Thoughts on this 1803 Red Stella?

[soicanbefree]

Hi all been looking for a nice stella for a long time.

Rarely run into the red dial. I like the blue that Jacek has but still looking around a bit.

Have a chance to acquire the below any opinions on the example?

http://oi64.tinypic.com/dpa54k.jpg

[Micha]

looks pretty clean to me, if you like red...

[Richard Carver]

The thickness of paint in the day and date windows is bothersome. Compare with the Milton example.

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

The thickness of paint in the day and date windows is bothersome. Compare with the Milton example.

Yes. I find this a little bothersome as well.

I compared to 15-20 examples but there seems to be many small dial variations in the stella series and very few rail dial example.

This was the closest I could find for comparison.

http://www.goldentimeco.com/en/Produ...s.aspx?pid=300

I'm also a bit bothered by the crown location relative to the day window. It seems a bit higher than in almost any other example when I compare top down shots.

I have one more photo angle here:

https://d2xngy2dw7hums.cloudfront.ne...1490862750.jpg

Not a great quality photo but has a top-down perspective w/alternative bezel that would be included.

Supposedly RSC here has stopped doing verification, even verbal, I don't really have that much trust in them with a vintage stella verification anyway.

[motoikkyu]

I'm nobody and no one should listen to my opinions. Is it possible that the cyclops is a little rotated/improperly mounted? I had that impression. I wouldn't be able to authenticate a Stella dial to save a child's life.

[watchlovr]

Is it a Stella?

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by watchlovr

Is it a Stella?

Yes, 1803 4.4 million serial.

It will supposedly be vouched for by two of the reputable vintage dealers here in Singapore.

I do personally have some concerns about the dial. I am having a hard time finding "bright red" Stellas that are good comps to analyze for authenticity.

I figured I would ask to see what more experienced, independent, eyes thought. Obviously there is a big incentive for someone to franken up a legit day date dial and sell it as a Stella.

I appreciate all the help and opinions and so far I am leaning towards a pass :)

[dpa94114]

I've been looking for years at them....something doesn't seem quite "stellar" about this one (sorry - couldn't resist the pun).

The prices are getting uglier - but they also don't seem to be selling quickly. Fortane has a pile of them right now.

it's hard to "evaluate" them since the enamel process legitimately causes them to be unique by nature. The colors often seem to be shades different. There was a bright bold red diamond stella dial for sale on ebay a while back... i spent half the night pulling pictures/trying to compare...

Sold before I could reach my decision

[soicanbefree]

That's exactly right.

I have little issue evaluating most models.

I'm mostly a vintage sub guy and you can pin down the dial versions, quality, consistency, etc pretty easily.

With Stella it's all over the map. Black lettering, gold lettering, 3 different shades of each color, rail dial, non rail dial with no rhyme or reason between the years, stick markers, coffin markets... just a bit of a pain to find reliable verified models to compare too.

[springer]

Did the reputable dealers tell you it was a service case???

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by springer

Did the reputable dealers tell you it was a service case???

Of course not. : Being new to the 1803 how did you determine that? (Nevermind TIL: 4.4-4.7 serial # = replacement case on vintage)

I really don't trust the dealers here at all.

They fail to mention relevant details or try to hide behind slick language all the time.

"Original Rolex dial" = Service dial but it's originally Rolex right??!?