1665 for sale on Bob's - am I missing something?

[pierson]

Am I missing something here, or does this look like a great deal?

https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage-...665-white.html

[greekbum]

For me its not a correct original watch and is priced accordingly. It has the wrong dial, hands don't match, and the insert is a current service for starters. The serial states 4.0 million and thats 100% double red sea dweller range.

[pierson]

Originally Posted by greekbum

For me its not a correct original watch and is priced accordingly. It has the wrong dial, hands don't match, and the insert is a current service for starters. The serial states 4.0 million and thats 100% double red sea dweller range.

i see the caseback showing 4049008, if that is DRSD, they would it be smart for someone to buy this and wait to get hold of a DRSD dial?

[SearChart]

Not a bad watch but not what I'd want if I were to buy a great white.

[jdmi32]

Dial is a MK4 for a Great White, not a MK1 as stated and is not original to the watch. Insert is also a replacement as is the crystal.

Great Whites with all the correct bits can still be found but I'm seeing fewer up for sale than before.

[Gina Marie]

Pass on that one....

[watchlovr]

Originally Posted by pierson

i see the caseback showing 4049008, if that is DRSD, they would it be smart for someone to buy this and wait to get hold of a DRSD dial?

If only it were that easy young Luke.

[SeeDweller]

Welllllll everyone!,
I didn't "pass on that one". I bought it as my first "vintage" Rolex. (I have a few other fine pieces, but none in the true "vintage" scenario, and while I'm REALLY looking for a 5512, this came up and looked amazing for the price.) I talked with Jacek by e-mail, and he thought so, too. So, I bought it! Received it yesterday and ... I noticed a few other things now. Please help me know if these are "red flags":

1. The bezel rotates very stiffly, and does NOT "ratchet", like my old Sub (16610) from 1999 does. It also moves equally BI-directionally. It's also VERY sharp, and it makes me wonder if both the bezel AND the insert are new service (as pointed out by "Greekbum")

2. The bracelet (93150, with 585 end links, and MA9 clasp) dates from the '80's, according to the watchmaker at Bob's, but that was honestly disclosed to me, on the phone, before the sale.

3. Thanks, jdmi32, for pointing out that this is a 4,xxx,xxx serial number, which was WAY before the Great White (5,xxx,xxx and above, or so...). I looked up and tried to educate myself on the "Versions" of dials on the DRSD (which apparently is what this watch IS, right?). I can't figure out which one SHOULD have been on this serial number. Can anyone help with that?

4. Last, if this IS a DRSD watch, then I agree with "pierson" that it might be fun to try to find a clean dial that matches and restore this piece to it's correct orientation. (OR... is "watchlovr" trying to tell me that this is a fool's errand? If so, thank you for the warning!)

Thank you all VERY MUCH for helping me to join this wonderful group. I love how helpful you are to each other. Great family! I'll call Bob's tomorrow, but would look forward to your comments.

[Lordofrolex]

It's a nice watch

[2JHead]

Congrats on a super nice wearer. You could look for a fat font insert to add to the vintage feel

Bezel shouldn't click so your good there, stiffness isn't unusual - would improve if removed and cleaned

[onthedial]

@BobMiller
Unfortunately I wasn't able to see the original FS notice so don't know what it was priced at. Given that it seems to have been listed for an amount commensurate with its shortcomings, and you knew what you were getting into, I'd say, on the face of it, there's a lot to like about this watch. I mean, context is everything, right?
______
Instagram: @onthedial

[watchlovr]

Congrats, lovely watch.
99.99% of the population will never know it was not correct, or even care.
It will be easy to get a mk3 insert to make it look more period correct, a mk 3 or 4 double red dial? not so easy.
Plenty of guys including me have double red cases looking for a double red dial, just form at at the back of the line!

[SeeDweller]

Thanks, everyone for your comments and help!
Sounds like for $8500, this might still be a nice watch to introduce me to the Vintage family.

Of course it's also introduced me to an example of "Caveat Emptor".
1. It's not a Great White watch, only a Great White dial.
2. It's not a Mk1 dial, it's a Mk4.
3. It has a newer replacement bezel insert
4. etc....

I spoke with the nice folks at Bob's Watches and they admitted that they mis-listed the watch with the wrong info. But they've given me only 24 hours to decide if I want it or not. That's not enough time to have anyone look at it and help me decide, so . . . .

Help! Should I keep this and look for a Fat Font insert and be happy with the incorrect dial on a DR vintage? Who votes "thumbs up"? Who votes "pass on this one and keep looking"?
REALLY appreciate your guidance, all!! Thank you,

[SeeDweller]

Sorry, I didn't include the price I paid in the last post . . .
I paid $8500 for this. Seem right?
Thanks again!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by BobMiller

Thanks, everyone for your comments and help!
Sounds like for $8500, this might still be a nice watch to introduce me to the Vintage family.

Of course it's also introduced me to an example of "Caveat Emptor".
1. It's not a Great White watch, only a Great White dial.
2. It's not a Mk1 dial, it's a Mk4.
3. It has a newer replacement bezel insert
4. etc....

