Inherited a Rolex. Please give me some general ideas about this watch?

[aristotles]

Hello all,

My father passed away and I inherited one of his Rolexes for now. I have no clue about Rolex at all, so I would like to ask some general information about the piece. I believe it is the Datejust II, but again, I don't have much idea. The picture is attached below.

Thanks!

[Gaijin]

Speechless..

[toph]

The watch actually looks ok to me but I wouldn't hold me to that 100% just yet. however I have never seen this bezel,with different coloured gemstones. I.e if there are red rubies it has 4. If it has green emeralds it has 4. Not seen mix and match. Maybe it's aftermarket bezel. In fact join a closer look.. the way they stones are cut suggests it is not a genuine rolex bezel.
Can you please take better pics. You may want to take the bracelet off and look for a model number and serial number and take pics too.
Cheers

[james1787]

I would take it to an authorized dealer to check it out. They can go through it and see what exactly you have.

[pacific17]

Originally Posted by james1787

I would take it to an authorized dealer to check it out. They can go through it and see what exactly you have.

I agree.

[aristotles]

Here are additional pictures.

[watchwatcher]

It's not a DJII as that model is only offered on oyster bracelet, not jubilee...as to the bezel, I would have that checked out by an AD to determine aftermarket or not. Good luck,

[zama]

Interesting piece agree never seen a bezel quite like that. Watch looks genuine although a lot of scratches on the case for a dress watch and the crown positioning of the rolex crown logo looks a bit odd. Need to have an expert look at crack open the case etc.

[MonBK]

An aftermarket bezel for sure.

As far as the dial hard to say with just that picture but I have my doubts.

[ltmgeller]

First off, sorry for your loss. It looks like a legit datejust, not a datejust II. The bezel looks aftermarket to me, but an AD is the best place to go to find out. Good luck.

[ltmgeller]

I'm guessing it's a frankenwatch. The case is from the 90's, but the bracelet seems to be much older. JMHO

[77T]

Welcome to the Forum...

Since you're in LA, perhaps a quick trip over to the Beverly Hills Rolex Service Center (aka: RSC) will be helpful. As others said, some parts appear to be custom, aftermarket items (in other words, not genuine Rolex manufactured). But the only way to know everything about the watch is for the RSC to look at it.

[up2nogood]

Originally Posted by 77T

Welcome to the Forum...

Since you're in LA, perhaps a quick trip over to the Beverly Hills Rolex Service Center (aka: RSC) will be helpful. As others said, some parts appear to be custom, aftermarket items (in other words, not genuine Rolex manufactured). But the only way to know everything about the watch is for the RSC to look at it.

Agree 100%. Sorry to hear about your dad as well.

[Tools]

If athentic, it's a stainless steel/gold Two Tone Datejust, reference 16233 from about 1990. Certainly the bezel and likely the Jubilee dial did not come on this watch.

It's also likely that the bracelet is not original to the watch either, but more research would be needed to determine if it is authentic or from what era it came.

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

I agree with the others that the bezel and dial are most likely fake but the watch is real.
Sorry for your loss, If I was in your position I would hand it over to Rolex Service and have them bring the watch back to its former glory.
Best Of Luck

[james1787]

I forgot to add, my condolences on your loss.

Let us know if you get it checked out by an Authorized Dealer. I also feel its probably an aftermarket bezel, etc. I'd keep it the way it is since that is how your father enjoyed the watch.

[rmfnla]

Welcome to TRF!

I suspect the dial is real but the diamonds might have been added.

No doubt that the bezel is aftermarket, but that's easy to correct if you want.

I love hearing about people scoring a new (to them) Rolex but not in this manner; so sorry for your loss...

[HogwldFLTR]

Very sorry for you loss.

