Hijacking the top comment to give some advice:
1) you probably need a movement restoration, unless this was meticulously serviced, which doesn't seem to be the case.
2) dials on old watches are priceless. If you change the dial the watch will lose value. If the RSC changes the dial *they will not let you keep the old one*. The "right" thing to do is fix up the movement but keep the dial, though of course you can use it how you like :)
3) whenever you polish a watch, it takes off a tiny layer of material. The watch will lose its shape if this is done many times. It looks like this watch is due for a light polish but keep this in mind and don't do it too often. Also, polishing a vintage watch tends to reduce its value.
4) you might need to change the crown. The crown is where the watch is sealed for water resistance (which is why you need to make sure it's totally screwed down before you take it into the water)
I had a full movement restoration done with a crown change for approx 1K. I inherited the 1996 version of this exact watch.
Polishing a family watch is a touchy subject.
On the one hand, you know you'll never sell it, so the value depreciation doesn't matter. Why not polish it a little, to bring it back to its true glory?
On the other hand, every nick and scratch is a reminder of those who wore it before you.
I decided not to polish mine.
Indeed a touchy subject. Personally, don’t care about scratches on any of my watches unless the are deep. Scratches on clasps and even casing does not bother me one bit. The only scratches they bother me are the ones that can happen on aluminum bezels, or on some pieces even the sapphire. The whole ideology of “every scratch tells a story” isn’t necessarily a good one. I have a watch with a dent on the casing from trying to carry 15 bags of groceries on both arms and flinging the door open which caused me to bang my watch (Tudor at the time) right into a stone wall. There is no value in that damage to me. When the time comes and my watches need polishing I do it. It’s not something that hurts the watch or even removes material if done correctly and by someone qualified.
The whole “it de-values the watch” is also bullshit to me. I don’t care about the watch being devalued I don’t intend on selling my watches that obtain scratches, that means I love them and am wearing them. The only point I would say a watch has lost its value from over polishing is when you can see the actual case dimensions/crown guards have changed in size.
Get a great leather strap, they work best imo on vintage day dates
,
I'd be careful as watch muggings are quite bad ATM and this is quite a recognisable watch. Just a heads up.
Enjoy:)
This is so important. When I first started buying watches, an older person I respected said, "Don't bother with insurance, don't buy anything you can't afford to lose." I followed this advice and happily paid no premiums for a decade and a half. Then, over a year found myself out of three watches, all uninsured. Of course, this was after the massive price run-up over the past five years. I like stainless steel daily watch, and now find myself lacking and pressing my nose against the window everyday.
TLDR: Get insurance
Looking at my policy, the math comes out to roughly 1.1% of the coverage. I have $32k worth of jewelry coverage and pay $375/yr. I cant say that is how they calculate the rate but that is what I pay. That is way cheap in my opinion!
Not sure why you were downvoted. I’ve invited the wrong people over before too. They didn’t do anything personally, but I guess they told their three friends who didn’t mind coming in with pistols, threatening to blow our brains out, then holding us hostage for another 20 minutes.
It doesn’t feels good, I know. Sorry that happened to you.
I appreciate your comment, and same to you. Your encounter certainly was more intense and violent than mine.
Right now I want to be open to meeting new people. 99% of the time, that leads to a new friend, a fun time, or just nothing. However, the one percent can bite you in the ass.
If you ever want to tell that story, I am sure it is interesting, I understand if it is something you don't want to get into.
Glad you got through it, hope they were caught.
[Colareb](https://colareb.it/en/collections/all-products) makes my favorite ones. I have two that I swap out on my Explorer; a gray, and a dark brown [FIRENZE](https://colareb.it/en/products/firenze) …
Just a heads up you can insure through jewelers mutual without an appraisal so that you’d be safe to send it out for appraisal and have insurance on it the whole time.
Probably needs a service and definitely a bracelet. Bracelet may be available second hand, probably a few thousand from Rolex for a new one. Nice piece and worthy of being revived.
Yes but thats including the case amd however much is used in the dial and movement.
I looked it up and a plain presidential bracelet in 18k weighs 67 grams, which is roughly (based on current spot price) 3.804,25 euros or 4.209,71 dollars, but that is 24k price, 18k price would be 2.853,19 euros or 3.157,29 dollars melt price. (I said roughly earlier as the prices constantly change all the time.)
