Wrong dial

[gdubdj]

Hi there. I was recently gifted a Rolex datejust from my father. One that he had worn for thirty years. The condition was poor, so I wasted no time taking it to an AD to be sent for servicing. When I received the estimate for the overhaul, one of the things recommended to be replaced was the dial. I agreed to all of their recommendations.

Yesterday I went to pick it up and it was Amazing!! New crystal, new hands, new crown, new clasp and of course new dial. The dial however seemed much lighter in colour than the original grey, silver to be exact. Not being very familiar with the watch in the first place I chalked it up to it being new and the old one being fifty years old. But upon returning home, and comparing pictures it is clearly a different colour dial. The old one is dark grey with white lettering, the new one is silver with gold lettering.

I will be in contact with the AD in the morning. I am disappointed that it is not the same. Has anyone experienced something similar with Rolex? Is it a mistake? I can't see them substituting a dial without consulting me. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Old Expat Beast]

The new dial is bound to be different, as Rolex will just use the closest in style that they have to replace a decades old dial.

[CarlOver]

What was the cost of the full rework?

[garyk]

Old dial wasn’t replaceable. They probably don’t keep new old stock dials around.

[GGGMT]

It’s unfort that there wasn’t clear communication between you and the A.D. Of course, it’s going to be a totally new dial, they don’t keep old dials around from 30 years ago. Can you post a couple of pictures? I’d like to see it.


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[gdubdj]

Here it is.

[gdubdj]

posted

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by gdubdj

Here it is.

That's probably as close as you're going to get from Rolex in 2024. Looks good to me anyway. Also, the old one likely wasn't luminous any more, as the new one will be. They likely changed the date wheel as well, and so you won't get that "open 6" on the new one.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

The watch’s condition is no longer poor. It now looks lovely and like a win to me.

[gdubdj]

I wonder why a grey dial would be hard to come by?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That's probably as close as you're going to get from Rolex in 2024. Looks good to me anyway. Also, the old one likely wasn't luminous any more, as the new one will be. They likely changed the date wheel as well, and so you won't get that "open 6" on the new one.

Concur with Adam here. It looks good. Still has the soul but cleaned up for the next 30 years! That thing is awesome!!


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[VegasBoy]

Yeah its a little different but looks great. Enjoy it and that silver dial will go with anything.

[Joearch]

Is that a plexi crystal? If so, that’s were the color shift comes from. BTW…. beautiful looking restoration on that piece! Enjoy

[gdubdj]

Originally Posted by Joearch

Is that a plexi crystal? If so, that’s were the color shift comes from. BTW…. beautiful looking restoration on that piece! Enjoy

Yes it is plexi, I'm nervous to peel the protective film off of it..lol

[gdubdj]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Concur with Adam here. It looks good. Still has the soul but cleaned up for the next 30 years! That thing is awesome!!

I really like it too! I guess I was under the mistaken impression Rolex didn't change things like this on their watches.
I thought they were real sticklers for keeping things original.

[Reinhard in SA]

Man, that looks great. Enjoy your beautiful Datejust, it is a wonderful connection to your father.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by gdubdj

I really like it too! I guess I was under the mistaken impression Rolex didn't change things like this on their watches.
I thought they were real sticklers for keeping things original.

I think Rolex is more about making sure it’s functional strong and gorgeous rather than maintaining originality re the dial. Your watch looks outstanding. And as noted, the old dial lume probly blown etc. wear this exceptional piece in good health with wonderful memories or its legacy.


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[gdubdj]

My parents had a troubled marriage and I was estranged from my father at a young age. He bought this watch for me and had it engraved with the hope of giving to me on my 21st birthday. Life and circumstance prevented this and he wore the watch himself. My mother passed away recently and it was at her funeral where I first saw him again. I visited him this past Christmas and he gave me the watch. So here I am at fifty four years old and have received a datejust that has been engraved with my name and date of birth for thirty years and I had no idea. It's home now and it means the world to me. It means he never forgot me......... phew the story of the watch.... sorry guys.

[Joearch]

Originally Posted by gdubdj

My parents had a troubled marriage and I was estranged from my father at a young age. He bought this watch for me and had it engraved with the hope of giving to me on my 21st birthday. Life and circumstance prevented this and he wore the watch himself. My mother passed away recently and it was at her funeral where I first saw him again. I visited him this past Christmas and he gave me the watch. So here I am at fifty four years old and have received a datejust that has been engraved with my name and date of birth for thirty years and I had no idea. It's home now and it means the world to me. It means he never forgot me......... phew the story of the watch.... sorry guys.

Amazing story. Glad you like the watch now. I still think the new dial is close to the original dial color, since the original dial and plexi crystal would have developed some patina that would make the original dial much darker.

[928ktgold]

Wow what a story! The watch looks amazing now. My mom had a gold ladies Datejust on President from 1990. Her champagne dial turned brown. Theses dials can age peculiarly. This silver color may have been the original color.

[Beginner]

What a touching story!
Congratulations to your “new” watch and wear it in great health!

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by gdubdj

Here it is.

I see what you mean, and sorry that you didn't get to talk it through before handing it in.
I once had my dads communion watch for service and they changed the glass. even though it wasn't the original glass, I rather wanted his scratches on it. Anyway know I can see the dial perfectly

I think the new dial is nice, and you should really just enjoy it

[fooey]

I think it looks amazing now. Its a great looking watch that you can now enjoy.
Did you get the old dial back?

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[1William]

I think the repaired version of the watch looks great. The old dial, not so much. Enjoy your watch.

[brandrea]

Enjoy it and welcome to the forum

[EagleBear]

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story and its history. Make as many memories as you can with both the watch and your father. Welcome to TRF

[RolexDave68]

Congrats, looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Cheers to many years of enjoyment with that special piece

[Ravager135]

As others have alluded to, Rolex is most concerned about making the watch functional. An old, rarer dial, if it cannot be salvaged will be replaced with the closest equivalent. In the vintage market, people will often call something a "franken-watch" when really it's just that the original was serviced and parts were replaced as people were wanton to do before people became obsessed with keeping everything original.

I may be in the minority, but I will always remain more concerned with making sure my watches remain functional and are serviced appropriately (even if that means taking out original parts). I have no intentional of selling my pieces anyway. I think it looks great.

[vesnyder]

Congrats and great story. Just the fact that your Dad wore this watch for 30+ years with your name on it is remarkable. Unfortunate about the dial. The original did not look in bad shape? Wear it in good health!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by gdubdj

My parents had a troubled marriage and I was estranged from my father at a young age. He bought this watch for me and had it engraved with the hope of giving to me on my 21st birthday. Life and circumstance prevented this and he wore the watch himself. My mother passed away recently and it was at her funeral where I first saw him again. I visited him this past Christmas and he gave me the watch. So here I am at fifty four years old and have received a datejust that has been engraved with my name and date of birth for thirty years and I had no idea. It's home now and it means the world to me. It means he never forgot me......... phew the story of the watch.... sorry guys.

Very nice! Enjoy it in good health !


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