All,

A friend, who is a Rolex collector, fell in love with one of my watches (an Omega). He is proposing a trade for two 1601s and given my unexistent knowledge I was hoping you could shed some light.

My question isn't about the financials of the deal, rather just examining these watches to determine the dials are OK (vintage, tritium, not refinished). I tried to take a decent macro with an eyeloup hence the slight distortion on the closeups, but hopefully they are good enough so that you can make an honest assessment.

First watch SS/18k



The second watch is all SS with slate dial:



Thanks in advance!

 

Are you sure he is your friend?
I don't like either of them. Look closely at your own photos, what do you see?

 

Hello Watchlovr,

Yes, Im quite sure he is a good guy! I suppressed my personal opinions of the watches from my original post in order to have an unbiased start. But now that you ask, my though is that the dual tone has an original dial and the slate has been refinished. I cant comment more because of my lack of knowledge on the brand, but if there is more to it please advice, I would like to know!

I actually like these to have them as daily wearers, Im thinking a new dial/hands for the SS.

 

Ha!!!... "are you sure he's your friend?"... good question! Just nearly choked on a toffee reading that one @watchlovr!

 

Hello @pmontoyap. Have you got any pictures of the Omega watch your friend is trying to aquire? Be nice to see what you are offering in return.

 

Hello @nonuffinkbloke, its a modern speedy on leather strap with latest box, loupe, and papers. Missing tool, nato strap, and spring bars. After fees I could probably get 2700-2800 on ebay, so thats how much Id be investing on the watches, plus selling on ebay is such a burden compared to a face to face trade. Like I said, the financial aspect is not of much concern, I just want to be perfectly aware of the originality of the dials and if I will have to invest extra cash on a dial its something I can bring to the table. Thanks!

 

The dial on the two tone doesn't look correct to me.
The stainless steel has a correct style of dial but not in very good condition in my opinion. Cases have been over polished and poorly finished.
Pending on condition of movements and if the parts are genuine, if the bracelets are genuine it might be a fair trade depending on what you like and what your plans are with the watches.
It is smart to ask questions and do some research before making a decision.
Best of luck with your decision.

 

You should not be able to see the edge of a dial when it is fitted in a watch.
Something is very wrong with the bi-metal one and the steel watches dial looks refinished to me.

 

What's the serial number on both? They should b between the lugs at 6 o'clock. They look Franken to me.

Two DJ (if everything original) for a modern speedy sounds too good to b true IMO.

 

Omithoud, the serial number is 3919349 on the SS, 1541624 on the bi-metal. Thanks

Thanks I had not noticed this, so the bi-metal could be an aftermarket dial? Seems like the edge is flat, no "pan" on the edge. Or maybe the crystal tension ring is incorrect? The tritium does look perfectly applied, fonts look fine and elegant compared to the other dial.

Thanks for your input, bracelets look OK, bi metal bracelet is signed 62510h on the clasp, 502B on one endlink.. and the SS is stamped 78360 on both of the widest links and 558 on the endlinks.

 

Personally I would not do that trade.

 

Hi,
There would be no crystal rings on these crystals, They are placed over a lip on the case and held in place by pressure from the outer bezel.
If you are considering a possible trade, have the watches brought to a qualified watchmaker who has knowledge on Rolex watches. Have the movements checked over and get the serial numbers from the movements and correspond them to the case dates. I would also the have the two tone bracelet checked over as many are after market Italian made bracelets, The bracelet on the watch appears to be in very good condition and most of those bracelets didn't hold up very well.
I can't say if you should or should not do a trade were as that would be a personal decision, If everything checks out to be correct, you can always source correct dials and hands.

 

@pmontoyap
Walk away from the deal.

 

x2 Walk away.

 

Thank you all for your much appreciated input. Im not in the US and dont know of any Rolex experts around so I took some more pics of the bracelets and movements just in case you want to check them out. Everything looks good in there to my untrained eye except for a little wear on the rotor and some toolmarks on the bi-metal caseback, and of course the afformentioned dial issues.

SS
View attachment 369973 View attachment 369974 View attachment 369975 View attachment 369977

Bi-metal

View attachment 369978 View attachment 369979 View attachment 369985 View attachment 369981 View attachment 369982 View attachment 369983

Thanks again

 

The 62510H should be all stainless steel bracelet.502B end pieces I believe should be stainless, I think the two tone bracelet would be after market.

 

Thanks @M.C.B1974, that would defenitely cancel the deal. Sorry for the mess I made uploading the pics.

 

Correct. The two-tone is highly problematic!

As for the SS 1601, I'm not sure how anyone goes about refinishing a linen dial...seems a terribly costly and complex project, but I guess it's been done and probably isn't as difficult as I would think.

All signs point to being very weary of this deal.

 

Re-read post #2.