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zzman · 9 May 2011, 08:33 AM

First let me say hello to everyone! I have been a lurker here for about a year but have been a Rolex owner for several years now. I have leaned more on this site in the last six months than a lifetime of talking with my AD, so thank you.

I have fallen in love with the YG DD with meteorite dial and have begun the search to find just the right one. I do think I could pick one up from my local AD for about $26,000 and I have seen them on the second hand market in the $18000 - $19,000 range. A third choice I was contemplating would be do source the dial separately and have it placed in an older 18038 DD which I am guessing would cost me around $15,000 to get everything up and running.

The question is would a 18038 DD with a meteorite dial be considered a frankenwatch and shunned by the fellow WIS community hurting future value? Would it be better to pay the extra few thousand and by a pre-owned version of the watch?

Ben

TimeToGo · 9 May 2011, 10:02 AM

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

IMO - I would go new because of what you will be investing to get it to your liking, plus a service.

Justjosh · 9 May 2011, 10:06 AM

Welcome

I would just consider the used route if you can find one that has the dial you want and has been recently serviced.

Saving $3,000 (before service) and ordering a dial, etc, and not having an original watch just seems silly to me.
If you're going to spend that kind of money, may as well just buy the real deal.

Christiaan · 9 May 2011, 11:27 AM

Look for the exact watch you want but buy it used to save the cash.

MortgageGuy · 9 May 2011, 11:47 AM

For something in this price range I would NOT switch the dial... this is just my opinion but I would find what you like either pre owned or new depending on the discount you are able to obtain...

IMO changing the dial would NOT make it a frankenwatch as long as the new dial is Rolex too

SPARTAN2161 · 9 May 2011, 11:52 AM

Talk to the sellers here. They may find you a YG DD meteroite dial for a discounted price. Hey maybe for only a little more than what youd pay to "make" the franken watch.

zzman · 9 May 2011, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the help everyone, I was thinking the same thing thing that everyone else has recommended. I just wanted a second opinion before I chose my next course of action.

dbphotos · 9 May 2011, 04:41 PM

To me it is no different than buy a car and putting custome wheels on it. If it is what you like, do it. Save the original dial in case you ever want to resell and you haven't lost a thing in originality.

A nice used 18038, a meteorite dial and a full service will cost you substantially less than new, but you are speaking of 2 different watches as well. If cost is no concern, go new. If you are looking to save some $ then I see nothing wrong with buying the watch you want and changing the dial. I know many feel like you should change nothing, but my feeling is that it is my watch, there is no warranty on a watch that old, so I am going to do what I want to with it to make it uniquely mine.

Abid · 9 May 2011, 05:41 PM

Agreed, save the pennies and buy the real deal. You'll thank us later.

Oh...welcome to the forum!

padi56 · 9 May 2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzman

First let me say hello to everyone! I have been a lurker here for about a year but have been a Rolex owner for several years now. I have leaned more on this site in the last six months than a lifetime of talking with my AD, so thank you.

I have fallen in love with the YG DD with meteorite dial and have begun the search to find just the right one. I do think I could pick one up from my local AD for about $26,000 and I have seen them on the second hand market in the $18000 - $19,000 range. A third choice I was contemplating would be do source the dial separately and have it placed in an older 18038 DD which I am guessing would cost me around $15,000 to get everything up and running.

The question is would a 18038 DD with a meteorite dial be considered a frankenwatch and shunned by the fellow WIS community hurting future value? Would it be better to pay the extra few thousand and by a pre-owned version of the watch?

Ben

If the dial is available on any Rolex watch model they retail it with, it will make no difference whatsoever to the future value.Myself would always try to find a good used in any precious metal watch.As in general after they do not hold there value as well as most of the S.Steel in proportion to price paid.At one time you could choose from a catalogue of Rolex dials for the DD and choose which one you wanted.

Tools · 10 May 2011, 02:17 AM

Many people misuse the term "Frankenwatch"...

The term should be applied to a watch that has been "made up" from taking parts off of several other watches to come up with a particular model... either a correct looking vintage, or a more modern piece... (usually done to get a higher sales price)

. There are a lot of those on the market and very difficult to detect..

If you simply have a watch and put a different dial in it, then you have a watch with the wrong dial... not a Frankenwatch..

If the dial is available for your watch (as mentioned) then it's just a dial swap and pretty normal stuff...

Only you can decide if you want to spend the money to get the model fitted the way you want............

