Help! Rolex Dial problem

[vapalux]

See pics below. Sorry there are poor but I was in a rush

Should all Rolex's have Swiss Made on the dial. I have come across a nice Datejust from 1971. The dial does not have Swiss Made on it.

Is this correct or is it a fake/ refinished dial.

The watch and bracelet check out but the dial is worrying me

Thanks for any help you can give

Si

[f16570]

At this age it should read T<25 I think.

[Hammer]

Does it say anything on the bottom of the dial there?

[padi56]

Very early Rolex up till 1960 had just the word Swiss on dial.From 1960 till 1998 you will see Swiss T< 25 for radioactive Tritium but less than 925 Mbq (25mCi) or T Swiss T again from 1960 till 1998 radioactive Tritium but less than 277Mbq (7.5 Mci).From 1998 to 2000 Swiss Made only, then from 2000 on back to just Swiss on dial.From that picture its hard to see if anything is at bottom the dial.

[vapalux]

No , there is not a thing on the bottom of the dial.

I was always under the impression it should have 'swiss made' on the bottom of the dial. separated by the number 6.

Thanks

Si

[vapalux]

So as this doesn't say swiss at all, does it stand a fair chance the dial is a 'ringer'?

Many thanks

Si

[Jocke]

Will you please stop moving the freaking watch so we can see what it says at the bottom of the dial.



Jocke

[vapalux]

Sorry Jocke

Had to take the picture quick while no one was watching!

If I was anywhere near you standard that would be pin sharp!

Any help on the well out of focus pictures would be appreciated

Many thanks

Si

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by vapalux

Sorry Jocke

Had to take the picture quick while no one was watching!

If I was anywhere near you standard that would be pin sharp!

Any help on the well out of focus pictures would be appreciated

Many thanks

Si

Just put it at the table under a strong light. No flash and use the macro mode.
Zoom in until it focus nice and then pull the trigger.

Maybe you need to tell me what camera you have to get the best advises.

Jocke

[vapalux]

Hi Jocke

You wouldn't believe I still have my Pentax K1000 and prefer the results!

The digital is a hardly used Fuji Finepix S5000 and the focal range on the macro is:

Wide angle . Approx 0.1m to 2m (0.3ft to 6.6ft)
Telephoto: Approx 0.9m to 2m (3.0ft to 6.6ft)

Effective flash change: Approx: 0.9. to 2m (3ft to 6.6ft)

Many thanks for your help


Si

[vapalux]

Hi

New pics which I hope clarify the writing. On high magnification on the PC I can read T Swiss T. Is this ok. ?

Many thanks for all help

Si

[mike]

I'm not that up to speed on the Datejust, but I'll hazzard a guess and say at best a re-done dial.

[tro16565]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. Would like to share the info with you guys.

Si,

My datejust in the picture is from 1970. It's a gift from my dad. He changed the bracelet in 1981. Gave it to me in 1984. Did a major overhaul by local AD in 2004. As you can see in the picture, I think your dial is fine.

Noom

[miked10270]

Hi,

I "think" that the dial would be marked:

T Swiss T

For an early 1970's dial, wouldn't it?

T Swiss <25T for very late 1970's to 1980's dial?

The earlier one saying it's a Tritium dial, and the later one saying the dial has more than "25" somethings of Tritium?

I'm pretty sure from reading other threads here that the 1970's Explorer II dial was marked: "T Swiss T".

Mike.

PS: Fastest way to get good close-up Macro shots with your K1000 is to reverse the standard lens! Literally take the lens off, turn it around and hold the front of it against the mount. Your focussing distance is fixed to about an inch and a half, there's very little depth of field, and exposure is purely by shutter speed.

[Tools]

My eyes are bad and I can see that it says "T Swiss T" on the dial...Which is correct..

I don't see anything wrong with the dial except as Mike says, the trit dots may have been touched up at some point in it's life.. Possibly not, the curve of the plastic can distort things a bit...

[mike]

Originally Posted by miked10270

Hi,

I "think" that the dial would be marked:

T Swiss T

For an early 1970's dial, wouldn't it?

T Swiss <25T for very late 1970's to 1980's dial?

The earlier one saying it's a Tritium dial, and the later one saying the dial has more than "25" somethings of Tritium?

