Vintage 1803 thoughts?

[Sublovin]

Looking for authenticity thoughts. I realize it’s a bit worn, but does this look original? Believe it to be early 1960’s. Thanks

[The Thomas J]

Are there any watchmaker markings on the inside of the case that would indicate it was serviced?

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[Sublovin]

Yes

[The Thomas J]

Short answer is that there is no way to know for sure that the watch is 100% original. Since it has service indicators on the case back chances are there have been parts replaced here and there as they were needed.


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[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by The Thomas J

Short answer is that there is no way to know for sure that the watch is 100% original. Since it has service indicators on the case back chances are there have been parts replaced here and there as they were needed.


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Thanks for the reply, I need to be more clear. I am asking if the dial hands and movement appear authentic and period Correct. I understand we have no idea if they were born with the watch. Thanks

[The Thomas J]

I maybe wrong about this but as far as I know there were versions of the 1803 circa 1960's that came with Alpha hands.

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[Richard Carver]

Those hands are quite rare. They were used only for about 1 year in 1963-64. Called cigarette boat for the resemblance to the boats used to smuggle drugs off Florida in the 80s. They don't add much value but obviously very nice to have.

[offrdmania]

The pie ce looks to be authentic on the outside as well as the movement. The lugs on the other hand look very short though.

[Sublovin]

Thanks again for the responses!

[cpefy3]

Pardon my ignorance, but when did they start stamping the "18K" at the base of one of the lugs on the backside? I have seen it on day-dates from the 1970's but I don't see it on this example.

[swish77]

Great-looking watch. Similar style hands on my (former) WG 1803, serial 1.1 million from 1964. Mine was a non-lume version, though.

[Sublovin]

Couple of beauties pictured here! Wow

[moyski]

Originally Posted by cpefy3

Pardon my ignorance, but when did they start stamping the "18K" at the base of one of the lugs on the backside? I have seen it on day-dates from the 1970's but I don't see it on this example.

The watch has been polished quite a number of times. There is a semblance of proof marks on one of the lugs but has been polished enough times to be unreadable. Gold is also softer than steel so easier to remove material when polishing.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Those hands are quite rare. They were used only for about 1 year in 1963-64. Called cigarette boat for the resemblance to the boats used to smuggle drugs off Florida in the 80s. They don't add much value but obviously very nice to have.

I dint know that these hands were called that, thanks RC ~

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by swish77

Great-looking watch. Similar style hands on my (former) WG 1803, serial 1.1 million from 1964. Mine was a non-lume version, though.

Oh, thatsa nice DD !

[RouletteDate]

Movement looks correct, reverse gears look to have been replaced but overall seems legitimate.

[Valle de Joux]

All looks correct...