Vintage Rolex Datejust Model 1603 14K gold & steel

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Note: some have written to say that this watch's serial number reflects a 1964 manufacture date and point me to a list verifying that. Yet I have a list that says 1959. Thus I make no claims to which it is - use the serial number to make your own conclusion. No reserve. Authentic vintage men's Rolex Datejust 14K yellow gold and stainless steel, all original except for crystal, dated at 1959 or 1964 via serial number 1118243. Champagne dial with 14K yellow gold raised hour markers. Do not be fooled by the many fakes sold on ebay (such as Oysterdate, etc). This watch is in very good condition considering its age of over 4 decades. Looks very similar to the current models! I have owned it for 5 years and just got it cleaned and polished with new acrylic crystal a couple of weeks ago. (I am selling it because I just got a newer one with hidden clasp and champagne sunbeam dial). The original oyster band has one fairly badly stretched link due to age (see the pictures) but it is not normally noticeable since it is on the underside of the wrist when worn normally. The other links are of course somewhat stretched with age, but are in very good shape considering their age (see pictures). The band looks like it is just a few years old, not the decades it really is. The band fits comfortably on my 7 1/2 inch wrist. The crystal is in excellent (new) condition with absolutely no scratches (I have not worn the watch since it was cleaned). The watch was tested for water tightness when it was cleaned. This is a slightly smaller watch as it measures 34 mm (normal size is 36 mm). The top lug is inscribed with the words "REGISTERED DESIGN 1603" and the bottom lug is inscribed with the words "STAINLESS STEEL 1118243". The markings on the face are all clearly visible in the pictures (except for the one at the bottom of the dial - it reads "T SWISS T"). The second hand does not stop when the crown is pulled to set the time, because Rolex did not add that feature until after 1970 or so. The watch back has no inscription (as is true of authentic Rolex Datejust watches). I do not have a removal tool for the back so I cannot post pictures of the movement, but the movement is authentic and is the 1565 movement (I believe). I observed the movement when I bought the watch 5 years ago and it has the telltale purple colored gears. The watch keeps good time but it does lose approximately 1.5 minutes per week. This watch, being older, does not have the quickset date function, so you must roll around 24 hours to advance to the next day. The watch is self-winding when you wear it on your wrist and will last for about a day and a half to two days if not worn. Although it can just barely be seen in the pictures, t is one, slightly noticeable, very tiny dent in the dial just below the 10 o-clock hour marker (about a third of the way between the hour marker and the center of the dial -- you do not normally see it unless you stare at the dial). Also, t is some minor corrosion on the minute and hour hands near the center of the dial (visible in the pictures). A very nice watch. Almost forgot to say: this watch has been serviced at least once in its lifetime. When I examined the movement prior to buying it, the name of the jeweler who serviced it was written on the inside of the case back. Only the watch is for sale in this auction. It will be carefully packed, but the carrier and box shown in the pictures do not come with the watch. read more

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