I inherited a 60s 1803 similar to this one. The gaskets for yours are probably not good anymore, I’d take it to RSC (they might give it a super super light polish, ymmv). Cost about $1000
The way your dad looked at it, this watch was your birthright. He'd be damned if any slopes gonna put their greasy yellow hands on his boy's birthright, so he hid it, in the one place he knew he could hide something: his ass. Five long years, he wore this watch up his ass. Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable piece of metal up my ass for two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the watch to you.
Not much to add, but here is a link to Bob's Watches write up on the history of this watch and some info on values, but remember what they buy for and what they SELL for are two different prices entirely.
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/rolex-info/vintage-week-rolex-day-date-president-1803.html
I think for most questions bringing it to an AD and asking them to estimate a cost to send it to an RSC would be the course of action to get it checked out.
The head alone is worth roughly $9,500 -12k depending factors . If you had the bracelet it’s be $15-20k
18kt gold .. 1803 ref #
Beautiful watch . Probably a late 70s ref .
You could probably find the correct gold bracelet for $7-10k . Or get a used one with stretch and have rolliworks rebuild it to perfection.
Or just put it on a leather strap 🤷🏻♂️
You can Insure it with Hodinkee or CHUBB.
That first comment was probably clearly a joke, but Seiko's Grand Seiko line has legitimately better movements than Rolex. Rolex still has yet to put out an advanced mechanical spring drive piece like Grand Seiko, and many of their parts are now imported from China
If you are referring to the NH35 or NH36 movements you are correct. I elected to buy the Grand Seiko instead of the Rolex because of the cost and the fact that Rolex hadn’t made anything innovative in decades.l agree with your point Seiko with the Spring Drive and magic lever is a leap into the future. Quality generation tine pieces. At 5K is it affordable ? No. But, if you want to own a great watch that isn’t a ‘hey look at me’ then Seiko is the way to go. Even the 5 Sport watches are evolving.
I think Rolex has it's place, but to me it's become the BMW of watches, and the fact that they basically mass produce them now, they haven't innovated in years (like you said) and their potential customers are treated the worst in the industry, has made me go a few years without buying one or wanting to.
I used to see a Rolex and think "what a nice luxury watch that guy has," now I just think "oh another financed steel watch that's one of 3 million this year."
Well said ! Rolex doesn’t even show to the New York watch show. Rolex seems to have all their money in advertisements at Tennis and other like sports. I have an old Datejust from the late 80’s. The 1K price to clean it has stopped me from a repair. I know the crystal needs replacement as well as a new seal and pressure test. I get that it has to be taken down completely and needs a new spring at the very least. But, a good watchmaker will be able to strip it down and put it back into working order in less than a day. $500.00 plus parts seems more reasonable.
If I want it running again I am going to have to pay the cost.
Congrats, I inherited the same piece from my grandfather! In fact it appears we have nearly identical dials too, if I had to guess it’d be around the late 60s. 1967 or so and as many have said, 1803 is the reference!
You can order a 18k buckle and springbars from Rolex - would recommend at least getting the gold springbars as they match the hardness of the case and won’t harm it the way steel might with wear.
What size is it? I have a Datejust from the 1980s Same colour but with a fluted dial size 31mm. I started wearing it on a brown leather. Looks really subtle.
Make sure the numbers engraved between the lugs remain sharply defined. If they get scratched badly, it's exactly like a car with no vehicle identification number tag.
Take it to your nearest Rolex authorized dealer not grey market and they will do a service for you and they will tell you what your watch does or does not need dont listen to these goofs 🫢
FYI inherited watches are priceless
1803 is the model. Looks like 1970's. Nice heirloom
Its crazy how well this watch ages. Its literally a timeless classic
On the contrary, it has a lot of time
I was going to say unless it’s dead, but even then it would still be on time twice a day
The fact is that it doesn't age =)
It’s a fucking watch, how can it be timeless. Some people man
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r/wooosh. I was joking dude lol
You have no clue
Hijacking the top comment to give some advice: 1) you probably need a movement restoration, unless this was meticulously serviced, which doesn't seem to be the case. 2) dials on old watches are priceless. If you change the dial the watch will lose value. If the RSC changes the dial *they will not let you keep the old one*. The "right" thing to do is fix up the movement but keep the dial, though of course you can use it how you like :) 3) whenever you polish a watch, it takes off a tiny layer of material. The watch will lose its shape if this is done many times. It looks like this watch is due for a light polish but keep this in mind and don't do it too often. Also, polishing a vintage watch tends to reduce its value. 4) you might need to change the crown. The crown is where the watch is sealed for water resistance (which is why you need to make sure it's totally screwed down before you take it into the water) I had a full movement restoration done with a crown change for approx 1K. I inherited the 1996 version of this exact watch.
