![]() |
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
![]() |
#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 568
|
How do I know if the Stella is for real?
I tried doing a bit of research but I am still a little uncertain. Is there anyway to determine whether an 1803 originally came with a Stella dial? Other than a close inspection of the dial is there anyway to determine its authenticity? I know they have tons of fake ones but the whole value is based upon being an original. This seems to be a risky proposition without anyway of validating it.
I ask this because I saw one that appears to be going for a reasonable amount but it's all for naught if it's a redial. I realize I need better pics but this is the only one I have for now. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 568
|
More detailed pic. Looks like it could be real but I see some spotting or pitting on the dial.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 2,237
|
Your pics simply aren't detailed enough to tell about that dial but in general your dial has white day and date wheels which should be champagne as in this example. The lume is very white compared to the creamy appearance of this dial. The lettering is always applied after the enameling and has a raised appearance on real dials. The dial below has coffin shaped markers which is common on Stellas but the square ones were used as well.
One of the hardest things for fakers is the correct appearance of the enamel on the date and day windows as well as the step down on the piepan edge of the dial. The sharpness of the step down can be clearly be seen between the 5 and 8 markers from the way the light hits it on the on the dial below. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 2,237
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Real Name: Nikos
Location: Florida
Watch: Rolex GMT 16750
Posts: 8,418
|
The simple answer is No there is not unless your an expert or have an expert willing to examine it. They are faking dials to an extremely close to original condition these days. If you really want to know you will have to take the dial out of the watch and take high resolution pics. And then if you really know dials you will come to a conclusion. Of course there are low quality fakes that anybody can tell but the high quality ones are 95% as close to the real.
__________________
Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
|
Quote:
With stellas commanding big premiums it wont become easier. I would only pay premium if I could have it verified coming through a well-known source. I am sure fake dials have been sold by auction houses but then it at least has that verification. Stellas are beatiful and scary. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 2,237
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 568
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: holland
Posts: 296
|
of course they have a database.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 568
|
If there was a database that identified which specific 1803's came with Stella dials then there would be no issue. If you know how to access such a database please let me know.
For what it's worth I checked out the 1803 in question. The dealer acknowledged that he has no way of determining whether the dial is original but feels 90% confident that it is. It is a middle-east origin watch that he bought from an older man who had it since the 70's. He said he remembers when customers would come in during the late 80's and 90's and ask for the dials to be swapped out since the enameled dials were too seventies looking and they wanted a more modern looking watch. I don't think I'll buy it because I am pretty watch heavy at the moment but it is a nice looking watch. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 50
|
Sure is beautiful.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,235
|
Thank you Richard!!! There are many more shenanigans going on with these models than one realizes.
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 568
|
I was looking at my old post and kind of wondered how we left off on this? If you sent a watch into a RSC and they serviced it (versus rejecting) is that some sort of validation? Looking back at the pics of the one I looked at it seems likely to me that it is an original dial. It appeared to be pretty old so if it was a redone or fake dial it looked it was done 30 years ago.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
|
Quote:
__________________
Instagram: @perj123 |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Kingstown
Posts: 58,279
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.