Should I Service my 1981 36MM DJ or Replace It?

[lencap]

Greetings!

I apologize for the length of this post, but I'm struggling with a difficult decision, and the advice I've received from forum members over the years has helped me make better decisions that I would have without your help.

I'm the original owner of a 1981 36mm TT DJ black dial, and have had it serviced regularly over 40+ years. It's time for another service, and that's the reason for the post. Do I service it or replace it?

Over the years the Jubilee bracelet had stretched, as most do, but it's now at the point where my local jeweler suggests that it may be time to have it fully refreshed. He things that the cost for a non Rolex authorized bracelet pin replacement will be at least $500, and a non Rolex authorized full service about $800. He cautions that prices can, and likely will, be higher if other issues are found - not uncommon on a 42 year old watch.

I spoke with my Rolex dealer and told him I prefer Rolex services the watch instead of an independent. He said that's fine, but be prepared for Rolex to replace parts that they considered worn. That would likely mean that the black dial, with lume that no longer glows, would be replaced, and likely the hands as well. A replacement bracelet "can get very expensive" according to him. Without an official quote his guess is that Rolex service will be a minimum of $1,000 without replacing the band or having any serious parts issues. There may also be a delay getting it serviced an returned. As it is now the watch runs a bit slow, which is annoying but not critical. I don't get it wet at all. That's the reason I got the BB58.

With the inflated prices of used Rolexes I was thinking of selling my watch and putting that money into a new 36mm DJ. Reading about issues with the new 32xx movement concerns me a bit, and the larger 41mm case is too bulky and heavy for daily wear, at least to me. It's disappointing that the 36mm DJ doesn't have a pure white marker dial, just the 41 has that option, another frustration which will lead me to getting the black dial replacement - also helpful for better contrast with cataracts.

Just an added comment or two - I've owned several Omegas, and 2 Tudor Black Bays (the original 41 was way to heavy), along with many "beaters" - Seiko/Citizen. In the end I traded out the non Rolex watches, and I'm considering the same fate for the BB58. Reviewers love it, rightfully so, but somehow I feel like I'm settling for something instead of getting what I want.

My 1981 DJ with bracelet is very comfortable at less than 3.3 ounces (hollow links back then0; the BB is over 5; the Sky Dweller, my "grail", is over 6 ounces and is bulky on my wrist. Light and discreet is my preference - thus the 36mm size. Even the 39mm BB becomes noticeable on the wrist in summer heat, and the limited adjustment on that bracelet is annoying. My Rolex has a lot of micro-adjustment holes on the bracelet, and the newer models have the adjustable bands.

The nostalgia issue is real, but my logical mind also has a voice: "Why spend over $2K, or more, to restore a 42 year old watch, when you can sell it "As Is" for likely more than you think in the current market, and replace it with a brand new watch with warranty?" That voice echoes loudly when I think about it.

So, as I see it my choices are:

- Keep the 36mm as is, do nothing to it, and wear it cautiously whenever I want
- Keep the DJ, but service it through an independent to preserve the dial/hands
- Keep the DJ, service it through Rolex, restore it for less than the cost of new
- Sell the DJ, put the money into a new DJ, get the black dial and call it a day
- Return to a single watch, sell the BB58, replace the old DJ with a new one with same colors/bezel/Jubilee

I've included a picture of the 36mm DJ on my wrist, along with the BB58.

So, what would you do? Other suggestions/opinions are welcome.

[GGGMT]

Options 2 or 3. I’m no fan of older DJs (tho I have 2) because they don’t work for my lifestyle. That said Your the original owner. Don’t sell it. Too special. Service it and enjoy the rest it it’s life. Get the bracelet fixed.


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[TuRo]

Personally I'd keep it as is.

A plexi tritium Datejust is stylish, light and comfortable and very en-vogue now watch size fashions declining.

The current Datejust is huge and quite bling and a similar size to yours is actually the 114200 perpetual 34mm btw.

Also a new Datejust two tone will surely be twice or three times more I'd of thought.

Jubillee bracelets go on safely forever even with a lot of stretch, just check the pins close to end links especially, but truly they can stretch a lot safely especially as soft gold links....and I'd definitely have it it done by an independent if it needs a service (ps if it's running ok and was done only a few yrs ago does it really need it ?) it only costs me £300 for a 1570/5 mvt service here in UK.

For what it's worth I feel the 41mm Datejust is gargantuan and very heavy imho....and I think you've perhaps talked yourself out of that one by the sentiment of your message.

Option 1 or 2 would be my view.

Ps I too sold a BB 58 nice watch indeed (their best until the new 37mm Sub), but I felt clasp too big (nearly same size as a 42mm small rose BB 79220) in relation to the head and no vintage soul of course ;-)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by lencap

. . .
I spoke with my Rolex dealer and told him I prefer Rolex services the watch instead of an independent. He said that's fine, but be prepared for Rolex to replace parts that they considered worn. That would likely mean that the black dial, with lume that no longer glows, would be replaced, and likely the hands as well. A replacement bracelet "can get very expensive" according to him. Without an official quote his guess is that Rolex service will be a minimum of $1,000 without replacing the band or having any serious parts issues. There may also be a delay getting it serviced an returned. As it is now the watch runs a bit slow, which is annoying but not critical. I don't get it wet at all. That's the reason I got the BB58.

. . .

Rolex replaces movement parts that are worn as part of the service, currently less than 800 bucks.