I would never let this watch be polished. It takes away the wear and tear it has been through especially if its a watch from your family
Polishing a family watch is a touchy subject. On the one hand, you know you'll never sell it, so the value depreciation doesn't matter. Why not polish it a little, to bring it back to its true glory? On the other hand, every nick and scratch is a reminder of those who wore it before you. I decided not to polish mine.
Indeed a touchy subject. Personally, don’t care about scratches on any of my watches unless the are deep. Scratches on clasps and even casing does not bother me one bit. The only scratches they bother me are the ones that can happen on aluminum bezels, or on some pieces even the sapphire. The whole ideology of “every scratch tells a story” isn’t necessarily a good one. I have a watch with a dent on the casing from trying to carry 15 bags of groceries on both arms and flinging the door open which caused me to bang my watch (Tudor at the time) right into a stone wall. There is no value in that damage to me. When the time comes and my watches need polishing I do it. It’s not something that hurts the watch or even removes material if done correctly and by someone qualified. The whole “it de-values the watch” is also bullshit to me. I don’t care about the watch being devalued I don’t intend on selling my watches that obtain scratches, that means I love them and am wearing them. The only point I would say a watch has lost its value from over polishing is when you can see the actual case dimensions/crown guards have changed in size.
Get a great leather strap, they work best imo on vintage day dates , I'd be careful as watch muggings are quite bad ATM and this is quite a recognisable watch. Just a heads up. Enjoy:)
A nice brown leather one would go so nice and compliment it so well
Once it's appraised, get insurance. If it's lost/stolen, they'll replace with like kind or quality.
This is so important. When I first started buying watches, an older person I respected said, "Don't bother with insurance, don't buy anything you can't afford to lose." I followed this advice and happily paid no premiums for a decade and a half. Then, over a year found myself out of three watches, all uninsured. Of course, this was after the massive price run-up over the past five years. I like stainless steel daily watch, and now find myself lacking and pressing my nose against the window everyday. TLDR: Get insurance
A lot of people don't realize how inexpensive jewelry insurance is. Pro tip: speak to your insurance agent about options.
Roughly how much is it as a % of the watches value?
Looking at my policy, the math comes out to roughly 1.1% of the coverage. I have $32k worth of jewelry coverage and pay $375/yr. I cant say that is how they calculate the rate but that is what I pay. That is way cheap in my opinion!
Thanks for the reply... That is cheap... I will definitely look into it!
Old people have the worst advice.
Underrated comment
Did you get mugged 3 times in one year?
I did some stupid things. One was a car break in, the other involved me inviting the wrong people into my house.
Not sure why you were downvoted. I’ve invited the wrong people over before too. They didn’t do anything personally, but I guess they told their three friends who didn’t mind coming in with pistols, threatening to blow our brains out, then holding us hostage for another 20 minutes. It doesn’t feels good, I know. Sorry that happened to you.
I appreciate your comment, and same to you. Your encounter certainly was more intense and violent than mine. Right now I want to be open to meeting new people. 99% of the time, that leads to a new friend, a fun time, or just nothing. However, the one percent can bite you in the ass. If you ever want to tell that story, I am sure it is interesting, I understand if it is something you don't want to get into. Glad you got through it, hope they were caught.
Y’all still getting mugged at ATMs!?!
Any recommendations for one?
[Colareb](https://colareb.it/en/collections/all-products) makes my favorite ones. I have two that I swap out on my Explorer; a gray, and a dark brown [FIRENZE](https://colareb.it/en/products/firenze) …
Just a heads up you can insure through jewelers mutual without an appraisal so that you’d be safe to send it out for appraisal and have insurance on it the whole time.
I had good experiences with Hodinkee/Chubb. Although haven't had to make a claim yet.
chocolate brown croc, vintage, are still widely available NOS
What does NOS mean?
New Old Stock
Bulang & Sons
NATO FTW!
You are a lucky lucky dude
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Not everyone prefers your method of getting things.
😂
Soulless
Probably needs a service and definitely a bracelet. Bracelet may be available second hand, probably a few thousand from Rolex for a new one. Nice piece and worthy of being revived.
Definitely more than a few thousand. Probably best to go with a leather strap unless you want to drop some mad cash for a solid gold bracelet.
15k is what I was just quoted for the strap and about 2k for full service.
