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Old 25 October 2018, 05:43 AM   #1
DaytonaSubmariner
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Considering this DRSD from a trusted seller

Hello,
I've been on the hunt for "the right" DRSD at an appropriate price point. I've dealt with Gai in NYC a few times and I know he has a good reputation on here as well. So I put the call out to him to find me a DRSD.
I did not want a polished, look like new case (many of the DRSD's I've seen have been polished a lot with little of the crown guards left and the case has been thinned out).
I was really looking for a nice original piece. I believe this might be it. I'll be going to see it in person next week.
I know the picks are not very large. I've requested larger picks to take a look at in the meantime. For me, this is a tool watch that is meant to be worn for a reason and used. The patina and the condition of the case looks like it's been worn for this purpose.
Details are as follows:
3.5 million serial, fantastic dial with custard original patina and nice double red fonts.
The case is possibly unpolished and in its original worn conditions. The holes on sides of the case are full proportion.
The case back is stamped 1.72 correctly.
Comes on heavy oyster bracelet 93150 in fine conditions.
I'm not sure of the bracelet details yet.
LMK your thoughts.
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Old 25 October 2018, 08:03 AM   #2
vtsyrlin
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I am no expert but from what I can see this is a version 3 of DRSD.
The "D" in Sea-Dweller lines up with the "R" in Submariner 2000.

Not sure about the hands since their patina is clearly different to lume pods.
Crystal looks like the correct domed glass, although the seller is covering it with his fingers from the side view.
Lugs looks thick but with rounded edges as expected (obviously few polishes later :)
still a great find if the price is right!

It certainly looks a whole lot more original than your previous ebay purchase.
Personally, get some very high res pics and post it here for some of our more knowledgeable members to critique.
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Old 25 October 2018, 08:35 AM   #3
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The lume on the hands (pale green) sure looks very different than the dial (golden tan). That would cause me to start looking very closely to see if one or the other has been re-lumed. Not necessarily a deal-breaker at the right price, but I'm sure you want to know. You'll probably want really high-res photos and a video of the UV response.
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Old 25 October 2018, 09:43 AM   #4
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Very nice. You might want to point out that the dial seems to have a small chip at the 30' mark to negotiate price.
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Old 25 October 2018, 10:09 AM   #5
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Gorgeous fingers.
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Old 25 October 2018, 10:29 AM   #6
jsft98
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Looks like a MK4 Double Red dial to me. You may want to ask better pictures without the crystal.
The case has been under polishing wheels before but nothing to be worried about, it is still very healthy.
The scratched dome surely adds to its character but you may want to check the watertightness before considering any wet activities.
Insert is a correct MK3 fat font.
I’ve seen the greenish Color lume on hands before, probably due to previous exposure to humidity throughout the years.
The tube needs to be screwed in, but I’m sure Gai will take care of it.

Overall it looks like a nice find!
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Old 25 October 2018, 09:29 PM   #7
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It’s mark 4 dial look at crown on dial
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Old 25 October 2018, 09:31 PM   #8
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Yep, MK 4, L of ROLEX is directly in the middle below the crown
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Old 26 October 2018, 12:47 AM   #9
DaytonaSubmariner
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These are "larger" versions of two of the photos shown in my earlier post. Not sure if they're large enough as TRF limits how large they can be.
Hope these help. I know it's hard to see with the crystal being so scratched. I'll be able to see it in person on Monday as well.
Thanks for all the responses!
Asking price is $40k, which is a bit high. Aren't many non-polished to death DRSD's out there. Plus, trusted sellers are hard to come bye with these as well. I won't even look at Chrono24 anymore after reading all the horror stories.
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Old 26 October 2018, 01:11 AM   #10
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Patina is nice but I would be bothered by the chip if paying 40k. Hands aren’t very attractive as well.

There’s plenty of trustworthy dealers these days. Try to be patient (I know it is tough) and you will find a nice watch eventually. There’s tons of mk4’s in the market and finding one without issues is far from impossible.
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Old 26 October 2018, 02:48 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaytonaSubmariner View Post
I won't even look at Chrono24 anymore after reading all the horror stories.
What are the stories? I might be buying 5514 Comex from a trusted dealer. As you can probably see from my nickname I am a big fan of them so I would appreciate the info. Thanks
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Old 26 October 2018, 03:08 AM   #12
DaytonaSubmariner
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What are the stories? I might be buying 5514 Comex from a trusted dealer. As you can probably see from my nickname I am a big fan of them so I would appreciate the info. Thanks
PM sent

Trying to stay on subject.
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Old 26 October 2018, 03:39 AM   #13
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For that money, I'd want matching patina from the original hands. No relume. No color matching. Not sourced and/or replaced. Original, matching hands would be a must. Something happened to these hands, and it ain't good.

The most prominent parts on a watch, what you look at every single time, are the dial and the hands. I wouldn't want to look at this watch on my wrist, in its current state anyway. And is that a chip at 30, as previously mentioned, or just something on the crystal? (And more minor, what's up with the insert pearl? That ain't right either.)

Dial and case are very nice (dial chip notwithstanding), and the crystal could be buffed out or replaced. But $40K? No way. I suppose you could track down a set of tritium hands with heavy patina, but matching them to a dial is virtually impossible. I've been down that road, and it's not fun.

I know Gai. He often has nice watches.
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Old 26 October 2018, 03:58 AM   #14
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For that money, I'd want matching patina from the original hands. No relume. No color matching. Not sourced and/or replaced. Original, matching hands would be a must. Something happened to these hands, and it ain't good.

