Need help re: DD white gold - stains?

[HappyPrince]

Hello everyone - I'm contemplating a 118239 from a reputable dealer. This would be my first PM watch, and I have some reservations regarding the stains visible in the picture below.

What do you think could have caused caused the dark stains on the bracelet and especially around the coronet of the clasp? To my uneducated eye it looks like dirt and/or scratches. The salesperson on the phone didn't have access to the watch (it's on another continent) but claimed that the watch is supposed to be very clean and the effects could be caused by Lightbox photography. They are offering to have the watch shipped for a sizable, refundable deposit so I can inspect in person.

I've heard that white gold is sometimes rhodium plated - could this be related to these "stains"? If so, could this be fixed as part of an RSC service? The watch is going on 20 years old so I'd definitely send it in once I take possession.

Any insight is appreciated - thanks in advance!

[Bigblu10]

Rolex white gold is NOT rhodium plated. Could be the watch just needs a good cleaning.

[HappyPrince]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Rolex white gold is NOT rhodium plated. Could be the watch just needs a good cleaning.

Thanks

[fskywalker]

That is probably shades due to illumination. Are you sure it is a 118239? That is the WG oyster bracelet which tipically comes on the 118209 model


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[HappyPrince]

Thanks - it’s listed as reference 118239, with fluted bezel and Oyster bracelet. My understanding is 118209 refers to the smooth bezel. Is that correct?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by HappyPrince

Thanks - it’s listed as reference 118239, with fluted bezel and Oyster bracelet. My understanding is 118209 refers to the smooth bezel. Is that correct?

Yes refers to smooth bezel, plus oyster (rather than president) bracelet


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[77T]

The seller has post-processed the image file to bring up the ISO in photoshop. That resulted in any slight shadow to be darkened.

Ask for a flat closeup of the clasp area and you’ll see that the dark spots were an artifact of lighting and post-processing.


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[fmc000]

Unworn 118239 with the Oyster bracelet on CH24:



So it seems that this reference can be had with either the President or the Oyster bracelet.

[fixinbones]

Very nice watch. I’ve always thought the DD with an oyster bracelet was kind of cool and pretty rare as well.

[envuks]

Contrary to popular belief, gold can/will tarnish over time. The tarnish comes off immediately with a light polish. In this case, since it’s an only watch I’d guess it’s just been sitting around for awhile and would take it as a sign that it hasn’t been polished


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[schro]

Originally Posted by fixinbones

Very nice watch. I’ve always thought the DD with an oyster bracelet was kind of cool and pretty rare as well.

That's right... It took me a long time until I found my 118209 with an oyster bracelet... and with the week days in my language:

[HappyPrince]

[QUOTE=schro;10748312]That's right... It took me a long time until I found my 118209 with an oyster bracelet... and with the week days in my language:QUOTE]

All - thanks for your input, much appreciated.

schro - funny you mention it, but the watch comes with the warranty certificate only (no box or other papers) and it shows as sold/stamped by a German AD. However, the day wheel is English language, not German.

That leads me to believe that it might have been replaced at some point - am I correct that a watch sold in Germany would have a German language day wheel? Or is this something that can be customized when ordering new? I would definitely be interested in swapping the English for German day at some point down the road. Would RSC accommodate as part of a service?

Thanks again everyone!

[Ntoz]

I think it just requires proper cleaning and that's it

[Tools]

We hardly ever see a non-English day wheel here, no matter where the watch originated from.

As to photography and stains, those would probably wipe off with a micro fiber cloth and a bit of spit.

[THC]

Gold (or at least Rolex gold) does not stain, as far as I know. And I am old, so I know everything

[fsprow]

I’m afraid gold does indeed stain; usually that can be eliminated or reduced with a mild polishing. The fact that white gold is prone to discoloration over time is the reason that rhodium plating is often employed.

[schro]

Originally Posted by HappyPrince

schro - funny you mention it, but the watch comes with the warranty certificate only (no box or other papers) and it shows as sold/stamped by a German AD. However, the day wheel is English language, not German.

That leads me to believe that it might have been replaced at some point - am I correct that a watch sold in Germany would have a German language day wheel? Or is this something that can be customized when ordering new? I would definitely be interested in swapping the English for German day at some point down the road. Would RSC accommodate as part of a service?