They don't just replace dials and hands, or bracelets, without getting approval up-front, and a commitment to pay for them. They may let you know the lume no longer works, but that isn't a trigger for requiredreplacement.

A few hundred dollars to rebuild a bracelet at one of the specialty/niche rebuilders is money well spent.

Replacing is always an option, but so is hanging on to a classic.

If you let the AD send it in, they become the customer and may make these expensive, and unnecessary, decisions without your input.

[lencap]

Thanks for the comments - much appreciated.

You've helped me rethink things. I do like the feel, "vibe" (look), and nostalgia of my watch, and even if it doesn't make perfect financial sense, I'm leaning strongly to keeping it.

Tools, you helped clarify something I didn't realize when I last serviced my wife's watch at Rolex in NY. I went to my then local Rolex dealer and he offered to service it "in house". I asked him to send it to Rolex NY. He agreed, but he shipped it and handled the full service for me. When the watch was returned I noticed that the hands were different. I just assumed that Rolex changed them to restore the lume, but found it odd that I was never notified. Now I wonder if they notified the dealer and he decided to replace the hands? I now live in a different town so even if I do decide to return it to Rolex for service (which is my first choice, especially since $800 isn't much different from current independent shops) I'll send it directly to them without using the local dealership.

I also realize that selling the BB58 goes against the reason I bought it in the first place. It's a "near Rolex" in many ways, has modern technology with a nostalgic look, features many of the latest features (except for the lack of a fully adjustable bracelet), and I can wear it anywhere anytime without concern about water damage. I wore it on a cruise in the winter. It worked fine, and was less visible than the Rolex crown while traveling in unfamiliar locales. And with current resale values near $2,500 or so, I can't think of any other non-Rolex watch that I would rather have at a similar (or higher) price point.

Part of my "sell it" urge came from my recent "catch and release" of a Grand Seiko SBGA437 Spring Drive model with a very wonderful gold/silver multilayer sunburst dial. Like the BB58 that watch was a "hot model" with a lot of hype around it. The watch is wonderfully built, and the reflection of the various components is mesmerizing, as is the constantly moving sweep second hand. BUT, and this applies to the BB58 to a degree, I've found that "perfect" watches from a reviewer's perspective involves quite a bit of marketing with little actual hands on experience.

The GS watch has a rather thick case, making it somewhat unbalanced on my nearly 7" wrist, and try as I might the lack of micro-adjustments on the band made getting a good fit very difficult, especially in warm summer weather when my wrist swells on hot days. I found I wore it less and less, and sold it very recently. Great watch, great reviews, but it appealed more to my head than my heart.

The BB58 is in some ways has the same challenges. The metal bracelet has only three adjusting holes, not very much in summer heat. The watch does have half links on the bracelet, but they aren't as usable as the newer Rolex bracelet micro-adjuster. Rolex is still Rolex for a reason. Still, my 42 year old watch, with stretched Jubilee bracelet has seven adjusting levels over a 2mm span, giving nearly the same adjustment range as the more modern Rolex bands. And unlike many other watches I've owned, it appeals to my heart, not my head.

And thanks Turo (nice car, by the way- that's one of my other hobbies) for reminding me about the crystal in my "classic" Rolex. The Tudor sapphire crystal is indeed more robust and scratch resistant, but there is something I enjoy about the older crystal - it seems to blend better with the case, and has a "warm glow" in many kinds of light. My original Omega "Moon Watch" (too big, not waterproof) with the hesalite crystal was the same way. The newer "sapphire sandwich" shows the caliber, but the squared off crown edges break up the dial when viewed from an angle, as does the BB58 crystal. Some things are classic for a reason, and having owned watches for over 6 decades I lost sight of some of the things that I enjoyed over the years. Thanks to all for reminding me about them.

Incidentally, if you have nothing to do, you are welcome to view some of my earlier posts about my Rolex journey, and my straying into other brands. If I published all of them in a book it would be slightly thicker than a Ken Follett novel! I've been told that my posts need an editor! Sorry, TL;DR (;->)

[jatco]

...Just my $.02c ..FWIW.. is to go with option 1 or 2..
My thoughts, if it ain't broke, don't fix it..
Ok, granted it's a 40 yr old DJ watch, but it has been serviced in the past, runs relatively well and can last a lifetime. So personally I would have it serviced by an Independant (there are a few on here/TRF that do this)..to maintain its originality. Plus, if the jubilee is Really stretched (check pins and wear n tear at links) the bracelet too can be restored by an Independant. The idea, imo, is to keep the watch original as possible.
Just sayin' ...
Good luck

[lencap]

Thank you all for your help. I can't help but notice that Jatco, Tools, GGMT and TuRo have over 95 THOUSAND combined posts! Well done gentlemen, that is dedication!!

[pk552502]

Keep the DJ, but service it through an independent to preserve the dial/hands. That's my suggestion. That would be a shame to sell a watch you had that long.

[Rafabond]

enjoy it as it is, I bought mine from a relative and I enjoy it just like the modern ones I have. and my jubilee is also very stretched from use, but not a problem for me.

[tekno]

Can we see the bracelet?

How much is a replacement bracelet? My dads has stretched quite a bit I noticed recently after buying a less used 89 Datejust. I’m curious how yours looks compared to mine. I like the idea of repairing the original but I may retire it depending.

Other then rolliworks, I wonder who else repairs bracelets.

Do you have box & papers for the watch?


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