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akmpres · 17 July 2007, 12:26 AM

Hi,
Long time Rolex owner, first time poster! Just took delivery of my dream watch, a Day Date President,

18K yellow gold. I bought from the owner of the watch, the serial number starts with 7, no letter, so it most likely dates back to 1982 1983. There are three quirks with it that have been on my mind and I hope somebody can clarify if I should send it in for service or, that’s just the way it is.
#1 the day sometimes is off center, “Saturday” is a big culprit, it will be in different locations through the day, but I get nervous when once I saw the S slightly covered by the dial. The day favors staying left centered, as apposed to directly in the middle.

#2 some times while walking I can feel the rotor move, slight vibration from the watch. It happens once in a while.

#3 I have the champagne dial face, it is thatch like. At certain angles, esp. in bright light, I see white spots on it.

I have a local Jeweler whom I’ve been doing business with for years says he can fix the day and refinish the dial. Or should I send it to Rolex Service Center? That will cost me well over $1200 to fix I assume.
Ill post some pictures of my timepieces this week!

Best

Lol-x · 17 July 2007, 01:17 AM

Congrats on the Day-Date. It sounds like a 18038 single quick set model.
If you have confidence in your local dealer, then there is nothing wrong going with him, save that he might have a problem getting all the relevant parts which Rolex would otherwise be able to replace.
Rolex servicing can be expensive, but if it is a watch that you intend to keep, then it does give peace of mind to know that it has had a full Rolex service. I have heard that the date wheel on your model can be a little tricky to service.
I guess it is really up to you to go with what you personally feel will be the most satisfying.

Tools · 17 July 2007, 01:27 AM

I'll second what Steve said: and add,

When you send it in to the RSC for servicing, they will give you an estimate at that time for what they intend to do to it.

Your guess may be high - it does not sound like there is anything seriously wrong that the basic $4-500 service charge wouldn't cover except perhaps the dial.

Of course, it could be twice your estimate

But, still - it will come back from the RSC as, essentially, a brand new watch.

frostie · 17 July 2007, 01:28 AM

great purchase enjoy your watch and wear it in good health

Mort · 17 July 2007, 01:56 AM

Congrats, they are super feeling on the wrist. It is worth getting a proper servicing done on it.

I hope you have as many years of enjoyment out of it as I have mine.

colemanitis · 17 July 2007, 01:59 AM

I would send it to Rolex. It'll be like new when it returns w/ a 1 year warranty. Enjoy your new Rolex!

Blue Bull · 17 July 2007, 02:08 AM

Send to RSC for service.Money well spend for a "new' watch.Rolex is timeless

How about a white dial with gold arabics ?

akmpres · 17 July 2007, 03:36 AM

Blue Bull,

How much do you thinik RSC will carge for dial change, I like your Idea.

Blue Bull · 17 July 2007, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akmpres

Blue Bull,

How much do you thinik RSC will carge for dial change, I like your Idea.

Sorry,I meant white dial and Romans,not arabics.Eddie(directioneng),has an example of this watch.

Cost on a dial change in the States,from the RSC ? You will have to excuse me,no idea.I live on a continent far,far from there ...

I am sure others will help you soon with the question

Rubenonfire · 17 July 2007, 07:55 AM

I'd go the service route as well. That should remedy all of your issues, and also give you the piece of mind that your DD is now "good as new" with a one-year Rolex warranty. When buying a watch of that age, it's a must. A new dial can be pretty pricey, especially in 18K but again...the service will have your watch looking and running as new!

SPACE-DWELLER · 17 July 2007, 07:59 AM

Very good choice!

And a BIG welcome from me!

MMRolex · 17 July 2007, 12:40 PM

I understand Rolex will not change a dial for cosmetic reasons. They will just answer the question with a no.

Uncle-AJ · 17 July 2007, 01:37 PM

Hello and welcome to TRF.

Tools · 17 July 2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMRolex

I understand Rolex will not change a dial for cosmetic reasons. They will just answer the question with a no.

Ah, yes...perhaps. But if the dial is damaged, and it appears it may have issues by the description, then they will replace it.

They should replace it with any original DD dial that was put on that model if you so specify.

If not, many Rolex trained watchmakers have access to Rolex dials and will not say no..

I agree, a nice white with gold roman numerals would be nice

mikey · 17 July 2007, 03:07 PM

pics please?

ROLEX4EvEr · 17 July 2007, 03:30 PM

Congrats

PICS
Please

akmpres · 17 July 2007, 11:45 PM

i used my camera phone, ill get better ones this week!

akmpres · 18 July 2007, 12:27 AM

Posted a pic this morning. it should be up soon! used my camera phone so not so clear.
Also spoke with the jeweler this morning, I’m going with the white face dial. You guys are right, it's much sharper looking.

JJ Irani · 18 July 2007, 04:25 AM

Hi and welcome to TRF. We look forward to some nice pics of an all time classic.

