1803 President

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by haven_seeker

That's what I was thinking.

Spruce up the bracelet for $1500, get a set of hands (shouldn't set you back too much), and for well under $10K you have a nice day date to enjoy for 5-10.

If you decide to sell it, even dumping the above money in, you should at least break even.

Exactly, not matter what the OP will be ahead of the market value

[fmoore5667]

Great,I like it.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Here is what I would do:

Get the watch serviced including a new plexi crystal, correct set of hands, and a new fluted bezel also get the bracelet repaired and buy a nice leather strap so you can use bracelet or strap if you want. Whatever you do post pics of the finished product this seems like a cool project that I would be interested in doing one day.

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who has commented and expressed great ideas. I will go ahead with the bracelet, movement service and crystal. As far as the hands, I am looking and have reached out to SubMarine “ Douglas” with no success. He has been active everyday and did say he had a couple extra sets lying around, but maybe he doesn't read his PMs

Originally Posted by SubMarine

Correct handset is a blackened Buckley handset. I have several pairs. OP, feel free to Pm me. $6700 is a great piece, congrats.

.If anyone knows where I can pick up a pair of Black Buckley Hands it would be much appreciated.

Thank you
John

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Wouldn't scare me. Lots and lots of success stories.

I will look into it.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Fully understand this concern. Rolliworks seem to be the go-to guys in the US for the bracelet. No experience with them, but I've heard only good things.

What are you looking to do with the case? Laser welding with gold? That might be more expensive than just selling it and buying one with a fat case...

As there doesn't appear to be any sentimental value, I'd either: 1: just love it as it is, or 2. get the bracelet spruced up and buy a fat-case head to put on it. These bracelets are notoriously problematic and rare/expensive. Now that you have one, I think it makes sense to get it fixed up if you can.

Good luck with it.

The lug holes are very close to the bottom. I would just like some gold added if at all possible.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

The lug holes are very close to the bottom. I would just like some gold added if at all possible.

Beautiful project. Can't wait to see the results.

And once you have a decent President bracelet, you can buy head-only 1803s in the future and use it for them. That's a real nice piece of kit to have in your collection.

[BigBlue1]

Are Datejust and President hands interchangeable? Meaning can I take Buckley hands off of a Datejust and put them on my Day Date?

Looking at this.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Beautiful project. Can't wait to see the results.

And once you have a decent President bracelet, you can buy head-only 1803s in the future and use it for them. That's a real nice piece of kit to have in your collection.

Thanks

[offrdmania]

I believe the 1520, 1530, 1535, 1555, 1560 and 1570 movements all use the same canon pinion. You just have to make sure the buckley hands are the same length as the Day/Date hands.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I believe the 1520, 1530, 1535, 1555, 1560 and 1570 movements all use the same canon pinion. You just have to make sure the buckley hands are the same length as the Day/Date hands.

As luck would have it, not compatible

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

As luck would have it, not compatible

In what way, doesn’t it have a 1555 movement in it?

[BigBlue1]

I messaged seller and they don’t believe it is compatible. That’s all they said. I did ask, but they gave no explanation. There is no wAy to verify.

[BigBlue1]

Anyone else have any experience with Day Dates and have any opinions on this set of Buckley hands?
Should I just purchase it and see what come of it?

[miamiclay]

No experience, but it seems like in a 36mm the dial size and track widths would match

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

No experience, but it seems like in a 36mm the dial size and track widths would match

I like your thinking

[tudorbaja27]

Nice! I like it a lot!
Congrats!

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

I like your thinking.

What would a pair of hands run cost?

You can paint a regular set if you don’t have the inclination to find (pay for?) an original black set. Very cool find. If original, that dial is awesome.


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[southtexas]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

As luck would have it, not compatible

I believe the 160X DJ hands will NOT fit the 180X DD.


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[zapokee]

Originally Posted by southtexas

You can paint a regular set if you don’t have the inclination to find (pay for?) an original black set.

It would bug me knowing the hands weren't quite right. With a project of this scale, it would be a shame to cut corners.

[jhvalente]

I’ve used Michael young several times, including a president band. They are artisans. My bracelets came back perfect. It takes some time but we’ll worth it. I understand the unease, but have had nothing but great success with him.

[pablofields]

Originally Posted by jhvalente

I’ve used Michael young several times, including a president band. They are artisans. My bracelets came back perfect. It takes some time but we’ll worth it. I understand the unease, but have had nothing but great success with him.

Same.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by southtexas

You can paint a regular set if you don’t have the inclination to find (pay for?) an original black set. Very cool find. If original, that dial is awesome.


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I just can’t find a set of hands and some on this board who claimed to have a set totally ignored my PMs. It’s all good. I may just keep the fattys on. Send it out to be service this Saturday if all works out.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by zapokee

It would bug me knowing the hands weren't quite right. With a project of this scale, it would be a shame to cut corners.

I don’t want to buy a repro set and or paint any either. I will just go ahead with a service and bracelet repair.

[TimeLord2]

Very nice BigBlue1! Why don't you ask LAWW about the case refurbishment? I may have missed you reaching out to them earlier in the thread. If that is the case, sorry for rehashing the subject but as I understand it they are very good with case refurbishment too. Love the presidential bracelet!

[zapokee]

There's no rush. You can enjoy years finding the right parts and people to restore this beauty to its destined glory. The relationships and contacts you'll build along the way might turn out to be worth more than the watch itself.

Savor the experience, and don't forget to enjoy the watch in the meantime. I once read a story where tortoise wins in the end.

[miamiclay]

You could keep a weather eye out for the bits to go either direction - Buckley hands or a Wide Boy dial you like. Personally I think the gray YG Wide Boy dial is great looking. (This is not mine ... sadly!)
.
.

[BigBlue1]

It’s been sent in. Can’t wait for it to come back. Sent to Michael Young.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

It’s been sent in. Can’t wait for it to come back. Sent to Michael Young.

He can source you hands

[BigBlue1]

Maybe I’ll try and ask him.

[Harry49]

You have a nice pair on there..
The price is okay for it