The most prominent parts on a watch, what you look at every single time, are the dial and the hands. I wouldn't want to look at this watch on my wrist, in its current state anyway. And is that a chip at 30, as previously mentioned, or just something on the crystal? (And more minor, what's up with the insert pearl? That ain't right either.)

Dial and case are very nice (dial chip notwithstanding), and the crystal could be buffed out or replaced. But $40K? No way. I suppose you could track down a set of tritium hands with heavy patina, but matching them to a dial is virtually impossible. I've been down that road, and it's not fun.

I know Gai. He often has nice watches.
Thanks for the feedback.

Yes, I'm looking for/at all of these issues closely.
Everyone that has chimed in helps me to keep to my check list.

I put a call into Gai. He's a big help. This is the first one he's found for me to look at. It took him only a couple of days to find it. If this one doesn't work out, I'm thinking he'll be able to find me something a bit better in the near future.

I'm taking my time on this purchase. No rush or hurry at all. I will know it when I find the right watch for sure.
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Old 26 October 2018, 09:00 AM   #15
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thats too much money for that piece, in the high 20s, that becomes a little more livable.
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Old 26 October 2018, 07:39 PM   #16
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seems like a Mk4 DRSD dial to me. Can't quite see the dial due to the scratched crystal, but would certainly request for a closer look at the dial(that's most of the value is) without the crystal, to make a decision.

case wise, certainly still healthy, can see the crown guards are still decently thick.

Not a big issue but- can't really tell the datewheel background. is it silver that has aged over time or is it yellow/greenish?
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Old 27 October 2018, 12:11 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaytonaSubmariner View Post
Thanks for the feedback.

Yes, I'm looking for/at all of these issues closely.
Everyone that has chimed in helps me to keep to my check list.

I put a call into Gai. He's a big help. This is the first one he's found for me to look at. It took him only a couple of days to find it. If this one doesn't work out, I'm thinking he'll be able to find me something a bit better in the near future.

I'm taking my time on this purchase. No rush or hurry at all. I will know it when I find the right watch for sure.
In a dry market with as you put it, "slim pickings" I know this can be hard.

Something comes to you and its hard not to pull the trigger out of excitement.

It's good that you are not in a hurry. the fact he found it for you in a couple days is very fast. For me personally, there is just too much wrong with this piece to pay 40k. The chipped dial and the hands.

I know for me to find certain pieces in my collection, it was almost a decade until I found the "right one"..

So even if it takes 6 months to a year or more, wait it out until you find one that sits just right with you, otherwise you will end up settling and ultimately end of flipping at a loss.

think of it as ordering a Ferrari. It's going to be awhile, but when it finally comes in, it will be just as you wanted it!
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Old 27 October 2018, 01:50 AM   #18
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Prices have gone up significantly in the past couple years

I would not buy this piece right now
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Old 27 October 2018, 05:52 AM   #19
DaytonaSubmariner
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Prices have gone up significantly in the past couple years

I would not buy this piece right now
I'm more than likely going to pass on this piece, but I am going to go look at it to be sure.

Plenty of Rolex models have gone up significantly in the past couple of years.
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Old 7 November 2018, 11:00 AM   #20
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I went to look at the watch today. I'm at 95% pass at this point.
It's just not exactly what I'm looking for with the problems of the dial (chips at the 20, 25 and 30 minute marks), plus the hands not being in good shape. Sometimes, I know the hands age a little differently than the dial, but this is VERY different.
The patina of the dial looks stunning in real life. I would have bought it on the spot if it didn't have the other issues.

I absolutely LOVE the condition of the case. It's not polished and is used as it should be. One of the first things I'm looking for is the case to not be polished. Not saying that it can't be polished in the past, just saying I don't want it to look like it's just been polished and to be at least a strong case that hasn't been over polished.

Gai has it on consignment, so it's not that he put the money out to get the watch, which is good. I purchased my GMT from him and couldn't be happier with it!
He's actually leaving today for Switzerland for all the watch auctions.
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Old 7 November 2018, 11:16 AM   #21
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The mid casing looks decently “well worn” and not over polished as evidenced by the lack of “bowling” at the lug pin hole windows...




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Old 8 November 2018, 01:23 AM   #22
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compare to this mkiV

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Old 8 November 2018, 10:39 AM   #23
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compare to this mkiV

The case has been polished a bunch of times. Look at the CG's. They're really pointy and there's an issue with the dial at the 25 minute mark as well.

The patina of this dial doesn't compare to the one I just looked at either.

This would be a definitely pass for me.
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Old 9 November 2018, 10:33 AM   #24
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The mid casing looks decently “well worn” and not over polished as evidenced by the lack of “bowling” at the lug pin hole windows...




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Okay, so I was asked about the sunburst lines coming from the lug holes...

This is how my illustration should have looked:



My poor example was meant to illustrate "wearing away" of the mid casing's material as when polished "by hand" as seen here in the thread [attached]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...d+case+bowling

Here is "the worn 'bowled' lug holes"...



and of course the pristine mid case...
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Old 9 November 2018, 10:36 AM   #25
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Forgot the illustration...



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Old 9 November 2018, 01:47 PM   #26
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Forgot the illustration...






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Here some great examples of the "tell"
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Old 9 November 2018, 02:17 PM   #27
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Non pristine but unpolished DRSD for example.

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Old 9 November 2018, 02:41 PM   #28
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Non pristine but unpolished DRSD for example.

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Thatsa good one
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