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tbrain · 31 August 2009, 02:27 AM

Hello to all! Rolex Forum Newbie here...

I have what I believe to be a 1982 or 1983 (a 1983 date is listed in an inscription on the back) Datejust Steel without the original bracelet. My memory is that my father accepted it as a gift from a co-worker a long time ago, and promptly stuck it in a drawer. I recently found it during an estate cleanup. The original bracelet is nowhere to be found, and some kind of drugstore band is attached to one side. The watch runs, and seems to keep pretty good time - so far. However I am sure it needs to be cleaned and serviced, and I might like to procure a correct time period bracelet for it, so right now my plans are to take it to a reputable local jeweler, let them ID it, and let them perform whatever work is required to make it a nice watch again.

Two questions, though. 1) Providing it is what I assume it to be, can a period correct bracelet be purchased (easily) somewhere? And if so, what type bracelet would have been installed originally? 2) What is the normal process of removing an inscription, and will that process diminish the value of the watch? 3) I am in central Alabama. Is there a good Rolex tech in the Birmingham area that someone would recommend? and 4) If any other advice springs to anyone's mind, please feel free to pass it along.

Thanks, and great forum!

Tools · 31 August 2009, 03:06 AM

Almost any Rolex is worth rescue... although your picture of this isn't showing up..

I wouldn't go to "a local jeweler" for this work, unless they had a decent watchmaker on staff.. Or, unless they were a Rolex Dealer who could sent it off to a Service Center for the work...

A basic service on a Rolex is aobut 500 bucks.. A new Jubilee bracelet, or an Oyster pracelet if you prefer, is about 800 bucks.. MOre if it is Two Tone becaue the gold is real gold and not plating.

AS far as the inscription... It's easy enough to remove if it's not too deep... otherwise, it might need a new caseback....

DadsWatch72 · 31 August 2009, 04:43 AM

Too bad the picture didn't post. I was eager to see the watch.

tbrain · 31 August 2009, 01:11 PM

Apologies for the non-photo earlier. Hopefully it will come through this time.

greekbum · 31 August 2009, 01:13 PM

Looks like a 16030 to me whats it say in between the lugs?

mcjp6 · 31 August 2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekbum

Looks like a 16030 to me whats it say in between the lugs?

x 2

I have the exact same watch from 1983 and until recently have worn it every day - keeps great time, its a great watch and will clean up very nicely...

tbrain · 31 August 2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekbum

Looks like a 16030 to me whats it say in between the lugs?

Aha... you seem to be correct. I see 16030 printed under the words "Orig Rolex design". And between the lugs on the other side I see the words "stainless steel".

tbrain · 31 August 2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Almost any Rolex is worth rescue... although your picture of this isn't showing up..

I wouldn't go to "a local jeweler" for this work, unless they had a decent watchmaker on staff.. Or, unless they were a Rolex Dealer who could sent it off to a Service Center for the work...

A basic service on a Rolex is aobut 500 bucks.. A new Jubilee bracelet, or an Oyster pracelet if you prefer, is about 800 bucks.. MOre if it is Two Tone becaue the gold is real gold and not plating.

AS far as the inscription... It's easy enough to remove if it's not too deep... otherwise, it might need a new caseback....

Thanks very much for your help!

tbrain · 1 September 2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcjp6

x 2

I have the exact same watch from 1983 and until recently have worn it every day - keeps great time, its a great watch and will clean up very nicely...

Is there a specific type of bracelet that came standard with this watch?

greekbum · 1 September 2009, 12:12 AM

Oyster or Jubilee from Rolex.You could also wear it on a leather strap.

mcjp6 · 1 September 2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbrain

Is there a specific type of bracelet that came standard with this watch?

Originally the 16030 came on a Jubilee bracelet. These days DJs come on all types of bands including leather.

Wolfgang427 · 1 September 2009, 08:24 AM

Your watch had either one of these from the factory.

Oyster#78360 with #558 ends, but 558 b's also work with it.
Jubilee#62510 with #555 ends, but 555 b's also work with it.

31 August 2009, 02:27 AM	#1
tbrain "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southeast, USA Posts: 6	1983 Rolex Datejust Question Hello to all! Rolex Forum Newbie here... I have what I believe to be a 1982 or 1983 (a 1983 date is listed in an inscription on the back) Datejust Steel without the original bracelet. My memory is that my father accepted it as a gift from a co-worker a long time ago, and promptly stuck it in a drawer. I recently found it during an estate cleanup. The original bracelet is nowhere to be found, and some kind of drugstore band is attached to one side. The watch runs, and seems to keep pretty good time - so far. However I am sure it needs to be cleaned and serviced, and I might like to procure a correct time period bracelet for it, so right now my plans are to take it to a reputable local jeweler, let them ID it, and let them perform whatever work is required to make it a nice watch again. Two questions, though. 1) Providing it is what I assume it to be, can a period correct bracelet be purchased (easily) somewhere? And if so, what type bracelet would have been installed originally? 2) What is the normal process of removing an inscription, and will that process diminish the value of the watch? 3) I am in central Alabama. Is there a good Rolex tech in the Birmingham area that someone would recommend? and 4) If any other advice springs to anyone's mind, please feel free to pass it along. Thanks, and great forum!

31 August 2009, 03:06 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,044	Almost any Rolex is worth rescue... although your picture of this isn't showing up.. I wouldn't go to "a local jeweler" for this work, unless they had a decent watchmaker on staff.. Or, unless they were a Rolex Dealer who could sent it off to a Service Center for the work... A basic service on a Rolex is aobut 500 bucks.. A new Jubilee bracelet, or an Oyster pracelet if you prefer, is about 800 bucks.. MOre if it is Two Tone becaue the gold is real gold and not plating. AS far as the inscription... It's easy enough to remove if it's not too deep... otherwise, it might need a new caseback.... __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

1 September 2009, 12:12 AM	#10
greekbum "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Nikos Location: Florida Watch: Rolex GMT 16750 Posts: 8,415	Oyster or Jubilee from Rolex.You could also wear it on a leather strap. __________________ Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting

31 August 2009, 04:43 AM	#3
DadsWatch72 Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: DRSD 1665 #3551XXX Posts: 2,401	Too bad the picture didn't post. I was eager to see the watch.

31 August 2009, 01:13 PM	#5
greekbum "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Nikos Location: Florida Watch: Rolex GMT 16750 Posts: 8,415	Looks like a 16030 to me whats it say in between the lugs? __________________ Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting

1 September 2009, 08:24 AM	#12
Wolfgang427 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Wolfgang Location: New Jersey. Watch: Rolex Tudor Omega Posts: 5,590	Your watch had either one of these from the factory. Oyster#78360 with #558 ends, but 558 b's also work with it. Jubilee#62510 with #555 ends, but 555 b's also work with it.

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