1952 T/T DateJust does it look correct?

[Frosty]

I have to admit it, you vintage watch guys finally got to me. A friend of mine wants to sell his 1952 T/T DateJust. He has no idea what it is worth, but, he is a freind and I want to be fair. It has been serviced and cleaned by an old time watch maker in Port Hueneme. It is gaining eight seconds a day and has a little discoloration on the hands and dial, which does not matter to me

The question is, does it look correct, and what would it be worth. The rest of the bracelet looks great. Thanks

[nyyankees]

Looks correct to me. Look between the lugs for the model number and serial. That will help verify. I would say it probably needs a service so the value could be anywhere from $1200-$1500 in my opinion. Others may want to chime-in. The hands look great and it's a nice looking watch.

[toph]

Yeah dial has a bit if damage but the bracelet looks very very stretched. To get a new one will be circa $1000. I mention it as it may be forced upon rather than by choice . As prevous poster said I would say circa 1400 to 1500 at best
Cheers

[vintagewaferthin]

looks good to me.

[Frosty]

I had previously complimented him on the watch. He left on a three week trip and caught me by surprise by the offer to sell, as he was leaving for the trip. I only had time to get two quick phone pictures. I will get a better look and check out the serial number when he gets back.

At least now I know what I am looking at on price. Thanks everyone and TRF.

[Andy B]

Bezel looks like a replacement, should be milled not fluted. Also, I think it's a little later than '52.

[motoikkyu]

Perfectly acceptable two-tone. I'm voting more toward the 1300 range because of the degree of stretch of the bracelet. It will be very attractive if you get that addressed.

[Frosty]

I have done a lot of research on TRF and the references I was directed to and wish to thank the stickies by Lol-x, Tools and the other members of the forum.

This watch is a DateJust 1601, with a Serial Number of 928,XXX. This means it was made in 1952 or 1962, according to Tools Rolex Serial Numbers Sticky. The owner is understandably reluctant to take the back off to show me (he thinks it is a 1952). I have looked at a lot of dials, circa 1952, and it is missing the arrowhead markers. It does look more like the dials from circa 1962 with the Dauphine Hands

Since it has the following:

1954 Cyclops introduced
1954 Fluted Bezel Introduced
1962 Introduction of Two Tone Model
? Jubillee Bracelet

I am thinking this was made sometime in 1962. Am I correct? Would this change the value? Does anyone know the clasp code I should be looking for to make sure I get the right bracelet?

[kyle L]

No expert but I think '62 is more likely. The 50s Datejusts had a distinctive look:



It's a very nice watch with that gilt black dial. I wish I could find one of these!

[DrLindaPhD]

It's from the 60s. It looks similar to a few in the 1960-62 range in the books. Definitely NOT the 50s. Oh and, it is not understandable to NOT take the back off. If he doesn't know how or if he is afraid he will hurt it, then go with him to a watchmaster and have the watchmaster take the back off and take a photo of it. That's all. I personally love the watch. I love the black/gold combo but just make sure the inside is the same as the outside (ROLEX) ! ! !

[adam78]

Linda is correct. This reference only appeared in 1959 or so with the newfangled cal. 1560. The dial and hands are c/w '60-62 date. Nice looking DJ.

[Czechman]

Dauphine hands...

[Frosty]

Here are some more pictures. I really like the watch head, but the bracelet appears to be after market. I know the clasp is non-Rolex which brings up some flags. Also, the non-Rolex clasp has stainless steel 14 k on it. The bracelet has hollow gold (?) links. I am not sure but I thought by 1962 the Jubilee Bracelet was 18k. This suggests to me an after market bracelet was attached to it. But, in vintage watches, I do not know how much this matters in value. The watch is very light compared to my Sub. But, being fair to both parties how much should I offer? He wants $2,000. It is losing about 8 seconds a day which seems reasonable for an old watch. I just prefer my watches to be original.














And of course my helper, JD

[Czechman]

$2k seems like a lot to me. Personally I wouldn't give this a second glance with all the 1601's out there in better shape for less.

Bracelet is scrap aftermarket junk. Have you had the gold tested?

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Czechman

$2k seems like a lot to me. Personally I wouldn't give this a second glance with all the 1601's out there in better shape for less.

Bracelet is scrap aftermarket junk. Have you had the gold tested?

Yes, it tested 14k

[adam78]

The dial is very nice, gilt. Nice alpha hands. But the watch is really not worth more than the others have said in this thread. The bracelet is aftermarket and is not worth more than the scrap value of the thin gold links, so not that much. Still, it seems wearable. But friends should not try to milk friends, IMO. He would not get more than a thousand from a dealer or jeweler (likely a bit less than that).

[Elementa]

I would love to see Rolex bring those hands back. I love them.

[Kingair]

If I am correct . . . did the cat eat the watch . . . ?



HAGOne

[Czechman]

Originally Posted by adam78

Nice alpha hands.

Can you explain the difference between Alpha and Dauphine hands? Curious to know so I get it right in the future.

[dysondiver]

i like it , why not go with him to a jeweler , and pay him 10 percent above the jewelers cash buy it rice ,,, everyone does ok ,,,, no one feels pressured into good or bad offers,
just a thought.

[adam78]

Originally Posted by Czechman

Can you explain the difference between Alpha and Dauphine hands? Curious to know so I get it right in the future.

Alpha hands are sword-shaped as well as dauphine, but tapered inward before the center post, not after.

Compare the OP's example:



to this of mine (dauphine):