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vlaspri · 21 March 2021, 05:07 AM

Hi all!

I’m new to TRF, so I just wanted so say hi and tell the story of my Rolex Datejust Buckley dial.

Exactly a year ago I received the 2019 annual bonus and being a watch enthusiast I decided that came time to search for my first vintage Rolex. I’m more an Omega and Longines guy but I have always wanted a Rolex Datejust.

So I had two main options - desire and cash for the watch, but the coronavirus totally changed all our lives and at that time buying on the net was just impossible as all the shipping services to my country were unavailable because of lockdowns. The disappointing had no limits, but somehow I used to the thought that I’ll definitely buy my first Rolex when the lockdowns would be over.

One day, browsing local Craigslist for a new watch I found this on blurry pictures took from bad angles. I called the seller and in an hour we met in the city.

To my surprise this Rolex was in great condition and really good priced. As you already understood - I bought it!

It is all original from 1984 according to serial, has right date wheel - open 6 and 9, all the lume dots matching the lume on the hands, right black hands and again - the beautiful white Buckley dial. The only thing that bothers me a bit is a bracelet which has a moderate stretch, but I think it is normal for a 36 years watch and it really bring some vintagy look to it.

Best regards,
Vladislavs.

robinmgb · 21 March 2021, 05:37 AM

Looks very nice, you can easily get the jubilee re pinned and tightened.
I had one done on a gmt in Hatton garden, London last year, cost £350

Stan Cooper · 21 March 2021, 06:02 AM

Gorgeous piece! Congratulations and welcome to TRF.

Dan S · 21 March 2021, 06:30 AM

It's always great to find something locally. Congrats!

Richard Carver · 21 March 2021, 07:38 AM

Lovely watch, :) Leave the bracelet alone. Never take Rolex pins out to replace them with unknown materials that could loosen and fall apart in a year.

Aas you say, it made it 36 years, it'll make another 36 with regular cleaning.

vlaspri · 21 March 2021, 09:16 PM

Thank you all for kind words and advices!

@orariofisso · 22 March 2021, 01:11 AM

Beautiful piece...the jangley bracelet has loads of character. I, too, am hesitant to send a bracelet out for restoration. I know there are competent people who use appropriate materials, but ask around here about bracelet restoration and maybe you can get decent recommendations.

Jay (Eire) · 23 March 2021, 09:58 AM

Beautiful watch. Obviously meant to be given that you found it locally.

Love these Buckley dials. Even though I’m generally not a fan or Roman numerals.

SunTzu · 23 March 2021, 11:06 AM

Great watch! I have the exact same one from 1981. Congratulations and enjoy. Nice way to treat yourself.

GGGMT · 23 March 2021, 11:11 AM

Sick! Great work.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dr.Smellody · 23 March 2021, 11:18 AM

Welcome. I like your Datejust very much!

Dhiren · 23 March 2021, 02:21 PM

Congratulations! That is indeed a beautiful watch.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

daOnlyBG · 23 March 2021, 02:47 PM

Wow, that looks really neat. Buckley dials are fantastic.

vlaspri · 24 March 2021, 07:15 PM

Thank you all for kind words! This one became my daily wears and I just can’t get enough of it.

drockadam · 24 March 2021, 10:30 PM

I love Buckley dial DJ's! Congrats!

vlaspri · 31 March 2021, 05:03 PM

Thanks!

paper clip · 1 April 2021, 02:43 AM

Your Buckley dial is beautiful. I like it much more than the current roman numeral dials. This is watch I'd be hesitant to buy on the web. It is great that you were able to see it in person and make up your mind!

Richard Carver · 1 April 2021, 03:02 AM

Here's my lovely painted Roman...

16030

/16610 · 1 April 2021, 11:09 PM

I’d like to file a minority report, and say that you should have the bracelet refreshed or buy a new one. It’s hard to tell from that photo, but it looks pretty worn out. If it breaks you could do a lot of damage to the watch - or even lose it completely.

I know there are people in Hong Kong and Los Angeles who do a good job, but there may well be someone closer? If you decide to do it, ask on here for recommendations. You could always take it to a Rolex Service Centre, but that can sometimes lead to them wanting to replace dials/other parts that shouldn’t really be replaced on a vintage watch like yours.

It’s a lovely watch, and deserves good care!

vlaspri · 5 April 2021, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paper clip

Your Buckley dial is beautiful. I like it much more than the current roman numeral dials. This is watch I'd be hesitant to buy on the web. It is great that you were able to see it in person and make up your mind!

It was a great luck indeed to see it in person before buying!

vlaspri · 5 April 2021, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Here's my lovely painted Roman...

16030

Look nice on this strap!

vlaspri · 5 April 2021, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by /16610

I’d like to file a minority report, and say that you should have the bracelet refreshed or buy a new one. It’s hard to tell from that photo, but it looks pretty worn out. If it breaks you could do a lot of damage to the watch - or even lose it completely.

I know there are people in Hong Kong and Los Angeles who do a good job, but there may well be someone closer? If you decide to do it, ask on here for recommendations. You could always take it to a Rolex Service Centre, but that can sometimes lead to them wanting to replace dials/other parts that shouldn’t really be replaced on a vintage watch like yours.

It’s a lovely watch, and deserves good care!

Thank you! I already found the nearest one bracelet service - located Hungary, but all these lockdowns are killing this possibility atm.

