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Old 24 February 2020, 06:07 AM   #1
bradleyt09
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Please help! Rolex 1803 from 1969

I need some help determining the authenticity and originality of this day-date. I would appreciate input regarding the condition and opinions of anyone in the know regarding originality of this watch. To my novice eye and by comparison to others, the case, dial and hands seem Ok. However, the bracelet looks wrong and I'd value feedback. I can't decipher any date code on the clasp. The clasp has ROLEX embossed on it, but does not have the logo - I've never seen this before. Also, the endlinks have slots presumably to access the spring pins. All of these things look different than others, but I don't know if this is a fake bracelet, later model, or perhaps an authentic bracelet made for a different market than the US. Thanks for any help.
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Old 24 February 2020, 07:44 AM   #2
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You’re right, that bracelet is wrong.


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Old 24 February 2020, 07:58 AM   #3
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Too bad, nice red quarters dial ...
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Old 24 February 2020, 08:01 AM   #4
bradleyt09
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I really like the dial and believe the case, dial and hands are correct - any thoughts? Do you believe this is a fake bracelet or what?
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Old 24 February 2020, 08:04 AM   #5
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Bracelet is really stretched too.

Watch would look great with a service bracelet if you were keen to wear it regularly.
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Old 25 February 2020, 07:05 AM   #6
bradleyt09
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Can anyone tell me about the bracelet? Is this a fake?
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Old 25 February 2020, 10:58 AM   #7
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Can anyone tell me about the bracelet? Is this a fake?
Looks to be a South American President bracelet made in Argentina. The “18K.D'A" stamp is evidence of this.
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Old 25 February 2020, 11:13 AM   #8
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Looks to be a South American President bracelet made in Argentina. The “18K.D'A" stamp is evidence of this.
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Old 25 February 2020, 11:23 AM   #9
bradleyt09
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Huge thanks for that info. You are absolutely correct about the bracelet being made in Argentina. I did a search after reading your reply and see pics just like this one. This is very interesting to know that bracelets were made in SA at some point. I assume they are not as desirable as a Swiss-made bracelet and from my quick read, it seems they are lighter, ie. less gold. I had never seen anything like this and thought it might be fake, but now I now the origins. Thanks again. I really appreciate the wealth of information shared on this forum.
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Old 25 February 2020, 02:05 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by bradleyt09 View Post
Huge thanks for that info. You are absolutely correct about the bracelet being made in Argentina. I did a search after reading your reply and see pics just like this one. This is very interesting to know that bracelets were made in SA at some point. I assume they are not as desirable as a Swiss-made bracelet and from my quick read, it seems they are lighter, ie. less gold. I had never seen anything like this and thought it might be fake, but now I now the origins. Thanks again. I really appreciate the wealth of information shared on this forum.


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Old 25 February 2020, 03:01 PM   #11
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The reason Rolex bracelets were often made in the export countries is high tariffs on complete watches.

RUSA also had US bracelets made by C&I back in the day.


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Old 26 February 2020, 01:47 AM   #12
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Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.
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Old 26 February 2020, 03:46 AM   #13
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Is the dial correct? I was under the impression that the dials with that type of chapter ring came later, like the 80s. I have two DDs, one from 1969 and one from 1970 and neither have that. Also, I don't recall seeing white dials from that time period.
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Old 26 February 2020, 09:14 AM   #14
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Is the dial correct? I was under the impression that the dials with that type of chapter ring came later, like the 80s. I have two DDs, one from 1969 and one from 1970 and neither have that. Also, I don't recall seeing white dials from that time period.
You mean the minute track around the outside of the dial. My original matte cream dial from 1969 has it. Some had it, some didn't.
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Old 26 February 2020, 10:38 AM   #15
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Thanks for that confirmation on the dial. I love the red quarters, and the case and hands look good, but I don't care for the bracelet. Unfortunately, it is being offered with the bracelet, which I have a tough time placing much value on.
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Old 26 February 2020, 10:50 AM   #16
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Thanks for that confirmation on the dial. I love the red quarters, and the case and hands look good, but I don't care for the bracelet. Unfortunately, it is being offered with the bracelet, which I have a tough time placing much value on.
The red quarters are awesome and quite rare.
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Old 26 February 2020, 11:07 AM   #17
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I agree, the red quarters are awesome. That's what appealed to me about this one, but it's hard to pay a "premium" for a bracelet with no real perceived value. I may be discounting the bracelet too much as I originally thought it was fake, but I've learned it was made in Argentina and apparently less desirable than a Swiss bracelet. I doubt there's any resale market for this bracelet, and it doesn't seem to add much value to the watch.
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Old 26 February 2020, 12:12 PM   #18
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Great watch.


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Old 28 February 2020, 03:29 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zapokee View Post
You mean the minute track around the outside of the dial. My original matte cream dial from 1969 has it. Some had it, some didn't.
Okay, thanks. I just haven't seen it before for refs from that time period.
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Old 28 February 2020, 05:17 AM   #20
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I think the red quarters dial was only offered for a couple of years, roughly ‘68-‘70.
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Old 1 March 2020, 08:40 AM   #21
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This may be appropriate for a new post, but there’s been some very constructive comments here so I’ll see if this gains any traction and I’d appreciate any feedback. I am trying to determine the correctness/originality and value of the bracelet. Can anyone comment about the bracelet stretch, is this reasonable or excessive? Also, realizing this is an Argentina-Made bracelet, do the end links appear correct? Can anyone tell me the approximate value of this bracelet? Thank you so much.
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Old 1 March 2020, 09:16 AM   #22
Claven2
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It's a lot of stretch. That was someone's daily wearer until fairly recently if you ask me.

I would suggest it's worth its scrap weight (or trade in value against a new replacement from Rolex).
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Old 1 March 2020, 09:18 AM   #23
haven_seeker
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bradleyt09 View Post
This may be appropriate for a new post, but there’s been some very constructive comments here so I’ll see if this gains any traction and I’d appreciate any feedback. I am trying to determine the correctness/originality and value of the bracelet. Can anyone comment about the bracelet stretch, is this reasonable or excessive? Also, realizing this is an Argentina-Made bracelet, do the end links appear correct? Can anyone tell me the approximate value of this bracelet? Thank you so much.
I can't comment as to the originality of the bracelet or the end links.

However, based on my experience that bracelet still has a lot of life left in it. I would say it's at the 60% point.

A fine looking reference.
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Old 1 March 2020, 09:28 AM   #24
bradleyt09
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I didn't think the bracelet looked excessively stretched, but I have no means of comparison other than the old SS Jubilee bracelets. Compared to them, this one looks great :)
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Old 1 March 2020, 10:43 AM   #25
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It's a lot of stretch. That was someone's daily wearer until fairly recently if you ask me.

I would suggest it's worth its scrap weight (or trade in value against a new replacement from Rolex).
While scrap value is pretty significant these days, Classicwatchrepair can restore the bracelet, which is likely to be more cost effective than purchasing a new bracelet, which are quite pricey IIRC.
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Old 1 March 2020, 07:36 PM   #26
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It's a lot of stretch. That was someone's daily wearer until fairly recently if you ask me.

I would suggest it's worth its scrap weight (or trade in value against a new replacement from Rolex).
I would reach out to Rolliworks, they would sort that out no problem. Some of their work is just fantastic.

Lovely watch OP, those red quarter markers are really nice and set the dial off beautifully. Well done.
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