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marco
·I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to acquire this DRSD from the original owner .Unfortuanately the original bracelet was beyond repair that's how hard a life this piece has had.The original owners long time watchmaker mentioned it to my good friend also a watchmaker and a member here, who contacted me. I was looking for a vintage Daytona but was hesitating due to price and provenance issues (who wouldn't).
Being offered a one owner DSRD was indeed fortuitous and I knew I was in a privelleged position before it went on the open market.
What follwed was a frantic selling of a Patek 5035P from my collection. When I look back on this I was very lucky the original owner obligingly waited for me to gather the funds needed.
When I first saw photos of the watch I thought it was a Mk4 1975 and was told the caseback and case serial were not the same. Its caseback was engraved which I was not keen on, I was loosing interest fast. In hindsight the engraving actually adds provenance as it was the sellers 21st birthday and included his name.
After reading another DRSD thread ( @Faz) and helpfull advice from @watchnut and @leefowler I was encouraged. On inspection the piece had been polished as it had a very hard life. The Mk3 dial is unmarked and in excellent condition and unchipped , maybe a little faded as is the bezel as this watch has spent a lot of time in the Australian sun.These watches often have chipped dials I think this one survived unscathed because of its regular services, the dial laquer is in contact with the retaining mech, over a long time this can bond with the dial and you may get a chip. I am no watchmaker this is only my theory, please correct me if I am wrong.
It turns out the caseback has matching numbers with with the case and 5 service inscriptions, manufacture was first quarter 1972 not 1975. It probably has a service crown as it is triplock with three dots below the crown. The silver datewheel is correct.
In my opinion a very honest watch with a commensurate condition as too the hard life it has experianced.
Considering its provenance which these days is of utmost importance with any Rolex I am very pleased I took the jump.
Thank you to OF and its very helpfull members for the invaluble information I gleaned from these pages.
Being offered a one owner DSRD was indeed fortuitous and I knew I was in a privelleged position before it went on the open market.
What follwed was a frantic selling of a Patek 5035P from my collection. When I look back on this I was very lucky the original owner obligingly waited for me to gather the funds needed.
When I first saw photos of the watch I thought it was a Mk4 1975 and was told the caseback and case serial were not the same. Its caseback was engraved which I was not keen on, I was loosing interest fast. In hindsight the engraving actually adds provenance as it was the sellers 21st birthday and included his name.
After reading another DRSD thread ( @Faz) and helpfull advice from @watchnut and @leefowler I was encouraged. On inspection the piece had been polished as it had a very hard life. The Mk3 dial is unmarked and in excellent condition and unchipped , maybe a little faded as is the bezel as this watch has spent a lot of time in the Australian sun.These watches often have chipped dials I think this one survived unscathed because of its regular services, the dial laquer is in contact with the retaining mech, over a long time this can bond with the dial and you may get a chip. I am no watchmaker this is only my theory, please correct me if I am wrong.
It turns out the caseback has matching numbers with with the case and 5 service inscriptions, manufacture was first quarter 1972 not 1975. It probably has a service crown as it is triplock with three dots below the crown. The silver datewheel is correct.
In my opinion a very honest watch with a commensurate condition as too the hard life it has experianced.
Considering its provenance which these days is of utmost importance with any Rolex I am very pleased I took the jump.
Thank you to OF and its very helpfull members for the invaluble information I gleaned from these pages.
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