Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Hello guys, unfortunately, (usually when you inherit something you've lost someone) I've inherited a vintage datejust. I've worn the watch without asking myself about the value of the watch or the exact model. Now it will need servicing and a crystal replacement because I hit a rock while scuba diving. Does anyone know the exact model number? And a rough estimate of its value? I'll keep it forever anyway but its fun to know. I was bought in the 80s more or less. Edited December 20, 2015 by Alfalover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 A little tough to tell from the pic, but it looks like a 16018 to me. Might be a 16238 if it was purchased in late 80's. You can obviously take the bracelet off to get the model number confirmed.Assuming it's gen ... stop taking it diving! If you insist, have someone test it for waterproof before you do it again. A vintage watch of that age probably needs gaskets replaced.Value is somewhere between $5k and $8k depending on model number and condition.I would send it to member "misiekped" for service if you don't want to send it to Rolex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the reply. I guess misiekped is a trusted member? How do you deal with the fact you're sending several thousands of $ to someone you don't know? I'd sure prefer to send it to misiekped instead of rolex, i guess I's save a lot. Yes the watch is gen: Edited December 20, 2015 by Alfalover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 You'll be fine with misiekeped but watch the postmen insure it and keep it out of the damn water it's a expensive vintage watch. Go get a diver for under 200!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachcomber Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 You'll be fine with misiekeped but watch the postmen insure it and keep it out of the damn water it's a expensive vintage watch. Go get a diver for under 200!!! X2Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Thanks for the replies guys. For the insurance, do you mean just for sending and receiving it or an insurance for the watch? Didn't know they existed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymanmatt Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 That's a date watch. Most likely it is a capped watch. It will be stainless underneath. Probably has a value of around $2500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Insure in the post for $2500 as Matt says worth about that. Oh take pics and get appraised might be good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 rolex has produced capped watches? A watchmaker said its value was around 5 or 6 thousand €, why do you say 2500? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I looked around and indeed you are right, but the 1503 also came in solid gold. Apparently it should have a steel case back but mine seems gold, any ideas on how to check? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachcomber Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 those are some strange looking end links, can you take better pics of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 strange looking? tell on which side and where to focus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachcomber Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Bigger photos please, but something don't look right to me with this watch. Can you remove the case back and get a photo of the movement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Not at the moment, I'm out of the country and my dad doesn't sound so helpful. I'm sure the watch is genuine because I took it straight away to a watchsmith that checked it out and confirmed that it's genuine and gold. But then I started to think it could be ''gold shell'', that is my only concern. What doesn't seem right? P.S. I'll ask him to take it to another watchsmith and take pictures of the movement Edited December 20, 2015 by Alfalover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 Misielkped is a trusted member here, and a darn good watchsmith. He knows his stuff and he will do a complete service with Rolex parts and the proper lubes and grease and it will cost you half what a Rolex Service Center will charge. Plus Rolex will want to replace the Crystal, crown/tube and whatever else they think they can get away with!! That bill will be 4X what misielkped charges.I'm assuming that you are in the USA? If so, you can send it to him Express mail (overnight), priority mail, FedEx or UPS. I believe that USPS Priority has a 5000.00 USD limit on insurance, don't know about the others. I wouldn't ship it anywhere til after Christmas and the Christmas shipping Rush is over.Don't use that watch for diving. First it's an unserviced vintage watch. Seals and gaskets are old and brittle, that old acrylic Crystal may have cracks that are concealed below the bezel, plus these were not designed as dive watches, although when new they had good water resistance. Get a little salt water inside undetected, and by the time you discover it, your movement might be a hunk if rust!!Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 What doesn't seem right? P.S. I'll ask him to take it to another watchsmith and take pictures of the movementThe cyclops, date window, and the bracelet end links look off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revere Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 That crown tube also looks like it has seen better days... Oxidation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 I've sent vintage Rolex to service centers and $1,000 later had back "not the watch I wanted". The movement isn't magical or anything and a competent watchmaker can service it just as well as Geneva. The smith named above is excellent and will do good solid work.If it's CONUS send it registered and insure it for replacement value, if they'll sell that much insurance. It's not that expensive.Enjoy that watch, it came at some cost. Nobody likes to pay that price. And keep it out of the water, it's earned the right to stay dry by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 That watch looks to me like a 1503 Date model- either 18k or 14k gold- it is not a shell gold model- caseback is gold as it should be on that model. End links are fine- Rolex does end links on gold bracelets differently than on subs, etc.There's a guy on VRM- Kirill- that has had some of these watches for sale lately and I bought one- paid $4,000. 14k Date from the 70s. The only bad thing about these watches is that it's hard to get parts for them since Rolex no longer supports or makes parts for the 1500 series movements. Like Panerai says, send it to misiekped and have it serviced and no more scuba diving. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) Hello guys, unfortunately I'm in Europe. Does misielkped accept work from outside CONUS? thanks for the replies guys, the watch isn't going to see any water anymore. Should I contact misielkped directly here via PM? Edited December 22, 2015 by Alfalover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Micky - SSteel above in this thread is an EU based watchsmith, I don't know if he works on these or not - just drop him a PM to find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub007 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Micky - SSteel above in this thread is an EU based watchsmith, I don't know if he works on these or not - just drop him a PM to find out. +1 for @Ssteel, great watchsmith, fast communications and can recommendVerzonden vanaf mijn iPad met Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted December 23, 2015 Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 If it were me, with a genuine Rolex, I would use a watchsmith in the EU if possible. I'm sure there are lots of really good watchsmiths in Europe that are Rolex trained and have Rolex parts accounts. The cost would still be a lot less than the cost of sending your watch to a Rolex Service Center, and the local guy will work with you to fix what needs to be fixed and not insist on replacing everything like Rolex does.Ssteel is a very good and highly thought of member who does great work. You should contact him and see if he will work on your watch and if he has access to Rolex parts for the service and repairs.From the looks of yours, at a minimum,the crown tube and crystal need replacing as well as a service. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfalover Posted December 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2015 (edited) I contacted SSTEEL but unfortunately he is only certified to work on swiss ETAs Any other watchsmiths you know? They've asked 600€ near my place, servicing, crystal replacement and gaskets I guess. But I'd obviously prefer someone we all know and not ''leap in the dark '' like we say in my country Edited December 23, 2015 by Alfalover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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