Thanks again everyone!

Mine was made for the German market (with papers showing LC 100) and it came with the German day wheel from the factory. I do not intend to change the day wheel but it should not be a problem. I would keep the original day wheel in the box though in case I want to sell the watch later as an original full set.

[peterskinner]

For me, the Presidential bracelet is the key feature of a DD. It makes the watch.

[Onikage]

Looks like fingerprint oil to me. Not reflecting the lightbox light in places. Nice piece and nothing to worry about Imo.

[HogwldFLTR]

My platinum bezel on my newly acquired Yacht-Master looked stained but was just dirty, gross actually, and need a bit of care to make it look good. Never under-estimate how what others are willing to live with. As a reasonable consideration I considered platinum's ability to stain, not likely. Ability to gather oil from someone's fingers, highly likely.

After cleaning:


Before cleaning:

[Mr DateJust]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Yes refers to smooth bezel, plus oyster (rather than president) bracelet


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You can get the oyster on both the 118239 and 118209. It’s only the bezel that is different. You could have either on president or oyster. One of the reasons I always thought Rolex killed the 118209 was to stop confusion with the 118206.

[JohnnyM]

Why would you immediately send it in for service? There is no need unless it is not running properly.

[Low-Key]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Yes refers to smooth bezel, plus oyster (rather than president) bracelet


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The “3” refers to the bezel being fluted, where the “0” would be the reference to a smooth bezel. But when decoding the reference (correctly stated as 118239), you quickly remember that none of them refer to which bracelet is used. Since it’s introduction, the 6-digit 118239 could be had with either the President or the Oyster bracelet, with no change of the reference. This is the same, for example, with a 118209, the 118238 (except YG), and 118208 (also YG)- no distinction of which bracelet was equipped from the factory. However, those in the know realize that the Oyster, as seen here, was not made in Platinum for any reference Other than the Platona. So it is that my 118206 was never available with any other bracelet than a President. Just a clarification.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Mr DateJust

You can get the oyster on both the 118239 and 118209. It’s only the bezel that is different. You could have either on president or oyster. One of the reasons I always thought Rolex killed the 118209 was to stop confusion with the 118206.

Originally Posted by Low-Key

The “3” refers to the bezel being fluted, where the “0” would be the reference to a smooth bezel. But when decoding the reference (correctly stated as 118239), you quickly remember that none of them refer to which bracelet is used. Since it’s introduction, the 6-digit 118239 could be had with either the President or the Oyster bracelet, with no change of the reference. This is the same, for example, with a 118209, the 118238 (except YG), and 118208 (also YG)- no distinction of which bracelet was equipped from the factory. However, those in the know realize that the Oyster, as seen here, was not made in Platinum for any reference Other than the Platona. So it is that my 118206 was never available with any other bracelet than a President. Just a clarification.

Stand corrected!


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[Setarip]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

My platinum bezel on my newly acquired Yacht-Master looked stained but was just dirty, gross actually, and need a bit of care to make it look good. Never under-estimate how what others are willing to live with. As a reasonable consideration I considered platinum's ability to stain, not likely. Ability to gather oil from someone's fingers, highly likely.

After cleaning:


Before cleaning:

Oh my goodness...what a difference between the before and after...I recall seeing the watch a few weeks back when you first posted and couldn’t believe how dark the bezel was. Glad it cleaned up so nicely.

Never underestimate what others are willing to live with... so true.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Rolex white gold is NOT rhodium plated. Could be the watch just needs a good cleaning.

I think it could depend on the year Jamie.

I have a 1989 wg and the bracelet seems to have a finish on it. I’ll post tomorrow.

[Chewbacca]

Who needs to wait!

Here’s my link from 2018.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=589167

OP, Didn’t mean to jack this but it’s a mystery.

[1978]

I love this watch, and this bracelet. Even to people who know, with the white dial, it easily passes as a Datejust. Try to get your 118206 that far under the radar ;) !

[GreenStreet]

Great pics on this thread, for those of you with a DD36 on oyster, do you find the watch to be comfortable with no easylink?

Strongly considering the exact same configuration you have 1978 with the white dial, but the comfort concern is holding me back. I like to wear my watch fairly sung.