Advice on Day Date

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Norfolk

·Jan 22, 2016

I have been offered a 1982 Rolex Day Date in solid gold by a local antique dealer. I am not familiar with these models but have been after a dress watch for a while and think it could look good on a brown alligator. What should I look out for when buying and what is a fair price. It is on a solid gold bracelet now. No box or papers but apparently one owner from new.
Thanks again for the use of this forum and the great members on here.

 

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Canuck

·Jan 22, 2016

Watch for a worn out bracelet! When one end is removed from the watch, the watch laid flat, a badly worn bracelet can be arrayed in an "S" shape! Not a distinct S, of course. But the meaning will be clear if you try it with a worn bracelet. Also, look for "slack" between the links. I understand there are people around who rebuild these, but how successful it is, and how much the cost would be, should be considered. Check on line auctions to see what prices these are offered for, and also the archives to see what they actually SELL for. When I started in retail jewellery in 1965, these sold for $1,995.00! I've never had the desire to own one.

 

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Norfolk

·Jan 22, 2016

So maybe better to buy just the head? He will split them.

 

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Canuck

·Jan 22, 2016

That's a decision you will have to make. See if you can try the bracelet trick. With the bracelet lying flat on a hard surface. Push the links together, the way they were when the bracelet was new and measure the length. Then stretch the bracelet out as far as it will go and measure the length. If the difference in length is 1/2" or so, I would think you don't want the bracelet- unless you can buy it for a scrap price. Then check into having it rebuilt. Let us know what you decide.

 

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theridewill

·Jan 22, 2016

buy the whole if yoou can afford it....gold original bracelet also fetches for value..

 

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oddboy

·Jan 22, 2016

And, http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/ if you want to fix up the bracelet. I've not used him, but read some reviews.

 

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marturx

·Jan 22, 2016

This actually looks like a decent, honest specimen. Doesn't appear to be polished, but pretty well worn. Could be a good idea to go for the head, and have the dial exchanged. Or, depending on the price, buy the bracelet too, and have it restored by Michael Young in HK

 

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Norfolk

·Jan 23, 2016

Interesting. Why would you change the dial? I assumed it was all original. The bracelet does seem pretty worn. I am in UK so Hong Kong not practical. He will drop the price £1000 if I don't take bracelet as that is the scrap value apparently.

 

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al128

·Jan 23, 2016

those Day-Dates can be had at fairly "reasonable" prices for an iconic vintage rolex.

The reason is mostly that gold has fallen out of favour as have smaller formal watches - in our 2016 world.

Today everything is big, sport and steel (esp. in rolex-landia).


I wonder if the pendulum will ever swing back and than those "presidents" will fetch serious money? ... or if that is a thing to never happen ... (in a way that the cellini's never were really popular)

anyone loading up on 1803's?

thoughts?

Edited: Jan 23, 2016

 

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theridewill

·Jan 23, 2016

it will always boil down to ones preference...whether it is trendy or not it if my heart beats for it then the hell i care about...
for serious collectors they collect timeless iconic pieces

 

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theridewill

·Jan 23, 2016

it will always boil down to ones preference...whether it is trendy or not it if my heart beats for it then the hell i care about...
for serious collectors they collect timeless iconic pieces

 

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Norfolk

·Jan 23, 2016

Well my wife has bought it for me which is rather lovely of her!

 

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Garv

·Jan 23, 2016

Norfolk

Well my wife has bought it for me which is rather lovely of her!

Nice! I think its a sharp looking piece and will be awesome on the brown alligator if that's the way you end up going

 

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theridewill

·Jan 23, 2016

Norfolk

Well my wife has bought it for me which is rather lovely of her!

Congrats for having such supportive wife...enjoy it in the best of health...

 

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Norfolk

·Jan 28, 2016

Got it. Wearing it. Living the dream!!!

 

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al128

·Jan 28, 2016

better yet:







some hi-qual dead animal skin takes the bling-bling out of this watch ...

👍

 

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JohnSteed

·Jan 28, 2016

Norfolk

Got it. Wearing it. Living the dream!!!

Nicely done!!! The bracelet looks better in your pics

Awesome wife

 

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theridewill

·Jan 28, 2016

Norfolk

Got it. Wearing it. Living the dream!!!

really nice looking watch...the gold bracelet knowing it is solid gold adds elegance and class to the watch...

Edited: Jan 28, 2016

 

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Norfolk

·Jan 29, 2016

Yes a light brushing to bracelet and case took the bling factor down and makes it much easier to wear as is and as you say knowing it is solid gold somehow makes it more acceptable. I am still keen to try the strap option and like that first one shown. So then decision would be on the correct buckle.

And yes I have a wonderful generous and beautiful wife! I'm a lucky man....

 

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Furze

·Jan 30, 2016

Nice DD, my 1803 says hi. Mine didn't come with option of bracelet, but I find black strap suits black dial best on a dress watch.