Daydate 36 1980s advice wanted

[MeepHead]

I was shocked how well the 36mm daydate fits my wrist. I’m considering buying this piece. I’ve no pics to post here. Dealer is legitimate. My question regards the dial. The dealer verified the dial is legit but NOT the original. It’s a Rolex dial and is from a daydate... the piece has box and papers which is surprising for a watch this old.

Should I be hung up on the dial not being original? The dealer asked the person from whom he bought this piece and he or she isn’t the original owner.

Is this a concern. The price is 10k usd after tax.

This is a decent price but I’m concerned I’ll never be able to sell this piece with a different dial. It’s a good deal overall but I’ve seen other pieces with original dials.. that said, I have to trust what I’m told. This dealer is someone whom I trust. He states dial swapping is common , or was, for older pieces.

[Tools]

dials on Day date and Datejust are swapped out all the time... there are dozens available; it is common.

Only you can decide if the price meets your needs.

[Calatrava r]

Back in the 80's, ADs had whole displays of dials in the case. If they had a watchmaker on site they would swap out while you wait and you could keep all the dials. It was common for women and maybe men to swap out a dial for an event to match their outfit and then swap back. Those were the days.

[subprimero]

Lots of Day-Dates out there. If it makes you uncomfortable, look for one with papers on WatchRecon or Chrono24 and buy from a trusted seller.

[jltait]

Agreed with the posts above. As long as the dial is not aftermarket I wouldn’t sweat it. Even if it were original you may find yourself wanting to swap it out for something different at next service to change things up.

[MeepHead]

Thanks. I’m going to grab the piece. It’s legit. The dial is not aftermarket. And the 36 fits my wrist perfectly.

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Back in the 80's, ADs had whole displays of dials in the case. If they had a watchmaker on site they would swap out while you wait and you could keep all the dials. It was common for women and maybe men to swap out a dial for an event to match their outfit and then swap back. Those were the days.

Even in the 90s, in Asia at least. My wife took her DJ back to AD to have them replaced the dial with White Roman to match with mine, after bought it 2-3 days earlier. Our first Rolexes n we still have that watches till now.

[MeepHead]

I’ll,post a pic once I grab it. The bracelet has a small dent and that’s ok by me.

[MeepHead]

Update. The piece sold. So that’s out. It wasn’t rare but the price was decent.

[SN13]

Some information for you.

1803 - Older non-quickset.
18038 - is a single-quickset up to 1988.
18238 - Double quickset released in 1988.
118238 - Released in 2000 i think... minor updates and according to TRF members, Later iterations of the 118238 - post 2002? got a heavier bracelet (no more voids?)

Anyway, I own a 1986 18038 .... When I was hunting used market for them, the pricing was approximately like this: (I'm not including specialty dials / diamonds / Stone Dials etc)

1803 - Head Only ~ $6k
1803 - W/Bracelet ~ $9k

18038 - W/Bracelet ~10-12k

18238 - W/Bracelet ~12-14k

118238 - W/bracelet ~16k+

I opted for the 18038.

To be clear on the technical issues around "Quickset".

1803 - None. You have to set the day and date by rolling the 24 hr or by rolling backwards.

18038 - Single Quick. Date is Quickset - 1-31. DAY is not. You have to roll backwards or forward to set the day then quickset the date.

18238 - Double-Quick. Date and Day are quickset.

Good luck on your hunt!

[huba01]

Beautiful
And thanks for a great sumup on the DD

[rajurama]

I stumbled upon a safe queen NOS Bark recently with a superb linen dial :) had to get it! IMG-20200511-WA0043.jpgIMG-20200511-WA0050.jpgIMG-20200511-WA0046.jpg

Sent from my CPH1979 using Tapatalk

[JSolution]

I have a 18038 in rotation and for what it’s worth sometimes I don’t wear it for the reason I cannot be bothered to set the day, sure it only takes a couple minutes but it’s annoying, and is a thumb workout!

Not much variation in price between 18038 and 18238 so based on that one factor I’d personally go for the latter.

Great watches though and who wouldn’t want to wear a day date for under £10k?

[Stripiest]

Originally Posted by SN13

Some information for you.

1803 - Older non-quickset.
18038 - is a single-quickset up to 1988.
18238 - Double quickset released in 1988.
118238 - Released in 2000 i think... minor updates and according to TRF members, Later iterations of the 118238 - post 2002? got a heavier bracelet (no more voids?)

