Pitting on Rolex DJ 16000 - dealbreaker or not?

JwRosenthal · Dec 28, 2019

janice&fred
I know this might be getting a bit off-topic but the term "franken" can be applied to just about any watch that has had it's visual or internal components altered. I think if a watch was creatively altered without disclosure to boost it's value then yes, but to replace a faulty part, whatever that part is to make the watch more useful or reliable is ok. same with changing dials in certain mainstream models. I say mainstream as opposed to something uncommon or highly sought after. for example, if someone had the datejust in question but wanted a more readable dial-hand combo and had original and compatible rolex components for that model installed, then that's understandable as the replacement combo really wouldn't be boosting the market value as much as simply making the watch more useful to it's owner. replacing a weak/damaged case with one that merely addressed that weakness without otherwise altering the appeal or value is also ok. these are old watches and are gonna need some help at times 😀

I agree- but the cases are serial numbered so in essence the case itself on a Rolex is the watch, the internals are “parts”. He would be restoring another watch (serialed case) and using the innards in that watch to do it. I guess if the case is the same time period as the movement, nobody would be the wiser.

JwRosenthal · Dec 28, 2019

I had a silver dialed Airking on which I just didn’t care for the monochrome if the all silver (the later silver dials lack the sunburst effect of the earlier ones IMO like my ‘78 OPD). I found a perfect black dial and handset from another Airking that had its dial replaced with a bejeweled bling dial for a customer (common to take the smaller 34mm Rolex’s and dress them up as a ladies watch). So I transplanted the dial and hands (obviously keeping the originals)- but mine is no longer as it left the factory despite being factory correct- so is it a franken?

CoDiffe · Dec 28, 2019

Yeah my deal with replacing the case though is the serial number wouldn’t match which defeats the purpose of having a full set with the serial numbers on the papers. Unless I replaced it but kept the original as well. But at that I think I’d rather just wait for one in better condition.

janice&fred · Dec 28, 2019

JwRosenthal
I had a silver dialed Airking on which I just didn’t care for the monochrome if the all silver (the later silver dials lack the sunburst effect of the earlier ones IMO like my ‘78 OPD). I found a perfect black dial and handset from another Airking that had its dial replaced with a bejeweled bling dial for a customer (common to take the smaller 34mm Rolex’s and dress them up as a ladies watch). So I transplanted the dial and hands (obviously keeping the originals)- but mine is no longer as it left the factory despite being factory correct- so is it a franken?

of course it's all a matter of opinion but in your example I would say no. especially with rolex. rolex is not like omega and other brands where there is available archives to determine the original configuration dial-color-wise. rolex serial numbers are only useful to get an approximate date of manufacture and of course determine if the watch was reported stolen. my opinion of a franken is a watch that was purposefully altered not for restoration purposes, but to resemble a MUCH more valuable and seldom seen/sought after variation. heck guys regularly swap out bezels on their speedmasters, GMTs and submariners merely to make the thing look nicer to the eye. as long as the parts are appropriate for the model watch, it's no biggie.

watch3s · Dec 28, 2019

as someone who did purchase a datejust with some pitting, take my advice and avoid this one. Yes rolliworks did laser welding just to get it to pass the pressure tests but it added quite a chunk to the bill.