Info about a watch I inherited -- help?

[merc]

Hi everybody,

I sort-of inherited a Rolex watch.
This post is NOT about selling it. I do need to decide if I should keep it or not, but I very much doubt I will sell it. So, please don't offer money etc.

I don't quite belong here -- when I wear a watch, I am like an adult cat given a collar for the first time, if you know what I mean. But, I was hoping you could lend me a hand.

NOTE: Please note that I am not a scammer. My name is Tony Mobily, I am the owner of Free Software Magazine, I am well known in the IT industry. Feel free to contact me from Free Software Magazine's web site if you like. Feel free to Google me, or whatever. I realise that you have to deal with scammers all the time. I hope you realise that while I will be totally happy to give out more references and evidence that I am not a scammer, I expect to be given the benefit of the doubt.

The pictures of the watch are in this post. They are definitely better than the first ones I took.

As suggested by the great people in these forums, I got the numbers from the top and the bottom of the watch. The were:

Side 1: Rolex 2811038
Side 2: Registered Design 1501

Does anybody here know _anything_ about this watch? Is this meant to be an antique? (I know it's from around 1980s, but not entirely sure.) Is this something especially precious? Or "nothing much"? The serviceman who repaired it told me that it was _fantastic_. The second hand shop told me it's old crap (nearly literally) and he sold something much newer and better for 1400 Euros. I can't find pictures of a matching watch online, even with these numbers.

I am totally confused!

PUTTING IT ALL ON SCALES
------------------------

Now, I guess I need to decide what I should do. If I were to put weights on scales, I would get...

On one side of the scales:

* Never worn a watch before.
* Find having a watch around my wrist really stressful. But I guess that can well change.
* Often stop by third and second-world countries (I live in Australia, but I often go to Italy to visit family and friends, and I like stopping over. I am landing in Bangkok soon, then Bali...)
* I really, really, really dislike this watch's face's colour. It's vanilla. I would love it to be black. The guy who services it told me that for 100 Euros he could send it over and get it "painted" black. Apparently, it would be a perfect job. But, apart from the fact that I don't have enough time in Italy left, wouldn't it "ruin" it, in terms of not being original anymore? Maybe I could find a original black face?
* When I said "sort-of inherited"... well, put it this way, my grandfather would be a little disappointed if I sold it (although he's in Italy, I am in Australia most of the time, and he might never know. But...)

On the other side:

* I don't know how to sell this thing. So, well, maybe I shouldn't. There are 424298379432 watches on eBay, and I would be Rolex number v424298379433 ... I went to a second hand watch place here in Italy, and he told me that he would buy it for 800 Euros (!) IF I had the original case and certificate (which I don't have).

* I might end up putting this in a draw and forget about it... and put the piece of furniture on the kerb with the watch in it. It has happened before with valuable stuff of mine...

* I might be better off putting it somewhere *really* safe (see: I won't forget it) and sell it in say 10-20 years? Would it be antique by then?

Comments/ideas are most welcome.

Thank you all,

Merc.

[padi56]

Yes its a 1501 cal 1570/5 with Engine Turned Bezel I would say from very early 1970s. Value not a huge amount around $1500-$1800 for mint example these are retail prices but selling quite a bit less.

[merc]

"Yes its a 1501 cal 1575 with Engine Turned Bezel"

What do you mean by "cal 1575"? What's the "Engine Turned Bezel?

"I would say from very early 1970s."

OK.

"Value not a huge amount around $1500-$1800 for mint example these are retail prices but selling quite a bit less."

Ah, so the second hand shop must have been right.

It looks like I am to keep it. Do you think I would ruin it, by getting the face painted black?

Merc.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by merc

Do you think I would ruin it, by getting the face painted black?

Merc.

In one word yes, if you want a black dial you should look for a used one and just have a watchmaker swap it for you

[padi56]

Originally Posted by merc

"Yes its a 1501 cal 1575 with Engine Turned Bezel"

What do you mean by "cal 1575"? What's the "Engine Turned Bezel?

"I would say from very early 1970s."

OK.

"Value not a huge amount around $1500-$1800 for mint example these are retail prices but selling quite a bit less."

Ah, so the second hand shop must have been right.

It looks like I am to keep it. Do you think I would ruin it, by getting the face painted black?

Merc.

The cal 1570/5 is the movement its a 26 jewel a excellent bullet prove movement.The engine turn bezel is the part around the glass crystal I would leave the dial as it is original to the watch.But its still a reliable accurate watch for everyday wear.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by merc

.....The second hand shop told me it's old crap.....