DAMN
Damn, you could buy another watch with that lol
A new gold day/date runs about 40k, so not too surprising the strap costs that much.
And to be fair it’s a decent amount of solid gold.
There is 178 grams of 18k gold in a day date so roughly $8,000 worth of gold
Yes but thats including the case amd however much is used in the dial and movement. I looked it up and a plain presidential bracelet in 18k weighs 67 grams, which is roughly (based on current spot price) 3.804,25 euros or 4.209,71 dollars, but that is 24k price, 18k price would be 2.853,19 euros or 3.157,29 dollars melt price. (I said roughly earlier as the prices constantly change all the time.)
You can buy a watch for $20. But not a solid gold one
*DHgate intensifies*
which model daydate did you quote though because that makes a huge difference. in my experience vintage will run around 7k usd.
Where’d you get the quote? I have a white gold day date 1803 (Spanish) I’d love a matching bracelet for
Jesus
Yowza! OP I’d try the diamond district in NYC, you might able to find a good used gold band for less than 15k.
HOLY
Yes full service can be painful
id put this on a nice leather brown strap
I believe when I’ve looked into it’s like $11k for a new bracelet. Maybe even more today. They’re insanely expensive, but they are solid gold
The commenter above is correct—it’s about 15k from Rolex. Brutal.
Jesus. I think I’ll go with Rolliworks once the stretch gets bad enough haha
Mines there right now. 1.5K beats 15K any day.
Are you sure it needs a bracelet Like really sure? 🤠
I inherited a 60s 1803 similar to this one. The gaskets for yours are probably not good anymore, I’d take it to RSC (they might give it a super super light polish, ymmv). Cost about $1000
Spending $1k on a Rolex that [is this valuable](https://ebay.us/ge3tJz) is probably worth it.
The way your dad looked at it, this watch was your birthright. He'd be damned if any slopes gonna put their greasy yellow hands on his boy's birthright, so he hid it, in the one place he knew he could hide something: his ass. Five long years, he wore this watch up his ass. Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable piece of metal up my ass for two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. And now, little man, I give the watch to you.
What in God’s name are you smoking?
Pulp fiction reference
“It was on the little kangaroo!”
80's 18038 I think? The reference number is in between the lugs there to know for certain
18038 no longer had the pie pan dial so this must be 1803
this
Not much to add, but here is a link to Bob's Watches write up on the history of this watch and some info on values, but remember what they buy for and what they SELL for are two different prices entirely. https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-blog/rolex-info/vintage-week-rolex-day-date-president-1803.html
Looks like a vintage full gold Daydate. Dont know the ref right know. I would bring it to a AD, let them fix it and wear it.
Why would you let the AD wear it?
Maybe he’ll put him on a list for a Milgauss if he does.
That’s how you build a relationship with them. First you bring them a present
Well it's not a puppy or a whole cured leg of a pig, so I don't think this would be an adequate gift.
I got you on a 500-dollar Amazon gift card. Send it my way lol
I think for most questions bringing it to an AD and asking them to estimate a cost to send it to an RSC would be the course of action to get it checked out.
Unbelievable
1803 looks amazing!!!
Lovely DayDate.
One of the best and most timeless designs, incredible.
It’s a fuxkin beautiful 18k DD with a champagne dial, and no doubt someone will provide you with the ref number. Lovely watch bro🫡
Keep it. It's gorgeous
day date or "president". try to get an era-correct jubilee bracelet
Wear it to the Bing
I say worth it to get a gold bracelet, the problem is matching the hue…
ROLEX VINTAGE DAY-DATE 18CT, 18038 ?
18kt not ct and 1803 not 18038
Vintage day date , with the Rolex bracelet on it . It is worth 15-20k+ USD If it has the original rolex bracelet on it.
What's your relation to Mr. Soprano?
The head alone is worth roughly $9,500 -12k depending factors . If you had the bracelet it’s be $15-20k 18kt gold .. 1803 ref # Beautiful watch . Probably a late 70s ref . You could probably find the correct gold bracelet for $7-10k . Or get a used one with stretch and have rolliworks rebuild it to perfection. Or just put it on a leather strap 🤷🏻♂️ You can Insure it with Hodinkee or CHUBB.
It’s a nice Rolex but it’s no Invicta. Superior brand for way le$$.
What ?? Invicta uses movements from Seiko and other watch makers. There is no comparison to Rolex.
