Help me with this 1500 *Chosing my first Rolex*

[Montenegrin1919]

Hello everyone and thank you so much for your help. I was thinking about buying this 1500 as my first Rolex. The dial has been restored. What do you think?

[Dan S]

Are you sure it has been restored and isn't just a service dial/handset?

A couple of things to keep in mind:
- This model is too small for some men, only 34mm.
- Unless the watch comes with convincing documentation of a recent service, You should budget at least $500 for a full movement service before giving the watch as a gift.

[Montenegrin1919]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Are you sure it has been restored and isn't just a service dial/handset?

A couple of things to keep in mind:
- This model is too small for some men, only 34mm.
- Unless the watch comes with convincing documentation of a recent service, You should budget at least $500 for a full movement service before giving the watch as a gift.

Well, the seller is a reputable watchmaker from Singapore, and he said that they restored the dial and that Movement was recently serviced with 1 year warranty.

[Dan S]

If that dial has been repainted, I'm impressed and a bit surprised. That said, a repainted dial would be a total turn-off for me.

If you can verify that the seller is a professional watchmaker (e.g. with a web presence) and he claims to have serviced the watch, you should get a written warranty for at least 6 months.

[Montenegrin1919]

Originally Posted by Dan S

If that dial has been repainted, I'm impressed and a bit surprised. That said, a repainted dial would be a total turn-off for me.

If you can verify that the seller is a professional watchmaker (e.g. with a web presence) and he claims to have serviced the watch, you should get a written warranty for at least 6 months.

They have a shop in Singapore and they are very present online with good reviews. They also give me 1 year movement waranty.

[Nick9]

With the points noted above, if the price is right I think that’s a very attractive watch and a good choice.

Hard to believe that’s repainted.

[CNDguy]

Um … if that’s a re-dial then I officially give up, throwin in the towel!

[Montenegrin1919]

Originally Posted by Nick9

With the points noted above, if the price is right I think that’s a very attractive watch and a good choice.

Hard to believe that’s repainted.

They ask for 2500$

[winst]

Looks a really nice watch if the price is right. If the dial has been restored, I believe by the look of it there has been no repainting, just refreshing of lume dots and possibly cleaning up batons or writing. It would be very difficult to reproduce the sunburst finish, with most repainted dials ending up as a result with a gloss or matt non sunburst. Bracelet has a little bit of stretch in it but I would put it safely to one side and buy a good reproduction bracelet from Raffles Dials for about £50 rather than pay fo a ebuikd etc.

[R.W.T.]

WRONG MOVEMENT AUTO BRIDGE. That's for a DAY DATE. The movement is COMPLETELY WRONG. That is a 1520 balance and balance bridge at the very least. The hairspring is completely out of center. This is cobbled to me.

It should have a 1560 or 1570, both of which are Free Sprung. This has a regulator.
The 1525 which this likely is came in like...Air King Date models. You don't see that in a 1500.

Run away.

[TuRo]

Yes indeed r.w.t...butterfly rotor had me perplexed.... heres some calibre/mvt data.

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...ince-1950.html

[Montenegrin1919]

Thanks people!!!!

[joe100]

There is so much wrong with this. Besides that disaster of a movement, the dial and hands are much later.

I dislike it when new folks come here and tell us they’re buying from a “reputable” dealer. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for the enthusiasts here to be the ones to tell you who is reputable? In this case specifically, the seller of this watch is not someone I’d consider reputable.

[studioal]

Sad that watches like this are being sold by so called "reputable" dealers. What does "reputable" mean anymore these days? A big following on instagram? 5/5 on Yelp? Word of mouth?

Its SO easy to fool the casual observer.