Pic: Datewheel color check

[Ronin]

Need some extra discerning eyes on this. Does this look like a white DW or Silver? TIA

[vlydog]

I would say white

[dluddy]

White

[ubiquitous]

You need some of these (old pic ):

[Dizzy]

Definatly white on that watch. You can also tell by the font. If you compare it to Ubi's pics, you will see the difference.

[Nanuq]

Here's a silver datewheel. Note how it's brighter than the rest of the dial. The silver reflects a CRAZY amount of light.

[vlydog]

Where is the line drawn, between silver and white, as to the year of production?

[ubiquitous]

The lines are blurred with white v. silver datewheels as there were many white datewheels swapped into watches during service.

[Ronin]

Thanks guys. The above watch is a 6 mil serial, so with the exception of service replacements, one might guess somewhere between 5 and 6 mill serials they went white.

Thanks!

[ubiquitous]

Thanks guys. The above watch is a 6 mil serial, so with the exception of service replacements, one might guess somewhere between 5 and 6 mill serials they went white.

Thanks!

I'd guess that the DW in your pic is a service replacement; seeing as how it's fitted with a service replacement 'SWISS' lumi dial, lumi hands, thin font service insert etc...

[freddy333]

Nanuq is right. Unless you get the angle & light just right, a gen silver datewheel tends to look white. But when the stars fall into place, you get

[JoJo35]

None of the 1665's or 1680's came with white date wheels. All white ones are service replacements. In fact, original equipment silver date wheels were carried over into the 16800 and 16660 production.

Going a step further, before replacement "white" datewheels were produced, the "brushed" silver datewheels were common replacement parts. FYI, most original (plastic sub/seadweller) silver datewheels have a plain silver appearance without the bright brushed look.