New to me 1603

[Vedea]

Hey there,

I got my first Rolex back at the beginning of the new year, a 1978 Datejust ref 1603, no box or papers and no service records. I got it on a well known auction website and am super excited to wear it. After wearing it for a month and half or so, I decided that I wanted to have it serviced and to get the stretch in the bracelet fixed. I did some research and decided that I wanted to have it serviced by Rolliworks out of the Miami area. Mike's work is top notch and his prices are very competitive. It just so happened that I was already planning a family trip down to the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area in February, so I made an appointment to swing by the shop and drop off the watch.

Other than the stretch in the bracelet, the watch was decent. The hands had some tarnish on them and there seemed to be a small chip in the crystal at the 5 o'clock position. The watch was loosing about 9/sec a day, but I was more or less okay with that.

I ended up opting for a "full" service and 99% (this is my number that I came up with) restoration on the watch. In addition to repairing the bracelet stretch, we're doing a full case and bracelet polish, new crystal, all new hands, a complete disassembly and cleaning of the movement, and new gaskets all around, so in my mind, it will basically be a brand new watch, ready to be worn daily for another 40 years!

I'd post some photos, but I don't have 10 posts yet
When I have the required number of posts, I will update this thread

[Tools]

Anybody can attach photos as long as they meet the size requirements of the file type.

Sounds like a good plan for a great classic.

[TuRo]

Welcome. Glad you kept the original dial. Hope it goes well for you.

Tbh fitting service parts on both 'basic dial spec' 1601/1603 are one of the only watches that it hardly makes any difference to values too as well..... so it's risk free too compared to say other 4 digit professional pieces.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Vedea

I ended up opting for a "full" service and 99% (this is my number that I came up with) restoration on the watch. In addition to repairing the bracelet stretch, we're doing a full case and bracelet polish, new crystal, all new hands, a complete disassembly and cleaning of the movement, and new gaskets all around, so in my mind, it will basically be a brand new watch, ready to be worn daily for another 40 years!

I don't think I'd replace the hands unless they are unlumed and identical. New luminova hands look terrible with old tritium dials. Also, vintage watches are great and I wear them every day, but I don't kid myself that they are basically brand new. Even if they look good, they have usually experienced a lot of wear and tear.

[studioal]

I never like the idea of trying to make a vintage watch perform like something new. As in, replacing tritium parts that no longer glow with luminova replacements. Best to keep the watch as-found as long as parts are broken or corroded beyond use. But it's your watch so do as you please.

Looking forward to seeing some photos.

[racerx]

Change the crystal, fix the bracelet, service the movement and leave the rest as is.

[996marty]

As some of the comments have suggested for me I always think any watch looks better as original as possible

[pk552502]

Did you already have the service done, or are you planning to do it in February? If not done yet, why don't you show pictures of the watch and bracelet. I'm curious to see how stretched the bracelet is and how damaged are the hands. I'm another vote to keep the hands original if you can.

[Vedea]

not sure how well these will come out due the forum pixel and file size limitations. but I have attached the photos. to answer some of the questions, the replacement hands are new old stock, so they are still tritium.

there is a video of the watch from the seller, in the condition it was in, on YoutTube. I cannot post the link since I don't have 10 posts yet

[southtexas]

I think it looks really nice. Bracelet also looks to be in nice condition from what I can see.

[TuRo]

That looks like average condition of all mine. It has character and to my eyes everything is in keeping. Personally I'd leave it as original now seeing it, but it's your watch sir. Nice fat marker model btw. Rgds

[Verdi]

Congrats.

Also congrats in choosing to service the watch and give it a new life. Condition is average but I am sure its going to look very good after Rolliworks does its magic.

I think money wise it is going to be hard to justify the cost of service and refurbishing the bracelet. But its about passion and the joy of saving a watch imo. I am looking forward to see the pics after the service.

[Dan S]

I don't think I'd bother to replace the hands. The condition is typical and they match the dial.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[BNA/LION]

Congratulations!

[brandrea]

Congratulations, welcome to the forum

[Vedea]

Got the watch back yesterday from Rolliworks, and I am blown away. The watch looks like it is brand new (cosmetically). I understand it's still a vintage watch, but you'd almost never guess from looking at it.

Before anyone asks, yes, I spent a lot on all of the different individual services that Mike and his team offer. From the bracelet stretch repair (and having to source two new links to make sure the bracelet still fit after the stretch repair), movement service, new glass, case and bracelet polish, and also laser welding the case and lugs to get everything back within OE spec and symmetry.

In addition to those services, I did have them source some different, less tarnished hands, which I think match the dial perfectly in terms of aging. I know a lot of you may think that I have ruined the look or character of a vintage watch, but to me, with all this work and service, it's ready to serve daily duty and live on for the next 50 years.

[Patto]

Looks spectacular. Congratulations. I see nothing wrong with getting a case and bracelet resorted/refurbished as long as the dial is left alone. Nice watch!

[gdubdj]

I just had my 1603 completely overhauled as well. Including replacing a corroded dial. Since this is an heirloom gifted to me it won’t be sold. I wanted it restored to the best condition possible for as you said ..”the next fifty years”. I did mine through RSC. Enjoy your watch!

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by gdubdj

I just had my 1603 completely overhauled as well. Including replacing a corroded dial. Since this is an heirloom gifted to me it won’t be sold. I wanted it restored to the best condition possible for as you said ..”the next fifty years”. I did mine through RSC. Enjoy your watch!

Does it show "T Swiss T" on your dial, and was this just put on by RSC?

[gdubdj]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Does it show "T Swiss T" on your dial, and was this just put on by RSC?

It does not show T swiss T on the service dial. I started a thread about my experience with the dial swap.

[Jackie Daytona]

Great looking watch! Congrats!

[Apdl]

wow, they knocked it out of the park