Hi everyone,

I was hoping you could all help me out. I am looking to purchase my first Rolex, a vintage entry level Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date reference 1500 from 1974. The seller is asking around $3100 US for it.

I was hoping you could all help me out and let me know if this seems like a decent purchase. The dial is listed as being all original. How's the dial and hands look? And how does the case look? The lugs look like they've may have seen some polishing to my untrained eyes.

Anything else that I should be aware of and/or concerned about? Thanks a lot and I really appreciate your thought about this watch and your assistance.

 

It has been polished, but looks fine to me.

 

It’s a sigma dial, indicating gold hands and dial furniture. Being from 1974 lines up with the period sigma dials we’re produced. It’s a handsome and clean example.
For more on sigma dials: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/what-is-a-sigma-dial

 

That’s a nice looking watch. Case has seen a polish (as has 99% of vintage watches), but it’s still fairly sharp and the tops of the lugs have been rebrushed which means it was done with some care. Lume is puffy yellow which is a big plus, endlinks are correct as is the folded link for ‘74. Would want to see a clasp photo and know how many links are in the bracelet (should be 13 links, I need 12 to fit my 7.25-7.5” wrist with a hole or two left).
Can’t speak to price as I haven’t shopped these in a while but considering the crazy of the Rolex market right now, $3.1k doesn’t seem insane for a sigma 1500 wirh factory bracelet.

 

I have some uncertainty about the dial, given the printing.

Top is OP watch, then a few of mine.

View attachment 1237910

Look at where the O, under Superlative, falls against the P above it. Small other differences, like the loop of the Rs.

What do you all think? Tell me I’m nuts.

 

Well, here’s mine from ‘78 to compare it against- although not a sigma

 

Ooooo, now I see the differences in the O’s. The OP’s are perfectly round and yours and and mine are all oblong. Perhaps a difference with the contractor that did the sigma dials? I haven’t seen fake dials for these before- they weren’t as popular as say a Dj

 

Lots of minor variations in those dials, in those days. Dial looks fine to me.

 

Thanks a lot. The bracelet comes with 11 links so not all there. I've also attached pics of the clasp. Let me know what else you think. Much appreciated.