Buckley Dial Coronet issue?

[spacemanglam]

Hello all,

I am looking at a 16014 SS Datejust with a white Buckley dial and I was close to purchasing it until I noticed that the coronet at 12 o'clock was in gold instead of the usual white gold/silver in color.

A quick search on the internet uncovered some examples of SS 16014 with the gold coronet. However the vast majority of gold coronet is seen on two-tone Datejusts or YG versions.

Does this mean that this dial was switched from another watch like the two tone version? Or are there examples of white Buckley dials original to the SS models of Datejusts like the 16014 just rarer?

If it was switched, should I be concerned? How would it impact the authenticity of the watch if a dial is swapped?

Thank you for your time guiding this amateur at vintage watch collecting!

[spacemanglam]

Any help please? It's much appreciated. Cheers!

[Richard Carver]

Matters not.

[spacemanglam]

Wonderful!! Thank you very much! Looking forward to show you mine(if you're interested)!

[77T]

If I recall correctly, the 5 digit SS DJ’s with Buckley dials had the WG coronet.

The TT’s & YG DJ’s had Buckley dials with YG coronet.

If RSC receives it, they’ll let you know if it was a dial swap that doesn’t meet the model’s consistency standard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ratty]

Can someone tell me what a Buckley dial is please?

[rootbeer7]

The dials have painted Roman numerals as opposed to applied numbers/batons. They are named after dealer John Buckley who first drew attention to them.

[spacemanglam]

Originally Posted by 77T

If I recall correctly, the 5 digit SS DJ’s with Buckley dials had the WG coronet.

The TT’s & YG DJ’s had Buckley dials with YG coronet.

If RSC receives it, they’ll let you know if it was a dial swap that doesn’t meet the model’s consistency standard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Oh no.. that's concerning.. so RSC doesn't accept the watches just because there was a swap even if the dial is original Rolex?

[77T]

Originally Posted by spacemanglam

Oh no.. that's concerning.. so RSC doesn't accept the watches just because there was a swap even if the dial is original Rolex?

Certain dials (even though genuine) are not considered original livery for certain models. Improper dial swaps will create a problem for the owner who sends the watch to the RSC for service.

For example, an ice blue diamond dial that fits on the Platinum Daytona would be considered improper on a SS Daytona because it was never in the available dial choices for the SS Daytona model.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[spacemanglam]

Okay gotcha. I understand. After your reply I found the following thread on this forum

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...4#post10766094

From the thread it seems like Rolex would still service it but they will make a note of it. Is this accurate?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by spacemanglam

. . .
From the thread it seems like Rolex would still service it but they will make a note of it. Is this accurate?

Generally, Rolex will service older watches that have quite a few changes as Dealers were much more lenient in the past, and swapped parts to satisfy customers.

It was quite common for SS models to get gold crowns and bezels to make them into two tones, as well as dial changing.

Some Service Centers are less flexible than others.

[spacemanglam]

Originally Posted by Tools

Generally, Rolex will service older watches that have quite a few changes as Dealers were much more lenient in the past, and swapped parts to satisfy customers.

It was quite common for SS models to get gold crowns and bezels to make them into two tones, as well as dial changing.

Some Service Centers are less flexible than others.

Thank you so much! That puts my mind at ease. I was thinking for a 38 year old watch it would be so difficult to find an all original one as it was quite common back then to customize Datejusts. Was worried about getting it after knowing it was swapped some time during its lifetime for the watch I'm looking at.

Now I just got to make sure the dial is original. Since it was swapped, one just never know..

Thanks again for your reply![/SIZE]

[Richard Carver]

Rolex' concern is all parts be original Rolex. The color of the coronet on your original Rolex dial has never been a concern on a watch from an era that allowed extensive parts replacement.

Rolex will require a modification to a case like an incorrect bezel to be corrected during a service but any part considered a consumable is acceptable as long as it's original Rolex. I had a 1969 1600 DJ serviced which turned out to have a Tudor Oyster bracelet, they made note of it but did not get their panties in a twist.

It's apparently impossible to make new collectors understand how loose it was in the 60s/70s and early 80s. We've lost so much of the charm of collecting these old soldiers because of this originality idiocy. Study the damn things, it's fun. :)

[ratty]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

The dials have painted Roman numerals as opposed to applied numbers/batons. They are named after dealer John Buckley who first drew attention to them.

Thank you.

[spacemanglam]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Rolex' concern is all parts be original Rolex. The color of the coronet on your original Rolex dial has never been a concern on a watch from an era that allowed extensive parts replacement.

Rolex will require a modification to a case like an incorrect bezel to be corrected during a service but any part considered a consumable is acceptable as long as it's original Rolex. I had a 1969 1600 DJ serviced which turned out to have a Tudor Oyster bracelet, they made note of it but did not get their panties in a twist.

It's apparently impossible to make new collectors understand how loose it was in the 60s/70s and early 80s. We've lost so much of the charm of collecting these old soldiers because of this originality idiocy. Study the damn things, it's fun. :)

Great to know! So is a dial considered like a consumable that they would force to correct? I'm thinking they would be more laxed for an older watch where parts may not be made anymore.

And I totally agree! Love studying these things starting from the history, then the individual details like dials, bezels, bracelets.. wonderful journey. My wife says I don't even know her that well, but what does she know?

[Richard Carver]

You need to hear it three times?

[spacemanglam]

Sorry, maybe my English is not good and may have been confused by some of the phrasing. I think I understand. Cheers!