DayDate 40 Dial Swap

[macduffi]

Any ideas about what it would cost to swap out a black dial for the meteorite on a Day-Date 40 from Rolex? My current dial has baguettes as markers. I would like to preserve these markers from the black dial and move them to the new meteorite dial. Do I possibly get any credit for the black dial?

[Singslinger]

I don't know how much the meteorite dial costs but I do know that Rolex will only perform the swap if the dial you want was available as an option at the time you bought your watch.

In other words, if the model you have didn't have a meteorite option, then they won't do the swap.

I found this out when Rolex Service told me I couldn't change my V-series (11-years old) Milgauss GV dial to the new blue GV version.

Hope this helps.

[El-Duderino]

Yeah, in my experience, Rolex is beyond restrictive when it comes to “modding” their watches. I wanted an extra clasp for my GMT so I could easily swap between a RubberB strap and the OEM bracelet and they said no, they don’t sell individual bracelet parts. I asked if I could get the full bracelet then and they said no.

I mean, I understand they are combating potential grey market and counterfeit issues, but that seems a bit obstinate.

I’ll be curious to hear what they say when you ask for a new dial. Good luck!

[chicagowatchman]

They won’t do it

[Flex368]

If the meteorite dial is actually available for this reference they will let you swap dials. You´ll still have to buy the new dial at full price, so preserving the old markers is not an option.

As you have a factory diamond dial RSC will let you keep it after the dial change, opposed to standard dials which are kept by them.

[Gary Anderson]

Originally Posted by Flex368

If the meteorite dial is actually available for this reference they will let you swap dials. You´ll still have to buy the new dial at full price, so preserving the old markers is not an option.

As you have a factory diamond dial RSC will let you keep it after the dial change, opposed to standard dials which are kept by them.

This is accurate. Plus you will need a service.

Some dials are exchange only like the blue Milgauss dial, hence it can't be retrospectively fitted. Same goes for D-Blue dial, green Daytona, blue Sky Dweller etc. But many new dials aren't and can be fitted even if they weren't available when the watch was purchased.

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by chicagowatchman

They won’t do it

How do you know? Do you have first hand experience like the other posters on this thread?

[macduffi]

Would I have to purchase new baguette markers or would they use the ones on the black dial?

[Flex368]

You buy a completely new dial.

[bp1000]

Rolex have a strange policy on dial swaps.

Anything popular like the Daytona, Green Dial, Blue Dial Sky etc they won't swap.

Steel DJ to Black providing it was an option at the time of buying they will, as part of a full service with additional charge.

I think the only way of finding out is to ask. It may have become a firm no in all cases. To be honest, I just don't see why they should honour it. They have stated firmly in the past, they restore the watch to its original condition.

P.s. there was once a time when they would swap a black dial Daytona to white dial. I enquired but this policy changed to a firm no in around 2018.