Advice on 1966 Datejust

[inky.pendragon]

Finally decided to get a "birth year" watch and settled on a Datejust. Im looking at two different ones and would appreciate everyone's input.

The first is a nice SS, Sigma Dial, pretty clean dial. There are some scratches on the crystal (easy fix) but I'm more concerned about some scuffing on the case near the lugs at 10 and 2 o'clock. I guess I could see if Rolex could buff it out? Also, looking at photos I do wonder if that bezel is white gold as well and not SS.

The second is a blue Sigma dial, white gold bezel. looks clean.

Both have jubilee bracelets and all else being equal, comments?

Thanks!

[mui.richard]

Both are steel with white gold, fluted bezel and to be perfectly honest... neither are in the best of shape. The fluted bezel on the blue dialed one seem to be in better condition - less polished and the lines of the bezel are still mostly intact. The bezel on the white dial is way over polished and mostly rounded. Since no photos with the side profile is shown it's difficult to tell how badly the mid case have been polished on both watches.

Here's a 16014 I picked up around 3 years ago and paid $2k for it. I serviced it with RSC without polishing and only replaced the crown and plexiglass, which was another $400 (I'm in HK so RSC charged are a bit lower than other parts of the world). As you can easily see from the photo the lines on the fluted bezel is still quite well defined.

Although you'll have to factor the slight premium for blue or white dials, you really shouldn't be paying much more than I did for mine given the condition of these two examples.

I guess in the end it really depends on how much the seller is asking for and whether you actually like them. For me personally, I'll keep looking.



Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

[inky.pendragon]

Thanks! That helps!

[powerfunk]

66 seems early for a sigma dial, right? I thought those were 1970-74ish

Sent from my SM-J337P using Tapatalk

[mineral]

The blue dial is cool and look gorgeous


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[inky.pendragon]

Here are a few more, better, photos of the blue one.

[Richard Carver]

The blue is the better of the two, nice watch really. Try to get pics of the gasket channel and between the lugs. When someone tells you what you should be paying for a watch they should be able to tell you where to get it for that price, if they can't, ignore them.