First Rolex 16014

[lx384]

Hi All,

I'm going to purchase my first Rolex very soon. Really excited!!!

I'm looking for a dress watch and have decided the exact model I want, the DateJust 16014. It fits my budget and I think it suits my skin color better than the TT 16013.

I found a 1979 Rolex 16014, and I really like the look and the condition it is in. It does not come with box or papers. The dial is silver. Attached is a picture I took, using my Blackberry (bad camera!!) while trying on the watch. The watch dealer is selling it for USD $1850. Is this a good deal? Or should I try to bring down the price more?

It looks well kept for a 30+ year old watch. Is it normal to find vintage watches like this in great condition?

I've been trying to find negative reviews about the 3035 movement, but have yet to find any. Any one with any bad experience with this movement?

Any comments or advice is greatly appreciated!

[Wolfgang427]

Looks good on your wrist price is reasonable, I would buy it.

[Fifth Ave Rolex Man]

Looks good.
Watches like this are easily reconditioned and refinished.
The bracelet looks a little stretched, but you've got probably 50,000 more
miles left on the lil sucker! The price sounds decent.

[Mickey®]

Price is reasonable. If $1850 is his first price. I'd offer 1675.00 IMHO.
Serviced?
Warranty?
Box and papers? (Cool to have on vintage piece in my opinion)


M

[timeisfathaoftruth]

Looks real sharp....and the price sounds right....I'd say go for it....and let the excitement continue!!

[watchdaddy1]

Very nice price IMO box/docs?? (always good to have).if so then I say "JUST DO IT"

[timeisfathaoftruth]

PS: You can always offer a little less (about 10% less I'd say) and if you get it for less all the better....but if push comes to shove I'd probably take it....

[lx384]

Thanks guys, for the extra nudge forward to my purchase ;)

$2000 is the first price. $1850 is the dealer's discounted price. I will try to bargain it down to $1700.

No box no papers. I've tried to find one that has both, but it's so rare. Any down side to not having either?

Thanks for the reminder Mickey. I forgot to ask about the warranty and service history.

How do I go about checking for bracelet stretch? I was told to lift the watch up and let the bracelet hang on the side. If it falls too much, it's stretched. But I do not know how to define 'fall too much'. Is there a guide or something to define bracelet stretch? Any way to fix it?

[drockadam]

Looks great! I love seeing those calculators at AD's!

[lx384]

Another question,

I realised that the index markers at 6 and 9 are thicker than the rest. Is that normal for a datejust dial?

[Oyster1982]

I dont think thats a 16014, it looks more like a 1601 due to the pie pan dial. That DJ has the 1570 movement in it not the 3035.

[lx384]

Originally Posted by Oyster1982

I dont think thats a 16014, it looks more like a 1601 due to the pie pan dial. That DJ has the 1570 movement in it not the 3035.

What is a pie pan dial?

[Oyster1982]

The dial at the edges is beveled downward, the beveled section of the dial looks like the crust of a pie. The 16014 dials are flat like the current dials on a datejust.

[lx384]

Originally Posted by Oyster1982

I dont think thats a 16014, it looks more like a 1601 due to the pie pan dial. That DJ has the 1570 movement in it not the 3035.

You are right. I went back to the shop and it was a 1601-4, not a 16014. Thanks for that Oyster1982! Sharp eye. Both watches actually looked the same. Just a difference in the dial and index markers.

More importantly, I BOUGHT MY FIRST ROLEX! Woo hoo! I also got an original Rolex box thrown in. Just serviced and 1 yr warrenty. Managed to take off another $80.

Bought 2 watches this week! Very satisfied. :)

Here are some pics of the 'damage' done. Thanks to all TRF members for the encouragement and advice! :)






What to next? ;)

[SWIMPRUF]

Congrats! Sure that DJ looks great.

[dddrees]

Very nice, Congrats.

[dddrees]

Very nice, Congrats.

[Oyster1982]

Congrats, good to see that you were able to get a 16014. The 1601-4 is nice however I like the fast beat movements in the 16014. After researching DJ's before buying mine I learned as much as I could about them before buying my DJ 16233. Wear your DJ in good health, may it make you smile when you check the time on it.

[Goose]

Congratulations. Very nice.
Thinking I may go pie pan w/ dauphine sticks soon.
Enjoyed this thread.

All the best, lx384. Wishing you many years of checking the time and seeing that beautiful watch.

Goose.