Service dials

[acesguerra]

Hey TRF

I have been searching through the forums trying to find info about service dials. What are the little detail markings, etc? or how can one person find out if the watch has a service dial. Or even service parts. I would like to know for future reference. Here is my 1969 1601 i was told this is a service dial. Matte black tritium dial





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[Verdi]

You cannot always tell. It depends on the model.
In some cases its obvious if the model came with a tritium dial originally and later on was replaced with one without T, because they stopped using them.

[Robtayham]

Service dials are just Rolex dials that get installed when you send your watch in for service. To that point, any part that you have replaced, like the crystal, the hands, the crown, etc are service parts. Authentic Rolex OEM parts that were not on the watch when it was orginally made and sold.

For my DJ and DD, I’ve had RSC replace both dials.i’ve never noticed anything different except the lume that is being used. So, I’ll be interested to hear feedback from the experts.

[Dan S]

If you post better photos, it's possible that we could tell you if that particular dial is a service dial, and explain why.

However, in general, there's no short simple answer to your question. You will need to take the time to become an expert on the dials for the particular reference you are interested in so that you know all the details of the original dial from that year, and are able to recognize discrepancies. The details are different for each reference and each era.

[rloke]

Is it safe to assume that "T SWISS MADE T" markings would likely not appear in a '69?

[daveo5]

I am using my two oysterquartz as an example. One has a service(replacement) dial. It is marked as ‘swissmade’. My other has an original from around 1980 and is marked ‘ T Swiss T’. The service dial was installed about five years ago.


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[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by rloke

Is it safe to assume that "T SWISS MADE T" markings would likely not appear in a '69?

No.

[nigelk]

T Swiss Made T would indicate that it is a service dial for the 1601 when its being sent for service.

However, when exactly was the T Swiss Made T dial was put there could be anyone's guess unless you have the rolex service papers.

Don't be too bothered by it. I would rather a factory service dial that would gleam brightly and make you smile rather than a beat up Rolex dial or worse, a refinished dial.

But hey, to each his own.

[77T]

The chatter about service dials and their potential impact on vintage values doesn’t really play evenly across the board.

If it was a VSOP DRSD maybe a difference - or same for a 1675 GMT.

But your 1601 should be just fine whether it’s original dial or service dial.


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[nigelk]

Originally Posted by 77T

The chatter about service dials and their potential impact on vintage values doesn’t really play evenly across the board.

If it was a VSOP DRSD maybe a difference - or same for a 1675 GMT.

But your 1601 should be just fine whether it’s original dial or service dial.


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I have to agree with this! On a 1601 it shouldn't really matter if it looks really good.

But then again... there are people who want everything just like how they left the factory.