Back to gold..."new" 1503 arrived

[Rscmaine]

Cleanest 35 year old watch I have ever seen...running dead flat 0+ 0- over last 36 hours...

Might have a keeper here.

And since I have such small wrists the 34mm is actually a great fit.

(sellers photos - haven't had it off long enough to take my own)

Lordy, but I do like this

[Rags]

Looks real nice.

[vintage69]

Beautiful watch. The bracelet looks original. If the bracelet is original, you have a very scarce watch. I own a 1505 with an original jubilee bracelet. If the bracelet is original, the ends will have a subset number related to the serial number. Wear the watch with pride.

[Cato]

Beautiful watch!

The 13 scares me though!

[vukotab]

That for sure is a keeper, looks fantastic!
Wear it in a good health!

[Rscmaine]

Originally Posted by vintage69

Beautiful watch. The bracelet looks original. If the bracelet is original, you have a very scarce watch. I own a 1505 with an original jubilee bracelet. If the bracelet is original, the ends will have a subset number related to the serial number. Wear the watch with pride.

Sadly no numbers on the end pieces, but the clasp is marked USA (which as I understand it is 'period correct' from the early '70s when import tariffs forced so many Swiss makers to source bracelets in Mexico and the US) The (very minor) internal wear on the folding clasp sure leads me to believe it began life back then - the serial number is 41XXXXX which dates it to '74.

I know that this has been polished, but it was done minimally, and by someone who knew not to grind the lugs.

I've scanned the web and only found 2 examples of this model which have the original jubilee - at least only 2 "For Sale" - I fear for these older 14K models as the price of gold continues to hold near $1400 and so many people would rather have the melt value than the watch. I weighed the entire watch and it came in at 70 pennyweight (just over 2 Troy ounces) - allowing for the weight of the movement, case tube and crystal, this still comes to a "melt value" of over $2200 - which is more than enough cash in this economy for someone to scrap such a piece. (Especially as the trend is to larger watches and so few people know anything about rarity)

I have a 6 5/8 wrist so the 34mm size looks just fine on me - it is actually more proportional than even 40mm. And having owned an 18K I'm actually happier with the .585 harder metal as it resists dings and scratches better than the softer .750.

Here are some quick shots from this morning - damn this is a clean watch!

[vintage69]

Prices quoted are for Datejusts from that period with Jubilee bracelets. Dates with Jubilee bracelets are much higher. Demacy's recently listed a 1501 with original Jubilee bracelet for $12,000. Only 700 were made. Some of the Gay Fabrer bracelets also had USA marked with 14k for export to the US. It :was against US federal regulations to export 18K to the US. That regulation changed during the Nixon administration.

[setherd]

Beautiful watch!
I have a question.... How do you know what is the correct bracelet for your watch? I have seen examples of oyster style and jubilee bracelets on these.
I ask because I have an old Rolex Precision in gold that was my grandfathers. I am trying to find out what would be the correct bracelet for it. It was from 1969

[Rscmaine]

Oops...I moved the pictures into an album and I guess it nuked the links...











Does this look like one of those 700? (if so it is off to an auction house in a minute)

[Puffy]

looks good man...

[vintage69]

If you know a qualified Rolex watchmaker, I would have them verify the bracelet. There were fewer 1503 produced than 1501's. I had mine verified by my watchmaker, Dave, and 7 AD's. As one AD said as I walked into his store #WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WATCH". Meanwhile, enjoy that elegant and beautiful Rolex:cl ap:PSSSS I would keep that watch

[cht]

Very nice timepiece there, with the exception of the end link that looks like it's ready to fall off.
:P

Enjoy it!