Dad's watch ...trying to figure out its value and history

[wannabelean]

Was purchased in the early 80s from a Rolex AD in Abu Dhabi. The time still keeps well and is an automatic.

I would like to also recondition and service it because it has been a while. Any places you recommend? Right now it doesn't fit my wrist and I will be keeping it for storage.

[joli160]

That’s a nice one, would love to wear that.

For the movement you would want to go for an independent watchmaker or inquire first at your local RSC.
With the RSC insist on not changing dial and hands, which ruins the watch. They like to sell up.
For one of the very high regarded watchmakers on the forum deal with Philip Ridley or LAWW in the US. Doesn’t come any better than that.

The bracelet is shot, which is normal for a jubilee type of that age.
If money is not a problem the best in the business imho is Goldschmiede Beste in Winterberg, Germany. Very nice people and they fixed two golden bracelets for me.

A more budget friendly solution is Michael Young, Hong Kong or Rolliworks in the US. Both of them offer watchmaking services as well.

Nice project

[oysterfisher]

It looks like a oxblood stella 1601. WOW!
Really rare piece. The bracelet itself look worn and stretched.
Please dont give this watch to someone who want to change the dial! Or isnt able to uninstall the hands without marks.The dial of your watch is worth more than the watch itself.

I dont know someone in UAE, but I have heard many good things about Tarik Malik (momentum Dubai).

Enjoy it!

[zapokee]

That's a beauty. You can take it off the bracelet and put it on a leather strap until you get the bracelet sorted out. That baby needs to be worn!

[Dhiren]

Originally Posted by zapokee

That's a beauty. You can take it off the bracelet and put it on a leather strap until you get the bracelet sorted out. That baby needs to be worn!

This is good advice


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[Dhiren]

Awesome watch !


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[Styles Bitchley]

Absolutely love it.

[Ferdelious]

Roberto Lenti in Italy is the best I've seen at restoring bracelets. Here is his Instagram:

https://instagram.com/robertototolen...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[TimeLord2]

A lot of great suggestions all around! And yes, as Zapokee said get a leather strap in the meantime and wear that beautiful watch. As already mentioned, but I will reiterate, do not let whomever you use for service change the hands or dial. Crown and tube, plus crystal are considered consumables and can be replaced without affecting value and will ensure some water resistance. You will need some additional extra links on the bracelet if you get it refurbished. If it doesn't fit you now, there is no way it will fit after refurbishing the bracelet. When I refurbished my bracelet, also a jubilee, it lost about 1" in length. You can contact Rolex and they will sell you a new bracelet, not period correct, but whatever is currently available for a Datajust. That is, if money is not a concern as it will be quite expensive in all gold. Yours is a 19mm Swiss Jubilee from the looks of it, with "D" Links. That is all I have. Others will provide more accurate information as I am no expert. Good luck, an try and post more pics of the bracelet clasp, some side views and between the lugs if you want more information from the resident experts. Once you remove the bracelet, you will find the model number at 12:00 and the serial number at 6:00. Blur out the last 3 digits or so of the serial number if you choose to post an image of that.

[ronricks]

As the others have said do not let anyone change the dial, hands or even date wheel. I would get the bracelet refurbished by one of the people listed and get the watch serviced and wear the heck out of it. That is a very uncommon heirloom you don't see many of them.

[wannabelean]

Originally Posted by joli160

That’s a nice one, would love to wear that.

For the movement you would want to go for an independent watchmaker or inquire first at your local RSC.
With the RSC insist on not changing dial and hands, which ruins the watch. They like to sell up.
For one of the very high regarded watchmakers on the forum deal with Philip Ridley or LAWW in the US. Doesn’t come any better than that.

The bracelet is shot, which is normal for a jubilee type of that age.
If money is not a problem the best in the business imho is Goldschmiede Beste in Winterberg, Germany. Very nice people and they fixed two golden bracelets for me.

A more budget friendly solution is Michael Young, Hong Kong or Rolliworks in the US. Both of them offer watchmaking services as well.

