My vintage rolex datejust : Fake or not ?

[MisterStorm]

Hey all ! :)

After I posted in the wrong section, here is my Rolex DateJust (again) !

I had this Rolex DateJust from my father, and I have some doubts about its authenticity especially because of this weird cyclops ..

Here are the pics :







According to the serial number it may be from the 70's if I'm not wrong !

Thank you ! :) (Sorry for my poor English, I'm french .. )

[jvmartin]

Looks good to me... vintage 1601 if I am not mistaken. Looks like it has seen better days though!

[crowncollection]

An aftermarket glass can account for the cyclops. The rest of the head looks ok need more pics especially of the band

[MisterStorm]

Thank you !

Here more pics of the watch :

[Karahana]

Looks nice, does it actually have a cyclops? They already told you I guess the crystal is not genuine.

[MisterStorm]

Indeed. In another post on the forum some said that the cyclop could have come off from the crystal through the years ..

[kooltzar]

It looks genuine, but needs some or a lot of care. Is it working? I'd be interested.

[MisterStorm]

It's working but it loses 30sec per day ! But I'm wearing it everyday, this watch is gorgeous .. I planned to go to Rolex to fix that !

[iclick]

Originally Posted by MisterStorm

It's working but it loses 30sec per day ! But I'm wearing it everyday, this watch is gorgeous .. I planned to go to Rolex to fix that !

I wouldn't expose the watch to water with that cracked crystal, even in the shower. It needs a full movement service, but I also wouldn't sent it to Rolex, as they may replace more parts than necessary and render the watch less original and thus less valuable. Instead, I would send to one of the trusted watchmakers often recommended here. Whoever does the work, tell them not to polish the case or replace any critical parts like the dial or hands without your consent.

[zama]

Invest the effort and cash in a full RSC service it may cost you a $1000 but you will have a link to your dad forever. Could do with a band repair as well.

[Karahana]

Originally Posted by MisterStorm

Indeed. In another post on the forum some said that the cyclop could have come off from the crystal through the years ..

Yep, that's what I thought.

[MisterStorm]

iclick > Don't worry, I remove it when I take a shower, because of this cracked crystal .. And indeed I heard somewhere that Rolex don't care about their vintage watches which is disappointing .. I'm living in Paris so, first, I'll send it to Rolex so they will estimate the cost for servicing, and then I'll compare it with others watchmakers in Paris. Because I obviously want to keep the "magic" of this DJ.

zama > I would like to do that, but $1000 is a lot for me ..

Karahana >

[jvmartin]

The bill is going to be a minimum of $600. At least that is the standard price here in the US for a movement service and polish. I have never seen a recent bill for less. Not sure if that includes a crystal replacement, but if it does not I would not expect an acrylic to be more than $100 additional. Then again... everything is more expensive in Europe. Depending on movement parts, a local watchmaker can get up there in price as well!

Originally Posted by MisterStorm

iclick > Don't worry, I remove it when I take a shower, because of this cracked crystal .. And indeed I heard somewhere that Rolex don't care about their vintage watches which is disappointing .. I'm living in Paris so, first, I'll send it to Rolex so they will estimate the cost for servicing, and then I'll compare it with others watchmakers in Paris. Because I obviously want to keep the "magic" of this DJ.

zama > I would like to do that, but $1000 is a lot for me ..

Karahana >

[MisterStorm]

I know the bill is going to be around 600€ are maybe more .. :( Do you think if using this watch everyday without any servicing could damage it ?

[Floorguy]

Being that it was your fathers watch, I myself would NOT trust it with another watchmaker unless he had a rolex account, and has good references. The money you spend at the AD, you would have piece of mind, and warranty. Jmop! Good luck!

[Orangejoe]

Originally Posted by zama

Invest the effort and cash in a full RSC service it may cost you a $1000 but you will have a link to your dad forever. Could do with a band repair as well.

Wouldn't that put him in a similar position as having George Washington's axe which has three times had its handle replaced and twice had its head replaced?

(borrowing from Broadus Browne)

[MisterStorm]

Originally Posted by Floorguy

Being that it was your fathers watch, I myself would NOT trust it with another watchmaker unless he had a rolex account, and has good references. The money you spend at the AD, you would have piece of mind, and warranty. Jmop! Good luck!

I'll post on a french forum to get some good AD adresses in Paris !

Thanks to everybody for your advice ! I'll take care of this beauty !

[MisterStorm]

Hey all !

I already updated another topic from Jan 2015, but since I posted in the wrong section back then, I had to repost the thing here.

I knew I had to fix that watch, but I just needed the money haha.

So here is the watch after I went to Charly Paris, he made a fantastic job, it's hard to believe this watch is now more that 40 years old.









free internet pictures

Thank you for your advices back then, and sorry for the double update but I guess it's worth it !

[interestedwatcher]

Awesome conclusion to this story. Looks great.

[watchnut100]

Stunning watch

[tuffness9999]

Great story and great watch. Wear it in good health, cheers from California.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[GGGMT]

Wow!! C’est tres bien!! Felicitations!

[southtexas]

Looks great! You really seem to love it and that’s very important. Congrats on a beautiful heirloom from your dad.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Humble michael]

Wow Great timepiece and remembrance of your dad . How neat ! Enjoy ! James in San Antonio Tx:-)

[andrewjb88]

Excellent

[MavericktheAce]

Originally Posted by MisterStorm

It's working but it loses 30sec per day ! But I'm wearing it everyday, this watch is gorgeous .. I planned to go to Rolex to fix that !

Looks solid. A RSC should be able to take care of the glass and the 30 sec its losing everyday. Might cost a bit but it will be worth it. Especially in the sentimental department.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Orangejoe

Wouldn't that put him in a similar position as having George Washington's axe which has three times had its handle replaced and twice had its head replaced?

(borrowing from Broadus Browne)

In the UK, we call that 'Triggers broom' ! I wouldn't expect anyone outside of the UK to get that at all, if you do, please advise!!

Nice piece OP, much better after having some love!

[winst]

Nice!

[cajunron]

Nice work on a great watch. Looks nice.

[jvmartin]

5 years later but I have now changed my opinion to a vintage 16014 from the 70s...