Need opinion on 1803

[tuan2195]

Hi everyone,

I'm being offered a 1803 which looks to be in great condition. Seller said that it's all original parts, but I have a few concerns that I hope you guys can help with.

The dial looks to be a service dial and I think the day wheel usually have slimmer fonts? Also this example comes with a hidden clasp bracelet. I'm not sure if this is period correct? And given how everything looks, what would be a fair price for this piece?

Any help is greatly appreaciated, thanks!

[circles]

The font on "wednesday" is horrible

[offrdmania]

Definitely not all original as stated.

The dial does look like a later service dial but I dont think it was replaced in an AD service because the hands would have been replaced as well. That day wheel looks aftermarket. A horrible puffy font.

Ask the seller for the end link numbers. The bracelet may be correct if it has 53 end links. If they are 55 end links then it is a later bracelet. There should also be a date code on the clasp to help verify the year. clasp code should match the year of the watch.

Also, I see the watch sitting in a much later early 2000s box so I assume it is the watch only and no original box or papers, I wouldnt give more than maybe $8-9 grand for it. Ask how many links are in the bracelet. Should have 24. If there are much less then just remember that a decent barely polished used link will cost between $200-300 each. Adds up real quick.

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Definitely not all original as stated.

The dial does look like a later service dial but I dont think it was replaced in an AD service because the hands would have been replaced as well. That day wheel looks aftermarket. A horrible puffy font.

Ask the seller for the end link numbers. The bracelet may be correct if it has 53 end links. If they are 55 end links then it is a later bracelet. There should also be a date code on the clasp to help verify the year. clasp code should match the year of the watch.

Also, I see the watch sitting in a much later early 2000s box so I assume it is the watch only and no original box or papers, I wouldnt give more than maybe $8-9 grand for it. Ask how many links are in the bracelet. Should have 24. If there are much less then just remember that a decent barely polished used link will cost between $200-300 each. Adds up real quick.

Font looks off, as others have said.

Can confirm links/bracelet service. I’m budgeting at least $2k for a bracelet service and adding links to my 1803 bracelet.

Also, the lume looks pretty new and without patina, but that’s just my lay observation.

[carwashchris]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Definitely not all original as stated.

The dial does look like a later service dial but I dont think it was replaced in an AD service because the hands would have been replaced as well. That day wheel looks aftermarket. A horrible puffy font.

Ask the seller for the end link numbers. The bracelet may be correct if it has 53 end links. If they are 55 end links then it is a later bracelet. There should also be a date code on the clasp to help verify the year. clasp code should match the year of the watch.

Also, I see the watch sitting in a much later early 2000s box so I assume it is the watch only and no original box or papers, I wouldnt give more than maybe $8-9 grand for it. Ask how many links are in the bracelet. Should have 24. If there are much less then just remember that a decent barely polished used link will cost between $200-300 each. Adds up real quick.

+1 Well said.

[BDII]

yeah... a lot of issues here. I'd stay away.

[tuan2195]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I'll keep this in mind and ask the dealer to revise their price, but if not I'll probably pass.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by tuan2195

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I'll keep this in mind and ask the dealer to revise their price, but if not I'll probably pass.

I wouldnt necessarily walk away. If the price is revised to offset making the piece correct then go for it.

[Andad]

Pass. Too many issues.
There are much better examples.

[zapokee]

I'd walk away simply because the seller is claiming it to be all orginal. Either he's dishonest or he doesn't have a clue.

As an aside, the hidden-clasp bracelet is beautiful, but in practice it's a pain. It's completely unadjustable, so you can't do microadjustments for changes in wrist size between morning/evening, hot/cold weather and high/low pie intake. It's always either too loose or too tight.

I'd get one with a clasp and the microadjustment pinholes.

[BigBlue1]

Maybe it’s a safe Queen before there were safe queens. Honestly OP it doesn’t take a novice to spot to many red flags. Right off the bat it seems you had a good idea yourself. Next time trust your gut. It’s great you came here and checked but you were quite right in your own intuition.

If you don’t mind me asking, what was the asking price and be honest

[tuan2195]

Thanks everyone! The piece in question was sold (not to me of course), dealer was asking me for 10.5k. Not sure how fair is that, since it seems like the Day-Date is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

[BDII]

Originally Posted by tuan2195

Thanks everyone! The piece in question was sold (not to me of course), dealer was asking me for 10.5k. Not sure how fair is that, since it seems like the Day-Date is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

Sad... someone got taken for a ride :/

Glad it wasn’t you!

[Case61]

Originally Posted by bdii

sad... Someone got taken for a ride :/

glad it wasn’t you!

+1

[Slimpee]

Is there any chance that day dial is a Rolex part? The font looks pretty far off from what I’ve seen in 1803 font.

[Platypus]

Somebody got a great deal. Case and bracelet at first glance appear to be unpolished. Another $300 or so for an original dial and day disc, and you have a 100% correct watch.

[HarryLime]

My money's on it being polished.

[Rado63]

Since it would have a T on the dial, the dial is likely not original. The condition of the second hand appears different to to the hour and minute hand. Seems odd that someone would consent to change the dial and the second hand but leave the minute and hour hands as original. There were different fonts used for the day wheel some slender and sarifed, some slender and a fat font seemed to appear in the 80's. I have seen at least three varieties in the font but I am not an expert as to what font went with which serial numbers.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

My money's on it being polished.

Yes. It's clearly been polished.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Platypus

Somebody got a great deal. Case and bracelet at first glance appear to be unpolished. Another $300 or so for an original dial and day disc, and you have a 100% correct watch.

That case is definitely polished. Those lugs are a bit short.