Personally, there is no reason to change anything on the watch other than to perhaps get it serviced and polished. DJ, as others have said, with a Jubilee dial which comes with or without diamonds. If you like the diamonds than just leave it as is and wear it; if not switch them out for another dial. I personally can't speak to the bezel but it is reasonable with the dial. Here is mine with an authentic jubilee dial which was added later (without the diamonds). Mine also came with the original dial as well. FWIW, from my understanding the DJ was intro'd first in 1945 and the Jubilee dial was offered on the 50th Anniversary which would have been 1995. As stated your watch is from about 1991 (X serial number corresponds to that year) so it predates the dial. On the other hand dial replacements are really common for the DJs and since the watch isn't really collectible it doesn't affect the value.

Here's a thread on serial numbers: http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=8478







Currently I have it on a leather strap and I'm considering having the band overhauled.



As far as the bracelet is concerned; from the separation between the links it appears to have some stretch (wear) as does mine. Here is how you tell by holding the watch and seeing how much it droops.

[aristotles]

Thank you everybody very much for the inputs. So here is what going on. I went to the Rolex and they advised me to go to the jewelry appraiser close to them. The appraiser told me that they had to speak "hypothetically" as I did not want them to appraise the watch. First, they said that the dial appears to be real, and the diamonds inside are consistent with all other diamonds in the dial. Now the problem is the bezel. The bezel appears to be aftermarket bezel, according to them, which I intend to believe. However, after a close look, they told me that diamonds in the bezel appears to be real, and consist of 10 carats or so. They said that in order to have the piece serviced with Rolex, I have to replace the diamond bezel with the original one. The cost of servicing is around $600 something. The thing is that I have to replace the bezel with the independent watchmaker as Rolex will not touch this.

Thanks again!

[Nycturbovr6]

Sorry for your loss. Do some research here and have the watch serviced by one of the reputable watchmakers on trf

[jjnd08]

Sorry for your loss, and I'm glad the appraiser was able to help you out and give you some direction.

[watchdog507]

Many watchmakers have original bezels around. Think about every aftermarket watch with diamonds? They're sitting in their drawers. The bezel exchange shouldn't be very expensive and it only takes a minute. You can keep the diamond bezel to remount when you want it on the watch. The watchmakers usually do a pressure test after fitting the bezel. Rolex will service the watch then.

[james1787]

Glad to hear you found some info about the watch. If you don't want to have to deal with replacing the bezel just to get it serviced, you can send it down to Rikki, whom many here use: http://www.timecareinc.com/ who will service your watch. I think I would still keep the watch as your father wore it.

[blue lion]

Originally Posted by james1787

Glad to hear you found some info about the watch. If you don't want to have to deal with replacing the bezel just to get it serviced, you can send it down to Rikki, whom many here use: http://www.timecareinc.com/ who will service your watch. I think I would still keep the watch as your father wore it.

Agreed. Keep it as your dad wore it, which means not sending it to Rolex. Rik does great work and is cheaper than a Rolex Center.

[THC]

To me, it was your Dad's... Get it serviced if needed to make it run, and wear it in good health. He must have loved it and is a great memory on your wrist as he wore it.

[zama]

I go with the general thinking getting one of the TRF recommended services to give it a good service and polish, change nothing and enjoy it as you dad did. And stay on the forum you may get the taste for adding more pieces in the future.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by aristotles

Thank you everybody very much for the inputs. So here is what going on. I went to the Rolex and they advised me to go to the jewelry appraiser close to them. The appraiser told me that they had to speak "hypothetically" as I did not want them to appraise the watch. First, they said that the dial appears to be real, and the diamonds inside are consistent with all other diamonds in the dial. Now the problem is the bezel. The bezel appears to be aftermarket bezel, according to them, which I intend to believe. However, after a close look, they told me that diamonds in the bezel appears to be real, and consist of 10 carats or so. They said that in order to have the piece serviced with Rolex, I have to replace the diamond bezel with the original one. The cost of servicing is around $600 something. The thing is that I have to replace the bezel with the independent watchmaker as Rolex will not touch this.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the update!

The appraiser gave you sound advice.

The bezel is an easy swap and they are all over ebay for under $300.

Either way, welcome to TRF!