ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
24 February 2020, 06:07 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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.
|
24 February 2020, 07:44 AM | #2 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40,571
|
You’re right, that bracelet is wrong.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
Does anyone really know what time it is? |
24 February 2020, 07:58 AM | #3 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: 33139/95460
Posts: 1,279
|
Too bad, nice red quarters dial ...
|
24 February 2020, 08:01 AM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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?
|
24 February 2020, 08:04 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: OTTAWA
Posts: 374
|
Bracelet is really stretched too.
Watch would look great with a service bracelet if you were keen to wear it regularly. |
25 February 2020, 07:05 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
Can anyone tell me about the bracelet? Is this a fake?
|
25 February 2020, 10:58 AM | #7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: ATL
Watch: 126610LV
Posts: 2,628
|
|
25 February 2020, 11:13 AM | #8 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Real Name: Webmaster
Location: Space
Watch: it pal !
Posts: 2,954
|
Learn something new everyday here.
__________________
" Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford". Cindy Crawford Hypochondria is the only disease I haven't got RIP Mikey |
25 February 2020, 11:23 AM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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.
|
25 February 2020, 02:05 PM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: David
Location: australia
Posts: 20,152
|
Quote:
They were also made in Japan at a time Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
watches many |
|
25 February 2020, 03:01 PM | #11 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40,571
|
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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________
Does anyone really know what time it is? |
26 February 2020, 01:47 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.
|
26 February 2020, 03:46 AM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Dave
Location: Unknown
Posts: 999
|
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.
|
26 February 2020, 09:14 AM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,342
|
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.
|
26 February 2020, 10:38 AM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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.
|
26 February 2020, 10:50 AM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Japan
Posts: 4,342
|
The red quarters are awesome and quite rare.
|
26 February 2020, 11:07 AM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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.
|
26 February 2020, 12:12 PM | #18 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Itinerant
Watch: 79010sg
Posts: 7,963
|
Great watch.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
28 February 2020, 03:29 AM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Dave
Location: Unknown
Posts: 999
|
|
28 February 2020, 05:17 AM | #20 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: 33139/95460
Posts: 1,279
|
I think the red quarters dial was only offered for a couple of years, roughly ‘68-‘70.
|
1 March 2020, 08:40 AM | #21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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.
|
1 March 2020, 09:16 AM | #22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: OTTAWA
Posts: 374
|
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). |
1 March 2020, 09:18 AM | #23 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Northern Ontario
Watch: 19018N OQ
Posts: 848
|
Quote:
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. |
|
1 March 2020, 09:28 AM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 238
|
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 :)
|
1 March 2020, 10:43 AM | #25 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 5,842
|
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.
__________________
@oldwatchdan on IG |
1 March 2020, 07:36 PM | #26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Watch: Sub,SD,DJ,OP
Posts: 1,950
|
Quote:
Lovely watch OP, those red quarter markers are really nice and set the dial off beautifully. Well done. |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.