Nice project

Thank you! I will get in touch with LAWW and see if I can get it restored with them. Also will contact Goldschmiede Beste for getting he bracelet restored.

Originally Posted by oysterfisher

It looks like a oxblood stella 1601. WOW!
Really rare piece. The bracelet itself look worn and stretched.
Please dont give this watch to someone who want to change the dial! Or isnt able to uninstall the hands without marks.The dial of your watch is worth more than the watch itself.

I dont know someone in UAE, but I have heard many good things about Tarik Malik (momentum Dubai).

Enjoy it!

Thanks for the tips! Will make sure I mention it to the repairer.

Originally Posted by zapokee

That's a beauty. You can take it off the bracelet and put it on a leather strap until you get the bracelet sorted out. That baby needs to be worn!

Thank you. Any particular strap you recommend?

Originally Posted by Dhiren

Awesome watch !


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Thank you

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Absolutely love it.

Thanks! I love it too.

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

Roberto Lenti in Italy is the best I've seen at restoring bracelets. Here is his Instagram:

https://instagram.com/robertototolen...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Thanks for this. I shall contact him as well.

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

A lot of great suggestions all around! And yes, as Zapokee said get a leather strap in the meantime and wear that beautiful watch. As already mentioned, but I will reiterate, do not let whomever you use for service change the hands or dial. Crown and tube, plus crystal are considered consumables and can be replaced without affecting value and will ensure some water resistance. You will need some additional extra links on the bracelet if you get it refurbished. If it doesn't fit you now, there is no way it will fit after refurbishing the bracelet. When I refurbished my bracelet, also a jubilee, it lost about 1" in length. You can contact Rolex and they will sell you a new bracelet, not period correct, but whatever is currently available for a Datajust. That is, if money is not a concern as it will be quite expensive in all gold. Yours is a 19mm Swiss Jubilee from the looks of it, with "D" Links. That is all I have. Others will provide more accurate information as I am no expert. Good luck, an try and post more pics of the bracelet clasp, some side views and between the lugs if you want more information from the resident experts. Once you remove the bracelet, you will find the model number at 12:00 and the serial number at 6:00. Blur out the last 3 digits or so of the serial number if you choose to post an image of that.

Thanks for the long message and the tips! I am talking the watch to an AD today to look at the serial numbers and see if I the AD can offer to get a brand new replacement bracelet as well.

Originally Posted by ronricks

As the others have said do not let anyone change the dial, hands or even date wheel. I would get the bracelet refurbished by one of the people listed and get the watch serviced and wear the heck out of it. That is a very uncommon heirloom you don't see many of them.

Thanks :)

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by wannabelean

Thank you. Any particular strap you recommend?

Bulang & Sons have very nice straps.

I have Horween Cordovan leather straps for mine, both in black and brown. They're comfortable, and they match gold really well. This type of leather also takes on a delightful sheen over time.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by wannabelean

Thanks for the long message and the tips! I am talking the watch to an AD today to look at the serial numbers and see if I the AD can offer to get a brand new replacement bracelet as well.

Be prepared, they will charge you about $12-15K. Not worth it. Just have yours rebuilt for a tenth of new

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Be prepared, they will charge you about $12-15K. Not worth it. Just have yours rebuilt for a tenth of new

I agree. I bought an old 1013 for the bracelet and even after full repair and two new links added by Michael Young in Hong Kong, the cost was FAR less than buying a new one from RSC. My bracelet came back looking new.

[Tools]

Nice watch.

Almost any good watchmaker can clean, oil, and adjust your watch. The serious issue is the bracelet that looks quite worn and stretched.

Michael Young at Classic Watches in Hong Kong is known to do a good job of bracelet repairs.

[Dhiren]

Worn and wound leather strap are awesome


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[harry in montreal]

To the OP, the dial is called a Stella dial. It’s very desirable and quite uncommon. They made these dials in a rainbow of colors. The dial alone is worth quite a bit and should be handled only by a real pro watchmaker. I would not let Rolex touch it. They tend to strip watches of parts and charge an unsuspecting owner thousands… only to be left with a transformed piece. Originality is EVERYTHING