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Rolex 1603
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sneer
·Any idea? Looks correct for you?
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Traveler
·I’ve never studied DJs in detail (despite having owned several 😲 ) but to me this looks nice and price seems about the going rate these days
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janice&fred
·looks like a very honest and correct example in extremely good condition. polished or not is nothing to worry about as it has nice thick lugs and the machined bezel is nice and sharp. the folded jubilee also is in fantastic shape as well. these older datejusts are getting harder to find in this original condition. what's not to like? 😀
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Canuck
·With the acrylic crystal and the old style Jubilee bracelet, the subject watch has to be about 35 years old. A good looking watch considering the age. And the price seems to be competitive with similar Date-Justs currently being offered. You may have to consider having it serviced if you buy it. Maybe make an offer and see what happens. There are lots of this model around. You might want to consider going for a later version with the newer Geneva Jubilee bracelet, sapphire crystal, and the newer 3035 or 3135 movement. Probably wouldn’t be priced that much higher.
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djmusicman
·Looks great to me, beautiful dial. As to whether or not it's been polished or not, it looks very sharp to me and look at the crown on the clasp, it's very full. That's often a tell tale sign for me (in this case that all is good). I'd definitely prefer this to a modern one with a sapphire crystal. Go for it.
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JwRosenthal
·This is one of my favorite Rolex references and on my list of must haves. But I believe it’s a 1603 not a 1604 as it’s stainless with the engine turned bezel. The stepped “pie pan” dial is what makes it for me on these- the later ones have a flat dial which loses some of that dimension. The earlier movement is a workhorse but you lose the quickset of the next gen movement (not a big deal for me- I don’t mind taking an extra 2 minutes to set the slow date- part of the man & machine experience).
It has undoubtably been polished at some point- any watch that has been serviced before the last 10 years of collector frenzy was polished as SOP for almost any watchmaker- but this was done well with a delicate touch- brushed surfaces are perfectly intact, the engine turned bezel is still crisp (which is the first thing to get blobby and rounded off with a polish) and case thickness is excellent. I don’t let the whole “polished craze” bother me one but unless it has been done poorly and lost chamfers or brushed surfaces.
That paired with the condition of the bracelet, I don’t think the watch saw much wear- it was probably reserved for special occasions.
The folded link bracelet puts it before ‘76 and I love an acrylic crystal- totally changes the character of the watch giving it a lovey warmth and depth to the dial that sapphire just doesn’t.
This watch also has the Sigma dial “OT SWISS TO” which means the markers (and hands) are made of white gold. In all this is about as desirable as they come for this reference and paying a premium for it is not out of line.
I haven’t shopped the market in about a year for these but a non Sigma version with a little aggressive polishing wasn’t out of line at $2.8k, so for this condition and a Sigma dial, I would think.m $3k would be a great deal, $3.5k would be fair. Either way, this one has everything right and they are getting hard to find in this condition so keep that in mind. If it were full kit at a dealer it would be $4k+
Make sure to get pics of the ref and serial between the endlinks (they have to remove the bracelet which is easy), and if they can get a movement shot that would be great. If it hasn’t been serviced in the last decade, consider that as part of the cost- it’s worth it.
It has undoubtably been polished at some point- any watch that has been serviced before the last 10 years of collector frenzy was polished as SOP for almost any watchmaker- but this was done well with a delicate touch- brushed surfaces are perfectly intact, the engine turned bezel is still crisp (which is the first thing to get blobby and rounded off with a polish) and case thickness is excellent. I don’t let the whole “polished craze” bother me one but unless it has been done poorly and lost chamfers or brushed surfaces.
That paired with the condition of the bracelet, I don’t think the watch saw much wear- it was probably reserved for special occasions.
The folded link bracelet puts it before ‘76 and I love an acrylic crystal- totally changes the character of the watch giving it a lovey warmth and depth to the dial that sapphire just doesn’t.
This watch also has the Sigma dial “OT SWISS TO” which means the markers (and hands) are made of white gold. In all this is about as desirable as they come for this reference and paying a premium for it is not out of line.
I haven’t shopped the market in about a year for these but a non Sigma version with a little aggressive polishing wasn’t out of line at $2.8k, so for this condition and a Sigma dial, I would think.m $3k would be a great deal, $3.5k would be fair. Either way, this one has everything right and they are getting hard to find in this condition so keep that in mind. If it were full kit at a dealer it would be $4k+
Make sure to get pics of the ref and serial between the endlinks (they have to remove the bracelet which is easy), and if they can get a movement shot that would be great. If it hasn’t been serviced in the last decade, consider that as part of the cost- it’s worth it.
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Canuck
·Sapphire or acrylic crystal would be part of the decision. But there are other factors that I feel should be considered. If the movement in the subject watch is one of the 1500 series, the calendar is not a quick-set. The newer 3035 and 3135 movements that are fitted with sapphire, are quick-set, and should provide higher standards of accuracy. And the newer Geneva Jubilee bracelet is far superior to the older style on the subject watch. I think all of these factors would need to be considered by the OP.
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JwRosenthal
·Sapphire or acrylic crystal would be part of the decision. But there are other factors that I feel should be considered. If the movement in the subject watch is one of the 1500 series, the calendar is not a quick-set. The newer 3035 and 3135 movements that are fitted with sapphire, are quick-set, and should provide higher standards of accuracy. And the newer Geneva Jubilee bracelet is far superior to the older style on the subject watch. I think all of these factors would need to be considered by the OP.
