Polerouter Check - Thanks for your help

Posts
1,333
Likes
13,008
Hi there,

I'm in the process of buying the following Polerouter following an ad on Chronocentric.
But checking here about how to do a safe deal (as far as this is possible) out there, a dear fellow OF member pointed out that the same person have had a franken watch spotted earlier last year. But I imagine this could happen.

Here are the pics and some details

To my questions, I received the following answers
"1) refrence nbr is engrave on the backcase on this particular model & it is Ref 204503-2BD.. refer to pic of backcase as attached.. Movement is Microtor
2) yes all parts original as it is
3) the only refurbishment is the missing original bracelet & comes with OEM leather
4) movement is keeping accurate time but service history unkown.."

I did check on some different sources and everything looks ok to my eyes but not through a thread here. So please let me know your views before I push the red button !
 
Posts
1,202
Likes
3,050
There are three issues that would stop me from buying this one:

- corroded dial surface
- corroded case
- marks inside the case back where the rotor has been rubbing

It would also not be straightforward to find the correct crystal with trapezoidal loupe but I could have overlooked that had it otherwise been ok.
 
Posts
1,333
Likes
13,008
There are three issues that would stop me from buying this one:

- corroded dial surface
- corroded case
- marks inside the case back where the rotor has been rubbing

It would also not be straightforward to find the correct crystal with trapezoidal loupe but I could have overlooked that had it otherwise been ok.
Thanks for those advices.

Now that you point it out, and that I look closer : the case could be damaged by corrosion (I can't see it clearly : I mean the damage part not the corrosion). Does the case could not close properly anymore and leading to your 3rd observation : the rotor rubbing the case back ?
I did not even think this could be possible.

Looking at the gallery on https://universalgenevepolerouter.com/galleries/204503-204504-104503-polerouter-date/
I thought the crystal was ok (I mean without the trapezoidal loupe). I guess I was assuming too much.

Well it looks like I would be better stepping back...

Not such an easy one to find in a good state... and for what I consider a decent & fair price.
 
Posts
407
Likes
1,068
I would guess that the dial is from a late serial 204610-2...
I don't recall ever seeing a 204503-2BD without MICROTOR on the dial before 😕 and they have a very short serial range.
Edited:
 
Posts
1,333
Likes
13,008
I would guess that the dial is from a late serial 204610-2...
I don't recall ever seeing a 204503-2BD without MICROTOR on the dial before 😕 and they have a very short serial range.
Ok : I think it is becoming clearer & clearer. Thanks @CafeRacer & @Mazoue
Too many red flags.

It appears that I've ventured to close to the edge of the cliff with this one... I will definitely step back ! Thanks for avoiding me loosing money here.
🤦 I have not yet the skills to see all this so I should stay in safer waters or at minimum not taking any rush decision.
It serves me well.

So here I am again, still looking for a nice polerouter...😗
Edited: