First Rolex - perpetual 1002

[Jjjwatch]

Hi everyone, I’m about to buy my first Rolex, a perpetual 1002, simple but elegant.

I’ve my eye on this one.. However I’m not sure: 1) if it was repainted/redial, as the dial looks to clean? 2)the crown is gold while the bezel is silver, I never seen a 1002 from factory with crown and bezel with different tones... was the crown changed?

Anything else to be concerned?

(Photos are from C24, as they have a store there)

Thanks

[motoikkyu]

I'd guess the bezel may have been changed out. I agree with you, the dial looks repainted, not sure why, original dials not that crazy expensive. Case looks inexpertly polished to me. If you love it and the price is right, by all means, but there are much, much better examples out there.

[dowling1680]

Originally Posted by Jjjwatch

Hi everyone, I’m about to buy my first Rolex, a perpetual 1002, simple but elegant.

I’ve my eye on this one.. However I’m not sure: 1) if it was repainted/redial, as the dial looks to clean? 2)the crown is gold while the bezel is silver, I never seen a 1002 from factory with crown and bezel with different tones... was the crown changed?

Anything else to be concerned?

(Photos are from C24, as they have a store there)

Thanks

Hard to say based off pictures alone. I was recently reading a great article about some of Rolex's most iconic vintage watches, and it actually mentioned the Oyster Perpetual 1002. However, I don't recall seeing any that had gold crowns, and the band shown is obviously not original, as the original 1002s had oyster and jubilee bracelets. Here is the article if you're interested: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...n-watches.html

"Like the Air-King, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1002 is powered by a time-only movement and focuses on minimalist styling with a similar 34mm case and smooth bezel. However, while the Air-King is not chronometer-rated, the Oyster Perpetual is – a fact that is displayed on the dial with the text “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified.” The reference 1002 was produced during the 1950s and 1960s and is every bit the quintessential vintage Rolex, complete with an acrylic crystal over the dial and an older-style case and bracelet."

Very interesting and informative. Highly recommend!

[3wheeler7]

I can't comment on the gold crown issue but that article by Bobs Watches really got the production run dates wrong.
I bought a boxed and papered 10 month old 1002 with white Roman dial and plexi glass in late 1982.
It was still a catalogued current model - so was it discontinued and then re-introduced?

[nps]

I would say it's likely the OG bezel or crown was swapped out.

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