Some rumour buster-Dial change-DD

[Verdi]

So, about a year ago or so I got this wg DD and it had a silver/rhodium roman numeral dial. It is a 5 digit ref, double quick set!
While I like it very much, a blue dial is what I always liked on a DD and it turns out the silver dial is not that easy to read in certain light.

Based on what I read on the web, I did not think that it would be possible to buy one from Rolex.....or buy one without giving the old one back. So, I looked up on ebay, forums, dealers. The blue dials are rare, didn't come up for sale often and when I saw one for sale it was not as perfect as I wanted it.

One day I went to my AD and inquired about a blue dial. The store manager said:
“Yes, of course we can get you one!
“Really?!!!!
“Yes, let’s look up at the dial options for your model reference and we shall order you one from the factory. They’ll make one for you!
“Do I keep the old one!?
“Yes, you do! Let me double check with the our service center.

So, he goes ahead to call and gets confirmation that I keep my rhodium dial.
In some instances, Rolex would keep the old dial. My understanding is that is mostly related to damaged dials/harmful chemicals (tritium) that they do not want circulating around anymore.
The manager had a tablet with a database where he could check all the correct dials for a certain ref. I saw a nice brown roman numerals dial that was an option, tempting but I stayed with my blue dial.

Dial price is 600 usd, including a set of hands. I paid half upon placing the order and I was told it would be 6 weeks. No problem!
Less than a 4 weeks later I get a call that my dial arrived from Switzerland and I can bring my watch along for the swap. This AD has a very nice authorised service, as good as RSC in my books.

I went over to the shop and dropped the watch, 5 days later it was ready for collection.
I paid the rest of the balance and I was thrilled. What a huge difference.

Now, a little about the dial. Rolex made it on order, it is identical as the one they used in the ‘80s and early ‘90s (when this ref was sold) minus the tritium lume. It has the lume plots in the same location, same size but they are luminova (I guess). Of course, it has “swiss made” no “t”.
Make no mistake though, this double quick set ref came with dial without tritium from the factory. Rolex made the transition in the ‘90s.

Rumor buster:
-while I understand people are told different things in different countries, Rolex allows dial orders and swaps, old dial is not mandatory kept by Rolex. If they do, they offer a discount on the new dial. Things differ from a model to another.

-no service is required for a dial swap

-I was told that Rolex has the plates for old ref dials going back to 50-60 yrs. They make the dials upon orders they get from their authorised dealers, RSCs. It always comes with a new set of hands.

PS: sorry for the long post.

[btinl]

Which AD did this for you?

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by btinl

Which AD did this for you?

A very large one....

[Toronto Soup King]

I wonder whether Toronto's RSC will do that for an 1803. Only way to find out is to ask them - done! I'll report back...

EDIT: CAD2067 tax in for the dial/hands change plus their mandatory service, only blue/white/black available. Not cheap but what in vintage Rolex collecting is. Very responsive to inquiries though, RSC Toronto!

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

I wonder whether Toronto's RSC will do that for an 1803. Only way to find out is to ask them - done! I'll report back...

Exactly. Ask them to make some calls, send some emails if they are not certain.

For all 5 digit ref models my guess is that it is possible to source a dial from Rolex.
I previously asked about a blue dial on a 2 tone DJ I had....they told me yes, they can order one but I didn't go ahead at that time. Meanwhile I sold that one. Now I went ahead and I can confirm that dials can be ordered.....

Might be different for older references but there is no harm in asking

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

EDIT: CAD2067 tax in for the dial/hands change plus their mandatory service, only blue/white/black available. Not cheap but what in vintage Rolex collecting is. Very responsive to inquiries though, RSC Toronto!

Amazing!
Good to know, although they force you to service it, it is still good imo that Rolex provides these service dial for a 4 digit ref.
2000cad is about 1500usd. That means 600 for the dial and 900 for the service. Not cheap....as you said!

Did you ask about the old dial?

[swish77]

Great story, and the blue-dial looks fabulous. Congrats.

