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3 December 2024, 01:14 AM | #1 |
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1989 Datejust updates desired
I just got my old 1989 2-tone Datejust back from Rolex service in Texas; S/N 9492477. I'm considering having two aftermarket changes made.
I've had it since it was new and have kept up on the service. I had the face changed once from blue to black by Rolex probably 15 years ago as I got tired of the blue face. I still have the blue face of course. Other than this, it is still all original and all OE parts. I'm considering having two things done to it, which I know one of is strictly aftermarket.
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3 December 2024, 10:38 AM | #2 |
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I wouldn't change the crystal. I wouldn't buy a modified rolex like that- keep yours original. I wouldn't change the dial either for an aftermarket one- just source a used dial on ebay but one that is correct for your piece.
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3 December 2024, 01:23 PM | #3 |
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It's your watch - you should do what you'd like to see done. Just keep the original parts so you can have it returned to "original" before the next trip to the RSC for service. Otherwise they will reject your submission.
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3 December 2024, 07:05 PM | #4 | |
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
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3 December 2024, 11:24 PM | #5 |
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I would keep your watch original and add a new date just
Then you will have the best of both old and new worlds Good luck!!
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3 December 2024, 11:40 PM | #6 |
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It’s your watch so obviously you can do with it what you want.
I’d leave it be EDIT: welcome to the forum |
4 December 2024, 01:21 AM | #7 |
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Fair enough. I'll leave it be. A correction to my original post - I didn't realize that my watch is actually a 1987, not 1989. I discovered this yesterday when I looked up the serial number in the database. I bought this back in the day when there wasn't a heavy demand and the dealer I bought it from had probably 100+ Rolex's for sale in the display cases. So they clearly had this for over a year before they sold it to me.
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4 December 2024, 01:39 AM | #8 | |
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
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4 December 2024, 02:26 AM | #9 |
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The acrylic is taller than a sapphire, right? That's a classic Rolex look from the 80s!
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4 December 2024, 02:39 AM | #10 |
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Would love to see a picture. Also consider removing the serial number from your post
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4 December 2024, 03:48 AM | #11 |
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If you do go through with the modification, keep the original crystal (or seeing as it's acrylic, just buy a new one and keep it stored just in case they stop making them at a later date) and dial (despite it being a service dial, which may or may not differ from the factory dial it's still better than an aftermarket dial). So worst case scenario, you can put it back to the same state it is in now.
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4 December 2024, 05:32 AM | #12 |
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It sounds like you really care for your Datejust, keeping it in top shape with those service updates and changes. Switching to a sapphire crystal could be a game-changer, especially for that durability. As for the red face, it could add a cool, unique touch! Aftermarket options might offer more flexibility. Have you checked out any specific options for the red face yet?
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5 December 2024, 10:46 AM | #13 |
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I don't recall any red dials being available for a steel and gold Datejust from that era. The Day-Dates have had red/reddish dials but I don't think Datejusts did. You can probably find a non-Rolex dial but as others have said, Rolex will either refuse service or require you to purchase/replace any aftermarket parts before they'll service it.
Guessing since you bought it new you probably don't want to part with it but you could always search for Datejusts from around that year and add another to your collection. They'll be significantly less expensive than any newer Datejust with a sapphire crystal, solid center links, etc. |
6 December 2024, 04:25 AM | #14 |
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6 December 2024, 04:27 AM | #15 |
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6 December 2024, 04:29 AM | #16 | |
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6 December 2024, 04:31 AM | #17 |
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Well, there you go. Keeping the original dial is even better.
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6 December 2024, 04:39 AM | #18 |
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I’m a little curious about your watch’s vintage. My first Rolex was a SS Datejust in 1984 and it had an acrylic crystal. I traded it in for a tutone DJ in 1986 which had a sapphire crystal and also the gold was 18K versus the previous 14K. My guess is your watch was manufactured earlier than you think, not unusual for one to sit in a dealer’s case that long back then.
As far as a red dial I can’t think of one ever coming on a Datejust. The Stella dials back in that day were all on DayDates AFAIK. |
6 December 2024, 04:52 AM | #19 |
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6 December 2024, 04:52 AM | #20 | |
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6 December 2024, 05:18 AM | #21 | |
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Most of the red knock-off faces I've seen are entirely too gaudy for a 16013. Big Roman numeral indicators, diamond indicators that are entirely too large, etc. I was hoping to find a simple stick indicators on a red brushed metallic face. I have seen such a red face on a bit more modern Datejust that I thought looked really nice. The original blue face was in that that brushed metallic look as well. The black face in it now is just a plain black face with typical stick indicators. In the end, this was just an idea for the old girl as I thought it might bring occasion to wear it more by giving it a bit more pop without making it look cheap. At the end of the day, it'll be just one more watch handed down to one of my sons anyway. 2 of my 3 sons seem to appreciate timepieces. But they all understand the value involved. |
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6 December 2024, 05:33 AM | #22 | |
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Right or wrong, my dealer told me that the sapphire crystal became an option for a Datejust Rolex in the late 80's, but wasn't a standard for it until sometime around 2000. He said he recalled seeing the first sapphire crystals back in the early 1970's when he was just a boy working there for his Dad. And that was when I started wondering if the 1987 I have could get an original Rolex sapphire crystal retrofitted. He said no after looking it up. It was apparently a different model number; it must be built differently internally. But again, it was just a passing thought anyway. |
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6 December 2024, 06:06 AM | #23 |
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For the sapphire crystal, it's a good upgrade for scratch resistance and clarity, though it’ll change the vintage look and might affect resale. As for the red dial, Rolex never made one for the Datejust, so aftermarket is your option. Just ensure it's high-quality to preserve the watch's overall look and avoid devaluing it.
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6 December 2024, 06:19 AM | #24 |
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I was asked for photos of the old 16013, so here they are. Here you can clearly see the domed acrylic crystal.
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6 December 2024, 09:16 AM | #25 |
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Very cool!
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6 December 2024, 11:45 PM | #26 | |
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7 December 2024, 12:03 AM | #27 |
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One more question I hope you guys can help with. I need to send the Jubilee bracelet off (D links) to have it "destretched". I put up another post on this subject about a week ago but no responses as of yet. I am in the USA, so keeping it domestic is preferred. Yes, I know about Michael Young in Hong Kong who is arguably the best I'm told. Shipping, insurance and customs declarations are the problem there.
The list seems to get rather short in the US for those that are known to be reputable, with Rolliworks being one that repeatedly comes up. Yes, I got a quote from them, but it seems I can't get someone on the phone. I have trouble doing business with a company that cannot be reached by phone if I'm going to send them something valued in the thousands. Yes, I left a message. I've also read varying reviews on their work; most good, but a few really, really bad. I may end up using them, but I am somewhat uncomfortable if they can't be reached by phone. Any suggestions on a company has a great reputation for this work domestically and can be reached by phone? |
7 December 2024, 04:30 AM | #28 |
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Update - Michael Hui called me personally after leaving a message, which makes me much more comfortable to send the bracelet to him. At least I know he will respond, so I'll probably move forward with using Rolliworks to destretch the bracelet.
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