Anyone that owns both a 1625 and a 1501?

[L.K Johnson]

I am currently an owner of a 1625 SS/WG with slate dial and I am now more and more picking up an interest in the 1501.
I don’t use the 1625 that much so I was thinking about purchasing a 1501 bezel and fit that to the 1625 to get a slightly larger watch (the two models seem to differ about 1,5mm in case size and 1mm in lug to lug length)...but I’m also thinking that it might not be worth the hassle and I might as well just pick up a nice 1501 with silver dial...anyone owns both models and can share some thoughts or side by side pics?

[rootbeer7]

I believe it is only the plexi that is the same size on a 1625/15xx

[L.K Johnson]

Nope, the bezel is the same size...seen other mods with a 1625 and a 1501 bezel, my Rolex AD watchsmith confirmed it as well... ��

[motoikkyu]

If the 1625 is intact and has the WG TOG bezel, it's a great watch and sells for considerably more than the 1501, because it's a 36mm case, as opposed to the 34mm 1501. There are a lot of bargains around in 1501, even with the engine-turned bezel. I have no advice for you, but if you do decide to sell off the 1625 TOG bezel, you can get a fair amount of money for it: I would guess $1800-2200 intact (bezel only), they are nearly impossible to obtain and there are a lot of 1625 sans bezel watches around in the $1400-2000 range.

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

If the 1625 is intact and has the WG TOG bezel, it's a great watch and sells for considerably more than the 1501, because it's a 36mm case, as opposed to the 34mm 1501. There are a lot of bargains around in 1501, even with the engine-turned bezel. I have no advice for you, but if you do decide to sell off the 1625 TOG bezel, you can get a fair amount of money for it: I would guess $1800-2200 intact (bezel only), they are nearly impossible to obtain and there are a lot of 1625 sans bezel watches around in the $1400-2000 range.

Thanks for your input! I will keep the original TOG bezel if I decide to go ahead with mod, might want change it back later on...

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by motoikkyu

If the 1625 is intact and has the WG TOG bezel, it's a great watch and sells for considerably more than the 1501, because it's a 36mm case, as opposed to the 34mm 1501. There are a lot of bargains around in 1501, even with the engine-turned bezel. I have no advice for you, but if you do decide to sell off the 1625 TOG bezel, you can get a fair amount of money for it: I would guess $1800-2200 intact (bezel only), they are nearly impossible to obtain and there are a lot of 1625 sans bezel watches around in the $1400-2000 range.

The case is actually very slightly smaller than 36. Certainly slightly smaller than 160x models.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Nope, the bezel is the same size...seen other mods with a 1625 and a 1501 bezel, my Rolex AD watchsmith confirmed it as well... ��

That I didn’t know. Thanks for the info. Always great to learn.

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

The case is actually very slightly smaller than 36. Certainly slightly smaller than 160x models.

I have seem 1501 mentioned as 34mm, 34,5mm and 35mm...do you know the exact measurements on the 1501?

I will have to get me one of those digital measuring things to measure my 1601:s and my 1625...eager to get see the exact measurements

[Fredrik]

The 1625 case is slightly different than the 160X DJ cases. The dial is for instance just a little bit smaller which means that it is impossible to find a new one. Sometimes you see 1625s with DJ dials that has been shaved down.

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

The 1625 case is slightly different than the 160X DJ cases. The dial is for instance just a little bit smaller which means that it is impossible to find a new one. Sometimes you see 1625s with DJ dials that has been shaved down.

Yes, the case is a bit leaner I would say...

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

I have seem 1501 mentioned as 34mm, 34,5mm and 35mm...do you know the exact measurements on the 1501?

I will have to get me one of those digital measuring things to measure my 1601:s and my 1625...eager to get see the exact measurements

That would be great. Interesting to compare. I believe 1625 is 35.5

[motoikkyu]

I can assure you, a 1601 "pan-pie" dial will not fit into a 1625, no matter how you shave it, the curvature at the edge of the dial needed for the 1625 caseis too radical and keeps the movement from fitting into that particular case if you use the shallower 160x dial. I can say this without fear of contradiction, because my watchmaker and I attempted it: I did the shaving, he showed me how the various parts interact and make that particular substitution/modification impossible. The movement is identical, but the piece under the dial is different, as well as the dial itself.

[GGGMT]

Neither


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[motoikkyu]

I've owned all three: 160x series (my first Rolex!), 1625 WG/SS and 1625 SS/SS, and 1501. The 1625 wears larger than the 160xs, so it's easy to forget the case is a tiny bit smaller than the 160xs (apologies to rootbeer7 for my boner) due to the bezel. The 1501 wears smaller than the 160x series, it's just a smaller watch. They are all classic Rolex profile, immediately recognizable. I sold my 1501, it wasn't remarkable enough for me, great watch, great movement, just liked the others better.