21 March 2021, 05:07 AM	#1
vlaspri 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Location Posts: 1,291	Rolex Datejust Buckley Hi all! I’m new to TRF, so I just wanted so say hi and tell the story of my Rolex Datejust Buckley dial. Exactly a year ago I received the 2019 annual bonus and being a watch enthusiast I decided that came time to search for my first vintage Rolex. I’m more an Omega and Longines guy but I have always wanted a Rolex Datejust. So I had two main options - desire and cash for the watch, but the coronavirus totally changed all our lives and at that time buying on the net was just impossible as all the shipping services to my country were unavailable because of lockdowns. The disappointing had no limits, but somehow I used to the thought that I’ll definitely buy my first Rolex when the lockdowns would be over. One day, browsing local Craigslist for a new watch I found this on blurry pictures took from bad angles. I called the seller and in an hour we met in the city. To my surprise this Rolex was in great condition and really good priced. As you already understood - I bought it! It is all original from 1984 according to serial, has right date wheel - open 6 and 9, all the lume dots matching the lume on the hands, right black hands and again - the beautiful white Buckley dial. The only thing that bothers me a bit is a bracelet which has a moderate stretch, but I think it is normal for a 36 years watch and it really bring some vintagy look to it. Best regards, Vladislavs.

21 March 2021, 06:02 AM	#3
Stan Cooper 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Real Name: Stan Cooper Location: Sonoma County, CA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 2,875	Gorgeous piece! Congratulations and welcome to TRF. __________________ ♛16710 GMT-Master II, ♛1915 Rolex WW1 Trench Watch, Zelos Thresher 500m GMT Meteorite, Zelos Swordfish 40 200m Ti Blood Moon Meteorite, Hamilton Pilot Chronograph, Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT COSC Chronometer, Zelos Mako 300M Traveler GMT Meteorite, Seiko SSC813 quartz solar powered chronograph It's weird being the same age as old people. - Stan

21 March 2021, 06:30 AM	#4
Dan S 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 6,252	It's always great to find something locally. Congrats! __________________ @oldwatchdan on IG

23 March 2021, 11:06 AM	#9
SunTzu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NJ Watch: 5513 116234 79280P Posts: 2,144	Great watch! I have the exact same one from 1981. Congratulations and enjoy. Nice way to treat yourself. __________________ The wristwatch is an intimate accessory. The best watches live in harmony and interact with the wearer, and their functions offer a reassuring and emotionally satisfying bond - Kintaro Hattori

23 March 2021, 02:47 PM	#13
daOnlyBG "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Odorious Onion Watch: yes, it's hipster Posts: 1,587	Wow, that looks really neat. Buckley dials are fantastic. __________________ Here come dat boi Jerry

21 March 2021, 05:37 AM	#2
robinmgb "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Kent, England Watch: Hublot BB Unico Posts: 1,089	Looks very nice, you can easily get the jubilee re pinned and tightened. I had one done on a gmt in Hatton garden, London last year, cost £350

21 March 2021, 07:38 AM	#5
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	Lovely watch, :) Leave the bracelet alone. Never take Rolex pins out to replace them with unknown materials that could loosen and fall apart in a year. Aas you say, it made it 36 years, it'll make another 36 with regular cleaning.

21 March 2021, 09:16 PM	#6
vlaspri 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Location Posts: 1,291	Thank you all for kind words and advices!

22 March 2021, 01:11 AM	#7
@orariofisso "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 37	Beautiful piece...the jangley bracelet has loads of character. I, too, am hesitant to send a bracelet out for restoration. I know there are competent people who use appropriate materials, but ask around here about bracelet restoration and maybe you can get decent recommendations.

23 March 2021, 09:58 AM	#8
Jay (Eire) 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: @jb.watching Location: NYC Posts: 1,487	Beautiful watch. Obviously meant to be given that you found it locally. Love these Buckley dials. Even though I’m generally not a fan or Roman numerals.

23 March 2021, 11:11 AM	#10
GGGMT 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Itinerant Watch: 79010sg Posts: 8,328	Sick! Great work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

23 March 2021, 11:18 AM	#11
Dr.Smellody "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 5,387	Welcome. I like your Datejust very much!

23 March 2021, 02:21 PM	#12
Dhiren "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: India Posts: 518	Congratulations! That is indeed a beautiful watch. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

24 March 2021, 07:15 PM	#14
vlaspri 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Location Posts: 1,291	Thank you all for kind words! This one became my daily wears and I just can’t get enough of it.

24 March 2021, 10:30 PM	#15
drockadam "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Adam Location: Ontario, Canada Watch: Pepsi. Posts: 5,749	I love Buckley dial DJ's! Congrats! __________________ - Adam Instagram: @GMTSUBTIME

31 March 2021, 05:03 PM	#16
vlaspri 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Location Posts: 1,291	Thanks!

1 April 2021, 02:43 AM	#17
paper clip "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: New England Posts: 4	Your Buckley dial is beautiful. I like it much more than the current roman numeral dials. This is watch I'd be hesitant to buy on the web. It is great that you were able to see it in person and make up your mind!

1 April 2021, 03:02 AM	#18
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	Here's my lovely painted Roman... 16030

1 April 2021, 11:09 PM	#19
/16610 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London Posts: 45	I’d like to file a minority report, and say that you should have the bracelet refreshed or buy a new one. It’s hard to tell from that photo, but it looks pretty worn out. If it breaks you could do a lot of damage to the watch - or even lose it completely. I know there are people in Hong Kong and Los Angeles who do a good job, but there may well be someone closer? If you decide to do it, ask on here for recommendations. You could always take it to a Rolex Service Centre, but that can sometimes lead to them wanting to replace dials/other parts that shouldn’t really be replaced on a vintage watch like yours. It’s a lovely watch, and deserves good care!

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