Originally Posted by padi56

...Value not a huge amount around $1500-$1800....

Originally Posted by merc

Ah, so the second hand shop must have been right.
It looks like I am to keep it....
Do you think I would ruin it, by getting the face painted black?Merc.

Better than discovering it's a fake though, No...??

Originally Posted by swatty

In one word yes, if you want a black dial you should look for a used one and just have a watchmaker swap it for you

Absolutely agreed.....

[Macro80]

Merc, I would keep it and wear it Sir. Remember adult cats get used to their collars after an hour or two!

[johnbeth]

Enjoy wearing the watch, you will get used to it one day!

John

[Singslinger]

Best to give it a full service at an authorized Rolex centre, then wear and enjoy it!

[merc]

Hi,

I have already got a service centre to give it a service -- I paid 200 Euros for it! The guy told me he was an authorised Rolex repairer, although he also serviced all sorts of watches.

He said that it was _unbelievably dirty_ inside. He cleaned everything (inside and out), changed a seal, and set it so that it gave the right time.

My goodness, I might sound like a complete idiot, I don't even know all the right terms :-D

I am wearing it now (and going slightly insane with it), I will let you all know how long I last with it. I promise :-D

Bye!

Merc.

[sandybax]

Good luck :)

[CoopJr]

Very nice. Obviously your friend or relative thought very much of you to leave you such a nice watch as a remembrance. I personally would have the watch serviced, leave everything as is and wear it. Give it a few months before you decide to sell or change it.

Were you left the watch's box and paper? If not, a servicing will help verify authenticity and add value to the watch.

[merc]

My grandfather gave it to me. I got the watch serviced, and am wearing it... for now :D

He never had box and paper -- he was given it himself, which is why I had some doubts on it being original (but the serviceman told me that it was genuine).

Thank you all for your help!

Merc.

Originally Posted by CoopJr

Very nice. Obviously your friend or relative thought very much of you to leave you such a nice watch as a remembrance. I personally would have the watch serviced, leave everything as is and wear it. Give it a few months before you decide to sell or change it.

Were you left the watch's box and paper? If not, a servicing will help verify authenticity and add value to the watch.

[kyle L]

It's a fairly common watch, but it is a great watch. I love the engine turned bezel, enjoy it!

[hanto]

Yes enjoy it and don't sell

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes its a 1501 cal 1570/5 with Engine Turned Bezel I would say from very early 1970s. Value not a huge amount around $1500-$1800 for mint example these are retail prices but selling quite a bit less.

If it was from the early 70s, would it have come with a rivet bracelet still, meaning it's been re-braceleted? Or were they using the style pictured by then?

[vukotab]

That`s one beautiful watch you got there! Don`t touch it`s face, it would be a real shame to ruin something in very good condition (according to pics).
Just give it some serious wrist time, and you`ll love it, believe me.
All the best!

[Christiaan]

Seeing that you are getting it from a family member, I would have a full service perfomed by Rolex in Melbourne and enjoy the watch. Is it ever going to be worth "a lot" of money...prob not. But the sentimental value is priceless in my opinion.

[merc]

Originally Posted by dannyp

If it was from the early 70s, would it have come with a rivet bracelet still, meaning it's been re-braceleted? Or were they using the style pictured by then?

I don't know -- as you can all guess, I know zip about these things :D
I doubt it got re-braceleted, but I wouldn't be able to tell you. I know my grandfather didn't do anything other than wear it (for 30 years!) but maybe the person who originally owned it...

Merc.

[merc]

Originally Posted by vukotab

that`s one beautiful watch you got there! Don`t touch it`s face, it would be a real shame to ruin something in very good condition (according to pics).

ok :d

[merc]

Originally Posted by Christiaan

Seeing that you are getting it from a family member, I would have a full service perfomed by Rolex in Melbourne and enjoy the watch. Is it ever going to be worth "a lot" of money...prob not. But the sentimental value is priceless in my opinion.

I already got it fully serviced by this place in Italy... the guy seemed to know what he was doing, changed a seal, cleaned it inside and out. But now I am wondering if I should have waited to go back home. But, I am in Perth, not Melbourne -- but I guess it's the same.

Actually make me suffer: how much is it to service it in Melbourne? Less than 200 Euros? (That is, after converting it into AUD)

Merc.