Genuine dial on DateJust 1601?

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Davidt

·Sep 3, 2020

Morning everyone. As some will know I’ve pretty much been an Omega man for the last 10 years but recently broadened my horizons when I bought an Explorer 1, closely followed by a 1603 linen dial.

Anyway, I’m now on the lookout for a vintage DJ with grey or black dial and came across this on my daily searches. I’m pretty green when it comes to Rolex so I’m trying to learn, but it just looks off to me.

For one, the date doesn’t look to be sufficiently magnified so I’m assuming an aftermarket crystal but the main issue is the hour markers don’t align with the hash marks, particularly at 9 and 10. I’m assuming it’s a repainted or aftermarket dial or was the QC not that tight back in the day?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274481776798

 

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Enzo

·Sep 3, 2020

Could just be the angle, 9 and 10 plots look better aligned in this pic:

 

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Davidt

·Sep 3, 2020

@Enzo initially I thought it may just be the angle but all the pictures seem to show the alignment being off.

 

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Enzo

·Sep 3, 2020

I have a feeling that the dial is ok, but definitely worth trying to get a straight on pic if you are thinking of pursuing this.

 

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watch3s

·Sep 3, 2020

gonna have to go with the angle issue here. Each provided shot is of the watch and therefore dial at an angle. A shot of the watch laying flat may tell a different story.

 

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Davidt

·Sep 3, 2020

Maybe so. Front on shot requested...

 

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Dan S

·Sep 3, 2020

I'm on the fence. At first glance it doesn't look bad, but some things are a little wonky. For example, the Y in OYSTER seems very narrow and shifted to the left. And I agree that the markers deserve closer inspection.

 

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Enzo

·Sep 3, 2020

I think the 'Y' looks a little strange in certain pics and not others due to a mark or scratch on the crystal. I agree closer inspection required.

 

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Davidt

·Sep 4, 2020

No reply from the seller and it looks like it’s sold now.
Ah well, there will be another....

thanks everyone.

 

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cristos71

·Sep 4, 2020

I showed it to a good friend of mine who only collects DJ's from this period and slightly earlier, he said redial ( within about 0.8 seconds )

 

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Davidt

·Sep 4, 2020

Yep. I'm not homed into the minutiae of these but I'm used to looking at dials in general and my gut just said it was wrong.

 

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watch3s

·Sep 4, 2020

on second glance, those lume plots were probably a dead giveaway

 

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inchpincher

·Sep 4, 2020

Quick question as a Rolex learner too... does the date font look a little thin or is this part most likely genuine?

 

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watch3s

·Sep 4, 2020

inchpincher

Quick question as a Rolex learner too... does the date font look a little thin or is this part most likely genuine?

it is a bit thin, which is suspect. There are enough warning signs on this to say walk away.