vintage day-date info request please

[Chadridv]

My Dad and I are trying to figure out the history of this watch. There are some unusual aspects to the configuration, materials, etc.

Here's what we suspect...

The Dial: Although this dial color may have been original at one point, we think the diamonds indicate a modification. We think from this time period the diamonds would have likely been placed in fewer markers, for example at 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, as opposed to every available marker. So we think either this is not the original dial to match this watch or the dial was modified.

The Hands: My Dad seems to think the white gold models would have had white gold hands, making these gold hands unoriginal.

Questions for the experts:
Is it possible the dial is original?

If not, is it possible the dial is an unauthentic Rolex part?

Is it possible the hands are the original hands? Was this configuration available?

If the answers are no to all or most, what would the recommended process be, if any, to get this watch back to an original (original configuration that is) state?

Thank you!

[MonBK]

The diamonds are correctly placed.

[omitohud]

I'll try. The dial is original n has the correct diamond setting for DD. Did u know it was originally blue? This particular color of that particular era is peculiar to flake around the lume. Hopefully it stabilize n doesnt spread further. As to the hands, i suspect it was replaced sometime with gold hands. Easy fix if you can source a set.


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[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by MonBK

The diamonds are correctly placed.

Originally Posted by omitohud

I'll try. The dial is original n has the correct diamond setting for DD. Did u know it was originally blue? This particular color of that particular era is peculiar to flake around the lume. Hopefully it stabilize n doesnt spread further. As to the hands, i suspect it was replaced sometime with gold hands. Easy fix if you can source a set.


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Thank you both! That's overall good news.

Omitohud, as for the trit stabilizing, is there anyway to tell if it's stabilized, or just time and observation?

As for the dial color, I kind of assumed it was blue. In some lights it still looks blue, but I guess it has a little bit of a purple fade to it now.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

My Dad and I are trying to figure out the history of this watch. There are some unusual aspects to the configuration, materials, etc.



Here's what we suspect...



The Dial: Although this dial color may have been original at one point, we think the diamonds indicate a modification. We think from this time period the diamonds would have likely been placed in fewer markers, for example at 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, as opposed to every available marker. So we think either this is not the original dial to match this watch or the dial was modified.



The Hands: My Dad seems to think the white gold models would have had white gold hands, making these gold hands unoriginal.



Questions for the experts:

Is it possible the dial is original?



If not, is it possible the dial is an unauthentic Rolex part?



Is it possible the hands are the original hands? Was this configuration available?



If the answers are no to all or most, what would the recommended process be, if any, to get this watch back to an original (original configuration that is) state?



Thank you!

Dial is correct and authentic, hands are incorrect they should be white gold

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Dial is correct and authentic, hands are incorrect they should be white gold

Thank you for chiming in!

Does anyone know a part or reference number on the correct hands, so I can start trying to source them?

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Thank you both! That's overall good news.



Omitohud, as for the trit stabilizing, is there anyway to tell if it's stabilized, or just time and observation?



As for the dial color, I kind of assumed it was blue. In some lights it still looks blue, but I guess it has a little bit of a purple fade to it now.

Given that the watch is a few decade old, i would assume it has already stabilized but no one knows for sure. What would b of concern is if the lume particle gets loose n gets into the movement. I doubt it but again, its hard to predict. I would just not worry n just enjoy wearing it. Here is mine with a similar issue.


As for the hands, i dont know the parts no. Someone with rolex parts manual can provide the info, but they r plenty around n not hard to find. Good luck.

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[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by omitohud

Given that the watch is a few decade old, i would assume it has already stabilized but no one knows for sure. What would b of concern is if the lume particle gets loose n gets into the movement. I doubt it but again, its hard to predict. I would just not worry n just enjoy wearing it. Here is mine with a similar issue.


As for the hands, i dont know the parts no. Someone with rolex parts manual can provide the info, but they r plenty around n not hard to find. Good luck.

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wow thanks for the info! and beautiful watch btw.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by omitohud

As for the hands, i dont know the parts no. Someone with rolex parts manual can provide the info, but they r plenty around n not hard to find. Good luck.

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Any chance you know the reference number for my watch or approximate year?

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by chadridv

any chance you know the reference number for my watch or approximate year?

18039

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Any chance you know the reference number for my watch or approximate year?

If u can, take off the bracelet at 6 oclock n check the serial no. For approximate date of production.


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[southtexas]

To OP--your watch is white gold, correct?

I could be mistaken, but if so shouldn't the dial have white gold coronet and white font (like omitohud's example)? Also as mentioned, WG hands.

[omitohud]

Originally Posted by southtexas

To OP--your watch is white gold, correct?

I could be mistaken, but if so shouldn't the dial have white gold coronet and white font (like omitohud's example)? Also as mentioned, WG hands.

U r right. Missed that one. Ha ha ha 😭


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[MonBK]

Could it be that the dial and hands were switched from a YG DD?

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by southtexas

To OP--your watch is white gold, correct?

I could be mistaken, but if so shouldn't the dial have white gold coronet and white font (like omitohud's example)? Also as mentioned, WG hands.

Also missed the coronet, correct Robby it should have a white gold coronet, this is an older yg gold president dial

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Could it be that the dial and hands were switched from a YG DD?

That's my guess. Along the way someone wanted a diamond dial and that one was available. I personally like the contrasting look.

[MitchSteel]

It appears to have a Yellow Gold Dial and Hands, ref. 18038.
A correct dial for this reference should have a " silver coloured" coronet.

[dpa94114]

Is there 100% consensus on the Gold coronet with WG diamond settings being problematic?

I have purchased a WG 1803 w/ Diamond dial with a gold coronet from a VRF TRUSTED seller - the dial having been vetted in post on this very forum.

thanks

[southtexas]

Factory dials were made with wg settings and yg coronet (not sure if that answers your question).


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[Mike Wood]

The dial and hands (all are authentic!) appear to be for a yellow gold Day-Date, and it is likely they have been fitted after manufacture.

The degradation of the blue painted dial surface will continue over time.

MW

[dpa94114]

This could be on a rolex day-date exam

So the consensus is that all the pieces are authentic, but did not come in this configuration originally?

thanks - this is quite helpful.

doug