Rolex 1550 with Zephyr dial - Original or not?

[K-Two]

Hello everyone,

I'm seeking some assistance from the experts here on the forum regarding a Rolex watch I own. It's a Rolex 1550/5 (gold shell), which was recently serviced through my local AD in Norway and sent to Rolex Switzerland to get the job done. The watch features a Zephyr dial, and from what I understand, the Rolex 1550/5 was not originally offered with this type of dial.

I'm unsure whether this Zephyr dial is original to this model or if it might have been retrofitted at some point. I've searched extensively online and through various sources but haven't been able to find definitive information on this issue.

From what I understand, Rolex in Switzerland usually proposes to replace or offer a quote for original parts if a watch has non-original components during service. However, I did not receive such a proposal regarding the dial during the recent service (which I did for the second hand and the date disc).

Does anyone here have insight into whether the Rolex 1550/5 was ever produced with a Zephyr dial, or is it more likely that the dial was added later? Any information or guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

PS: The photos with leather strap are taken prior to service. Bracelet, date disc and second hand was changed after this (as seen in the other images).

[CTech]

The Zephyr style watches were always fitted with a different design bezel as well as the dial, and in addition they always had their own model number. As far as I know, the 1550 or 1550/5 models were never outfitted in this way from the factory.

The dial you have looks as if it was originally for a 1512 model, so I believe it has been fitted after the watch left the factory.

The reason why the Rolex Service Center did not flag it for replacement is possibly because it is a genuine Rolex part, and although it was not original to this particular watch, it was fitted to other models in the 1500 series and so was deemed to be a legitimate replacement part.

There doesn't seem to be a fixed set of rules about an RSC replacing non-original parts as it appears to vary between different RSCs, different technicians and also different models of watches.

Aftermarket, fake and counterfeit parts seem to get a fairly consistent treatment but genuine Rolex parts, even if not original to the watch, are much more difficult to deal with as there has been a long history of dials, hands, bracelets, etc. being routinely swapped, quite often by a Rolex AD.

[Mark020]

Exactly. In the past the rules were not that strict.

So: enlighten us.. How much did they charge you?

[K-Two]

Thank you for your response Ctech and Mark020!

I paid around 3500$ for the watch at an auction and around 1500$ for service, new bracelet, date disc and second hand.

I love the watch!

[omar-rye]

What’s the material of the bracelet?

[K-Two]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

What’s the material of the bracelet?

The bracelet is gold plated (gold on steel)

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by K-Two

Thank you for your response Ctech and Mark020!

I paid around 3500$ for the watch at an auction and around 1500$ for service, new bracelet, date disc and second hand.

I love the watch!

And that service was in Switzerland?

[K-Two]

Originally Posted by Mark020

And that service was in Switzerland?

Yes, the service was done by Rolex in Switzerland.

[Mark020]

Not bad. I'd expected a much higher amount