it's hard to look past that.

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.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Love the "claw hands." Those are pretty rare.

Agree worth $400-600 alone, perhaps more to right buyer!

Love rare handset pieces.... like a concord gmt, I saw a handset go for £10,000!!!

https://www.watchprosite.com/rolex/r...29103.7324938/

£4400 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....

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

“Cigarette boat” hands, yes?
I think of those as 1963-64, but I don’t actually know.

Yes I too but don't know dates to a specific range....Mike Wood would know mind.