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Old 7 June 2019, 04:45 PM   #1
Mrmj
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1803 presidential, unusual finishes

Hey guys,
Was checking out this 1803, does it look authentic?
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Old 7 June 2019, 10:23 PM   #2
rootbeer7
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I don’t like the look of it. Dial markers misaligned, fonts strange etc etc
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Old 8 June 2019, 12:58 AM   #3
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Looks early 60s production - the “bark” finish maybe post production...

Dial looks authentic...


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Old 8 June 2019, 03:01 AM   #4
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1803 presidential, unusual finishes

Dial is refinished.

If model is 1803, I think case is custom finished also. Should be 1807 or something other than 1803 if I recall?


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Old 8 June 2019, 03:14 AM   #5
steversaurus
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The text looks terrible.
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Old 8 June 2019, 03:25 AM   #6
Richard Carver
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Of course, a bark DD is a ref 1807. You might double check that. The standard layout for an 1807 was barked bezel and barked center links. The font on the dial looks weak from the pics. I would do more homework.
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Old 8 June 2019, 03:44 PM   #7
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it looks like a poor redial...
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Old 8 June 2019, 10:51 PM   #8
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Quote:
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it looks like a poor redial...
I could be wrong, just ask my wife, but I believe the printing on linen dials is usually messy due to the surface of the dial.
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Old 9 June 2019, 12:24 AM   #9
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My opinion is that normal 1803 has been "barked", which wasn't unusual in those days: aftermarket finish on case and bracelet. As for dial, I must defer to others: I agree the printing on linen-finish and silk-finish dials usually looks a bit suspect or horsed, but this may be a little more suspect than average.
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Old 9 June 2019, 12:36 AM   #10
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I would be curious to know what model number is stamped between the lugs. If it is in fact stamped 1803 and the bark job is done after the fact then whoever did it did an amazing job! I do agree that linen dial printing is usually a little more messy because of the texture of the dial but this dials printing is much messier which leads me to believe that it was either redone or touched up.
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Old 9 June 2019, 02:55 AM   #11
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To me it's a redial and an aftermarket bark job.

May be genuine, but good luck selling it on... #hotpotato
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Old 9 June 2019, 07:26 AM   #12
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FYI - here is an 1807 with an OEM bracelet.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg - 011.jpg (166.4 KB, 483 views)
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Old 9 June 2019, 09:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goldfixer21 View Post
I could be wrong, just ask my wife, but I believe the printing on linen dials is usually messy due to the surface of the dial.

It’s missing a key component of every original factory dial (hint: look under 6 o’clock).


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Old 9 June 2019, 07:20 PM   #14
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redial and aftermarket bark finish
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Old 9 June 2019, 08:35 PM   #15
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This is not a watch for the faint of heart. While parts may be authentic, they are far from original in their finish.

For that reason you’ll never be able to get a routine service at RSC.

Now if you want to stand out in a crowd, then it serves that purpose fully.


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Old 10 June 2019, 02:31 AM   #16
Mrmj
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Classic watch shop opened it up and said everything is authentic. The dial is the original, but refinished. The bark finish is aftermarket as well. Overall they said it was a nice piece.
Thinking about buying it and maybe putting in a original dial. Good idea?
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Old 10 June 2019, 02:41 AM   #17
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Rapper Edition?
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Old 10 June 2019, 04:58 AM   #18
Mrmj
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The watch’s provenance is from from the estate of Chet downs, a Texas oil, land , and gold mine owner. Not flava flave
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Old 10 June 2019, 08:42 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrmj View Post
Classic watch shop opened it up and said everything is authentic. The dial is the original, but refinished. The bark finish is aftermarket as well. Overall they said it was a nice piece.
Thinking about buying it and maybe putting in a original dial. Good idea?
The champagne linen dials are quite plentiful. Here are a few that I found real quick.

The first one has some very minor small aging blemishes. The second looks as if the lume was redone at some point or could be original and done by another manufacturer, the rest of the dial looks good. and the last one looks the most original of the three IMO.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Ro...MAAOSwbLZa6lTD

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Me...AAAOSw7NNUFHDP

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Me...sAAOSwcB5ZMGVV
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Old 10 June 2019, 02:24 PM   #20
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My 2 cents:

don't put a linen dial on it. the watch looks quite "busy" because of the bark finish job....it would look better with a plain dial.


you can find plenty of choices for this reference.
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Old 10 June 2019, 11:40 PM   #21
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Literally my next watch! 1986 birth year 18038!


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Old 18 June 2019, 09:22 AM   #22
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Old 5 August 2019, 03:32 PM   #23
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I agree

Quote:
Originally Posted by crowncollection View Post
redial and aftermarket bark finish


Many decades ago... I remember that for a short period ...gold watches
were having the “nugget” look - some Rolex president owners asked
their jeweler to customize their smooth bracelet finish into a -nuggety- look
So the bark aftermarket finish was born.
In my opinion the ugliest attempt of customizing a Rolex

Buy it only ...if VERY CHEAP...nothing above gold scrap value...
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