Help-scammed 30 years ago?

[kauffee]

Originally Posted by Forum-Dweller

...but the serial is scratched off.



Anyway, the appraisal is trash. Either the guy completely overlooked the diamond bezel or that was added after the appraisal. It only mentions of it having an 18k bezel.

If I’m not mistaken the movement should also have a serial #. Even if it’s “scratched off” between the lugs Rolex may want to replace the midcase. And if it’s an aftermarket bezel they’ll replace it with a genuine one. It may cost a bunch and come back looking different but if it’s a real Rolex it will come back legitimate.


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[KrismanX]

I'd take any record you've got from the original sale and head back to that dealer. See what they can do for you. Maybe they have old sales logs with the original serial number. Good luck!

[honesty]

I am feeling so relieved - Between the kind words by you thoughtful folks and the watch on this link that looks and is described exactly like mine...
https://www.truefacet.com/rolex-day-...h-2018202.html
Perhaps we weren’t hoodwinked after all!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by honesty

I am feeling so relieved - Between the kind words by you thoughtful folks and the watch on this link that looks and is described exactly like mine...
https://www.truefacet.com/rolex-day-...h-2018202.html
Perhaps we weren’t hoodwinked after all!

Watch looks fine and very unlikely to have been stolen before it was sold to you, but you should have insurance for this anyway. You can sell now to a dealer but you might get a lowball offer so try a few including ones on this forum in the Classifieds. Or might be better to get the watch serviced by RSC, and thus more security for the buyer and so a better price.

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by Walts

Could you post a picture of the or at least tell us what type of Rolex was purchased. What do you mean when you say the model number was a typo ? Rolex generally didn't make mistakes when marking the model number . Pictures of that would help .

She meant typo on the appraisal letter from the dealer

[05carbondrz]

"8" was a common number added to the end of a refrence number to designate solid gold.Like 1680/8 was the solid gold sub and 1675/8 was the solid gold GMT but it was only used on Steel watches that where available in Gold.My guess is the appraiser added the "8" to 1803 to designate solid gold even though Day Dates where never available in Steel.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Forum-Dweller

...but the serial is scratched off.

Anyway, the appraisal is trash. Either the guy completely overlooked the diamond bezel or that was added after the appraisal. It only mentions of it having an 18k bezel.

It says 2 ct diamond and 18k gold bezel. You’ve read it incorrectly

[Devildog]

Op. The serial number on my wife’s 25 year old steel oyster perpetual has been almost
“scratched off” by the bracelet end link rubbing against the case.

I suspect the dealer means worn off in your case which looking at the bracelet wear on your husbands watch would be completely understandable.

[joli160]

I hope David (Crowncollection) chimes in

[JnmEaton]

I assure you that looks like a perfectly legit 1803 or 18038. Needs a good cleaning but here's my 1984 18038 for your peace of mind.... Bezel, check. Diamond dial, check. I haven't taken the bracelet of in a while but....

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[Jocke]

I guess it's a 1803 made in 1988 and that is the reason for the 180388 number.

[lecorsaire]

The price was right in line with what it was worth then. The bracelet sadly needs an overhaul to get it back to great condition. This is the problem with the older DDs and why many people end up putting them on leather. The new ones aren't immune to this, but are much more resistant to this happening unless it's being worn really loose which is a no no with either the president or jubilee.

Also the bezel is aftermarket. If you ever want to sell it, I would try to find an original fluted bezel to bring the watch back to its original state. However when you factor in the cost of refurbishing the bracelet and the price of a fluted bezel, it may end up costing more than the market price of the watch. Some people don't mind aftermarket diamonds but many do. I tend to see aftermarket diamonds added the most to 1803s/18038s and 16233s by jewelers to sell the watches for more money to people who don't know much about Rolex. Even if the setting was done well, there is always a flaw or something not properly lined up that gives it away.

A dead giveaway on DJs is seeing baguettes on the dial. Only DDs are available with factory baguettes at 6 and 9. Nothing else.

[Eulogy]

From the looks of that 1803 it is probably older than the 1980's. Here's a link to a thread that has a picture of my 1803 that is dated to the early-mid 1960's. The hands look very similar.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=398613

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by lecorsaire

The price was right in line with what it was worth then. The bracelet sadly needs an overhaul to get it back to great condition. This is the problem with the older DDs and why many people end up putting them on leather. The new ones aren't immune to this, but are much more resistant to this happening unless it's being worn really loose which is a no no with either the president or jubilee.