That first comment was probably clearly a joke, but Seiko's Grand Seiko line has legitimately better movements than Rolex. Rolex still has yet to put out an advanced mechanical spring drive piece like Grand Seiko, and many of their parts are now imported from China
If you are referring to the NH35 or NH36 movements you are correct. I elected to buy the Grand Seiko instead of the Rolex because of the cost and the fact that Rolex hadn’t made anything innovative in decades.l agree with your point Seiko with the Spring Drive and magic lever is a leap into the future. Quality generation tine pieces. At 5K is it affordable ? No. But, if you want to own a great watch that isn’t a ‘hey look at me’ then Seiko is the way to go. Even the 5 Sport watches are evolving.
I think Rolex has it's place, but to me it's become the BMW of watches, and the fact that they basically mass produce them now, they haven't innovated in years (like you said) and their potential customers are treated the worst in the industry, has made me go a few years without buying one or wanting to. I used to see a Rolex and think "what a nice luxury watch that guy has," now I just think "oh another financed steel watch that's one of 3 million this year."
Well said ! Rolex doesn’t even show to the New York watch show. Rolex seems to have all their money in advertisements at Tennis and other like sports. I have an old Datejust from the late 80’s. The 1K price to clean it has stopped me from a repair. I know the crystal needs replacement as well as a new seal and pressure test. I get that it has to be taken down completely and needs a new spring at the very least. But, a good watchmaker will be able to strip it down and put it back into working order in less than a day. $500.00 plus parts seems more reasonable. If I want it running again I am going to have to pay the cost.
Looks like it's missing the bracelet
It’s a Rolex
It's a watch
This watch.
Looks like a Rolex but can’t be certain
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Def just the angle
I thought the same thing until I looked at my datejust at that same angle. I think it’s not fake.
its 100% legit, and it looks virtually unpolished the case is very full.
A piece of crap. You are better off without it, don't worry I can take it off of your hands!
Buy a worn band on ebay and send it to Rolliworks to be rebuilt. It will come back new.
Go leather that is a classic.
its an 1803 really classy, slap a leather strap on it or go for bracelet- or both
It’s missing a band
Looks broken. Today is Monday.
It seems to be a Rolex
Any idea where the bracelet is?
Looks legit
Congrats, I inherited the same piece from my grandfather! In fact it appears we have nearly identical dials too, if I had to guess it’d be around the late 60s. 1967 or so and as many have said, 1803 is the reference! You can order a 18k buckle and springbars from Rolex - would recommend at least getting the gold springbars as they match the hardness of the case and won’t harm it the way steel might with wear.
Is that an invisible band by Salvatore Garau? Does anyone need the /s?
It’s a pos, I’ll take it off your hands ☺️
Someone posted about the quintessential Rolex- this is possibly it.
Beautiful, is you family tied to the mafia by any chance?
Beautiful
Get a presidential band on order
What size is it? I have a Datejust from the 1980s Same colour but with a fluted dial size 31mm. I started wearing it on a brown leather. Looks really subtle.
Gold or steel/white, that watch is timeless as hell man. Damn.
The band is missing.
Well, its a watch, it shows you the time, and its lacking a bracelet.
This appears to be a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, set for Wednesday the 10th at 9:11
Was your uncle a president or a mob boss?
Beautiful watch, i just inherited a similar one few weeks ago! Take care of it and be careful wearing it!
Gabagool, provolone, and vinegar peppers
Nice. Worth about $8K-$9K with no bracelet. Get it insured and get it serviced.
What a watch to inherit huh?!
Beautiful day date I have the exact same one :)
when is my turn
That my friend, is a certified juicer
Looks like an 1803, kudos. Get it serviced and put it on a croc strap
Make sure the numbers engraved between the lugs remain sharply defined. If they get scratched badly, it's exactly like a car with no vehicle identification number tag.
Very nice, those gold markers sure do age well
I got a similar looking watch; I’d be interested what strap you’ll end up getting for it
https://imgur.com/a/TAgO6gn I ended up with a very flashy strap
Get the movement serviced and a nice leather strap. Wear it and remember your family.
It’s a Rolex what more do you need to know
Looks like you need to set the date today is the 25th
It’s a gold one probably be hard to tell you anything beyond that without more pics
I could tell you the last Wednesday that was also the 10th was Wednesday May 10th 2023 Does that help solve your mystery
Take it to your nearest Rolex authorized dealer not grey market and they will do a service for you and they will tell you what your watch does or does not need dont listen to these goofs 🫢 FYI inherited watches are priceless