Rolex DD Bark Question

[TCU34]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

A quote this month from Rolliworks to refurbish a similar band for an 1803 was $70 per link, or barely over 10% the cost of new. It’d be nice to have the vintage band in good condition, if you’d consider that?

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I wonder if they will even work on his since the bark is on the outside where they need to clamp down on the link ends to pull them apart. Im sure the clamp could harm the bark finish since gold is soft.

Yeah I got a quote from Mike. He told me $90 per link. Seemed fair.

My local guy that sends his bands to Italy was a similar price. He said they can take the bark off (they use more gold to smooth it out). Or they can leave it on. Said it would be about $1700. He showed me one that had bark but then was smoothed out to look like an 1803. Looked really nice.

[TCU34]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I wonder if they will even work on his since the bark is on the outside where they need to clamp down on the link ends to pull them apart. Im sure the clamp could harm the bark finish since gold is soft.

I didn’t even think about that. He said they would. But it’s a good point.

[TCU34]

I wonder if taking the bark off would effect the value, since it is a 1807?

On one hand I want to keep it how my grandad had it. But on the other, I kind of want to mod it my taste. I guess the value doesn’t really matter as I don’t ever plan on selling it. But you never know.

Does the RSC do appraisals?

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by TCU34

I didn’t even think about that. He said they would. But it’s a good point.

Did you tell them that the bark is on the outside of the link and not the center? Im sure that is a huge difference.

[BisonHead]

Keep the Bark, it looks awesome. Its how your Grandfather wore it. Of course the past is a foreign land, so to say.

[TCU34]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Did you tell them that the bark is on the outside of the link and not the center? Im sure that is a huge difference.

Yeah I sent him a few pictures.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by TCU34

Yeah I sent him a few pictures.

If they are aware then it isnt a bad price per link to get tightened up

[TCU34]

Here is a picture of the 1807 that my guy here in Houston had the bark taken off, next to my band.. Looks really clean. Probably won't do it, but still.

[Darruda32]

I also have one from my grandfather. Bark on the outside links. Also on the case. But mine has pie pan bezel. Not a whole lot of info out there.

[gunhose]

i would think if you polished the bark off surly a lot of gold was removed i won't do it the bark is pressed not etched in

[TCU34]

So I was in Dallas for work and took the 1807 to the Rolex service center. They took a look at it and politely declined to work on it as they said it had too many "aftermarket" parts most importantly the dial, bezel, and bark on the bracelet. They claimed that rolex never put bark on the outer links. I didn't press them even though there are some folks on here that say Rolex did infact put bark on the outer links.

If it was an 1803 I would be less confused and just thought that my granddad modified to his tastes, but as its an 1807 I'm even more confused, as it was clearly "born" bark. Maybe he got an 1803 band and got bark added to it. Who knows?

Anyway, I'm leaning towards taking the bark off and also getting a fluted gold bezel with the ability to swap it out periodically with the diamond bezel.

Thoughts from the board?

[offrdmania]

Not the first time an AD has been wrong about saying models that do exist dont.

[crowncollection]

Dallas are correct


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wonkka]

If it is an 1807 it is a bark in my book. Keep it as it is.

[TCU34]

Originally Posted by wonkka

If it is an 1807 it is a bark in my book. Keep it as it is.

I agree. But Rolex doesn’t. Lol.

I’m seriously so torn on it. I’d likely wear it more if it wasn’t barked and I want to enjoy it. But I also like the idea of keeping it how my Grandad had it. Maybe after I get Roliworks to fix it I’ll feel better about the bark

[Truck]

Know this is old thread but.... did Rolex ever do a complete bark finish ak: bracelet complete and case?

[miamiclay]

AFAIK Rolex never factory barked DD cases nor outer links of bracelets.