Thinking about getting this Dayjust 1603

skmwave · Nov 2, 2015

Hey everyone just wanted your opinions on this vintage 1603. It would be my first vintage Rolex, so I thought I would consult the fourm to see if anything jumped out as being wrong or out of place. The seller is claiming everything is original, But i know you can never be too careful.

Thanks for any input.

Seller claims:
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust
Model - 1603
Movement - 1570
SN - 1361xxx
36mm without crown
40mm lug to lug
Vintage - 1966

Attached Images

Traveler · Nov 2, 2015

Don't know enough to critique - looks nice - careful with the spring bars though they look long and are of the pain the butt type - but it's drilled lugs so shouldn't be too big of a deal. Like it on that NATO a lot, which is weird considering it's not a proper tool watch at all - like it - if the price is right - would have thought around 2-2.3k? $$$ that is ...and any movement / inside case shots?

Optimizer13 · Nov 2, 2015

Looks nice! Check out hqmilton.com too they sell a bunch of datejusts and is a very reputable dealer based in CA...

adam78 · Nov 2, 2015

Echoing what Traveler mentioned, make sure (if you do buy it) to get higher resolution pics of the dial, the SN between the lugs at 6:00, and of the movement and inner case back, to check the dating.

Archer · Nov 3, 2015

skmwave
Seller claims:

Movement - 1570

It's actually a Cal. 1575...if it has a date it ends in 5 with Rolex...

The bridge will be marked 1570, at least every watch from this era is marked this way anyway - I guess they just didn't bother to produce any "1575" marked bridges.

Cheers, Al

dsio · Nov 3, 2015

I actually wouldn't buy one without having it internally checked out, but its mainly because I've always viewed Datejusts of this era to be mainly movement donors for the more expensive Submariners and GMT-Masters of the era due to the expense of overhauling the movement compared to the value of the watch.

Admittedly its more of a big deal here as there are no Rolex parts accounts in AU, but a Cal 1570 with no service history is a bit of a risk to me as even if it appears to be running just fine the auto winding system could be in a bad state. The bill to replace the auto winding system on my 1680 Sub left me with PTSD.

Whatever you do, don't just buy it and wear it assuming it'll be fine, because it will be fine, until you get the parts bill.

Archer · Nov 3, 2015

dsio
Admittedly its more of a big deal here as there are no Rolex parts accounts in AU, but a Cal 1570 with no service history is a bit of a risk to me as even if it appears to be running just fine the auto winding system could be in a bad state. The bill to replace the auto winding system on my 1680 Sub left me with PTSD.

Can I ask what they had to replace? If the axle was worn or the jewel for it was broken, should not be more than $100 in parts sourced from the secondary market...

dsio · Nov 3, 2015

Archer
Can I ask what they had to replace? If the axle was worn or the jewel for it was broken, should not be more than $100 in parts sourced from the secondary market...

From memory the single biggest expense were the reversing wheels which were around AU $250 each or more from his supplier, but there was a lot of debris and worn parts in it even though it still ran fine until the crown and stem fell out. Crystal scratches aside the case wasn't actually that bad, but it'd been worn for 30 years, most of those in the military prior to me getting it.

Archer · Nov 3, 2015

The joy of a Rolex movement that will chug along even though it's tearing itself up inside...I see it often...

Speaking of debris...

This is why always cringe when someone posts about the fantastic Rolex movement in the watch they have been wearing for 30 years without service...you just know it's completely chewed up inside.

dsio · Nov 3, 2015

@Archer that's my main concern really, its very easy to think a Rolex is good to go just because the case and bezel look nice, my sister in law's Daytona was quite nice to look at, until you saw this inside, and it didn't stop or show any signs of issues until a few days before this shot at the watchmaker's. That and we all know how servicing eats into the profit margins of your average used watch dealer. Seriously this Rolex ran GREAT right up until it needed to be cracked open and this was found.

skmwave · Nov 4, 2015

Thanks for the advice!

The current owner has no pictures of the movement because they said they weren't comfortable opening up the watch. However, they said they were willing to meet at a rolex dealer/watch shop so I could have it looked at and take a look inside- before i made up my mind.

Anything else I should watch out for, or that seems out of place? Im not looking for something with a refinished/replaced dial, or franken watch parts.

skmwave · Nov 5, 2015

Almost time to make a decision - any input is appreciated.

Here is a close up photo I just got.

What do people think about the dial and hands? Originals?

Archer · Nov 6, 2015

The hands looks like new replacements as the lume looks brighter and more white than the tritium lume dots on the dial...

It's been refinished, so if this is the kind of watch you want as a daily wearer, provided the movement is in good shape I would be fine with it as a watch, but it's completely up to you. I don't think these are going to be real collectors items.

Cheers, Al

skmwave · Nov 6, 2015

Archer
The hands looks like new replacements as the lume looks brighter and more white than the tritium lume dots on the dial...

It's been refinished, so if this is the kind of watch you want as a daily wearer, provided the movement is in good shape I would be fine with it as a watch, but it's completely up to you

Oh no! Thought this might be a good one, but I am really looking for something with original hands/dial.
Seller claims that the watch was his grandfathers who never wore it and was kept in a safe all its life- hence the good condition.

The seemingly white lume on the hands was concerning to me too, but how can you tell the dial is refinished?

Archer · Nov 6, 2015

I was referring to the case, not the dial...

I'll be honest this looks like a dealer watch that has been prettied up for sale, rather than one that has sat in a safe all it's life, but that's just my opinion.

Cheers, Al

al128 · Nov 17, 2015

just to help a bro out there (no 100% expert)

I have a similar era 1600 ... and it is a gorgeous watch! ... it is absolutely not-in-your-face-RLX and goes with any strap and in any context ... from jeans to black-tie event. Also 36mm is a great size ...

I tend to agree that it seems "prep'ed", in a way that the bezel is rather soft whereas the case is quite "crisp" at least from the top ... which is a bit like a nearly new car with really old tires ;-)

if it floats your boat make sure you do not overpay ... I agree those are not collector's speacials, but quite possibly the nicest deals for really lovely and well executed watches you can get as daily driver ... but bear in mind those have 50 yrs on the shoulders ...

best of luck in your decision Al

al128 · Nov 17, 2015

found another couple of shots...

ahhh ... last piece of advice: see how many twist it takes for the crown to pop open ... it should be well over 1 turn (closer to 2) ... that is often a problem on older watches ... mine pops open after 1/2 turn which is rather "precox" ;-)

Thinking about getting this Dayjust 1603

skmwave

Traveler

Optimizer13

adam78

Archer

dsio

Archer

dsio

Archer

dsio

skmwave

skmwave

Archer

skmwave

Archer

al128

al128

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