Bark Finish Thunderbird???

[Andelain]

Is this thing real?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Thunde...item27c5abb363

I've never even heard of bark on anything except the Day-Date.

[cajunron]

that is INDEED an oddity!

[mdesa]

i'm no expert, but should the "bark" pattern be on the dial??? also, it looks like the bark was chiseled in???

[77T]

Hard to say if it is ALL real. Seems seller has more experience with Diamond Jewelry than with watches. Note that more is said about the diamonds in the dial than the watch.

[dieseldragon]

Originally Posted by mdesa

i'm no expert, but should the "bark" pattern be on the dial??? also, it looks like the bark was chiseled in???

If it was proper bark, which I believe was only available on President or Day Date watches, it would be on the centre links of the bracelet and the watch/strap combo would be solid gold.

Looks like that one has been knocked up in the shed.

[GradyPhilpott]

I guess there's a lot of thinks I've never seen, so I can't speak with authority, but that just looks like a mutilation job to me.

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by rgdejong

that is INDEED an oddity!

That's what I'm thinking. Have to admit, I'm kind of hoping it's real..........

Originally Posted by mdesa

i'm no expert, but should the "bark" pattern be on the dial??? also, it looks like the bark was chiseled in???

I've never seen it on the dial, but I'm no expert either. But speaking of experts, I do know who to call......

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I guess there's a lot of thinks I've never seen, so I can't speak with authority, but that just looks like a mutilation job to me.

My bank account is hoping you're right, but I really don't know.....

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Doesn't look right to me.

[dbphotos]

I just checked the Rolex Report and I see several Jubilee bracelets with a bark finish but I am not seeing the TT. The reference # matches, so I think it is genuine. I have recently seen 2 other bracelets that I had never seen on a Datejust as well, the chameleon brick and mesh.

Since the call has been put out to the Barkmaster I'm guessing he can verify.

[crowncollection]

I have my concerns. The bark is a day date solid gold finish i have nevrr heard of it in two tone in any of my reference books. These also did not in my experience come with a diamond dial. It may be an original and added. That's my opinion regards.

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

I have my concerns. The bark is a day date solid gold finish i have nevrr heard of it in two tone in any of my reference books. These also did not in my experience come with a diamond dial. It may be an original and added. That's my opinion regards.

I'm afraid you may be right on this one... I was hoping......

[BOA]

Looking at it, I wouldn't even call it "bark" because it doesn't compare well. Look at the pictures of real bark in the link below. This treatment is a different species and IMO lacks the professional finish that I've grown accustomed to with Rolex, especially on the case. I mean, Yuk!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=15365

[Tridor]

I've seen bark only on a DD, and my research does not reveal its use on any other model. To me, this looks like a standard, TT T-Bird DJ that's been altered to make it appear "special" and perhaps increase its "perceived" value. If it were indeed a rarity, it would be selling for an exceedingly high premium over the "buy it now" price stated. Also, I have issues with the T-Bird bezel (the size of the numbers doesn't look right to me) and the lower dial lacks any indication of "swiss" or "swiss made." I would be extremely careful on this one.

[dieseldragon]

Originally Posted by Tridor

I've seen bark only on a DD, and my research does not reveal its use on any other model. To me, this looks like a standard, TT T-Bird DJ that's been altered to make it appear "special" and perhaps increase its "perceived" value. If it were indeed a rarity, it would be selling for an exceedingly high premium over the "buy it now" price stated. Also, I have issues with the T-Bird bezel (the size of the numbers doesn't look right to me) and the lower dial lacks any indication of "swiss" or "swiss made." I would be extremely careful on this one.

Bezel looks good to me.
I think the dial is from a regular datejust that has been filed down to fit, as the thunderbird dial is smaller because of the bezel. If you look very closely, you can just see the tops of writing, but not the full text at the 6 marker.
The bark effect has been added by some nutcase who has chiseled it in. To me the watch is pretty worthless as that lot is not going to polish out.

[77T]

It has a pie pan dial - note that the lume dots have been applied right over the T SWISS T print. At best refinished. Anyone who'd customize the bracelet and case wouldn't stop there. That's why I said it was hard to tell what's real.

[bayerische]

I think we have seen something similar here before, can't remember what the outcome was. Something of an aftermarket modification?

[BarkMaster]

I've seen barked DJ's and even Daytonas... Diamond dials... diamond bezels.

Barked jubilee and two-tone bracelets are not unheard of, but if you use the magnifying feature on this particular watch, you will see that the barking was etched; not pressed.

Rolex did not etch the bark texture... it was pressed and no material was lost.

Want to see some bracelets? http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=73646

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Andelain

I've never seen it on the dial, but I'm no expert either. But speaking of experts, I do know who to call......

Better late than never??

[Andelain]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

Better late than never??

Heck yes! I'm just glad you got the call, you're expertise is greatly appreciated.


Thanks to everyone who weighed in here, a lot of good eyes here. Obviously I'm not going to consider adding this one to my collection.

[dieseldragon]

Originally Posted by 77T

It has a pie pan dial - note that the lume dots have been applied right over the T SWISS T print. At best refinished. Anyone who'd customize the bracelet and case wouldn't stop there. That's why I said it was hard to tell what's real.

It's not a pie-pan, its a regular Datejust dial that has been filed down. I know this because I got my fingers burnt by one. When it was taken apart the dial had file marks all round it.
It is virtually impossible to get a replacement dial for one of these outside of Rolex Service as they are fairly rare, so people mash up a regular dial to fit.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by dieseldragon

It's not a pie-pan, its a regular Datejust dial that has been filed down. I know this because I got my fingers burnt by one. When it was taken apart the dial had file marks all round it.
It is virtually impossible to get a replacement dial for one of these outside of Rolex Service as they are fairly rare, so people mash up a regular dial to fit.

Wow, thanks for sharing that one. I'd never have picked up on that.