Thoughts on this 18038 orange stella?

[t3bkmzd]

Is 35k euro a fair price for the above? lume plots are intact and uniform, Minute hand has eroded lume but dial looks to be in immaculate condition with no hairlines or cracks. case looks quite crisp and sharp. Rarity wise orange is in the middle?

[vintagewaferthin]

Dont really have much knowledge about these dials to comment, but what a cool color that is!

[BigBlue1]

That is beautiful. Sorry I can not help, but hopefully Miamiclay will come around. Maybe PM Miamiclay. Seems to have good knowledge on these. Good luck.

[miamiclay]

35K€ is a little over USD$39K, which is a bit steep especially with no bracelet, but not wholly unreasonable. Red/orange “in the middle” sounds about right - More common than some, but rarer than, e.g., oxblood.

The case looks unmolested, and the bezel is crisp. The day wheel is cocked a little left, which is a common issue but one which requires an overhaul to fix (if you care). The “bump” under the crown almost looks more like an 1803 case than a 18038, but that must be the photo angle - Have you looked at the reference and serial numbers? Let us know he first few digits of the serial?

Most 18038 Stellas seem to have Romans-and-railroad dials instead of this minute track, but by no means all.

Thanks for the kind words, Blue - Stellas are one DD variety I’ve bought only from dealers I’m 100% certain will stand behind them - 2/3 of the value is in the dial, so the motivation for fakery is strong. I don’t see any obvious problem here.

Richard Carver and crowncollection are more knowledgeable on these - If they don’t chime in, feel free to PM me.

[t3bkmzd]

tks for the inputs dear senior members, the serial number provided is 583xxxx which dates to around 1978? Gave me more confidence to pull the trigger as I would reckon replacement hands or minor relume could restore the minute hand

Day wheel was an issue brought up and yes it does bother me so I'm likely gonna fit in a diff lang day date as part of the service.

@miamiclay would love to learn more about DDs if u could so kindly impart some knowledge? Will PM u

[TimeLord2]

I am not familiar with this reference and cannot advise you. However, did you see the Phillips GENEVA WATCH AUCTION: XIGENEVA AUCTION 27 - 28 JUNE 2020, specifically this listing: https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080120/168
Does look as though it shares the alignment issue on the day wheel. There are a few other Stella dials in the auction if interested. May be a generation removed

[Richard Carver]

This dial answers a lot of questions I had on the orange one. it's an 18038 and has the exact construction as the orange. It was the 1803 cues that bothered me, coffin markers, old style minute track but with the later T Swiss Made T.

Looks good to me. :)


https://www.phillips.com/detail/role...a&searchPage=2

[offrdmania]

My only concern is the ding on the dial under MADE at the bottom. Its missing paint. It also looks like there is a ding at the 41 marker. If I was paying that much, I would want a dial that is perfect.

Any other 18038 with a standard dial on a leather strap is worth €5K all day long. You are paying €30K just for that dial.

The watch in the post above that sold at Phillips sold for €22K and has a perfect dial.

[t3bkmzd]

@offrdmania good spotting. I did some social media forensics on the dealer's IG and guess these are the reasons why its been marketed for 2 yrs and still no buyer. Hence, started this post to garner expert views and opinions. Appreciate them all!

@timelord2 I will do that but haven't had luck at auctions sigh.

@miamiclay good chat bro, concur with your sharing and advice. The hunt continues.... hahaha

[ronricks]

The part of the case that ‘bumps’ out by the crown was around on 18038’s until about 1983 or 1984. Around 1985 is when this seemed to disappear.

[carwashchris]

So for informational purposes only, is it the color or the back story that is driving this auction estimate so much higher than others ?

https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080120/127

Thanks Chris

[offrdmania]

Its the yellow

[t3bkmzd]

has to be the yellow. based on 2015 result, guess its even rarer than lilac

[carwashchris]

Thanks, that's a lot of coin. It will be fun to watch. I copied this sometime back, it may not be accurate. It doesn't mention a Lilac color, maybe it's a Purple that has faded ?

https://watchtime.me/life-style/vint...ial-timepieces