18K or 14K gold?

[timep1373]

I have an old datejust (ref 16013) serial 630---- places it between 1979 & 1980. The papers that came with it show conflicting information. The overhaul that was done by Rolex USA states the band is 14K while two appraisals on the watch say it 18K gold. Aside from taking the watch to have it tested, is there a way to know which it is?

The numbers on the bracelet say 62523 H14

[Tools]

H14 would be 14k gold..

The appraisals are probably going on the fact that Rolex only uses 18k these days..

[Tareg]

Is 14k harder then 18k? If so I would guess 14k is actually better for watches from a functional perspective, harder to scratch...

[pilapandet]

Originally Posted by Tareg

Is 14k harder then 18k? If so I would guess 14k is actually better for watches from a functional perspective, harder to scratch...

Yes, 14K is harder than 18K, and 18k is harder than 24k(99.99% gold).

Yes, 14k is actually better for watch from a functional perspective. But, the value of 14k is less than 18k. And, 18k is less than 24k.

If you think that way, then just buy SS is much harder than 14k or 10k.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Tareg

Is 14k harder then 18k? If so I would guess 14k is actually better for watches from a functional perspective, harder to scratch...

Have a look here.

A pic of that old DJ would be nice!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by timep1373

I have an old datejust (ref 16013) serial 630---- places it between 1979 & 1980. The papers that came with it show conflicting information. The overhaul that was done by Rolex USA states the band is 14K while two appraisals on the watch say it 18K gold. Aside from taking the watch to have it tested, is there a way to know which it is?

The numbers on the bracelet say 62523 H14

My very first Rolex purchased way back in 1980 (brand new from an AD in Tehera, Iran) was the TT DJ 16013 on Jubilee and with an acrylic crystal.

It had the same markings and was 14 K gold. A couple of years later, the DJ was upgraded to the sapphire crystal and with 18 K gold with the new model ref. no. 16233.

JJ

[jac67]

Originally Posted by timep1373

I have an old datejust (ref 16013) serial 630---- places it between 1979 & 1980. The papers that came with it show conflicting information. The overhaul that was done by Rolex USA states the band is 14K while two appraisals on the watch say it 18K gold. Aside from taking the watch to have it tested, is there a way to know which it is?

The numbers on the bracelet say 62523 H14

Yes, as mentioned above the gold on your watch IS 14k. The "H" stands for Homme, which is men's.

It is also worth mentioning that the later 16013's which were also plastic (acrylic) crystal were 18k. I believe serial R onwards.


John.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The topic is hardness of gold. Much is explained in the link I provided above.

[timep1373]

Wow, thanks for all the info. You all hold a wealth of knowledge. So the bracelet is definitely 14k then, but what about the bezel, hands and hour markers?

[Prince]

Originally Posted by timep1373

Wow, thanks for all the info. You all hold a wealth of knowledge. So the bracelet is definitely 14k then, but what about the bezel, hands and hour markers?

I believe you will find that ALL of the gold on that watch is 14K.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by timep1373

Wow, thanks for all the info. You all hold a wealth of knowledge. So the bracelet is definitely 14k then, but what about the bezel, hands and hour markers?

All 14 K gold. Like I said, the later model which came out with the sapphire crystal and a new model no., changed over to 18 K gold.

JJ

[Paul B]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

All 14 K gold. Like I said, the later model which came out with the sapphire crystal and a new model no., changed over to 18 K gold.
JJ

A bit of a correction JJ, the change from 14k to 18k occurred in about 1983, and the change to the sapphire crystal on the Datejust occurred in about 1989. Neither change affected the model numbers.
My 1987 9 million series Datejust 16013 (bought new), is 18k with the acrylic crystal.



Paul

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Paul B

A bit of a correction JJ, the change from 14k to 18k occurred in about 1983, and the change to the sapphire crystal on the Datejust occurred in about 1989. Neither change affected the model numbers.
My 1987 9 million series Datejust 16013 (bought new), is 18k with the acrylic crystal.



Paul

Thanks for that update, Paul.....appreciated.

JJ

[Paul B]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Thanks for that update, Paul.....appreciated.
JJ

Glad I could be of assistance. You are the king of this realm JJ, it is our duty as the subjects to help the king whenever we can, lest others begin to question the authority of our king and ultimately his rule of our kingdom .



Paul

[timep1373]

Thanks for the clarification : )

[AIKO]

Originally Posted by timep1373

I have an old datejust (ref 16013) serial 630---- places it between 1979 & 1980. The papers that came with it show conflicting information. The overhaul that was done by Rolex USA states the band is 14K while two appraisals on the watch say it 18K gold. Aside from taking the watch to have it tested, is there a way to know which it is?

The numbers on the bracelet say 62523 H14

Hi, glad you made your way over here. I figured you would get your answer quicker here than the other forum.