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Old 4 July 2014, 04:50 AM   #1
joe100
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From Bonanza to Bust

So today I decided to pop by a local jewelry store that claims to handle vintage watches. I browsed their display case and they didn't have anything special. Couple of Omega Connie Manhattans, but nothing else. The gentleman said "ah but we do have this old Rolex from the 50s in the back. Doesn't work but maybe you'll appreciate it".

He went on to bring out a 1955 6503-2, roulette date wheel, Oyster Perpetual, with original box and papers. However, I'd forgotten my loupe and could only admire it with my naked eye. We chatted for a bit, and knowing the OP version isn't too common and the DateJust version being quite valuable, I asked his price. He told me to name one and we'd work off that. The crown had been replaced with an original Rolex TwinLock crown, and the bracelet included was a 1983 93750, so there were a few issues. I wasn't too bothered since I had this fleeting moment where I realized I may have struck gold.

Like all the great Old West mining busts, my joy was short lived. I came back a bit later to take a second look and this time I came armed with my loupe and a laundry list of things I wanted to check and verify. Once I got the watch back in my hands, I wanted to see if the red "DATEJUST" text had simply faded and that's why I didn't see it under their not-so-good lighting or if we were dealing with the OP version. Well... No one will ever know because the dial had been refinished. It wasn't until I got the watch under good lighting I could see the text had been sprayed over with silver and reprinted. I could even see the old text ghosted underneath the bad silver paint. Bust.

I politely thanked them for their time but there is no way I wanted this watch after seeing this mess of a dial, not to mention who knows what it'd need for the movement.

It really does pay to look closely and verify details.
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Old 4 July 2014, 04:58 AM   #2
ExplorerChris
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The thrill is in the hunt
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Old 4 July 2014, 05:23 AM   #3
joe100
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Indeed it is. Didn't know I was hunting but some things are too good to be true
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Old 4 July 2014, 05:31 AM   #4
locutus49
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You are to be commended for doing due diligence. Avoiding mistakes is part of the game, maybe the biggest part.
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Old 4 July 2014, 09:45 AM   #5
Old Expat Beast
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Been there Joe....the Rolex Rollercoaster. But what kind of jeweller can't loan a loupe?
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Old 4 July 2014, 11:52 AM   #6
joe100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast View Post
Been there Joe....the Rolex Rollercoaster. But what kind of jeweller can't loan a loupe?
I didn't ask. Ha!! I came back armed with my tools though.
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