Your opinions & advice on my 1803. New to rolex world.

[RustyShackleford]

Hello,

I acquired a 1962 model 1803 from auction with box and papers in B.C. last November. I didn't have the opportunity to inspect the watch prior to purchasing. It was an impulse buy. I got it for 6500 Canadian Dollars.

When I got my hands on the watch, I noticed significant damage. On EVERY surface, even the dial. To keep this short I sent it to RSC in Switzerland, from Warsaw where I currently study. I've been waiting three weeks for a call, still waiting. I have no idea what to expect, price wise. I'm also not entirely sure what to change either. Since a lot of the original parts are damaged and the re-sale value of the watch doesn't matter to me, I was thinking of swapping out a lot of the parts - New: dial, hands, bracelet, acrylic, the works. Would you also do this, looking at the pictures?

As of now, I'm thinking to change all of the above parts, except the bracelet. I hear Rolex charges 14000.00 for a replacement. Considering sending the bracelet to Michael Young for restoration.

What would you do? Am I on the right track? Please review the photos. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

With kind regards,
R

[RustyShackleford]

Also, do any of you know if rolex will offer different colors or variants of dial? Do they offer blue or diamond replacement dials?
Would you keep the dial as-is? Would you send the dial for restoration to someone like michael young? Lost.

Thanks again,
Rusty

[waspy1]

Personally I’d steer clear of rsc for this. Find a decent watchmaker nearby who can get the parts you want. Don’t try and make it like new, a sensitive service / restoration is what to aim for. It shouldn’t cost a fortune. MY is a good bet for the bracelet restoration.


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[RustyShackleford]

Thanks for your input. I'm starting to think you're right.

[Sherbie]

Agree keep it simple

Movement service, polish he crystal ( or allow a change if damaged) no polish to case, and send the bracelet to MY

Dont send it to Rolex


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[Richard Carver]

Yes, RSC will charge a fortune for the work with very little sympathy. The bracelet is a mess, good luck with that. Be sure Michael see those pics before you send it to him.

The watch needs a full service, crown and tube, gaskets, hands and a new crystal. Find the dial you want and to really bring it back a new bezel. That is a Day Date, leaving looking like it's been in the junk drawer for 40 years is not an option. Looking like a scratched up piece of crap may be cute on an old sub but not a Day Date.

We have some genuine case wizards here in the US and I'm sure there are some in Europe as well. Give it what it deserves, make it the best you can afford. :)

[RustyShackleford]

Thanks Richard, I'll send the photos to young. Nice piece, mint. I agree it's really beat up and needs some investment. Not quite sure it will turn out as nice as yours though. Congrats!

[RustyShackleford]

Thanks sherbie!

I’ll tell rolex not to restore the bracelet.

[Toronto Soup King]

I've been through this. I sent a trashed YG jubilee to MY - full resto back to new condition plus two new links, over USD2K but worth it for a 'new' bracelet. Case went to LAWW, my watchmaker did the movement service, I now have a "new" 1013, albeit one with a smooth bezel making it a really close match for my 1012.

For your watch, as for mine, I think the bezel is the issue. LAWW told me they can't restore those, your choices are (a) leave as-is, unacceptable IMO (b) replace, which is pricey or (c) lapp it smooth, like I did. And you'll want a new dial of course.

Best of luck but your watch can be brought to excellent wearable condition without going anywhere near RSC, and if I were you I'd stay away from them. Too expensive

[Willygallardo]

Damn beat up 1803, yea just send the bracelet to MY and for the rest send to a good watchmaker.
RSC will be way to expensive.

[RustyShackleford]

Thanks!

[RustyShackleford]

It's already with rolex. I'll just have them bring the movement to working order and then send the watch off to M.Young. Thanks for input.

[RustyShackleford]

Update 3/7/2018

I was contacted by rolex after a month. They want:

$882 dollars for overhaul
$11289 for bracelet replacement
$223 to replace balance
$51 dollars for oscillating weight
$469 dollars for replacement dial & hands

In total roughly 13000 + the dealer wants 400 for their services. This does not include vat.

They only have a blue replacement dial ref:13\1803-8-20. Given my watch was sitting in a junk drawer for many years and had water damage to dial, I’ve decided to go ahead with everything but the bracelet. The bracelet i’ll send off to m.young in HK.



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[krh7]

Not a terrible price from Rolex. Will look great with new dial and hands. Sure vintage resale takes a hit, but it should look fresh when you get it back. You didn't overpay, so you're not into a money pit. Enjoy!

[enginerd]

What did the dealer do that gets them $400? Ship it to Rolex?

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by enginerd

What did the dealer do that gets them $400? Ship it to Rolex?

I’m wondering the same thing

[RustyShackleford]

Originally Posted by enginerd

What did the dealer do that gets them $400? Ship it to Rolex?

They probably wished it good luck


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[RustyShackleford]

Originally Posted by krh7

Not a terrible price from Rolex. Will look great with new dial and hands. Sure vintage resale takes a hit, but it should look fresh when you get it back. You didn't overpay, so you're not into a money pit. Enjoy!

Not terrible on price. I’m alright with it.


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[RustyShackleford]

From ordinary dials, rolex only had a blue replacement dial available. I then asked them if they had diamond dials and I was given 3 more options. Service is fetching me the prices. I’ll post all dial options as photos, tell me all what you all think.

I must say, Rolex has fantastic customer service.


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[RustyShackleford]

Dial options. Which would you choose? I'm leaning towards blue or blue with diamonds, I don't see such dials that often.

[RustyShackleford]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

I’m wondering the same thing

[steversaurus]

Of those options, I'd do blue no diamonds

[Rsubnodate]

Originally Posted by steversaurus

Of those options, I'd do blue no diamonds

This

[RustyShackleford]

That’s quite interesting. I’m considering both blues. From one perspective I think the ordinary dial is sharp, but the other dial places the watch in a higher category. Sure I know the diamonds are so small, they’re worthless. It’s all dependent on price at this point. If it’s under 1500, I think I may consider blue with diamonds. Still very open to suggestions & opinions. Very new to the world of rolex.


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[sillo]

Definitely blue stick dial.

[avilhena]

Blue w/ Diamonds


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[RustyShackleford]

Looks like I should forget the white and gold options. Tough choice on which dial. I’ll keep you all posted on what rolex quotes for the blue diamond dial.

[Toronto Soup King]

Good for you, and I think you should go for the blue stick dial, not diamonds. Diamonds will get old quick IMO. But one thing...in your list from Rolex, no bezel replacement quotation? That bezel looks pretty well-worn from the pics, and they can't be sharpened back to new by Rolex standards. If you restore that whole watch but leave a worn-down bezel, it'll look wrong.

Best of luck eh

[RustyShackleford]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Good for you, and I think you should go for the blue stick dial, not diamonds. Diamonds will get old quick IMO. But one thing...in your list from Rolex, no bezel replacement quotation? That bezel looks pretty well-worn from the pics, and they can't be sharpened back to new by Rolex standards. If you restore that whole watch but leave a worn-down bezel, it'll look wrong.

Best of luck eh

They must think that the bezel is alright. No where in the agreement to service forms did I see anything about the bezel. I'll post pics when I get it back. Thanks for your response!

Edit
Ah, I translated from polish to English. They mentioned that the case back is too worn so it can't be polished. Maybe, the translator was wrong and it meant bezel? Maybe you're right. Thanks for bringing it up!

[77T]

So why did your dealer want $400 in addition to the RSC costs?


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