1603 Authentic or not? "SWISS" only dial THANKS FOR HELPING!

[HeyScott]

Hi,

Thanks in advance for helping me! Vintage 1603 Submariner from circa 1969, says "SWSS" only at the bottom. SWISS only was more common on Radium containing dials in the 50's and very early 60's. Various articles talk about dangerous Radium being stopped around 1963 for Tritium and hence Rolex dials after 1963 should say "T SWISS T" or "SWISS T< 25" or SWISS MADE

So my question is does anyone have concerns about the authenticity of this watch? If its circa 1969 why would it only say SWISS (be a Radium containing dial) on the dial is my concern.

I am in the process of purchasing this watch from a STELLAR ROLEXFORUMS RECOMMENDED seller, Pablo Ferlazzo. Here is a link from rolexforums to his credentials.

http://https://www.rolexforums.com/s...light=ferlazzo

AND Here is photo of the watch. THANK YOU FOR HELPING!!

P.S. Tom Doan from D's in San Diego suspects this is authentic but I want others opinions if possible.

[roh123]

What is the serial number? My initial guess would be that the dial is refinished.

Why does the ad say NO PAPERS when it is pictured with lots of papers?

[HeyScott]

roh123 thank you for your time. They made a mistake in the description re: the papers, it comes with papers. I will try to get the serial number.

QUESTION FOR YOU: if dial is refinished can you tell me the pros: cons without me troubling you too much?

[roh123]

Pros: It looks nice

Cons: Not original which will hurt value

Overall it is not really much to panic about on a Datejust. A correct dial is not much money at all so it is more about what you like and if you ever plan to sell it. Most collectors would stay away from a refinished dial. It is also priced as if it would be untouched so you would probably want to pay a bit less if it is indeed refinished.

Pic is not great but you would not expect to see a swiss only dial that late. Luminova service dials are also marked swiss but the lume on this does look more tritium than anything else. In my opinion the style of the dial is also later than what an early swiss dial would have. Hands would also be different if this in fact was an early 60’s watch.

[HeyScott]

roh123, or any trusted source here, 3499 was the asking price with papers, since the dial is confirmed to professionally refinished "they may have made a mistake with the SWISS part" what would be a fair price for this watch with refinished dial and with papers, in your opinion?

[Pureform]

1965 is the cut off date for SWISS and should be tritium... Hard to see the dial but it might or might not be refinished until you take a pic of the dial closer where we can read everything... I wouldve paid the $3499 cause of the papers and vintage bracelet and even the radium pan dial but look at the case the pins are sticking out that would bother me ... I looked by the way on chrono24... Im in miami if you like and not to far from me i can go look at it and give you my opinion before you buy and i bet you can get it for 3k