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Rscmaine · 2 June 2017, 04:56 AM

Picked up from an 85ish year old fella who brought 7 Rolex watches into the store for whom I do appraisals and authentication.

Others included a brilliant 1016 Explorer, a 116203 and a couple of Subs - all authentic.

We took the Explorer, Datejust and this 37XXX (relatively rare) smooth bezel bi-metal 1601.

Seller actually collapsed, unconscious, during the transaction requiring paramedics and treatment - refusing the offer of a trip to the ER and completing the deal...probably because when you're pushing ninty? Procrastination is not advisable..

So, we had a guy who obviously wasn't hurting for cash and routinely had his watches serviced by Rolex.

The 1601 has a cool 'computer' dial with diamond hour markers (which look exactly like the diamond settings I've seen on OEM dials)

What are the chances that Rolex might have actually crafted this dial as a special order? I can easily see this fella choosing that route. (And if it IS aftermarket? OEM dials for these are a dime a dozen, so I can easily replace.)

Hopefully pictures show up...Photobucket has been a pain recently.

Thanks!

MonBK · 2 June 2017, 04:59 AM

It's a Jubilee dial with non correct diamonds.

Rscmaine · 2 June 2017, 05:06 AM

That's what I thought...but, since I like it? I'll keep it this way until I inevitably decide to flip. Again, tossing in a simple OEM stick dial is a 10 minute fix.

MonBK · 2 June 2017, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rscmaine

That's what I thought...but, since I like it? I'll keep it this way until I inevitably decide to flip. Again, tossing in a simple OEM stick dial is a 10 minute fix.

I like it too.

crowncollection · 2 June 2017, 07:26 AM

Diamonds are aftermarket

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MorningTundra · 2 June 2017, 08:16 AM

Wow, what a wild story. Any more details on the seller?

Sent from my cracked, broken, hand wound Phone

Richard Carver · 2 June 2017, 11:01 AM

A 1601 would have a fluted bezel, 1600 smooth. The dial is a total redo, the computer print wasn't available for 4 digit refs. But like you say, 10 minutes an original dial and fluted bezel and the most insane originality phreak will not beat you to a pulp for sacrilege. :)

southtexas · 2 June 2017, 12:54 PM

Post Pics of the explorer???

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2 June 2017, 04:56 AM	#1
Rscmaine "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Nat Parkinson Location: Maine, USA Watch: me pull a rabbit.. Posts: 1,196	Chances that Rolex might have custom made this dial? Picked up from an 85ish year old fella who brought 7 Rolex watches into the store for whom I do appraisals and authentication. Others included a brilliant 1016 Explorer, a 116203 and a couple of Subs - all authentic. We took the Explorer, Datejust and this 37XXX (relatively rare) smooth bezel bi-metal 1601. Seller actually collapsed, unconscious, during the transaction requiring paramedics and treatment - refusing the offer of a trip to the ER and completing the deal...probably because when you're pushing ninty? Procrastination is not advisable.. So, we had a guy who obviously wasn't hurting for cash and routinely had his watches serviced by Rolex. The 1601 has a cool 'computer' dial with diamond hour markers (which look exactly like the diamond settings I've seen on OEM dials) What are the chances that Rolex might have actually crafted this dial as a special order? I can easily see this fella choosing that route. (And if it IS aftermarket? OEM dials for these are a dime a dozen, so I can easily replace.) Hopefully pictures show up...Photobucket has been a pain recently. Thanks! __________________ When the alien spaceships actually landed, to everyone's surprise, it turned out that the world's governments had not been hiding anything. They were just as clueless as the rest of us!

2 June 2017, 05:06 AM	#3
Rscmaine "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Nat Parkinson Location: Maine, USA Watch: me pull a rabbit.. Posts: 1,196	That's what I thought...but, since I like it? I'll keep it this way until I inevitably decide to flip. Again, tossing in a simple OEM stick dial is a 10 minute fix. __________________ When the alien spaceships actually landed, to everyone's surprise, it turned out that the world's governments had not been hiding anything. They were just as clueless as the rest of us!

2 June 2017, 07:26 AM	#5
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,216	Diamonds are aftermarket Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ watches many

2 June 2017, 12:54 PM	#8
southtexas 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Great State of TX Posts: 5,764	Post Pics of the explorer??? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Forty six & 2 are just ahead of me. Follow me on Instagram @ccrolex

2 June 2017, 04:59 AM	#2
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	It's a Jubilee dial with non correct diamonds.

2 June 2017, 08:16 AM	#6
MorningTundra "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Real Name: Morningtundra Location: USA, UK & HKG Posts: 1,038	Wow, what a wild story. Any more details on the seller? Sent from my cracked, broken, hand wound Phone

2 June 2017, 11:01 AM	#7
Richard Carver "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: US Posts: 2,237	A 1601 would have a fluted bezel, 1600 smooth. The dial is a total redo, the computer print wasn't available for 4 digit refs. But like you say, 10 minutes an original dial and fluted bezel and the most insane originality phreak will not beat you to a pulp for sacrilege. :)

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