My first Rolex purchase (that I'll be keeping) - DJ 1601

[sixers_610]

Hi All!

Just picked up this Datejust 1601 on eBay and I am very excited to get it. It's my first Rolex that I'll actually be keeping. (I bought a 1603 before just to get a feel for it).

Pretty excited about it. Here was some of the detail in the description:

JUST SERVICED(CLEANED THE
MOVEMENT, OILED on 2/2012
KEEPS GREAT TIME
WITHIN 20 SECONDS IN 24 HOURS


THERE IS A VERY SMALL AND MINOR STAIN FROM 6 to 10 ON THE DIAL. THIS WATCH HAS HAD SOME MOISTURE IN THE WATCH AT ONE TIME - PLEASE REFER TO PHOTOS







In addition to any thoughts on the watch, if I pick up a replacement dial, there shouldn't be any issues, right? I assume as long as the dial says it fits this model and the feet placement are correct, I should be good to go?

And for something like a dial swap, ok to go to a local guy that works on Rolex? I live in the Boston area. Any recommendations (if you have them) on someone to use would also be great.

Thanks!

[azguy]

Originally Posted by sixers_610

JUST SERVICED(CLEANED THE
MOVEMENT, OILED on 2/2012
KEEPS GREAT TIME
WITHIN 20 SECONDS IN 24 HOURS


THERE IS A VERY SMALL AND MINOR STAIN FROM 6 to 10 ON THE DIAL. THIS WATCH HAS HAD SOME MOISTURE IN THE WATCH AT ONE TIME - PLEASE REFER TO PHOTOS

I hate to rain on your parade but 20 secs over 24 hrs in just aweful considering COSC specs are -4/+6 per day. Plus, the stated water damage at "one time"....would kill the deal for me, but you knew all this...

I would have that watched opened ASAP to inspect it and depending on what you found, get a return.....

[sixers_610]

I didn't, actually. I kind of assumed that it would be fine given the service.

[harry in montreal]

its a nice watch. did you pay closer to 1600 or 2600? if you paid closer to 1600,i would be happy. 20 secs per day is nothing. its an old watch, its not an atomic clock. it will never be. some people on these boards expect spot on accuracy for an old watch, and i find this very amusing. adjusting the wtch for 2 mins once a week is not a chore. however, if you paid $3k for it, i would complain!

my comments are as follows; it seems to be a late 60s or early 70s watch (guess) with a more modern bezel. the buckle on the band is also 60s.

[sixers_610]

Harry, thanks! I did pretty well. I paid $1,525 for it.

The seller has 100% feedback and a 14 day return policy. I figured I would be fine.

[sixers_610]

Should I be concerned and get it inspected right away?

[GMTGuy1675]

Originally Posted by sixers_610

Should I be concerned and get it inspected right away?

Yeah. You paid a lot of money for it.

[sixers_610]

Good point... maybe I was a bit naive in "assuming" it was fine. Rookie mistake.

[DCgator]

I hope it all works out in the positive for you.

[sixers_610]

Thanks guys. WIth the return policy, I'm not terribly concerned.

[linesiders]

I would be more concerned being from Boston yet wearing a handle containing Sixers - certainly this morning...

[sixers_610]

the sixers are my squad. I'm not really concerned at all, considering we went out in 7 games against a team who we shouldn't have been playing against (as we beat a depleted Bulls team to get there).

Besides, Miami would have swept us and will likely take out the C's in 6 or 7.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by sixers_610

the sixers are my squad. I'm not really concerned at all, considering we went out in 7 games against a team who we shouldn't have been playing against (as we beat a depleted Bulls team to get there).

Besides, Miami would have swept us and will likely take out the C's in 6 or 7.

BTW - I forgot to put the smiley in

I'm not sure the Cs will be around by 7 - I see them going down at 5 or 6 short of some miraculous intestinal fortitude. Do appreciate your young team - your guys are on the right trajectory

[sixers_610]

Yea, two or so key moves should get them where we need to be.

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[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by sixers_610

Should I be concerned and get it inspected right away?

If you buy from a trusted seller, don't worry. However, almost any watch guy can tell that it's a real Rolex, which the pictures seem to be. This is a very nice watch, and the movement in the picture looks very pristine, to me-- certainly no obvious water damage on the movement.

This is a 1601, so it has a pie pan dial which is not all that easy to find. However, I don't see the stain on the dial.

[sixers_610]

Check the first picture on the edge of the dial.


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[sixers_610]

I see pie pan dials on eBay, so that's not a huge deal


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[harry in montreal]

You should get a watchmaker to look at it. I think you did fine for 1500. The movement alone is worth 850 or so. The dials are cheap too. Take some more pics if the band and post the serial nUmber. I think the correct band is a 62510h. These go for less than 300

[Jimmytsai531122]

classics and congrats!

[sixers_610]

Thanks guys.. I just picked up this silver dial off of eBay too.

[harry in montreal]

well done

[James 45]

It is a good watch looks fine. 20 secs a day hmm if you wanted you could take it to a watch maker and dial it in but.. it is 20 secs. Money wise it is fine some times you can buy cheaper but if you want it now you pay more. A service is $200 so there you go. Wear it and enjoy.

[sixers_610]

The seller says he believes it's actually only 4-5 seconds.. he was using what he believes is the most time that one can expect these watches to be off over 24 hours. I'll know soon!

[sixers_610]

Ok. So the hands had a stain on them and I let the seller know I was disappointed. He refunded me an additional $200.

So, as of right now I paid $1325 for the watch, which seems to be in excellent condition excl the dial and hands. Just picked up 1601 hands on eBay for $18 along with the dial


Now who should I be getting to swap these items out? Is it a difficult job? Or can I use any decent Boston area watchmaker?


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[ed54]

I think you could use any competent watchmaker to swap out the parts, and regulate the time if needed. The thing I ran into was the watchmaker I used didn't want to change out the dial without doing a clean/oil service. Since the watch was due for service anyway, I essentially got the dial swap for free with a $250 service. This was a non-authorized dealer, so it may be better (and more expensive) to use an authorized watchmaker.