Is it a bad idea to purchase an 1803 with an upgraded 18038 movement?

[toomuchtime]

Local seller wants to sell me this watch for $13.5k. Direct from him “It’s an 1803 watch with a brand new authentic band put on in recent years. The movement was upgraded to 18038 which is slightly better. It’s been serviced twice and operates at near perfection. The bracelet life is at 90-95%.” Is it a bad idea to purchase a watch with this movement upgrade? Is that a fair price?

Thanks in advance!

[lupus66]

never heard of this mvm upgrade and think not possible..

[rmurphy]

You could find one not cobbled together for the same money or not much more. I wouldn’t want it for the very reason it doesn’t have its original parts.


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[Dan S]

If you care about collectible value then you probably don’t want it. If you’re looking for a nice Rolex to wear it could be ok. I’m not going to comment on price.

[KY..]

Originally Posted by toomuchtime

Local seller wants to sell me this watch for $13.5k. Direct from him “It’s an 1803 watch with a brand new authentic band put on in recent years. The movement was upgraded to 18038 which is slightly better.

Is it a bad idea to purchase a watch with this movement upgrade? Is that a fair price?

This does not make any sense to me.
Why pay 13.5K for a watch that only have parts value?
7k, yes.
13.5k, no I don’t think so.
Why not spend 13.5K and get a complete and authentic 18038 or 1803 for less money with real resale value down the road?
ESPN used to always say “Come-On-Man”, and that applies now…

[offrdmania]

The 3055 movement from the 18038 should be too tall for an 1803 case.

Will a 3055 marked automatic rotor bridge fit a 1555 movement? I wonder if this is what happened and so the dealer thinks its a 3055 movement in an 1803 case.

Not exactly an "upgrade"

[77T]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The 3055 movement from the 18038 should be too tall for an 1803 case.

Will a 3055 marked automatic rotor bridge fit a 1555 movement? I wonder if this is what happened and so the dealer thinks its a 3055 movement in an 1803 case.

Not exactly an "upgrade"

I think there may also be some other threads on the topic, too.

For the OP, are you certain it is a genuine Rolex movement? Or a movement “for the 18038” that is sitting in the 1803 case?


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[Tools]

Generally, when somebody says, "upgraded movement", they mean that the original movement has been switched out for something else.

This is seldom a wise purchase decision from an originality/value perspective. If the original movement was destroyed, such as by water, a new movement would be the right fix, but it should be with a proper movement and have accompanying service paperwork if possible.

[alwayshere]

I don't recall the 15XX and the 3XXX movement being compatitible dial-wise? so is it more dial and movement in the wrong case?

[zapokee]

Either the seller thinks you're a mug or has no idea what he's talking about.

Whichever it is, that would be a dealbreaker.

[TuRo]

Recommended you avoid. Nobody upgrades Rolex or Tudor Calibres, unless they are a sandwich short of a picnic !

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

I don't recall the 15XX and the 3XXX movement being compatitible dial-wise? so is it more dial and movement in the wrong case?

Not compatible, this is why I think only the automatic mechanism has been swapped out which is where the movement number is engraved but im not sure if a 3055 auto mechanism will fit on a 1555 movement