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Quattro Libre · 27 January 2011, 04:14 AM

Howdy,

I came across a 1603 on the bay (I know, I know, I shouldn't even consider buying a watch there). It looks quite good but I noticed that the caseback is stamped 1600 and not 1603.

Would it be typical to replace a caseback with another model number or is that a sign of a potential Frankenwatch? It otherwise looks fabulous.

Thanks for the opinions.

rmfnla · 27 January 2011, 04:37 AM

How about posting a link to the listing so we can see first-hand..?

Quattro Libre · 27 January 2011, 05:39 AM

Oh sure. I wasn't sure if that was allowed. Watch in question:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170593690196

Warnsboy · 27 January 2011, 05:54 AM

IMO not a total franken watch!

Nice watch and price if it stays down there!

rmfnla · 28 January 2011, 07:47 AM

Not a frankenwatch at all!

It's a nice, clean 1603; the only thing non-original is the band but that's no biggie.

Seller's got a decent history of selling nice watches, too.

I'm not sure about the back; might it be that Rolex used the same back for all 16XX series?

Might be a bargain to be had there...

Quattro Libre · 28 January 2011, 07:58 AM

I'm not too concerned about the band. I did look up some other 1603s and they were stamped 1603 inside of the caseback. Now granted, having a replaced caseback isn't a dealbreaker for me, I was mostly curious if any of the vintage experts here spotted anything else that might be a warning sign about the watch. It's not like I'm looking at the inside of the caseback on a regular basis or anything.

To me, it looks like a nice piece at a decent price. And since I am also from 1977, it of course appeals to me more.

BH13GMT · 28 January 2011, 08:02 AM

I only like sports models but that is a good looking watch.

27 January 2011, 04:14 AM	#1
Quattro Libre "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmonton Watch: CW2118 Posts: 38	1603/Frankenwatch question Howdy, I came across a 1603 on the bay (I know, I know, I shouldn't even consider buying a watch there). It looks quite good but I noticed that the caseback is stamped 1600 and not 1603. Would it be typical to replace a caseback with another model number or is that a sign of a potential Frankenwatch? It otherwise looks fabulous. Thanks for the opinions.

27 January 2011, 04:37 AM	#2
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	How about posting a link to the listing so we can see first-hand..? __________________ Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here... Lug Hole Lover®

28 January 2011, 07:47 AM	#5
rmfnla "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: Richard Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: TT DJ Posts: 4,456	Not a frankenwatch at all! It's a nice, clean 1603; the only thing non-original is the band but that's no biggie. Seller's got a decent history of selling nice watches, too. I'm not sure about the back; might it be that Rolex used the same back for all 16XX series? Might be a bargain to be had there... __________________ Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here... Lug Hole Lover®

28 January 2011, 08:02 AM	#7
BH13GMT "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Paul Location: UK, Dorset Watch: and learn Posts: 2,636	I only like sports models but that is a good looking watch. __________________ Rolex Sub 1680, Rolex GMT 116710LN, Rolex Datejust 16220 Salmon Dial (the Mrs), Tudor BB58, Tudor Pelagos Blue and Several Seiko's ************************************************ *************** "last one in the chopper is a rotten egg" Jonathan Quayle Higgins III

27 January 2011, 05:39 AM	#3
Quattro Libre "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmonton Watch: CW2118 Posts: 38	Oh sure. I wasn't sure if that was allowed. Watch in question: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170593690196

27 January 2011, 05:54 AM	#4
Warnsboy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Michael Location: Midwest-USA Watch: 5513 Posts: 1,942	IMO not a total franken watch! Nice watch and price if it stays down there!

28 January 2011, 07:58 AM	#6
Quattro Libre "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmonton Watch: CW2118 Posts: 38	I'm not too concerned about the band. I did look up some other 1603s and they were stamped 1603 inside of the caseback. Now granted, having a replaced caseback isn't a dealbreaker for me, I was mostly curious if any of the vintage experts here spotted anything else that might be a warning sign about the watch. It's not like I'm looking at the inside of the caseback on a regular basis or anything. To me, it looks like a nice piece at a decent price. And since I am also from 1977, it of course appeals to me more.

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