Cheers - JJ

akmpres · 18 July 2007, 05:15 AM

another image

17 July 2007, 01:59 AM	#6
colemanitis "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jeff Location: Florida Watch: PAM 1090 Posts: 3,723	I would send it to Rolex. It'll be like new when it returns w/ a 1 year warranty. Enjoy your new Rolex! __________________ Member #471

17 July 2007, 07:59 AM	#11
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Very good choice! And a BIG welcome from me! __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

17 July 2007, 01:37 PM	#13
Uncle-AJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Real Name: Adrian Location: Bolton, UK. Watch: Daytona 116520 Posts: 6,844	Hello and welcome to TRF. __________________ A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.........Segal's Law Member #10

17 July 2007, 03:30 PM	#16
ROLEX4EvEr "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Real Name: Freddy Location: NYC Watch: My Back Posts: 819	Congrats PICS Please __________________

18 July 2007, 04:25 AM	#19
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,319	Hi and welcome to TRF. We look forward to some nice pics of an all time classic. Cheers - JJ __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

17 July 2007, 12:26 AM	#1
akmpres Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NEW HAVEN, CT Watch: 18K YG DD Posts: 42	Hi! Just Got my Day Date President! Hi, Long time Rolex owner, first time poster! Just took delivery of my dream watch, a Day Date President, 18K yellow gold. I bought from the owner of the watch, the serial number starts with 7, no letter, so it most likely dates back to 1982 1983. There are three quirks with it that have been on my mind and I hope somebody can clarify if I should send it in for service or, that’s just the way it is. #1 the day sometimes is off center, “Saturday” is a big culprit, it will be in different locations through the day, but I get nervous when once I saw the S slightly covered by the dial. The day favors staying left centered, as apposed to directly in the middle. #2 some times while walking I can feel the rotor move, slight vibration from the watch. It happens once in a while. #3 I have the champagne dial face, it is thatch like. At certain angles, esp. in bright light, I see white spots on it. I have a local Jeweler whom I’ve been doing business with for years says he can fix the day and refinish the dial. Or should I send it to Rolex Service Center? That will cost me well over $1200 to fix I assume. Ill post some pictures of my timepieces this week! Best

17 July 2007, 01:17 AM	#2
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,562	Congrats on the Day-Date. It sounds like a 18038 single quick set model. If you have confidence in your local dealer, then there is nothing wrong going with him, save that he might have a problem getting all the relevant parts which Rolex would otherwise be able to replace. Rolex servicing can be expensive, but if it is a watch that you intend to keep, then it does give peace of mind to know that it has had a full Rolex service. I have heard that the date wheel on your model can be a little tricky to service. I guess it is really up to you to go with what you personally feel will be the most satisfying.

17 July 2007, 01:27 AM	#3
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,496	I'll second what Steve said: and add, When you send it in to the RSC for servicing, they will give you an estimate at that time for what they intend to do to it. Your guess may be high - it does not sound like there is anything seriously wrong that the basic $4-500 service charge wouldn't cover except perhaps the dial. Of course, it could be twice your estimate But, still - it will come back from the RSC as, essentially, a brand new watch.

17 July 2007, 01:28 AM	#4
frostie 1,000,000th PostMember Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 14,048	great purchase enjoy your watch and wear it in good health

17 July 2007, 01:56 AM	#5
Mort "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,001	Congrats, they are super feeling on the wrist. It is worth getting a proper servicing done on it. I hope you have as many years of enjoyment out of it as I have mine.

17 July 2007, 02:08 AM	#7
Blue Bull Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,887	Send to RSC for service.Money well spend for a "new' watch.Rolex is timeless How about a white dial with gold arabics ?

17 July 2007, 03:36 AM	#8
akmpres Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NEW HAVEN, CT Watch: 18K YG DD Posts: 42	Blue Bull, How much do you thinik RSC will carge for dial change, I like your Idea.

17 July 2007, 07:55 AM	#10
Rubenonfire "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Ruben Location: Orange County Watch: 16610LV Posts: 1,317	I'd go the service route as well. That should remedy all of your issues, and also give you the piece of mind that your DD is now "good as new" with a one-year Rolex warranty. When buying a watch of that age, it's a must. A new dial can be pretty pricey, especially in 18K but again...the service will have your watch looking and running as new!

17 July 2007, 12:40 PM	#12
MMRolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: DC metro Posts: 45	I understand Rolex will not change a dial for cosmetic reasons. They will just answer the question with a no.

17 July 2007, 03:07 PM	#15
mikey "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Watch: Oysterdate 6694 Posts: 2,713	pics please?

18 July 2007, 12:27 AM	#18
akmpres Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NEW HAVEN, CT Watch: 18K YG DD Posts: 42	Posted a pic this morning. it should be up soon! used my camera phone so not so clear. Also spoke with the jeweler this morning, I’m going with the white face dial. You guys are right, it's much sharper looking.

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