Should I replace hands on 1002 OP

[atriana]

Hi all! Crowdsourcing feedback on this watch - a 1964 Oyster Perpetual reference 1002, which was purchased recently from the original owner's son.

While the watch checks out in originality generally, the hands are obviously replacements. (Side question: Does anyone recognize this hand style? Are they genuine Rolex?) Further, the hands are not even the correct baton hands for this period. Doing a little reserach, the orignal hands for this could even have been Dauphine.

So the question is: Should I try to source what would have been original original (which I'm thinking would be very hard to find and even if so, the patina would most likely not match the lume plots.) Or, I could at least replace with period-correct baton hands and hope to find some that have a bit of age on them? Either way, these current hands drive me crazy on an otherwise outstanding and under-the-radar watch. Thanks in advance for the feedback!

[spoilsofwar01]

your watch looks like a nice classic vintage Rolex, Id leave them as they are for the time being, ask around and see if you can source a more suitable replacement set via the forum is a good way forward, again its a nice looking watch so enjoy

[Dr.Smellody]

Looks great to me as is. My father has that or a similar model. I'll check out what his hands are as I know they are original.

[Dr.Smellody]

Found a picture:

[Dr.Smellody]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Found a picture:

His is earlier with the dauphine hands and markers.

Again. I think your watch looks great in that state it is in!

[Nick9]

FWIW, if it were mine, I’d also be looking for different hands. Either of the options you mentioned.

No need to be in a rush; your watch looks great.

[atriana]

Thank you for the photo! Yes, your father’s watch looks a tad earlier and also has the Swiss only dial. So, would you say that since mine has baton-style indices, I should go with baton hands? Do you recognize the current hands as Rolex replacements?

[southtexas]

Some old precisions, for example, had hands that looked similar to yours. However, I don’t recall the hour hand being so fat.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Some old precisions, for example, had hands that looked similar to yours. However, I don’t recall the hour hand being so fat.


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x2.

I would probably leave it as it is, as the hands don't look out of place and they're part of the watch's history since who knows when. Is there any life left in the lume?

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by atriana

...on an otherwise outstanding and under-the-radar watch.

What a beauty!

It's not under the radar to us nerds. I'd be pulling you up on the street and striking up a convo.

[southtexas]

Here I just stumbled on an example of the hands I was describing:




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[atriana]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

x2.

I would probably leave it as it is, as the hands don't look out of place and they're part of the watch's history since who knows when. Is there any life left in the lume?

Thank you for the feedback! There's life in the hand lume, but not in the indices.

[atriana]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Here I just stumbled on an example of the hands I was describing:


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OH, thank you! Yes, those do look very similar.