Also the bezel is aftermarket. If you ever want to sell it, I would try to find an original fluted bezel to bring the watch back to its original state. However when you factor in the cost of refurbishing the bracelet and the price of a fluted bezel, it may end up costing more than the market price of the watch. Some people don't mind aftermarket diamonds but many do. I tend to see aftermarket diamonds added the most to 1803s/18038s and 16233s by jewelers to sell the watches for more money to people who don't know much about Rolex. Even if the setting was done well, there is always a flaw or something not properly lined up that gives it away.

A dead giveaway on DJs is seeing baguettes on the dial. Only DDs are available with factory baguettes at 6 and 9. Nothing else.

Just curious. how did you know the bezel is not original? Rolex did not have diamond bezel for this model? Also, how much will it cost to replace the bezel and repair the bracelet? I see this watch being sold around $12,000. Will the repair cost that much?!!

[OgSnowflake]

Old day dates with factory diamonds make my heart melt...honestly the more worn the better in my eye it’s just a watch that doesn’t get old....service it and wear it forget about suing somebody 30 yrs later.

[Lhn5]

Would any fraudster put real diamonds on a fake rolex? Are the diamonds real? Great pics by the way, what camera and lens is that?

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I guess it's a 1803 made in 1988 and that is the reason for the 180388 number.

I agree but that it was sold in 1988. I don't think 1803s were made that late.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Good point. Maybe the appraisal put the year of purchase ('88) after the reference number 1803......hence, the number 180388 showing on the appraisal.

agree

[Xerxes77]

Originally Posted by ak797

i would try them, the store is still in business so should be offering good customer service. If you still want to sell it, you could take it to a rolex service center and ask them to verify it is genuine, or have a service and refurbishment as well, altho this will cost depending on how much work needs to be done.

x2

[JnmEaton]

Originally Posted by breitlings

agree

Or, it's an 18038 and they were using a typewriter and got a little jumpy and double tapped the 8...... it was the 80's

[Lordofrolex]

Very bad appraisal. I would go to the shop and see what they would do. The serial should not be scratched. Have you ever gotten it authenticated or had it serviced?

[honesty]

The watch has never been authenticated nor has it been serviced, and I am not sure if the diamonds are real.
JnmEaton's watch & my watch have the spots circled in attached photo, but the one on truefacet website on prior post does not. Does anyone know what those spots are?
Making plans to go to the shop where it was purchased in '88, it is almost 3 hours drive each way. I should probably arrange to meet with the owner/appraiser beforehand so as not to waste the trip (though I would get a kick out of the element of surprise)
ps. photos taken w/iphone SE

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by honesty

The watch has never been authenticated nor has it been serviced, and I am not sure if the diamonds are real.
JnmEaton's watch & my watch have the spots circled in attached photo, but the one on truefacet website on prior post does not. Does anyone know what those spots are?
Making plans to go to the shop where it was purchased in '88, it is almost 3 hours drive each way. I should probably arrange to meet with the owner/appraiser beforehand so as not to waste the trip (though I would get a kick out of the element of surprise)
ps. photos taken w/iphone SE

Those are Lume plots that used to glow in the dark,Some Dials had them some didn’t and some fell off over Time.

[MonBK]

I'm still trying to understand what the scam was 30 years ago?

[Onikage]

A lot of ADs are unreliable for info regarding anything vintage. It's possible the guy has never even seen one of these, and as for causing alarm by informing you the serial has been 'scratched out' - Very professional. No mention of end links being the common cause for this just through normal wear, particularly on softer gold pieces? Either he was completely unaware of this or just an a-hole. I'm going with the latter. Beautiful watch by the way!

[honesty]

Hi MonBK, I thought my husband was scammed 30 years ago because the AD that I brought it to this week had all negative comments to make. First offered $4,200 because of aftermarket parts. Then took offer away when he looked closer and serial number was scratched off. I was so totally dismayed!

[honesty]

Thank you Onikage! You are very kind!

[honesty]

05carbondrz, those Lume plots are so cool, I’m sitting in the dark now checking them out! thanks!

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by honesty

Hi MonBK, I thought my husband was scammed 30 years ago because the AD that I brought it to this week had all negative comments to make. First offered $4,200 because of aftermarket parts. Then took offer away when he looked closer and serial number was scratched off. I was so totally dismayed!

As others have already said, don't pay attention to a crooked dealer that tried to SCAM YOU.

That watch is still worth it's weight in gold.