Unique Dial 1803

[rumahrolex]

Hello I just added this lovely 1803 to my collection, i felt in love with the dial,for me it's a unique aging dial, let me know what you think

[miamiclay]

It’s certainly a striking look!

The case and bezel are very crisp for such an aged dial, and I notice that the Day-Date text is deteriorated, but the other text is not. I wonder what color it was originally? Black gilt?

[marcellomatt5]

An unique "toffee candy dial" that i invent right now.

Nice watch. Congrats!

[77T]

It is a unique dial color and layout. I do like the color.

Maybe it was refinished with those hour indices and a customized color applied?

Consider the misaligned 11 & 1 o’clock ones and the model name appears as DAY-DATM in a gilt but different colored paint than the other text...





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rumahrolex]

Originally Posted by 77T

It is a unique dial color and layout. I do like the color.

Maybe it was refinished with those hour indices and a customized color applied?

Consider the misaligned 11 & 1 o’clock ones and the model name appears as DAY-DATM in a gilt but different colored paint than the other text...





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

add this macro photo, it's DAY-DATE NOT DAY - DATM

[Ssunnylee24]

That dial color is amazing, especially this time of the year!

[offrdmania]

The 1803 should have lumed hands if the dial is lumed. Its a very nice dial and a real looker but im thinking this watch is pieced together or in the least the dial was added to this watch and didnt start life with it.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The 1803 should have lumed hands if the dial is lumed. Its a very nice dial and a real looker but im thinking this watch is pieced together or in the least the dial was added to this watch and didnt start life with it.

I also felt the cyclop is a bit off. It looked huge on the crystal. What year is this 1803?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rumahrolex]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

I also felt the cyclop is a bit off. It looked huge on the crystal. What year is this 1803?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The serial Number 2.8xx.xxx , year 1971

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by rumahrolex

The serial Number 2.8xx.xxx , year 1971

The dial is from the very early 1960s. 1971 is way too late for it to be original to that watch, it is a much later replacement.

That makes sense now as to why the dial is very faded but the watch itself is in great condition.

Based on the hands of your watch, it most likely started life with a non-lumed dial.

[rumahrolex]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The dial is from the very early 1960s. 1971 is way too late for it to be original to that watch, it is a much later replacement.

That makes sense now as to why the dial is very faded but the watch itself is in great condition.

Based on the hands of your watch, it most likely started life with a non-lumed dial.

thanks for your kindly concern, i just love the watch, and yes will keep it just as is, again thanks for your attention

[miamiclay]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The 1803 should have lumed hands if the dial is lumed. Its a very nice dial and a real looker but im thinking this watch is pieced together or in the least the dial was added to this watch and didnt start life with it.

Right, it needs lumed hands - Also I don’t recall seeing these triple-wide (but not Wide Boy) hour markers on 1803s, am I misremembering?

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

Right, it needs lumed hands - Also I don’t recall seeing these triple-wide (but not Wide Boy) hour markers on 1803s, am I misremembering?

I have seen this style but usually around 1960, 1961. Here is a 1960 with the same style dial and what the original lumed hands would have looked like. I’m curious to know the serial of the OPs watch.

[77T]

Thanks - much better resolution.

That other photo didn’t have enough detail.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rumahrolex]

The other photo not using loupe, this one use a loupe :) , thanks again for your concern

[Adamj79]

Seems tight on the wrist

[soicanbefree]

Originally Posted by Adamj79

Seems tight on the wrist

Needs at least 1 more link.

As Tuco would say, "TIGHT, TIGHT, TIGGGGHHHHHHT"

Dial looks great. Quote above applies to the dial as well as the bracelet.

[offrdmania]

I have an extra link in 95% condition if the OP needs one

[JasonBetts]

The day and date wheels looked white. Probably serviced parts?

Here's my 1803 mid 60s for comparison




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

The day and date wheels looked white. Probably serviced parts?

Here's my 1803 mid 60s for comparison




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree, the wheels look new as well as that bezel. It isnt often that you find a bezel on this age of watch in that good of condition unless it has been replaced.

And yes, now that I look at it, the cyclops looks a little big but that may just be the picture angle.

[rumahrolex]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I agree, the wheels look new as well as that bezel. It isnt often that you find a bezel on this age of watch in that good of condition unless it has been replaced.

And yes, now that I look at it, the cyclops looks a little big but that may just be the picture angle.

the reason why the bezel is very good, is simple because this watch really rarely worn, and the previous owner only put it at safety box, we live in tropical country Indonesia, and i belive that's one of the reason the dial turning tropical aging (patina) as well, correct me if im wrong, but this happenned to my submariner 5508, that really rarely worn, and put in safety box for decades

[rumahrolex]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

The day and date wheels looked white. Probably serviced parts?

Here's my 1803 mid 60s for comparison




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

it's not white at all, actually light brown, may be we can call it lighting effect

[yons78]

A bit tight on the wrist but the dial is nice.

[Dr.Smellody]

Love it!!

[rumahrolex]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Love it!!

Thanks Doc :)

[subtona]

Nice.