picked up my first vintage Rolex today on a trade. 1603 datejust 36. Since this was sold preowned at a jewelers boutique I assume some parts to be non orginal but I’m no expert at rolexes so would like some input from those out there.
My assumption is that crystal, dial, and bezel has been swapped. Thoughts?

 

Hi,

If I'm not mistaken, dial and bezel are totally original and are in very good condition. Not so sure about the crystal, might need input from the experts here!
If your suspicion of the replacement bezel is because it looks slighlty different that other Datejusts, you might want to know that the 1601 and the 1603 come with different bezels. The 1601 comes with a white gold fluted bezel, meanwhile the 1603 comes with a stainless steel engine-turned bezel.
Nevertheless, congratulations on the new piece.

Best,
Javi.

 

I think there should be a date stamp inside the case back, This should tie in with the serial number visible when you remove the bottom half of the strap.
Not sure about the coronet on the dial being so close to the minute markers but this could be the angle of the picture.
The bezel is known as a thunderbird and was probably an option on the datejust back in the 60/70s unlike today when you get what you buy and no deviation.
You say things a probably not right? Why do you think that? Where did you get it from?

 

Sigma Dial,very beautiful,nice catch!

 

I had never heard of the Thunderbird being made with a steel bezel. They were made with a white gold bezel and yellow gold bezels only. The watch in the enclosed image is a Thunderbird. The diamond dial is either an option, or is after market. Your Rolex looks all original to me.

 

Bezel is called machine/engine turned or crenellated. It denotes an SS bezel not a precious metal bezal. Somewhat common bezel variant.

The thunderbird is a variant of the DJ with a moving bezel for time tracking.

Last I checked that bezel was still an option or was up until very recently.

 

This is my first vintage watch/Rolex in general and I don’t ever remember seeing this particular bezel configuration on a vintage DJ before and just assumed that it was after market. Same thing with the dial. I don’t remember ever seeing a DJ Dial with the font like the one I have so I just assumed that they were aftermarket since a lot of jewelers do bezel and dial swaps on vintage DJs all the time. Thank you for your input it’s extremely helpful!

 

I’m uneducated in vinatge DJs and as mentioned before I don’t recall ever seeing this bezel or the font on the dial on another DJ before so I assumed it’s all aftermarket. This watch is a 5 mil serial so I think that’s a 1978 production year.

 

Thank you! I’m discovering more and more things about this timepiece!

 

Two types of metal bezel on Date-Justs. Some Date-Justs have engine turned (crenellated bezels, yours), and the bezels are always steel. Fluted like the two-toned ladie’s model are always karat gold (white or yellow gold.) My 1982 Rolex catalog shows versions with plain polished bezels (steel and gold), but these are not called Date-Justs. They are called a Oyster Date models, and are a bit smaller.

 

Everything that I can see looks original except for the hands, which appear to be luminova service replacements. These are very nice watches to wear. Here is my ref 1603, with a different dial variation.

 

AFAIK, Datejusts also come with polished plain bezels, their reference is 1600.

 

Then your case-back is fine. No date stamp in 1978.

 

Or 16000 in that era.

 

Model 1600, Date-Just with plain bezel, is newer than my 1982 catalog. Can happen.

 

Thanks for that correction, I didn't account for the fact that there was presumably overlap between the 4- and 5-digit references. I just had in mind that the 16000/16014/16030 references (with quickset cal 3035) were being made already in 1979.

 

Ah gotcha, I can see the difference now. The fluted is always in gold and has smooth edges while the engine turned ones has the fluted look but with the vertical lines.

Thank you!

 

Nice 1603 you got there! Probably a lot more readable in low light conditions than mine! Yes, the hands definitely look very new as well as the lume on it. I still have the orginal lume dots at the ends of the hour markers that have yellowed.

 

Dynamite information in this thread regarding the bezels and a great find on the watch. Seriously, well played. Wear in good health!

 

@Royal68
I saw your post over on WUS so gave my opinion there.