9 May 2011, 08:33 AM	#1
zzman "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Ben Location: So Cal Watch: Sub, Explorer Posts: 3	Would this be a Frankenwatch???? First let me say hello to everyone! I have been a lurker here for about a year but have been a Rolex owner for several years now. I have leaned more on this site in the last six months than a lifetime of talking with my AD, so thank you. I have fallen in love with the YG DD with meteorite dial and have begun the search to find just the right one. I do think I could pick one up from my local AD for about $26,000 and I have seen them on the second hand market in the $18000 - $19,000 range. A third choice I was contemplating would be do source the dial separately and have it placed in an older 18038 DD which I am guessing would cost me around $15,000 to get everything up and running. The question is would a 18038 DD with a meteorite dial be considered a frankenwatch and shunned by the fellow WIS community hurting future value? Would it be better to pay the extra few thousand and by a pre-owned version of the watch? Ben

9 May 2011, 11:27 AM	#4
Christiaan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Christiaan Location: Fort Mill, SC Watch: 67' Breitling Navi Posts: 1,617	Look for the exact watch you want but buy it used to save the cash. __________________ "Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities" Frank Lloyd Wright. "For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been and there you will long to return." DaVinci

9 May 2011, 11:47 AM	#5
MortgageGuy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Adam Location: Orlando, Florida Watch: Me Posts: 9,935	For something in this price range I would NOT switch the dial... this is just my opinion but I would find what you like either pre owned or new depending on the discount you are able to obtain... IMO changing the dial would NOT make it a frankenwatch as long as the new dial is Rolex too __________________ The richest people in the world look for and build NETWORKS, Everyone else looks for work... Robert Kiyosaki

9 May 2011, 04:41 PM	#8
dbphotos "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: David Location: Texas Watch: your 6! Posts: 898	To me it is no different than buy a car and putting custome wheels on it. If it is what you like, do it. Save the original dial in case you ever want to resell and you haven't lost a thing in originality. A nice used 18038, a meteorite dial and a full service will cost you substantially less than new, but you are speaking of 2 different watches as well. If cost is no concern, go new. If you are looking to save some $ then I see nothing wrong with buying the watch you want and changing the dial. I know many feel like you should change nothing, but my feeling is that it is my watch, there is no warranty on a watch that old, so I am going to do what I want to with it to make it uniquely mine. __________________ www.DavidBailey.com Rolex DD YG 18238 \| Rolex 1675 Pepsi \| Rolex 14060 \| Rolex Vintage 6694 \| Rolex TT 16013 \| Tudor Tiger 79280P on Shark strap \| a whole bunch of misc watches

10 May 2011, 02:17 AM	#11
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	Many people misuse the term "Frankenwatch"... The term should be applied to a watch that has been "made up" from taking parts off of several other watches to come up with a particular model... either a correct looking vintage, or a more modern piece... (usually done to get a higher sales price) . There are a lot of those on the market and very difficult to detect.. If you simply have a watch and put a different dial in it, then you have a watch with the wrong dial... not a Frankenwatch.. If the dial is available for your watch (as mentioned) then it's just a dial swap and pretty normal stuff... Only you can decide if you want to spend the money to get the model fitted the way you want............ __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

9 May 2011, 10:02 AM	#2
TimeToGo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,736	WELCOME TO THE FORUM IMO - I would go new because of what you will be investing to get it to your liking, plus a service.

9 May 2011, 10:06 AM	#3
Justjosh "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Josh Location: WI Watch: This Posts: 856	Welcome I would just consider the used route if you can find one that has the dial you want and has been recently serviced. Saving $3,000 (before service) and ordering a dial, etc, and not having an original watch just seems silly to me. If you're going to spend that kind of money, may as well just buy the real deal.

9 May 2011, 11:52 AM	#6
SPARTAN2161 Banned Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Nick H. Location: Amherst, NY Watch: me flip Posts: 1,901	Talk to the sellers here. They may find you a YG DD meteroite dial for a discounted price. Hey maybe for only a little more than what youd pay to "make" the franken watch.

9 May 2011, 03:57 PM	#7
zzman "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Ben Location: So Cal Watch: Sub, Explorer Posts: 3	Thanks for the help everyone, I was thinking the same thing thing that everyone else has recommended. I just wanted a second opinion before I chose my next course of action.

9 May 2011, 05:41 PM	#9
Abid "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Watch: 16610LV Posts: 466	Agreed, save the pennies and buy the real deal. You'll thank us later. Oh...welcome to the forum!

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