Some advice before bringing this to RSC

[Chadridv]

I'm planning to bring this rather beautiful white gold vintage day date to RSC in efforts to get things in order. What I mean is that (although authentic) the yellow gold hands and beautiful blue dial dial w/diamonds clearly aren't originally sold with a white gold watch.

I'd like to get this watch back to original and consistent configuration. RSC has told me that they think they should be able to source all the parts required to do so.

So, I will take them up on it and see what's involved and what this will cost.

My question for you guys, any advice before brining this watch in? It's not your typical service trip and I'd like to be prepared prior to drop off with different options, and possible outcomes of how this may play out.

Thank you all very much!

[JP Chestnut]

I realize it's probably a franken, but I really like the blue/gold combo. Will the RSC return the replaced parts, and do you care if they don't?

[Onikage]

I'd certainly want to keep the dial if you do have it changed. The diamond settings are in white gold. Are you sure it isn't original to the watch?

[Old Expat Beast]

Tell them you want to keep the original day and date wheel in place (assuming you do). As these are considered movement parts, they will be replaced without asking you. This is what happened to me in HK anyway. Had to go back and get them to put the original back in after service.

[Mfrankel2]

Agree the hands look out of place but for me, if you put on WG hands, the serti blue dial works

[dominic.warren]

You have a horrible collection there. Ok just kidding I love it!

[Rolex addict]

Before sending it in, I would want in writing from RSC that you will get those parts back. That's just me, though. I'm sure if they keep them that they would give you a certain amount towards the replacement parts. Take your time and write down a list of questions you need answers to before sending off. This minimizes the chances for a surprise.

[Chadridv]

Thanks guys! I will definitely make it very clear that I want to keep the original parts. I'm 99% sure you can do this, but you have to pay "replacement" pricing vs. "trade in" pricing.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Tell them you want to keep the original day and date wheel in place (assuming you do). As these are considered movement parts, they will be replaced without asking you. This is what happened to me in HK anyway. Had to go back and get them to put the original back in after service.

Yes I think I would want to keep that. So just to be clear, you're saying the day and date apertures would be replaced for brand new ones with no indication of age or patina If I don't tell them otherwise? Thanks Adam.

Originally Posted by Mfrankel2

Agree the hands look out of place but for me, if you put on WG hands, the serti blue dial works

Yes, the blue dial looks amazing on WG IMO, however the crown is yellow gold on this dial, which makes me thing the dial and hands are an original set. Although I beleive the dial is authentic Rolex, I don't think it's original to this watch and I'm pretty sure they'd make me swap it.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Yes, the blue dial looks amazing on WG IMO, however the crown is yellow gold on this dial, which makes me thing the dial and hands are an original set. Although I beleive the dial is authentic Rolex, I don't think it's original to this watch and I'm pretty sure they'd make me swap it.

Is the diamond/emerald dial available for that watch? Or maybe lapis?

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Is the diamond/emerald dial available for that watch? Or maybe lapis?

Either of those would be pretty cool if they are! I'm really not sure how this will all play out but I'm looking forward to seeing what the possibilities are for this watch.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Either of those would be pretty cool if they are! I'm really not sure how this will all play out but I'm looking forward to seeing what the possibilities are for this watch.

David (crowncollection) will likely know all your dial options. Maybe ping him for suggestions?

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Yes I think I would want to keep that. So just to be clear, you're saying the day and date apertures would be replaced for brand new ones with no indication of age or patina If I don't tell them otherwise? Thanks Adam.

Yes, and they may not even work on it if you don't let them swap it.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Yes, and they may not even work on it if you don't let them swap it.

Now if they swap out the parts for new but 100% original to the watch, is that the worst thing ever? I mean yes, the aperture discoloration/patina looks appropriate for a watch of this age, but there's so much going on here that's not meant for this watch, so it's kind of the lesser of two evils no?

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

David (crowncollection) will likely know all your dial options. Maybe ping him for suggestions?

Thanks! Will do.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Now if they swap out the parts for new but 100% original to the watch, is that the worst thing ever? I mean yes, the aperture discoloration/patina looks appropriate for a watch of this age, but there's so much going on here that's not meant for this watch, so it's kind of the lesser of two evils no?

For sure. You're looking at a new dial (no trit) and new hands (no trit), so it's going to be white white white and totally modern looking. A discolored date wheel may actually look pretty crappy next to all those replacement parts.

[Onikage]

I've never seen the combination of YG applied coronet, gilt text but white gold diamond settings before. Could it be a Tridor dial? Odd for there to be a mismatch. It works with the creamy Day/Date wheels - I'd be inclined to just replace the hands. It looks kinda cool.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

For sure. You're looking at a new dial (no trit) and new hands (no trit), so it's going to be white white white and totally modern looking. A discolored date wheel may actually look pretty crappy next to all those replacement parts.

They said they'd have to examine the watch before anything, but they said if they do have the correct parts then they would be original and consistent to this reference. Meaning the dial and hands would have to be tritium? OR they wouldn't have the parts at all.

Either way, I get what your saying. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what they say about it.

[Chadridv]

So I go the service estimate back from RSC. The dial replacement looks like it would be a more modern non-tritium dial. I could choose from blue, black or silver, and I can also choose with or without diamonds. The hands would be replaced with standard white gold hands, and the existing hands would be returned.

The purchase price of the diamond dial would be $4k, if I trade in my dial it would be $3k. The regular dial in any color is $900.

The crown and crystal would also have to be changed out ($210 & $180).

They would also require the watch be serviced which was $800. Overall it would be about $2300 to get this watch entirely consistent and warrantied by Rolex. It is tempting considering it's current state is Franken-esque. Plus I could hold onto the blue diamond dial and potentially put that into another Day date, or sell it.

I pulled this from a Chrono24 listing, but I think this is basically what the watch could/would look like.

So what would you guys do?

[JP Chestnut]

I'd do it.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

They said they'd have to examine the watch before anything, but they said if they do have the correct parts then they would be original and consistent to this reference. Meaning the dial and hands would have to be tritium? OR they wouldn't have the parts at all.

. . .

No, it really doesn't mean that at all.

They will not have tritium parts - period. They will have correct service Luminova replacements which will be the color/dial/hand combinations that were available when the reference was new.

They may have the original build codes to bring it back to how it left the factory, or you may be able to choose what original combination, available then, that you desire.

[Sandblaster]

just a quick comment:

you really notice the difference when it's factory diamnds, huh?

those are really brilliant. very nice! make sure you get that dial back if you replace it.

[ronricks]

I would go ahead and get it done.

[cda555]

Can't wait to see what you decide on.

[Danny83]

I would send it to ABC Watchwerks not RSC I think RSC would charge too much. But no mater what thats a fine fine piece

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I'm planning to bring this rather beautiful white gold vintage day date to RSC in efforts to get things in order. What I mean is that (although authentic) the yellow gold hands and beautiful blue dial dial w/diamonds clearly aren't originally sold with a white gold watch.
]

what model # is the first day date. i presume 1803 but interest about that bracelet.

[subtona]

Leave the bracelet home.

[kilyung]

Maybe wait and see how they handle your other issue?

[aaamax]

Originally Posted by Danny83

I would send it to ABC Watchwerks not RSC I think RSC would charge too much. But no mater what thats a fine fine piece

This^^^^^^^!

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Maybe wait and see how they handle your other issue?

Yes for sure! I'm not making any decisions on this till I hear back about the other watch. I've made it clear that I've lost confidence in them at this point, so the fact they currently have two of my watches is a bit nerve racking. We'll see what they have to say.