First purchase - 16030 - all thoughts appreciated

[circles]

I'm really surprised here; usually you guys are pretty brutal when it comes to giving opinions on a watch but this time you're giving it a "thumbs up".
For $3600? The dial is damaged, the second hand is terrible, the case is dinged big time, and the bracelet is pretty beat. For me this would also be a hard pass.

[RobW]

Originally Posted by circles

I'm really surprised here; usually you guys are pretty brutal when it comes to giving opinions on a watch but this time you're giving it a "thumbs up".

For $3600? The dial is damaged, the second hand is terrible, the case is dinged big time, and the bracelet is pretty beat. For me this would also be a hard pass.

Yep. Absolutely.

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[1984DateJust16030]

Well here's a very unpleasant update to give...

Watch arrived and appears to have been POLISHED without me asking for this...??? Pitting and dings and marks from the eBay photos are nowhere to be seen. The IBM engraving on the caseback is likewise disappeared. Bracelet now looks too good, and feels "sharp" on the edges.

I really don't think I have any choice but to send this back. Unbelievable.

Will post pictures later on this evening.

Onthedial - I may be in touch shortly.

[brockburst]

Originally Posted by 1984DateJust16030

Well here's a very unpleasant update to give...

Watch arrived and appears to have been POLISHED without me asking for this...??? Pitting and dings and marks from the eBay photos are nowhere to be seen. The IBM engraving on the caseback is likewise disappeared. Bracelet now looks too good, and feels "sharp" on the edges.

I really don't think I have any choice but to send this back. Unbelievable.

Will post pictures later on this evening.

Onthedial - I may be in touch shortly.

Sounds like a different watch entirely.

[1984DateJust16030]

Originally Posted by brockburst

Sounds like a different watch entirely.

Yeah it seems to be the same watch based on the dial but clearly has had work done on it. Very sad story.

[1984DateJust16030]

To seller's credit, he replied right away explaining their watchmaker must have accidentally polished it, and he will honor the refund.

Unfortunate it happened, but seems like an honest mistake and I'm happy the seller is doing right by me.

[JeanGenie]

I also think overall this wasn’t a good deal and you should see it as a blessing that you received something different than what was advertised thereby allowing you to return it.

For reference, here’s my recently purchased 16014 from 1984/85 (also birthyear for me) and I paid $3100 to a private seller on WuS. It’s in absolutely stunning shape, far better than your example, and it was less expensive. I actually think I got a deal. I spent another $600ish getting the movement serviced with Rikki of Time Care.

I think with some more time you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. You should expand to the 16014- same watch but with the white gold bezel!

[dhknola]

I agree with the consensus you got lucky being able to return.
DJ's are everywhere. I am a big fan of honest watches and am more of a collect and wear type than a collect and collect dust in a safe type. With that said, for a typical datejust, if you keep your eyes peeled and look locally, often times you can get them in the two thousand range. If you go to 3k up, you really want to pay that premium for condition and box papers.
Good luck on the hunt and be happy you aren't stuck with the first DJ.
I'd also be upset if that IBM engraving was buffed out, that was a cool feature of the watch.

[1984DateJust16030]

Originally Posted by dhknola

I agree with the consensus you got lucky being able to return.
DJ's are everywhere. I am a big fan of honest watches and am more of a collect and wear type than a collect and collect dust in a safe type. With that said, for a typical datejust, if you keep your eyes peeled and look locally, often times you can get them in the two thousand range. If you go to 3k up, you really want to pay that premium for condition and box papers.
Good luck on the hunt and be happy you aren't stuck with the first DJ.
I'd also be upset if that IBM engraving was buffed out, that was a cool feature of the watch.

I really feel for the poor IBM guy who worked there 25 years and got it buffed away! Sadly poetic.

Good lesson to always look for a flexible return policy when dealing online. This policy really does look to be 30 days return for any reason.

[1984DateJust16030]

Originally Posted by JeanGenie

I also think overall this wasn’t a good deal and you should see it as a blessing that you received something different than what was advertised thereby allowing you to return it.

For reference, here’s my recently purchased 16014 from 1984/85 (also birthyear for me) and I paid $3100 to a private seller on WuS. It’s in absolutely stunning shape, far better than your example, and it was less expensive. I actually think I got a deal. I spent another $600ish getting the movement serviced with Rikki of Time Care.

I think with some more time you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. You should expand to the 16014- same watch but with the white gold bezel!

Beautiful watch there, I’ll check out the 16014 for sure.

Newb question, what is WuS?

[onthedial]

Originally Posted by 1984DateJust16030

Beautiful watch there, I’ll check out the 16014 for sure.



Newb question, what is WuS?

It’s another watch forum called watchuseek.


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[gunhose]

Good thing you're getting your money back ! You'll find a lot better example for that money.

[iliketime]

Smidge high for that condition, my best advice is be patient, as there are plenty of datejusts floating around. the prices are not as low as they used to be, but you can still get a decent datejust under $3,000

[SunTzu]

Have patience. There’s tons of them to choose from. Wait for one that meets all your criteria in the best condition possible.

This is mine. I always wanted a Buckley dial. I waited a bit for it. I lost out on a couple. Then I stumbled upon this. I paid $3,100 for it this year. From 1979.




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