An Incoming DateJust 1603

[Old Expat Beast]

Hi Everyone,
Found this one for sale on the Forum about ten days ago, seller was in Florida. I wouldn’t usually buy a watch that I had not seen in person, but by a great stroke of luck and coincidence my good Forum friend Greg (Andromeda160) was on vacation nearby and he kindly offered to drive over and see it for me. With Greg’s green light, it was just up to me to negotiate a price and ask a few more questions. Other members also kindly offered expert opinions on the dial, etc.

Although the watch had been bumped up the for-sale section more than 20 times, it seemed to me that this was something special that had been overlooked. A 1966-stamped Datejust, with the original “rooftop” box with slotted insert intact, original 1968 papers from a USAF Base Exchange in Spain, the “Cigarette Card”, a service notice from Rolex Geneva mailed to the owner in New York in 1971, and the original red tag. The bracelet (stamped 3/67) is also in good condition, and the watch – obviously carefully worn over the last decades – has just been serviced.

As a journalist, the provenance and paper trail really appeal to me, and I have already discovered that the original owner was quite a character. But more of that another time. For now the photos, and I’ll let this beautiful watch speak for itself.

Thanks for reading.