suggestions for completing my first Rolex

[Bensrolex]

Hi, I just acquired my first Rolex, a 1966 1601. Since I am new to the vintage Rolex culture I wanted to get some suggestions. My watch needs new pins and a band. 1) would you consider it attractive/worthwhile to look for vintage Rolex pins, or are quality aftermarket pins ok? 2) same question regarding a strap buckle...I'll be getting a leather strap, and wondered if it would be considered advisable to look for an appropriate 1960s white gold Rolex buckle to match my watch bezel?

I appreciate any input! Trying to wait patiently to get the band on before posting pictures :)

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Bensrolex

Hi, I just acquired my first Rolex, a 1966 1601. Since I am new to the vintage Rolex culture I wanted to get some suggestions. My watch needs new pins and a band. 1) would you consider it attractive/worthwhile to look for vintage Rolex pins, or are quality aftermarket pins ok? 2) same question regarding a strap buckle...I'll be getting a leather strap, and wondered if it would be considered advisable to look for an appropriate 1960s white gold Rolex buckle to match my watch bezel?

Congrats on the 1601 - the DateJust is a nice first Rolex.

Rolex will provide you with springbars, a nice strap and a WG buckle. It will cost you, but you might as well do it properly. Don't look for vintage springbars - they're consumables that need replacing occasionally.

Alternatively, if budget is a consideration, aftermarket leather straps/springbars are generally considered acceptable (unlike aftermarket steel bracelets, which aren't).

You might also want to get a steel Jubilee or Oyster bracelet (or both!) so that you can switch up the flavor occasionally. For me, a modern steel bracelet on a vintage watch is fine because they're more secure than the flimsy old vintage bracelets (I had one break just this week...), but opinions differ.

Good luck with it. Post pics!

[TimeLord2]

In addition to what Zapokee said, Rolex may not sell you anything unless you have the watch serviced first, which may require authentication for a watch of that vintage. If it s running fairly well you might want to just get a nice aftermarket strap and if the buckle needs branding—EBAY. I have heard a band which tapers from 20mm to 16mm is the size to get to apply a nice Rolex buckle. Cost is all over the place for that and there's no guarantee it is actually authentic (EBAY authentication, bwhahahahahha!) buyer beware. Good luck!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

...if the buckle needs branding—EBAY.

I wouldn't buy a Rolex buckle on Ebay. Likely to be fake... Would only buy one direct from an Authorized Dealer or a Rolex Service Center.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Bensrolex

Hi, I just acquired my first Rolex, a 1966 1601. Since I am new to the vintage Rolex culture I wanted to get some suggestions. My watch needs new pins and a band. 1) would you consider it attractive/worthwhile to look for vintage Rolex pins, or are quality aftermarket pins ok? 2) same question regarding a strap buckle...I'll be getting a leather strap, and wondered if it would be considered advisable to look for an appropriate 1960s white gold Rolex buckle to match my watch bezel?

I appreciate any input! Trying to wait patiently to get the band on before posting pictures :)

Let’s see some pics


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[Bensrolex]

thanks so much for the tips, I really appreciate the info. Will post pics soon!

[Mike Wood]

Get a period stainless steel Rolex USA Jubilee bracelet for it...they are the most affordable Rolex metal bands, and will complete the look of the watch.

[Yachtbuoy]

Originally Posted by zapokee

I wouldn't buy a Rolex buckle on Ebay. Likely to be fake... Would only buy one direct from an Authorized Dealer or a Rolex Service Center.

I'd also like to second this, I've spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out how to identify a genuine Rolex pin buckle. The ones you can find on the Bay from at least one seller don't appear to be genuine. I own a '77 1603 and the advice I got from my local vintage Rolex guys is not to be overly concerned with the buckle with a coronet, just focus on getting a nice leather strap. I've been talking to a watchmaker which works on Rolex, and he reckons you can still acquire the correct bracelet for it, but it will cost.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Yachtbuoy

I'd also like to second this, I've spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out how to identify a genuine Rolex pin buckle. The ones you can find on the Bay from at least one seller don't appear to be genuine.

Right. I once bought a nice 1803 (long gone now) on a leather strap that had an aftermarket "Rolex" buckle. The seller hadn't claimed it had a Rolex buckle, so I couldn't really complain, but I had to do a lot of research to figure out it was aftermarket. There are lots of tells. One of them being that the buckle fell apart after a couple of months.