DJ from 1971. Needs Service? Anything Interesting? Thank you

[davez34]

Hello all,

I inherited a watch from my father. It's a 1601 with serial number 285**** It was purchased in the mid 70s from a pawn store in NYC. Unfortunately, he never wore it. Yesterday, I bought a Jubilee band (62510H) from my local Rolex AD.

I plan on wearing the watch and I absolutely love it.

Should I get it serviced at the local Rolex AD? Over 2 days, it reads fast by 10 seconds.

Can anyone tell me anything else interesting about the watch? I know it's a DJ from 1971, with a WG fluted bezel.

Best regards and thank you very much

[Yacht-Master]

Service is typically every 5 ~ 7 years, but I take mine a bit further.

In your case - yes - service it.

It will come back like new.

[77T]

Being fast 10 seconds in 2 days is good performance. Since you’ve already purchased a bracelet, I would recommend having the AD put it on and adjust it for your wrist. While there, have it pressure tested (if they have a watchmaker on site).

If the watch is waterproof then you could wait for a service. You may be shocked at the price...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by davez34

Can anyone tell me anything else interesting about the watch?

The dial is sometimes called a Shantung or mosaic dial because of the beautiful pattern. It is also an example of a so-called "no-lume" dial, because it says T SWISS T, which normally means tritium lume, but this is one of the less common dials where Rolex omitted the lume.

[davez34]

Thank you Yacht-Master!

[davez34]

Thank you very much. That sounds like a great idea. I had no idea this was possible. Appreciate the response.

Originally Posted by 77T

Being fast 10 seconds in 2 days is good performance. Since you’ve already purchased a bracelet, I would recommend having the AD put it on and adjust it for your wrist. While there, have it pressure tested (if they have a watchmaker on site).

If the watch is waterproof then you could wait for a service. You may be shocked at the price...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[davez34]

Thank you so much. Very interesting! No wonder the watch looks very clean. I really appreciate your response and the close look you took.

Originally Posted by Dan S

The dial is sometimes called a Shantung or mosaic dial because of the beautiful pattern. It is also an example of a so-called "no-lume" dial, because it says T SWISS T, which normally means tritium lume, but this is one of the less common dials where Rolex omitted the lume.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The dial is sometimes called a Shantung or mosaic dial because of the beautiful pattern. It is also an example of a so-called "no-lume" dial, because it says T SWISS T, which normally means tritium lume, but this is one of the less common dials where Rolex omitted the lume.

Which also means they tend to age better as the dials don’t degrade around the tritium spots.

[davez34]

Very interesting! Thank you so much for the response.

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Which also means they tend to age better as the dials don’t degrade around the tritium spots.

[Slimpee]

I’m curious as to why he didn’t wear the watch for 40+ years. Any idea? Did you know about the watch growing up?

I love heirlooms. I have one myself and find that it’s a constant reminder of my grandfather.

Beautiful watch!

[davez34]

He vaguely mentioned once or twice to his brother about his Rolex needing a band, but for some reason, never got around to it. He most likely never purchased a band because of the price, and was probably too afraid to lose the watch. Also, knowing his personality, the watch probably held sentimental value as it was a gift from his father. I wish I would have thought about buying a band for him so he would have enjoyed it.

Thank you! I think it is a beautiful watch too, and I also find it as a constant pleasant reminder of my father.

Have a good one. Appreciate you for responding.

Originally Posted by Slimpee

I’m curious as to why he didn’t wear the watch for 40+ years. Any idea? Did you know about the watch growing up?

I love heirlooms. I have one myself and find that it’s a constant reminder of my grandfather.

Beautiful watch!

[harry in montreal]

That’s a really nice one. Is the consensus that the bezel is original to the watch? I always guessed that this pattern bez was a later replacement. great looking

[davez34]

Thank you Harry! I'm thrilled that this is a nice DJ. I appreciate your response. Just went outside to take some better pictures of the bezel.

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

That’s a really nice one. Is the consensus that the bezel is original to the watch? I always guessed that this pattern bez was a later replacement. great looking

[davez34]

I forgot to reply to this question. I did not know about this watch growing up. Only vaguely heard about it starting a few years ago. I had never seen the watch before until we found it in his dresser while we were cleaning it out.

Originally Posted by Slimpee

Did you know about the watch growing up?