Thoughts on this DJ 1603 Please!

[Jbert55]

Hi Guys!

I just purchased this 1603 and I'm a big fan. I'm still rather new to the world of watch collecting, but I love it. I was hoping people may offer any thoughts or info on the piece?

I believe it's an original 1603, wide boy sigma dial with ghost effect. It's on a 6251H jubilee bracelet 55 end links.

Any thoughts or info is much appreciated!

[offrdmania]

Nice wide boy Sigma dial. Looks like a nice piece. Congrats!

[Jbert55]

Thank you!

Sorry, still new...How can you tell about the spring bars?

[PAD141]

I’ll be interested to hear more expert feedback as my 1972 1603 is almost identical. Mine is on an oval link Rolex USA jubilee.


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[offrdmania]

Looked like it was sticking out. It may just be the picture playing tricks on my eyes

[southtexas]

Looks like a real beauty. I’ve had several of them (one that looks a lot like this one). These wideboy hands seem to have a tendency to discolor like yours. Nothing to worry about in my opinion. Case looks to be in very nice shape (as does the bracelet from those photos). Well done. Enjoy it!


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[Jbert55]

Thank you so much! I'm really excited about it! For a 50 year old watch I was really impressed by the condition, which is why I ended up picking it up. The dial almost has a taupe/grey look to it. Do you know what the original color would be called? Also, do you have any thoughts on the "ghost" affect?

Also, I believe everything to be original. Anything that makes you think otherwise? Thanks again!

Originally Posted by southtexas

Looks like a real beauty. I’ve had several of them (one that looks a lot like this one). These wideboy hands seem to have a tendency to discolor like yours. Nothing to worry about in my opinion. Case looks to be in very nice shape (as does the bracelet from those photos). Well done. Enjoy it!


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[Jbert55]

Here are a couple more shots of the dial :)

[L.K Johnson]

Originally Posted by Jbert55

Thank you so much! I'm really excited about it! For a 50 year old watch I was really impressed by the condition, which is why I ended up picking it up. The dial almost has a taupe/grey look to it. Do you know what the original color would be called? Also, do you have any thoughts on the "ghost" affect?

Also, I believe everything to be original. Anything that makes you think otherwise? Thanks again!

The dial color is called slate gray, so your dials full “name” would be more or less “slate gray wideboy sigma dial”. (You could probably play around with the word order a bit : ) )

Here is a similar one:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=705863

[mbc]

Very nice watch OP, you did well. If you ever want to change up the look, 1603s look great on straps too. I have my grey dial on a chocolate nubuck when not on its original oyster. Enjoy!


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[Jbert55]

Thanks so much guys, definitely excited to start wearing it!

The inside of the case (where the serial and model numbers are) has some corrosion. You can still read the numbers, but one digit isn’t perfect. Assuming that’s normal, but wanted to double check because it’s so much different than the condition of the rest of the case.

Thanks!

[Nick9]

Really nice. I’m also a big fan of these.

It’s not possible to say “100% all original” with these, too many things could have been done. You can say “period correct”, and yours looks just fine to me.

You did well on the bracelet, too.

[Jbert55]

Thank you! Appreciate the help! I was looking for a DJ that was a bit different/unique and think I may have found it.

Originally Posted by Nick9

Really nice. I’m also a big fan of these.

It’s not possible to say “100% all original” with these, too many things could have been done. You can say “period correct”, and yours looks just fine to me.

You did well on the bracelet, too.

[yukosaturno]

beauty! everything looks correct from here, wear it in good health!

[rmurphy]

Nice looking Datejust, I own a 16014 with the same color dial. I love the way it changes colors in different light.


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[Jbert55]

Amazing! Thank you!

Originally Posted by yukosaturno

beauty! everything looks correct from here, wear it in good health!

[Jbert55]

Glad to hear! Honestly, that’s one of the reasons I ended up going this direction. Plus I love how the text almost becomes invisible in certain lights/angles.

Originally Posted by rmurphy

Nice looking Datejust, I own a 16014 with the same color dial. I love the way it changes colors in different light.


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[Boopie]

Looks nice! Congratulations!

[Jbert55]

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Boopie

Looks nice! Congratulations!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Jbert55

Do you know what the original color would be called? Also, do you have any thoughts on the "ghost" affect?

Congrats! It's a gray dial that might have a little fade on it from age. Cool look, but "ghost effect" just sounds like yet another dealer description to perhaps try to get more money for the watch. Here's a gray DJ dial below I used to own so you can compare, although this one isn't a so-called "wide boy."

Also, what's the beginning of the serial number of your DJ, and have you seen the date stamp on the inside of the case back, assuming it's pre-1973ish?

[Jbert55]

Thanks for all the info! The serial begins with 22XXXXX The dealer believed it was from 1971, but I guess it's hard to track down exactly. From my very basic research, it looked like it was from 1969. Any thoughts here are welcomed!

I have not seen the stamp on the inside of the case back. I'm still learning. What should I look for here?

Thank you!

Originally Posted by swish77

Congrats! It's a gray dial that might have a little fade on it from age. Cool look, but "ghost effect" just sounds like yet another dealer description to perhaps try to get more money for the watch. Here's a gray DJ dial below I used to own so you can compare, although this one isn't a so-called "wide boy."

Also, what's the beginning of the serial number of your DJ, and have you seen the date stamp on the inside of the case back, assuming it's pre-1973ish?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Jbert55

Thanks for all the info! The serial begins with 22XXXXX The dealer believed it was from 1971, but I guess it's hard to track down exactly. From my very basic research, it looked like it was from 1969. Any thoughts here are welcomed!

I have not seen the stamp on the inside of the case back. I'm still learning. What should I look for here?

Thank you!

Well, I wouldn't sweat it, but in a perfect world you would have seen the inside of the case back before purchasing for rough dating purposes, along with the movement. Sellers should provide photos of those, assuming you're buying online. The case back should have a reference number and a year/quarter stamped inside that corresponds to the serial number.

[Jbert55]

Hey Guys, I have another question about the bracelet. Is there an easy way to resize this? I've made it as tight as I can on the clasp and it's still to large. Are the links easy to take out? Thanks!

[Jbert55]

Hi guys, me again :-) just had another question regarding my datejust. Anyone know if there’s a reason why the crown would not be sitting flush against the case? I’ve seen other people have the same or similar issue, but I’m not sure if it’s something I should be worried about. Thanks!

[snakeeyes]

My old date just did that, even after it was serviced it came back the same

[jkkwaz]

Love the ghost dial!

[alllexandru]

Very nice DJ!
Congrats

[GimmeTheLoupe]

Looks all original to me or at least “period correct” as other have said. I’d be over the moon to own it!