Stumbled upon a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date and have a few questions

[ness038]

Hey,

A family friend stumbled upon this Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date at an estate sale and doesn't know anything about it. He has no box or papers, and handed it over to me to investigate.

We think it looks real, but the dial and bezel appear to be aftermarket. We took it to a jeweler who told us that the serial dated it to around 1969, but he didn't give us the reference number or actual serial so that wasn't much of a help.

https://imgur.com/a/dcaf3GQ

Can anyone help us identify what this is and what's it worth may be?

Thanks!

[ness038]

It looks like it's a reference number 1503 from around 1969

[Dan S]

Remove the bracelet and look between the lugs. Serial at 6, reference at 12. In all likelihood, the bezel is aftermarket and the dial is either aftermarket or more likely modified with added diamonds. The bracelet is badly stretched. However, the case and bracelet are gold, so the value will be substantial.

[ness038]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Remove the bracelet and look between the lugs. Serial at 6, reference at 12. In all likelihood, the bezel is aftermarket and the dial is either aftermarket or more likely modified with added diamonds. The bracelet is badly stretched. However, the case and bracelet are gold, so the value will be substantial.

I did, it's a 1503 with a 22 serial.

[77T]

In that condition, and likely needing servicing - $1800+ of rehab, and considering the aftermarket parts, you’d do good to get $2500 for it on eBay.

Just search “rolex 1503 gold” - you’ll see all authentic ones fetching more but they are all correct and in better condition.

What did they pay for it at the estate sale?


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[ness038]

Originally Posted by 77T

In that condition, and likely needing servicing - $1800+ of rehab, and considering the aftermarket parts, you’d do good to get $2500 for it on eBay.

Just search “rolex 1503 gold” - you’ll see all authentic ones fetching more but they are all correct and in better condition.

What did they pay for it at the estate sale?


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Interesting, that's pretty low. How much do you think the gold and diamonds are worth? I was thinking based on that alone it'd be worth around 3K.

[77T]

It’s 14k gold - so the melt would be lucky to come in at $1200. The diamonds are not worth much as they’re low quality smalls.




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[ness038]

Originally Posted by 77T

It’s 14k gold - so the melt would be lucky to come in at $1200. The diamonds are not worth much as they’re low quality smalls.




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Interesting, if we were to send it in to the Rolex Service Center any guess on what it'd cost to service it, and whether they'd restore it to the factory dial and bezel?

[77T]

Originally Posted by ness038

Interesting, if we were to send it in to the Rolex Service Center any guess on what it'd cost to service it, and whether they'd restore it to the factory dial and bezel?

Yes they would charge you to provide a correct dial and bezel as a requirement to perform the overhaul.

What did they pay for it?


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[ness038]

Well, they acquired it and a 2004ish Yachtmaster as well as some other jewelry for under 4000.

[77T]

They did a good job to get both at that price. The only way to really know a final cost is to send the OP Date to an RSC and see what they quote.

Or use a local certified watchmaker to do the work for less.




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[ness038]

It looks like these are going for 5000 and up in better condition. If I sent in to get serviced would it fetch that price? Selling it for 1000 to 1500 doesn't seem great, but I don't want to suggest he get it serviced for 1500 dollars if it doesn't increase the value at all.