Anyway, I own a 1986 18038 .... When I was hunting used market for them, the pricing was approximately like this: (I'm not including specialty dials / diamonds / Stone Dials etc)

1803 - Head Only ~ $6k
1803 - W/Bracelet ~ $9k

18038 - W/Bracelet ~10-12k

18238 - W/Bracelet ~12-14k

118238 - W/bracelet ~16k+

I opted for the 18038.

To be clear on the technical issues around "Quickset".

1803 - None. You have to set the day and date by rolling the 24 hr or by rolling backwards.

18038 - Single Quick. Date is Quickset - 1-31. DAY is not. You have to roll backwards or forward to set the day then quickset the date.

18238 - Double-Quick. Date and Day are quickset.

Good luck on your hunt!

That's really beautiful.

[SN13]

Originally Posted by rajurama

I stumbled upon a safe queen NOS Bark recently with a superb linen dial :) had to get it! Attachment 1136790Attachment 1136791Attachment 1136792

Sent from my CPH1979 using Tapatalk

Beauty

[Ny325]

36mm is the quintessential Rolex. It’s a classic, timeless piece.

[18078pres]

Originally Posted by rajurama

I stumbled upon a safe queen NOS Bark recently with a superb linen dial :) had to get it! Attachment 1136790Attachment 1136791Attachment 1136792

Sent from my CPH1979 using Tapatalk

18078 the bracelet will show no scratches the bezel is so unique not smooth nor fluted welcome the the bark club

[rajurama]

Originally Posted by 18078pres

18078 the bracelet will show no scratches the bezel is so unique not smooth nor fluted welcome the the bark club

Agreed. Thank you !!

[MeepHead]

Thanks to all whom have responded. I guess I need to get a post 1988 daydate based on what I’m reading.

[SN13]

Originally Posted by MeepHead

Thanks to all whom have responded. I guess I need to get a post 1988 daydate based on what I’m reading.

If you want the Double-Quickset, yes.

It will be model 18238 not 18038.

If you're doing Double-Quick:

18238 - Standard Yellow Gold Classic
18248 - Yellow Gold BARK (as shown above)
18239 - Standard White Gold
18249 - White Gold Bark.

[SearChart]

The date/day mechanism on the 1555,1556 and 3055 isn't the best, they are fiddly and prone to failure.
I have litteraly spend days on fixing old DayDate mechanisms, changing out every damn part and still no instant date change or some other problem.
Now if they're in good condition and keep them that way and don't play with the day/date too much you'll be fine.

When they introduced the 3155 in 1989 they got the most solid working mechanism, if I were to get a DD it would be one with that movement, preferably a 18238 because of the brushed lugs, also still have the option for an onyx dial on that reference

If you do want vintage, just make sure everything is in very good condition and try advancing the time to see if the date change is instantaneously.

[MeepHead]

An update.... I have t found the right piece with the right movement. I’m thinking of merely doing the daydate 40 at this stage and just being done. I do Immensely appreciate the comments....

[MeepHead]

Here is what I ended up getting...

[MeepHead]

I’d post more pics but they will look grainy due to sizing. The Tiffany dial is what I liked. It’s not for me ... it’s a gift.

[jltait]

Great choice. Excellent piece!

[MeepHead]

I overpaid for the dial.

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by SN13

Some information for you.

1803 - Older non-quickset.
18038 - is a single-quickset up to 1988.
18238 - Double quickset released in 1988.
118238 - Released in 2000 i think... minor updates and according to TRF members, Later iterations of the 118238 - post 2002? got a heavier bracelet (no more voids?)

Anyway, I own a 1986 18038 .... When I was hunting used market for them, the pricing was approximately like this: (I'm not including specialty dials / diamonds / Stone Dials etc)

1803 - Head Only ~ $6k
1803 - W/Bracelet ~ $9k

18038 - W/Bracelet ~10-12k

18238 - W/Bracelet ~12-14k

118238 - W/bracelet ~16k+

I opted for the 18038.

To be clear on the technical issues around "Quickset".

1803 - None. You have to set the day and date by rolling the 24 hr or by rolling backwards.

18038 - Single Quick. Date is Quickset - 1-31. DAY is not. You have to roll backwards or forward to set the day then quickset the date.

18238 - Double-Quick. Date and Day are quickset.

Good luck on your hunt!

thanks, I never knew that!