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JwRosenthal
·Also want to note- the back has retained its linear brush- that’s usually one of the first things to go when they hit the polishing wheel- I am leaning towards this possibly not having been polished during its life and if it was- that was an excellent watchmaker who handled it.
If all checks out- I would be thrilled to have this watch at $3-3.5k. If you pass on it- let us know where it is so someone else can have a crack at it.
If all checks out- I would be thrilled to have this watch at $3-3.5k. If you pass on it- let us know where it is so someone else can have a crack at it.
Edited:
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Canuck
·I acquired my Date-Just in 1989 (30 years ago). I could have had an earlier version (1603) if I had wanted it. But I held off until the newer model arrived. Sapphire crystal, 3035 calibre movement, Geneva Jubilee bracelet. This one has my favourite Rolex dial, ever.
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JwRosenthal
·I acquired my Date-Just in 1989 (30 years ago). I could have had an earlier version (1603) if I had wanted it. But I held off until the newer model arrived. Sapphire crystal, 3035 calibre movement, Geneva Jubilee bracelet. This one has my favourite Rolex dial, ever.
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sneer
·
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JwRosenthal
·That’s a well loved DJ and despite the bracelet stretch and overpolishing, it’s an attractive older Rolex with a dial in superb condition- I would have no issue wearing that on the daily. The other one would be an upgrade in condition only and you have to weigh if it’s worth the premium. If you sell yours it will be for a bit less than what you can get the other one for the difference “loss” on yours is up to you.
If condition is your first priority- then yes, jump on the other one, see if you can knock him down a bit, and grab it. Then sell yours- I would see no problem getting around $2-2.5k out of yours if it’s been serviced within the last decade and running on spec.
So a grand for a better condition upgrade...that’s entirely up to you my friend.
If condition is your first priority- then yes, jump on the other one, see if you can knock him down a bit, and grab it. Then sell yours- I would see no problem getting around $2-2.5k out of yours if it’s been serviced within the last decade and running on spec.
So a grand for a better condition upgrade...that’s entirely up to you my friend.
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sneer
·This is one of my favorite Rolex references and on my list of must haves. But I believe it’s a 1603 not a 1604 as it’s stainless with the engine turned bezel. The stepped “pie pan” dial is what makes it for me on these- the later ones have a flat dial which loses some of that dimension. The earlier movement is a workhorse but you lose the quickset of the next gen movement (not a big deal for me- I don’t mind taking an extra 2 minutes to set the slow date- part of the man & machine experience).
It has undoubtably been polished at some point- any watch that has been serviced before the last 10 years of collector frenzy was polished as SOP for almost any watchmaker- but this was done well with a delicate touch- brushed surfaces are perfectly intact, the engine turned bezel is still crisp (which is the first thing to get blobby and rounded off with a polish) and case thickness is excellent. I don’t let the whole “polished craze” bother me one but unless it has been done poorly and lost chamfers or brushed surfaces.
That paired with the condition of the bracelet, I don’t think the watch saw much wear- it was probably reserved for special occasions.
The folded link bracelet puts it before ‘76 and I love an acrylic crystal- totally changes the character of the watch giving it a lovey warmth and depth to the dial that sapphire just doesn’t.
This watch also has the Sigma dial “OT SWISS TO” which means the markers (and hands) are made of white gold. In all this is about as desirable as they come for this reference and paying a premium for it is not out of line.
I haven’t shopped the market in about a year for these but a non Sigma version with a little aggressive polishing wasn’t out of line at $2.8k, so for this condition and a Sigma dial, I would think.m $3k would be a great deal, $3.5k would be fair. Either way, this one has everything right and they are getting hard to find in this condition so keep that in mind. If it were full kit at a dealer it would be $4k+
Make sure to get pics of the ref and serial between the endlinks (they have to remove the bracelet which is easy), and if they can get a movement shot that would be great. If it hasn’t been serviced in the last decade, consider that as part of the cost- it’s worth it.
Thank you - a lot of great information! Please also find picture from inside which i get from the seller - looks ok?
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Canuck
·Looks good for a watch of this vintage. I have placed some call outs on your three pictures which indicate measures that will need to be taken, if not immediately, then during a future service.
The left image shows skid marks (see arrows) caused by the rivets on the rotor (see arrows on middle picture) rubbing the surface of the case back. The picture on the right seems to me to indicate the rotor may be rubbing on the bridge over the automatic wind components (see arrow). I have seen worse cases, but this should be attended to by replacing the worn rotor post during service.
The left image shows skid marks (see arrows) caused by the rivets on the rotor (see arrows on middle picture) rubbing the surface of the case back. The picture on the right seems to me to indicate the rotor may be rubbing on the bridge over the automatic wind components (see arrow). I have seen worse cases, but this should be attended to by replacing the worn rotor post during service.
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Lotus_Eater8815
·I acquired my Date-Just in 1989 (30 years ago). I could have had an earlier version (1603) if I had wanted it. But I held off until the newer model arrived. Sapphire crystal, 3035 calibre movement, Geneva Jubilee bracelet. This one has my favourite Rolex dial, ever.
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CoDiffe
·Looks similar to one I am currently considering. The hour markers are very similar. This is a 16000 and does have the quickest but not sure about the crystal.
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