Rolex 1603 (Two Tone vs Stainless Steel)

[Dan95]

Good day ladies and gents,

Am being offered a 1603 (stamped on the case) in two tone 18k with an accompanying 455b bracelet for c. USD3.5k

Only concern is - to my limited knowledge 1603s are only offered in SS with engine turned bezels (though a quick google on two-tone 1603s result in pics with fluted bezels, etc).

Attached are accompanying pics for reference. Appreciate your input!

[Dan95]

Re: to threaded quote from Richard back in 2016:

"The 1601 was the most common of the 1570 based DJs and was available in a wide variety of configurations. The various DJ ref are: 1600, smooth or 'polished' bezel, the 1601, fluted bezel, 1603, engine turned bezel, 1625, Turn-O-Graph or Thunderbird bezel.

The 1601 always had a gold fluted bezel available in WG, YG and at various times RG. Standard configurations were YG with a TT jubilee or oyster bracelet, jubilee far more common. WG bezel with a SS jubilee bracelet, also available with an SS oyster. All were available on a strap.

As the 1601 approach 60 years old you might consider that their configurations may have been altered with the changing winds of fashion during their lives. It's easy to change a YG to a WG and vice versa. SS is popular right now and many YG have been converted to WG. This can be problematic should you wish to have a Rolex service. Only Rolex knows how your watch left the factory and if it's been altered they would force you to put it back to original before they will service it. As 1570 based watches age out of factory servicing this will of course, become moot. Original paperwork can tell you how your watch left the factory as well. 1625 and 1600 are also subject to these alterations. The 1603 was only ever available in SS.

This is just basic information, there were other more esoteric refs, solid gold models, a staggering array of dials.

My favorite 1603..."

(source: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...highlight=1603)

[Dan S]

If the case is truly marked 1603, then it has been converted to look like a 1601 by swapping parts, which is common enough. However it's also possible that the seller just made a mistake and it's actually a 1601. Do you have photos from between the lugs or are you just taking the seller's word for it?

[Dan95]

Originally Posted by Dan S

If the case is truly marked 1603, then it has been converted to look like a 1601 by swapping parts, which is common enough. However it's also possible that the seller just made a mistake and it's actually a 1601. Do you have photos from between the lugs or are you just taking the seller's word for it?

Will take clearer photos between the lugs.

Actually being sold by a buddy of mine - and the pics were taken by me

Had some concerns re: the bracelet as the bottom part is a bit jagged and looks more 10k/14k rather than 18k per hallmark but watch shop says it checks out though looks abit ratty

[rmurphy]

Looks well worn honestly. I’d hold out for one in better shape or offer the seller 2200-2500 bucks in order to budget for a full reconditioning with someone like Rolliworks. But honestly I’d recommend passing on this one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dan95]

Just checked the clasp code its AB hence year 2000.

But the bracelet says Steelinox "A" - so 1976?

Or am i missing something.