I wonder if your new blue dial would be considered a "service dial" and whether it has subtle differences with the original luminova blue dial for the reference from the late '90s.

Doesn't really matter, of course, especially since you were able to keep your original dial, which is crucial for us watch nuts.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by swish77

Great story, and the blue-dial looks fabulous. Congrats.

I wonder if your new blue dial would be considered a "service dial" and whether it has subtle differences with the original luminova blue dial for the reference from the late '90s.

Doesn't really matter, of course, especially since you were able to keep your original dial, which is crucial for us watch nuts.

Thank you very much.
I would consider it a service dial but, to be honest, for me, it does not matter at all. Its not like I have a 4 digit ref GMT or Sub where these things matter so much in terms of value and collectable. I got the watch to wear and enjoy, as long as its all correct I am not bothered about service parts.
Incidentally, if we talk value, I think this blue dial makes the watch more valuable due to its desirability.

I consider myself lucky that my AD does business straight and does not impose funny rules and I could keep my old dial. I do understand this is not the case everywhere else.
I must admit though that (based on what I heard) I was ready to give my old dial away for this blue one. The fact that I got to keep it, its a bonus.

My AD told me this: the old dial is your property, we can only offer you a deal to give it away in exchange for a new one if Rolex wants certain dials out of circulation.

So, what I could gather is that rules differ from a model to another.

[offrdmania]

I know my ADs around me would never consider that without a full service.

[GeoGio Greece]

Really nice dial. Congrats.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

Really nice dial. Congrats.

efcharistó, George.

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by Verdi

efcharistó, George.

[gunhose]

watch looks great but i think your ad cut a corner not doing a overhaul if replacing a dial on a watch things could happen to the movement during the replacement

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by gunhose

watch looks great but i think your ad cut a corner not doing a overhaul if replacing a dial on a watch things could happen to the movement during the replacement

Thanks!

I do not think they cut any corners.
Just because you mentioned it......a lot more things can go wrong during a full overhaul compared to just a dial swap.

I personally think it is a matter of a different approach from a place to another. Mainly for commercial reasons. Why sell a dial only when you can pair that with a service. A service is all about charging for the labour mainly, whether you change parts or not, you still pay 700-800 usd. This is how they make their money.

eg
London RSC does not do a polish job without servicing the watch. Other RSC do a polish without service.


PS This AD has been in business since the ‘50s. They have many shops, believe me, they would not risk doing anything not approved by Rolex!

[1William]

Thanks for sharing this information. Great looking watch.

[AriWatches]

Looks amazing with the new dial! Congratulations!

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by 1William

Thanks for sharing this information. Great looking watch.

Originally Posted by AriWatches

Looks amazing with the new dial! Congratulations!

Thanks a lot.
This blue sunburst dial is quite something. It is the same as the blue dials on the new DJs.

[Lgear080]

Quite nice. Also great to hear a positive AD experience.

[a520tt]

While the blue dial has a nice contrast, for me I prefer the clean look of the silver Roman dial. Great piece nonetheless! Enjoy

[Robtayham]

So the AD did the swap, not a RSC. That’s not rumor busting. That’s a renegade AD. That’s no different than going to an independent and getting them to to do the work. It makes me wonder what other Rolex policies the AD doesn’t follow.

The dial looks great, and its a good swap.

But, let’s not pretend the AD was speaking on behalf of Rolex. And before we say ‘no, the AD doesn’t do wrong’, read the threads about how ADs manage wait lists and sell to greys.

[cajunron]

The watch is an absolute stunner. I am surprised you were able to keep your old dial. I doubt that Rolex would condone this practice in general.

[Toronto Soup King]

Well, I got my 1803 back from RSC yesterday, and I have to say it was worth it even if I didn't get my old grey dial back (nor the hands or crown for that matter). I was worried I mightn't like the blue dial as much as the classic black, but the colour is much darker than Verdi's 5-digit replacement...mine is slate blue, the same sort of blue as in the "Quick Reply" bar above the window in which I'm typing this comment. Looks close to black at a glance. Subtle and lovely. Pics to follow when my good-with-camera pal gets back from Florida.