To Datejust or not to Datejust

[Kokyuryoku]

Kia ora guys,

I've been looking for a vintage beater for a while now and just recently I was offered this TT DJ (WG/SS) 1601 from 1966 for $1200. It was serviced about 18 months ago and had the hair spring replaced. The seller is a little flexible on the price.

So what do you vintage guys think? Does it look OK? Is it a good deal?

Cheers

Rye

[Black Bay Dan]

Seems a very good price to me if nothing needs replacing (i.e. Jubilee bracelet).

Dan

[pz93c]

Agreed.

[chriseskew24]

From what I can see it looks good. Also remember that if there is no proof of service you should asume that it needs to be done..

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by Air King Dan

Seems a very good price to me if nothing needs replacing (i.e. Jubilee bracelet).

Dan

Thanks, I just emailed him for a pic of the bracelet. Cheers.

Originally Posted by chriseskew24

From what I can see it looks good. Also remember that if there is no proof of service you should asume that it needs to be done..

Cheers. That's a good point.

[tkc324]

Thats a good deal... even better if you can get it lower!

[roadcarver]

That's a great price, just make sure to ask if there are any aging spots on the dial. Also ask if there are any noticeable flaking of the tritium hands.

Since it is a vintage, ask the seller to set it for a date with a 6 or a 9 and check to see if those 9 or 6 are either open or closed. Open or Closed means that the 'loops on the numbers six and nine are closed and not open ended.

[JohnBoy]

I have been looking at these too - an all stainless, like yours. Its a workhorse, but the low end of the DJ line if no WG anywhere. Older Quickset movement SS DJs s are going for $1800-$1900, older than that NQS SS for maybe $400-$500 less. If the bracelet has any life left and the clasp is hanging on OK, its a really great deal! It'll probablly last for a while in that condition. Even with a limp bracelet and busted clasp, if its just been serviced in the last year and running smooth, its probably still worth near $1200 (assuming, of course that its the real deal with case and serial numbers in the right places)! The cleaning, oiling and and parts check is worth about $500, say $400 to you with a year shot. If the bracelet is a bust, used SS jubilee bracelets in near excellent condition are about $200 (I just got one) and genuine NOS clasps can be had for less than $100. I'd say its a pretty good starter for your collection - one that you can wear every day, any occasion, and feel very good about!

In any event, if it becomes yours, I'd change the spring pins out right away - one looks a little long, protruding beyond the lugs, and they may both be worn, weak, and/or corroded. Look at the bracelet and clasp for worn or loose pins, screws, too. Get them fixed right away - so it won't break loose from your wrist. Uh...the latter recommendations from my personal diary of a vinatge DJ.....actually, the one I wore to work today! Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

That's a great price, just make sure to ask if there are any aging spots on the dial. Also ask if there are any noticeable flaking of the tritium hands.

Since it is a vintage, ask the seller to set it for a date with a 6 or a 9 and check to see if those 9 or 6 are either open or closed. Open or Closed means that the 'loops on the numbers six and nine are closed and not open ended.

Thanks
What does it mean if it has open or closed 9's or 6's? Does that make it rarer?

Originally Posted by JohnBoy

I have been looking at these too - an all stainless, like yours. Its a workhorse, but the low end of the DJ line if no WG anywhere. Older Quickset movement SS DJs s are going for $1800-$1900, older than that NQS SS for maybe $400-$500 less. If the bracelet has any life left and the clasp is hanging on OK, its a really great deal! It'll probablly last for a while in that condition. Even with a limp bracelet and busted clasp, if its just been serviced in the last year and running smooth, its probably still worth near $1200 (assuming, of course that its the real deal with case and serial numbers in the right places)! The cleaning, oiling and and parts check is worth about $500, say $400 to you with a year shot. If the bracelet is a bust, used SS jubilee bracelets in near excellent condition are about $200 (I just got one) and genuine NOS clasps can be had for less than $100. I'd say its a pretty good starter for your collection - one that you can wear every day, any occasion, and feel very good about!

In any event, if it becomes yours, I'd change the spring pins out right away - one looks a little long, protruding beyond the lugs, and they may both be worn, weak, and/or corroded. Look at the bracelet and clasp for worn or loose pins, screws, too. Get them fixed right away - so it won't break loose from your wrist. Uh...the latter recommendations from my personal diary of a vinatge DJ.....actually, the one I wore to work today! Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!

Thanks for the information and recommendations. I noticed the spring pins too.

[benzheng]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

That's a great price, just make sure to ask if there are any aging spots on the dial. Also ask if there are any noticeable flaking of the tritium hands.

Since it is a vintage, ask the seller to set it for a date with a 6 or a 9 and check to see if those 9 or 6 are either open or closed. Open or Closed means that the 'loops on the numbers six and nine are closed and not open ended.

Hi! Finally someone I can consult to get the open or closed 6/9 right. My DJ 1601 have opened 6, 9, 16, 19 & 29 but closed 26. Anything wrong with that?

Thanks!

[benzheng]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

That's a great price, just make sure to ask if there are any aging spots on the dial. Also ask if there are any noticeable flaking of the tritium hands.

Since it is a vintage, ask the seller to set it for a date with a 6 or a 9 and check to see if those 9 or 6 are either open or closed. Open or Closed means that the 'loops on the numbers six and nine are closed and not open ended.

Hi! Finally someone I can consult to get the open or closed 6/9 right. My DJ 1601 have opened 6, 9, 16, 19 & 29 but closed 26. Anything wrong with that?

Thanks!

[Black Bay Dan]

Regarding the spring bars, I just think they have the wrong ones fitted. The 1601 needs the spring bars with the shoulders. The fact that they are poking through the lugs would suggest that they have fitted modern ones for the thicker lug cases. Also even if it needs an RSC Service, I still think it is a good deal if nothing major needs replacing. Cheers.

Dan

[pz93c]

The one pictured is a 1601. It'll have a white gold fluted bezel. The bezel pictured below in the thread link is a SS engine turned. It resides on my 1603... at least until I can find a smooth bezel for it.

Even if the bracelet is shot, just use your current clasp and end links and pick up a replacement bracelet. I did.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=92481

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by Air King Dan

Regarding the spring bars, I just think they have the wrong ones fitted. The 1601 needs the spring bars with the shoulders. The fact that they are poking through the lugs would suggest that they have fitted modern ones for the thicker lug cases. Also even if it needs an RSC Service, I still think it is a good deal if nothing major needs replacing. Cheers.

Dan

Thanks, that's pretty much what I'm thinking at the moment too

Originally Posted by pz93c

The one pictured is a 1601. It'll have a white gold fluted bezel. The bezel pictured below in the thread link is a SS engine turned. It resides on my 1603... at least until I can find a smooth bezel for it.

Even if the bracelet is shot, just use your current clasp and end links and pick up a replacement bracelet. I did.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=92481

Thanks for the information. I never thought of putting it on a strap. That looks great.

BTW where could I get a replacement bracelet, if it turns out I need one?

[roadcarver]

Honestly, I was expecting them to be open, but I'm not an expert.

Perhaps the folks with a better knowledge of vintages can chime in? I no longer my 16030 to compare.

Originally Posted by benzheng

Hi! Finally someone I can consult to get the open or closed 6/9 right. My DJ 1601 have opened 6, 9, 16, 19 & 29 but closed 26. Anything wrong with that?

Thanks!

[Dazza]

all of mine appear to be closed on the 6's and 9's

1970 ish DJ

[pz93c]

Mine are all closed on my 1968.

[Kokyuryoku]

Is there any special significance to having open or closed 6's or 9's?