Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum - View Single Post - A "what-if" scenario

J!m · 29 November 2015, 12:19 PM

I wanted to point out a few things that may or may not be apparent.

The crown is a 703, so a service replacement. Not a big deal but it should be a 702.

Crystal is a service replacement too. Low mag and large bevels. I get what your saying about not loving the cyclops, but when it's true mag and sharp corners on a proper vintage top hat 127, that's an entirely different look in my opinion. That crystal has been polished too (note date distortion) so a nice vintage 127 would be perfect.

Clasp date code is 1980. You may be able to find a decent clasp cover from another bracelet if the rest is ok. Interesting that matches sale date? But a mid 70's dial (if it is in fact a mark I)

I agree the insert is lovely. Bezel itself is not too badly polished either.

Dial- I thought it was a mark I dial, and if it in fact is, I'm reasonably certain it is too old for the watch, meaning it was not delivered that way. I could very well be wrong and others feel free to correct me but I think it should be a later dial.

Corrosion is minimal. I assume you don't intend to dive with it so that should not b a deal breaker. But, the price should reflect the corrosion.

Please take above with a bit of salt and as constructive. I love the 1680 and really nice ones are, well, really nice.

Case polish I can't comment on. There are way more experienced people on here than me when it comes to that.

Full kit of papers is great. It might not hurt to run the serial with Rolex to see when/ if service was done by them. It may have been an independent who did the crown and crystal swap, and possibly dial.

Pure speculation here but the crown gaskets may have failed and the watch was swamped. That would explain dial crown and perhaps even movement swap. If that is the case value drops but I certainly can't tell this from the posted photos.

29 November 2015, 12:19 PM	#22
J!m "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Jim Location: Connecticut Watch: this! Hold my beer Posts: 2,852	My observations: I wanted to point out a few things that may or may not be apparent. The crown is a 703, so a service replacement. Not a big deal but it should be a 702. Crystal is a service replacement too. Low mag and large bevels. I get what your saying about not loving the cyclops, but when it's true mag and sharp corners on a proper vintage top hat 127, that's an entirely different look in my opinion. That crystal has been polished too (note date distortion) so a nice vintage 127 would be perfect. Clasp date code is 1980. You may be able to find a decent clasp cover from another bracelet if the rest is ok. Interesting that matches sale date? But a mid 70's dial (if it is in fact a mark I) I agree the insert is lovely. Bezel itself is not too badly polished either. Dial- I thought it was a mark I dial, and if it in fact is, I'm reasonably certain it is too old for the watch, meaning it was not delivered that way. I could very well be wrong and others feel free to correct me but I think it should be a later dial. Corrosion is minimal. I assume you don't intend to dive with it so that should not b a deal breaker. But, the price should reflect the corrosion. Please take above with a bit of salt and as constructive. I love the 1680 and really nice ones are, well, really nice. Case polish I can't comment on. There are way more experienced people on here than me when it comes to that. Full kit of papers is great. It might not hurt to run the serial with Rolex to see when/ if service was done by them. It may have been an independent who did the crown and crystal swap, and possibly dial. Pure speculation here but the crown gaskets may have failed and the watch was swamped. That would explain dial crown and perhaps even movement swap. If that is the case value drops but I certainly can't tell this from the posted photos.