I spoke with the nice folks at Bob's Watches and they admitted that they mis-listed the watch with the wrong info. But they've given me only 24 hours to decide if I want it or not. That's not enough time to have anyone look at it and help me decide, so . . . .

Help! Should I keep this and look for a Fat Font insert and be happy with the incorrect dial on a DR vintage? Who votes "thumbs up"? Who votes "pass on this one and keep looking"?
REALLY appreciate your guidance, all!! Thank you,

In that case I would return it, as offered.

[jdmi32]

Originally Posted by BobMiller

Thanks, everyone for your comments and help!
Sounds like for $8500, this might still be a nice watch to introduce me to the Vintage family.

Of course it's also introduced me to an example of "Caveat Emptor".
1. It's not a Great White watch, only a Great White dial.
2. It's not a Mk1 dial, it's a Mk4.
3. It has a newer replacement bezel insert
4. etc....

I spoke with the nice folks at Bob's Watches and they admitted that they mis-listed the watch with the wrong info. But they've given me only 24 hours to decide if I want it or not. That's not enough time to have anyone look at it and help me decide, so . . . .

Help! Should I keep this and look for a Fat Font insert and be happy with the incorrect dial on a DR vintage? Who votes "thumbs up"? Who votes "pass on this one and keep looking"?
REALLY appreciate your guidance, all!! Thank you,

I would choose to return it. Then I'd go and check to see what HQMilton and Krlyuzh have available.

[drefrank]

Another vote to return it.

[swish77]

Sorry, but I'd return it too. I'd rather pay $13k-$15k for a great example of a GW 1665, than $8500 for a watch with a ton of issues. To put this watch right, you're gonna spend a lot of money and time, with headaches probably thrown in along the way.

[Jfullm42]

I would return it as well. Hold out for a complete original example

[agsstructures]

Return it and buy one from a reputable seller. Might as well spend the extra cash for a clean example and most of all piece of mind.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by old expat beast

in that case i would return it, as offered.

x2

[Vigilance247]

Return it!

[SeeDweller]

Wow! Such a controversial vote!
Can't you all just come to a concensus?

Seriously . . . Looks pretty unanimous, and after the surprisingly rigid attitude by the salesperson at Bob's Watches today, regarding my taking a couple of extra days to get it checked out by HQ Milton, ... I guess I'm happy to send it back.

Now, I'm back to looking for my first beautiful, creamy indexed, vintage, Sub or SeaDweller all over again! Hell, that's OK . . . . the search is most of the fun, right?

Thank you all very much again. This has been a heartwarming entry into the world of classy Rolex collectors. Looking forward to joining into more of your family.
B.

[BuddaLun]

Return it, no doubt. Something better will certainly come along.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by BobMiller

Thanks, everyone for your comments and help!
Sounds like for $8500, this might still be a nice watch to introduce me to the Vintage family.

Of course it's also introduced me to an example of "Caveat Emptor".
1. It's not a Great White watch, only a Great White dial.
2. It's not a Mk1 dial, it's a Mk4.
3. It has a newer replacement bezel insert
4. etc....

I spoke with the nice folks at Bob's Watches and they admitted that they mis-listed the watch with the wrong info. But they've given me only 24 hours to decide if I want it or not. That's not enough time to have anyone look at it and help me decide, so . . . .

Help! Should I keep this and look for a Fat Font insert and be happy with the incorrect dial on a DR vintage? Who votes "thumbs up"? Who votes "pass on this one and keep looking"?
REALLY appreciate your guidance, all!! Thank you,

I would return the watch.

Also, regarding the 24 hour return policy, I would seek out legal advice about that. I'm no lawyer, but this watch was misrepresented. I believe that is breach of contract, making it null and void.

I'd love for a lawyer to chime in.

[Zoran]

If they offered to take it back, don't hesitate and look for a different 1665 instead.
Good luck with the hunt for the (next) 1665 ;-)

[SeeDweller]

To Wesley Crusher:
To their credit, they DID take it back, and they've told me that they are "processing" the refund.
To their dis-credit, no one has contacted me to find out WHY I'm sending it back. Only the sales-gal has talked to me on the phone, but I put a note to the owner (Carol Altieri, who has always seemed very nice on the phone) that if she wants to know more, I'd be happy to chat with her. We'll see if they are interested.

In the meanwhile - - TWO of you wonderful TRF members have contacted me with some REALLY nice 1665's that I can choose from! Oh,... life is good! ;-)

[Verdi]

Misinterpreted sounds a bit mild imo.

Such a big dealer with long experience and expertise to miss out so many details!?!

[swish77]

As prices continue to climb for these already very expensive vintage Rolexes, extensive homework before buying becomes more and more important. You just can't rely on sellers to know and/or disclose everything.

Sometimes sellers are just not that knowledgeable, especially online operations like Bob's, sometimes they're sloppy because they sell so many watches, and then other times info is either intentionally or unintentional misrepresented or withheld. It's a minefield out there.

[landroverking]

Sorry overpriced