Impulse Buy 1603 with Suspect dial

[ionanator]

Hey Guys,

I bought this 1603 against my better judgement on eBay because my business credit card was running a killer promotion. Long story short I had questions about the dial from the get-go. It looks relumed to my eye based on these pictures, one of my watch buddies looked and said he thought it was fine. The rest of the dial looks ok as far as I can tell. But I just looked at the pictures again. The lume marker appear misaligned although this can always be an illusion due to the acrylic distorting the photo. In any case, I have not held the watch yet. Seller claims watch is all original and purchased from a jewelers, but that doesn’t mean anything. Everything looks ok besides the lume. My biggest concern was the actual color, this is a 1972 rolex tritium should have decayed some or at least be a slightly duller hue. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

[ionanator]

Here are some additional pictures of the dial.

[rootbeer7]

The best news about a Datejust is that they were made for many many years in the millions and there are so many loose dials floating around for very little money if this is not all original. The photos are fuzzy, so first job is to get good clear images. As long as you spent very little money, I wouldn’t worry.

[ionanator]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

The best news about a Datejust is that they were made for many many years in the millions and there are so many loose dials floating around for very little money if this is not all original. The photos are fuzzy, so first job is to get good clear images. As long as you spent very little money, I wouldn’t worry.

Thanks for the reply. I am not terribly worried as I can always return the watch. I think I paid about average on these $2020. With the promotion it will end up being about $500 less, however I always try to purchase all original, unmolested examples. I know of a dealer in Chicago that has perhaps the most vintage Rolex dials in North America, however I’d hate turning this into a Franken. Either way I will certainly post clearer photos when I receive the watch. Any first impressions based on these photos?

[Toronto Soup King]

Ay yi yi, that bracelet. Perhaps it's the pics but did someone put a mismatched link in there?!?

[Qwerty01]

It looks allright from the pictures.....I do not think anyone would be bothered to relume datejust dials. Datejust dials normally get refinished. Yours is a sigma dial so just wear and enjoy it!

[ionanator]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

Ay yi yi, that bracelet. Perhaps it's the pics but did someone put a mismatched link in there?!?

What are you seeing wrong with the bracelet? Just looks stretched to me but nothing out of the ordinary. Clasp looks ok to me.

[harry in montreal]

The links are strange widths and alignment off. I like the dial

[Wilber]

Yes, defo something about the link width..

[springer]

In the third photo, the second link from the bottom is too wide...clearly incorrect width for the proper bracelet taper.

If you are concerned about the tritium dots, place a blue light (UV) on the dial and hands and check them. See if the hands and markers glow the same color - should be white - and green on circa 1967 and older dials. They should not glow in the dark either.

[ionanator]

Originally Posted by springer

In the third photo, the second link from the bottom is too wide...clearly incorrect width for the proper bracelet taper.

If you are concerned about the tritium dots, place a blue light (UV) on the dial and hands and check them. See if the hands and markers glow the same color - should be white - and green on circa 1967 and older dials. They should not glow in the dark either.

Thanks for the advice guys. I didn’t even notice anything wrong with the bracelet aside from the obvious stretch. I’ll have to take a look at it in person, but I don’t think it’s terminal. I should be able to get out of it if I’m not happy. I’ll keep you guys updated.

[d.mckendree@yahoo.co]

Just wondering who the Chicago dealer with all the vintage dials might be?

[R!$]

looks good to me

[bncapass1]

Sigma Dial. https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/what-is-a-sigma-dial

[JimSnyder]

I like it the bracelet is probably a made in the USA or Mexico By JB Champion as was common for those. They are rare but I have seen new JB Champion bracelets in the past on EBay for a few hundred dollars. Keep a eye out and you may luck into one