Vintage Rolex Datejust 1978

[retinamdphd]

I was recently gifted this Vintage Rolex Datejust from my father-in-law. I'm sorry about the poor quality, it was taken with my iPhone. It was apparently rolling around in the bottom of his desk for the past 30 years. It has never been serviced, but amazingly, I wound it up, and it basically keeps time like my new modern Rolex Explorer 1 (ref. 214270). I'd love this forum's help and recommendations on what reference this datejust is, what the movement it likely contains (3035), is the bezel white gold or steel? How should I get it serviced so that it does not decrease in value? What kind of service would you recommend? Should I get the case polished? Should I change the dial / hands? Should I change the acrylic crystal? Or should I just get the internals and seals freshened up, and leave it as is? What would you do if you came across your father-in-law's old datejust that he hasn't worn for 30 years. Thanks for your help and suggestions!

I've posted in some other forums, and they recommend getting the acrylic crystal replaced, do NOT polish the case, to possibly get the dial and hands replaced, and maybe replace the jubilee with a period correct oyster bracelet. I'm not even sure where to begin. I have to say it has a wonderful patina, and it looks great on my wrist. I have a few other modern watches, but this vintage watch definitely has some style.

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks like a very nice 1601 with great case and pretty nice everything else. No polish! Just a movement service. Wow! Keep the Jubilee on there. Is there a date on the clasp? Keep the dial, and hands too if you don't mind the slight corrosion.

[tom_cat]

Get a movement serviced and maybe swap hands and crystal but DO NOT swap the dial, your dial with those aged tritium looks stunning. Bezel is possible white gold, SS is different look. And keep those jubilee bracelet, you can refurbish them if you want. Its looks better and more vintage with jubilee, well that just me :)

[jolimont]

amazing patina on the hands and the dial

[retinamdphd]

There is no date on the clasp, but I took it the Rolex Service Center to get it sized for my wrist and the serial number it is 5732xxx. The watch is super comfortable with the jubilee. I went to a vintage watch store to look around and the owner there was super excited to see my watch, she told me to never sell it, just get the movement serviced only, and to not change a thing on it. She said it was a reference 1601 as you mentioned, with white gold bezel. The patina is amazing, and the tritium dots on the watch itself are completely intact and the patina on the hands match the dots. I don't mind the small amount of rust on the seconds hand. It really has character. Thanks for the advice and comments. :)

[crowncollection]

Nice thick case, nice one service, have an expert clean the hands up, this dies not mean repainted them.

[Vincent65]

Nice watch you were given.

[vcnyls]

Leave it just as it is. Great looking watch!

[retinamdphd]

Thanks a lot for the thoughtful advice! I am really happy with the watch, will just take care of the internal mechanicals, but will leave it essentially as is. I had it resized at the Rolex Service Center, and it really fits very well now and the jubilee bracelet is super comfortable. It really has a ton of style. Thanks for the very kind comments regarding this vintage watch, it's a very special gift for me.

[joe100]

Well-found indeed

[Lgear080]

Agreed... Movement only. That dial and hand set is awesome.

[joli160]

Nice watch
Only a service and you're good.

[Mark020]

Can somebody explain to me for once and for all why people always ask the gold or steel question regarding those bezels?

[ww12345]

Doesn't it change the reference number? They do look similar, too... (WG vs steel)

[Floorguy]

Send it to rikki at time care inc. for a service, he'll do you right!
Btw. Great watch

[bridgs]

Classy with a crisp looking case too.

[PoderEsBueno]

Nice watch

[s1nn3d]

Do late model 1601's have flat dial instead of the usual pie-pan dial? Or is the watch a reference 16014 instead?

[mattsandy]

Nice original watch. Just service it