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myyystic
·I've stumbled upon this very interesting Rolex Explorer and would like to get some input. The story goes that it has gotten a repurposed Submariner Dial at a Service which was customized in the way it presents here.
Rolex 6150 Unique Service Dial
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Dan S
·That's a story alright.
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Dan S
·Rolex was doing a lot of unusual things with sport watches in the 50s, so it's hard to rule anything out short of doing deep research. But when you are talking about a one-of-a-kind watch or rare "prototype," you are in very deep water. I don't know how those experts can be sure it's legit from the factory that way, but maybe they have some inside information. The dial may well be legit Rolex and maybe started life as a galvanic gilt Sub dial and was then overpainted with Explorer in white. Or not. I will say that the absence of SWISS is odd, but someone could waive that off with the "prototype" explanation.
Separate issue, but the lume probably deserves a closer look if you are concerned that it is original
It's not the kind of watch I'd spend serious money on, but that's partly because I find the damaged dial very unappealing. And I suspect the seller is asking a lot for it. I vaguely recall seeing another Rolex with a similar dial for sale recently, but I can't remember what or where.
Separate issue, but the lume probably deserves a closer look if you are concerned that it is original
It's not the kind of watch I'd spend serious money on, but that's partly because I find the damaged dial very unappealing. And I suspect the seller is asking a lot for it. I vaguely recall seeing another Rolex with a similar dial for sale recently, but I can't remember what or where.
Edited:
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Dan S
·I just read the listing, and it seems that the seller is asking 45k Euro, and is not claiming that this is the original dial, but that the original dial was replaced with a customized 5508 dial at the request of the original owner. So this is basically claimed to be a unique service dial provided by Rolex.
FWIW, I have never heard of this dealer before.
FWIW, I have never heard of this dealer before.
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myyystic
·Rolex was doing a lot of unusual things with sport watches in the 50s, so it's hard to rule anything out short of doing deep research. But when you are talking about a one-of-a-kind watch or rare "prototype," you are in very deep water. I don't know how those experts can be sure it's legit from the factory that way, but maybe they have some inside information. The dial may well be legit Rolex and maybe started life as a galvanic gilt Sub dial and was then overpainted with Explorer in white. Or not. I will say that the absence of SWISS is odd, but someone could waive that off with the "prototype" explanation.
Separate issue, but the lume probably deserves a closer look if you are concerned that it is original
It's not the kind of watch I'd spend serious money on, but that's partly because I find the damaged dial very unappealing. And I suspect the seller is asking a lot for it. I vaguely recall seeing another Rolex with a similar dial for sale recently, but I can't remember what or where.
At first glance, the lume looks homogenous, right? Or what would your concerns be? An underline so should be tritium.
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Dan S
·I don't think I really have much more to add. I'd suggest asking in some other venues if you're serious about it.
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Dan S
·Just remember, a dealer can ask any crazy price they want for a watch they call one-of-a-kind. They are fishing for a buyer who loves it and has enough money that they don't care about the price. I may be wrong, but I doubt the watch would achieve a fraction of that asking price in an auction. It's not a rare early Explorer, it's a service dial, and most serious collectors don't pay extra for damaged dials.
If 45k is pocket change for you, and you would get a lot of joy from it, that's a good reason to buy it, IMO. Personally, there are countless other Rolex sport watches I'd rather have for that amount of money.
If 45k is pocket change for you, and you would get a lot of joy from it, that's a good reason to buy it, IMO. Personally, there are countless other Rolex sport watches I'd rather have for that amount of money.
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Fallout Boy
·double
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myyystic
·Appreciate your replies!
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rootbeer7
·That’s one for Vintage Rolex Forum. For me it looks like a stone dial (not sure of the type) but never any form of Submariner or Explorer dial. Not sure about movement but case sizes have never matched in my opinion, Subs 37mm, Explorer 34 & 36.
For that money I’d also contact Pereztroika!
For that money I’d also contact Pereztroika!
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southtexas
·that is an odd duck for certain. Is the story that the dial was customized after leaving factory to have that strange bubble appearance? Otherwise, what is meant by "The story goes that it has gotten a repurposed Submariner Dial at a Service which was customized in the way it presents here."
Is either one of the dealers you mentioned involved in the sale, or will be involved in a future sale?
Is either one of the dealers you mentioned involved in the sale, or will be involved in a future sale?
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myyystic
·that is an odd duck for certain. Is the story that the dial was customized after leaving factory to have that strange bubble appearance? Otherwise, what is meant by "The story goes that it has gotten a repurposed Submariner Dial at a Service which was customized in the way it presents here."
Is either one of the dealers you mentioned involved in the sale, or will be involved in a future sale?
no, the dealers i mentioned are not involved in the potential sale (afaik).
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myyystic
·Update: I traded two of my watches for it. Been in contact with Eric Ku who showed me similar specimen like the one on the attached photo. Has anyone seen more like these?
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vibe
·Congrats, I think the dial is stunning personally,
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southtexas
·If you haven't already done so, you might post over at Vintage Rolex Forum as well, were you might be able to get more insight. It's a fascinating dial.
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Dan S
·
That's a much more attractive dial, but as a service dial without EXPLORER, it's not particularly interesting to me personally. Anybody can say anything about watches with a few examples popping up.
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omegastar
·What I don’t understand here, is how Rolex would have done this since they didn’t make or print dials. I would be interested in hearing how they technically did it. Because « Rolex », would be a service center with watchmakers and no magicians.
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