Datejust 1601 assessment advice?

[watch_my_six]

Hi all, as someone coming more-so from Omega land, I'm finally starting to dip my toes into Rolex. I'm considering a 1601 and/or 14270 to get my feet wet, and I've come across this 1601, which seems ok (aside from the recent polish and a few spots on the hand lume). But my eye is probably not trained on these yet. Is there anything else that I should be concerned about? Thank you!
-Sergio

[996marty]

Maybe adding the asking price and you’ll get feedback if it’s a good buy for the money

[KY..]

Personally I like the look of this one as it looks pretty nice to me given its age.
But lets see if anyone has an issue.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Looks like your average polished 1601. Bracelet stretch doesn’t look too bad. Otherwise looks good. I’d walk away if the asking is more than 4,500 USD (assuming full set).

[watch_my_six]

Originally Posted by 996marty

Maybe adding the asking price and you’ll get feedback if it’s a good buy for the money

Ah apologies. The asking price is ~$3,543+international shipping, and I'm thinking of offering $3,500 flat. It has a box but no papers. And I think I'm ok with average as a starter piece. And the seller says there is not a lot of bracelet stretch. Oh and a recent service...

[watch_my_six]

For comparison, this one is a full set, and a sigma dial (and also serviced). But it is $3,960. And I'm not sure the condition is any better, is it? (And the hands look like the could be luminova replacements, even though the seller claims they are original). Thoughts?

[KY..]

I don’t care for the bracelet, and service hands/crystal on the 2nd watch.
The dial, hands, bracelet on the the 1st watch is nicer for the age IMO, and I prefer the hr markers on the 1st watch…
But beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

[rootbeer7]

1st one for me. Don’t be too concerned about polish. Most of this age will be.

[watch_my_six]

Awesome, thanks all! One more for good measure ($4,200 ask, no boxes/papers, but "inspected"/polished, and warrantied). Do you still prefer the first example?

[TimeToGo]

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Can you get a picture of the clasp blades?

[watch_my_six]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

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Can you get a picture of the clasp blades?

Are the "blades" the sides of the insides of the clasp? What would you look for there? Let me look...

[Dan S]

Three mediocre examples, IMO. But if it has to be one of the three, I'd get the first one.

[watch_my_six]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Three mediocre examples, IMO. But if it has to be one of the three, I'd get the first one.

Fair enough. But can you help me understand which particular aspects of the first example are still preventing it from escaping the mediocre category? Haha. And even if it is still mediocre, is the ~$3,500 price point at least commensurate?

[0nly5iv3Digits]

+1 for the first one! Much nicer condition.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by watch_my_six

Fair enough. But can you help me understand which particular aspects of the first example are still preventing it from escaping the mediocre category? Haha. And even if it is still mediocre, is the ~$3,500 price point at least commensurate?

It just has some cosmetic flaws and I'm pretty picky when it comes to silver DJs because it's easy to find nice ones.

[springer]

I vote for the hand pics model. Nice fingers!!!

[watch_my_six]

Originally Posted by Dan S

It just has some cosmetic flaws and I'm pretty picky when it comes to silver DJs because it's easy to find nice ones.

But can you please point to some specific cosmetic flaws with the original example so I can better learn? And I'm sure it's easy to find nicer ones, but again, how about for this price point?

And doesn't that no-lume example in the middle have some noticeable flaws to the edge of the dial between 4:30-7 o'clock?

[paul cbc]

Originally Posted by watch_my_six

Ah apologies. The asking price is ~$3,543+international shipping, and I'm thinking of offering $3,500 flat. It has a box but no papers. And I think I'm ok with average as a starter piece. And the seller says there is not a lot of bracelet stretch. Oh and a recent service...

I'd go with #1.
Does not look too futzed with. Also, the lack of bracelet stretch is a big plus.

Let us know what you decide!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by watch_my_six

But can you please point to some specific cosmetic flaws with the original example so I can better learn? And I'm sure it's easy to find nicer ones, but again, how about for this price point?

And doesn't that no-lume example in the middle have some pretty noticeable cosmetic flaws to the edge of the dial between 4:30-7 o'clock?

The cosmetic flaws on the watch you posted are pretty obvious, I'm sure you see them. The hands would bother me the most, but maybe you don't care. Everyone is different.

Yup, that no-lume watch had some dial issues. Very hard to see in person, but I bought it for a good price so I ended up flipping it at a small profit. I find that it's helpful to buy watches, and get your hands on them in person. You may want to do the same. You will learn a lot that way, e.g. which flaws you can tolerate and which bother you. It's a personal thing. If you don't overpay, you don't have much to lose. These are very common watches, so it should be easy enough to find comps for pricing.

[TimeToGo]

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RE- First watch

You also have to take into account that the watch is overseas and you will incur import fees. FYI it shows that it is reserved.

According to the ad, the price is negotiable. I think you can do better that.

[Vedea]

I picked up a 1603 back in december/january for $3000. The bracelet had a lot of stretch, the hands were quite tarnished, and the clasp is not original (you can check out my thread on it for photos). if the soft corners on this watch doesn't bother you, i think this specific watch would be decent for the price.

[swish77]

I'd keep looking. As Dan said, vintage silver DJs are plentiful, and it's a buyers market right now.

I'd look for a crisp complete set with no (noticeable) cosmetic flaws and a fat case. If you can afford $3800, I'm sure stretching the budget to around $4500 would be doable.

Always better to pay up for a stronger piece than try to bargain-hunt for a mediocre watch.

[BigJim67]

There are a few very reasonably priced DJs for sale here, from trusted members/dealers. I'm also on the hunt for a silver dial DJ, they are easily found.

Prices are going down too, it seems..

[hutch300]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'd keep looking. As Dan said, vintage silver DJs are plentiful, and it's a buyers market right now.

I'd look for a crisp complete set with no (noticeable) cosmetic flaws and a fat case. If you can afford $3800, I'm sure stretching the budget to around $4500 would be doable.

Always better to pay up for a stronger piece than try to bargain-hunt for a mediocre watch.

This! You won't be happy with mediocre and the hunt is part of the fun. Take the time to learn what you value and focus on condition. Unless its top condition you will have to compete on price if or when you sell.

[studioal]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

1st one for me. Don’t be too concerned about polish. Most of this age will be.

Exactly. If the top lugs show brushing and you still have a defined edge on the lugs you're good to go. It's definitely not even close to being over-polished. This one looks a lot like mine and I was very happy with my purchase...about the same as you're planning on offering. It all depends on your budget and what you can afford to spend. Yes there are probably nicer examples out there, but you're not going to get them for $3500.

[watch_my_six]

Originally Posted by studioal

Exactly. If the top lugs show brushing and you still have a defined edge on the lugs you're good to go. It's definitely not even close to being over-polished. This one looks a lot like mine and I was very happy with my purchase...about the same as you're planning on offering. It all depends on your budget and what you can afford to spend. Yes there are probably nicer examples out there, but you're not going to get them for $3500.

Thanks to all! I did get it for $3,550. I'll post photos when it arrives!

[Exceeder]

good choice in my opinion