I'm pretty sure from reading other threads here that the 1970's Explorer II dial was marked: "T Swiss T".

Mike.

SWISS T<25 indicates less than 25 milicuries of tritium.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Will you please stop moving the freaking watch so we can see what it says at the bottom of the dial.



Jocke

[vapalux]

Many thanks to everyone for helping with this thread. A slightly re-touched dial I can live with as to be honest the watch looks amazing, or I think so anyway!

Thanks also to Mike for the macro tip re:my old, but serviced K1000 and Jocke for the assistance he provided. Its all very much appreciated

JJ thanks for putting your face in. I'm honoured

As ever I have learnt a lot from very kind people

This is what TRF is all about. My friends

If anyone has any more info please post it. The more the better

Si

[vapalux]

Thanks Noom for the info. and for sharing the pictures of your lovely DJ. That is a beautiful watch!

Many thanks

Si

[SLS]

From what I can see from your pics, there is a T Swiss T on the dial at 6 o'clock, is that not the case???
~Scott

[vapalux]

Hi Scott

Yes, your right under close magnification it does look as if it says T swiss T at 6'o clock.

It's very small and tiny and the consensus appears to be a re-dial or the curve of the plastic on the picture. It almost seems to be falling off the dial and its difficult to see with a magnifying glass and it can only be spotted on a pc by zooming in.

Many thanks for any assistance. It is greatly appreciated

Si

[SLS]

Is it a pie pan dial? Meaning does the dial look like an upside down pie pan! That's what it looks like form the picture. If so, the acrylic can really distort the edge of the dial, making it more difficult to read.
~Scott

[vapalux]

Hi Scott

Only slightly dished but not in the Omega Pie Pan way. You are most likely right in saying it distorts it like that as the writing seems not to be there but as I slowly tilt the watch.i wouldn't say I can read it without magnification, but you become aware of something being there. Unless its my eyes needing testing.

Its weird because it seems not to be there one second and when tilted its there, virtually off the dial.

Hopefully it is distortion and its an original dial which I have been told it is by the dealer I have had it off. I have had several items off him before and they have all been ok. So hopefully this will be ok. It will be a shame if it isn't because it is a real nice watch.

Many thanks for you help. It is much appreciated. I will let you know how it all turns out

Si

[Davvan]

Is the word "Datejust" written in red or are my eyes playing me a trick since I hade red wine for dinner????

[shaggy]

Originally Posted by Davvan

Is the word "Datejust" written in red or are my eyes playing me a trick since I hade red wine for dinner????

looks red to me mate

[vapalux]

Yep. Red it is. I asked the question on the forum how rare they were and while not rare, they were made in lesser numbers than all the others dials.

Its normally the first thing that takes your eye, the little bit of red. I have seen 2 for sale from the dealer I get my vintage watches from and there is a watch on the forum belonging to a member, also with Datejust in red. I am just trying to think of the name of the forum member!

I will post it as soon as the grey cells remember it!

Thanks for your help. Its much appreciated

Si

[vapalux]

Hi

Remembered it!

The forum member is Chris B and he has a beautiful Datejust

Or use the search facility and type in vintage datejust. The post you want is: Is this dial rare or as common as muck?

(my way with words!)

Or click on the link below and it will take you there

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ntage+datejust

Si

[Mr Sandman]

Originally Posted by padi56

Very early Rolex up till 1960 had just the word Swiss on dial.From 1960 till 1998 you will see Swiss T< 25 for radioactive Tritium but less than 925 Mbq (25mCi) or T Swiss T again from 1960 till 1998 radioactive Tritium but less than 277Mbq (7.5 Mci).From 1998 to 2000 Swiss Made only, then from 2000 on back to just Swiss on dial.From that picture its hard to see if anything is at bottom the dial.

So why has my 2006 expy 1 got 'SWISS MADE' at 6 o/c....It was BNIB and purchased from my local AD

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Mr Sandman

So why has my 2006 expy 1 got 'SWISS MADE' at 6 o/c....It was BNIB and purchased from my local AD

Padi made a dyslexic typo.... During 1998 until ~2000, they say "Swiss" as well as some replacement dials. From 2000 through the present, all dials say "Swiss Made"..