confused about this datejust I just purchased

[radinc]

ok, so I got a datejust, R serial (1988).

it's kind of a frankenwatch, the bezel has been replaced as well as the band (with rolex parts). I wonder if the dial has also been replaced.

see it has a salmon colored roman dial, which says "swiss made" at the bottom, but does not have any lume? shouldn't this be super-luminova based on the markings?

I took it to an ad to get checked out before I purchased it and he proclaimed it genuine although he did tell me the bezel and the band were swapped out.

any ideas?

[dooder202]

Some Rolex's don't have lume, expecially on Datejust models with Roman numerals. I'm not exper, but that is just my observation.

[dooder202]

BTW, if the dial was swapped out, I don't think you would ever know if the original dial DID have lume- unless you can find old pictures of that model of course.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by radinc

ok, so I got a datejust, R serial (1988).

it's kind of a frankenwatch, the bezel has been replaced as well as the band (with rolex parts). I wonder if the dial has also been replaced.

see it has a salmon colored roman dial, which says "swiss made" at the bottom, but does not have any lume? shouldn't this be super-luminova based on the markings?

I took it to an ad to get checked out before I purchased it and he proclaimed it genuine although he did tell me the bezel and the band were swapped out.

any ideas?

No, it should have tritium, not luminova, which would have lost it's lume long ago. My 1986 DJ was the same.
dP

[MonBK]

You are correct, the dial has been replaced.

[radinc]

ok so it's a new dial -- but one that didn't come with any lume?
if it were a tritium dial it should have the "swiss T" (or variation) markings, correct?

[Minutehand]

Are the hands original? Most likely if the hands have loom, the original dial also would have had loom. If the original hands have no loom, the original dial would have had no loom.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by radinc

ok so it's a new dial -- but one that didn't come with any lume?
if it were a tritium dial it should have the "swiss T" (or variation) markings, correct?

Come to think of it, you're probably right. Not sure why there's no lume.
dP

[radinc]

ah, I think dooder202 had it, rolex has no lume option for romans!

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by dooder202

Some Rolex's don't have lume, expecially on Datejust models with Roman numerals. I'm not exper, but that is just my observation.

There are always exceptions.

My avatar's Roman face is original and it has lume and is marked T SWISS MADE T.

The hands match the numerals (black enamel inlay) and they have lume, too.

[CPTL]

If it's been serviced, the dial could have been replaced by a newer dial. Newer dials without any Trit just say "Swiss Made" on the dial.

And, as many others have mentioned, the Roman dials don't have lume. The hands may or may not have lume, depending on whether they were replaced and the specific dial configuration.

If a watch is sent to Rolex for service, and some parts are replaced with genuine Rolex parts, then it's certainly not a frankenwatch.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by CPTL

If it's been serviced, the dial could have been replaced by a newer dial. Newer dials without any Trit just say "Swiss Made" on the dial.

And, as many others have mentioned, the Roman dials don't have lume. The hands may or may not have lume, depending on whether they were replaced and the specific dial configuration.

If a watch is sent to Rolex for service, and some parts are replaced with genuine Rolex parts, then it's certainly not a frankenwatch.

No, as I just mentioned my original Roman dial does have lume and is marked T SWISS MADE T.

[CPTL]

Originally Posted by rmfnla

No, as I just mentioned my original Roman dial does have lume and is marked T SWISS MADE T.

Does the dial have lume, or just the hands? And I would dare say that most (if not all) newer Roman DIALS don't have lume--the pyramid Roman dial simply has solid white gold indices without any lume. Some older Roman dials had painted numerals--again no lume. I personally have not seen a Roman DIAL with lume, but I've seen many with lumed hands.

[Speed]

What are you trying to accomplish now? Are you happy with your purchase? If so, congrats!

Sounds like you did not do much research or check out the seller very well. You also knew you were buying a Frankenwatch, but you were ok with that?

Sorry, I am confused...so I am trying piece things together.

[Jfscars48]

Just bought a 40 year old Datejust with a gray dial. How much would a black dial be if when I send it to Dallas I tell them I want a new dial?

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by CPTL

Does the dial have lume, or just the hands? And I would dare say that most (if not all) newer Roman DIALS don't have lume--the pyramid Roman dial simply has solid white gold indices without any lume. Some older Roman dials had painted numerals--again no lume. I personally have not seen a Roman DIAL with lume, but I've seen many with lumed hands.

The dial has lume; little tiny dots on the RR tracks at each numeral and at the date window.

The numerals are gold overlays, not painted.

OEM all the way.

[NMS75]

Any photos of this "frankenwatch"?

M

[rmfnla]

Yeah; we love photos!

[pz93c]

If that year would have had Trit, your dial is not marked for Trit and has no Trit, I think you're good.

Are the hands lumed?

[Jocke]

Tha romans have flashlights, therefore will there be no lume.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Tha romans have flashlights, therefore will there be no lume.

I thought the Romans had torches?

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I thought the Romans had torches?

Only the bad ones.