1989 Datejust updates desired

[Scottac8de]

I just got my old 1989 2-tone Datejust back from Rolex service in Texas; S/N 9492477. I'm considering having two aftermarket changes made.

I've had it since it was new and have kept up on the service. I had the face changed once from blue to black by Rolex probably 15 years ago as I got tired of the blue face. I still have the blue face of course. Other than this, it is still all original and all OE parts. I'm considering having two things done to it, which I know one of is strictly aftermarket.

• Change the acrylic crystal to sapphire, which is aftermarket. I see a lot of vintage Rolex's from big aftermarket resellers that have already had this done, so it is clearly common to have this done on a vintage Rolex, but of course, Rolex will not do this according to my dealer. Any caveats to having this done? I'm kinda tired of having to get out the Dremel and polish the crystal every time I accidentally rub it up against something. Granted, it's not difficult to do, but my other watches with sapphire crystals don't have this annoyance. Making this change appears to make the crystal face flat, as opposed to the slightly domed shape of the original crystal.
• Another face change. I'd like to get a bright red face. My Rolex dealer has no idea what can be gotten for new face colors on this old watch. They just seem to be annoyed by such requests, as Rolex has certainly shied away from such requests these days seemingly due to becoming overly popular compared to 20 years ago. Good for them financially; bad for customer retention. I saw one on a used Rolex once on a gold Datejust, but I don't know what vintage that one was. I'd like to get an OE Rolex red face, if one is/was made, but I'm willing to go aftermarket if it is of high quality made to near original standards.

Suggestions?

[pk552502]

I wouldn't change the crystal. I wouldn't buy a modified rolex like that- keep yours original. I wouldn't change the dial either for an aftermarket one- just source a used dial on ebay but one that is correct for your piece.

[77T]

It's your watch - you should do what you'd like to see done. Just keep the original parts so you can have it returned to "original" before the next trip to the RSC for service. Otherwise they will reject your submission.


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[padi56]

Originally Posted by Scottac8de

I just got my old 1989 2-tone Datejust back from Rolex service in Texas; S/N 9492477. I'm considering having two aftermarket changes made.

I've had it since it was new and have kept up on the service. I had the face changed once from blue to black by Rolex probably 15 years ago as I got tired of the blue face. I still have the blue face of course. Other than this, it is still all original and all OE parts. I'm considering having two things done to it, which I know one of is strictly aftermarket.

• Change the acrylic crystal to sapphire, which is aftermarket. I see a lot of vintage Rolex's from big aftermarket resellers that have already had this done, so it is clearly common to have this done on a vintage Rolex, but of course, Rolex will not do this according to my dealer. Any caveats to having this done? I'm kinda tired of having to get out the Dremel and polish the crystal every time I accidentally rub it up against something. Granted, it's not difficult to do, but my other watches with sapphire crystals don't have this annoyance. Making this change appears to make the crystal face flat, as opposed to the slightly domed shape of the original crystal.
• Another face change. I'd like to get a bright red face. My Rolex dealer has no idea what can be gotten for new face colors on this old watch. They just seem to be annoyed by such requests, as Rolex has certainly shied away from such requests these days seemingly due to becoming overly popular compared to 20 years ago. Good for them financially; bad for customer retention. I saw one on a used Rolex once on a gold Datejust, but I don't know what vintage that one was. I'd like to get an OE Rolex red face, if one is/was made, but I'm willing to go aftermarket if it is of high quality made to near original standards.

Suggestions?

Leave it well alone a acrylic crystal Rolex watch is designed for a acrylic crystal.And acrilic crystals are a lot cheaper than sapphire and all watches with acrylic crystals they are always changed as part of normal routine RSC service.If you have scratches on the crystal products like Polywatch and Autosolve metal polish in tubes will easily remove them..And any watch that has been converted to sapphire Rolex would not service unless put back to original and sapphire is a different fitting to acrylic doubt if you could guarantee its W/R.

[Marcjvr]

I would keep your watch original and add a new date just

Then you will have the best of both old and new worlds

Good luck!!

[brandrea]

It’s your watch so obviously you can do with it what you want.

I’d leave it be

EDIT: welcome to the forum

[Scottac8de]

Fair enough. I'll leave it be. A correction to my original post - I didn't realize that my watch is actually a 1987, not 1989. I discovered this yesterday when I looked up the serial number in the database. I bought this back in the day when there wasn't a heavy demand and the dealer I bought it from had probably 100+ Rolex's for sale in the display cases. So they clearly had this for over a year before they sold it to me.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Scottac8de

Fair enough. I'll leave it be. A correction to my original post - I didn't realize that my watch is actually a 1987, not 1989. I discovered this yesterday when I looked up the serial number in the database. I bought this back in the day when there wasn't a heavy demand and the dealer I bought it from had probably 100+ Rolex's for sale in the display cases. So they clearly had this for over a year before they sold it to me.

No internet chart can give a exact date when any Rolex watch was made.Only a approx date when the case or clasp was stamped between X&Y years and many serials overlap a year or so.

[Norbert]

The acrylic is taller than a sapphire, right? That's a classic Rolex look from the 80s!

[darthgman]

Would love to see a picture. Also consider removing the serial number from your post

[georgekart]

If you do go through with the modification, keep the original crystal (or seeing as it's acrylic, just buy a new one and keep it stored just in case they stop making them at a later date) and dial (despite it being a service dial, which may or may not differ from the factory dial it's still better than an aftermarket dial). So worst case scenario, you can put it back to the same state it is in now.

[Murphtimes]

It sounds like you really care for your Datejust, keeping it in top shape with those service updates and changes. Switching to a sapphire crystal could be a game-changer, especially for that durability. As for the red face, it could add a cool, unique touch! Aftermarket options might offer more flexibility. Have you checked out any specific options for the red face yet?