Vintage Rolex
My 90 year old grandfather recently passed and he left me a handful of watches. The most intriguing of the bunch is a vintage Rolex Datejust.
I’m not sure how much he’s worn it in the recent past. I didn’t even know he had one and my dad says he doesn’t remember seeing him wear it.
The watch works like a charm. A few turns kicked the gears into motion. I successfully set the date and time. The only curious part of it is the caseback which has a Sub reference number - 16610. Does anyone know why a Sub reference number would be on this vintage Linen DJ? Replacement part?
I’m no vintage Rolex expert and was hoping for some help regarding what to do to verify its authenticity. I’d also like to have it serviced. There’s a local authorized dealer that I could take it to.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
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I'll go out on a limb and say it's probably a fake.
Caseback seems to be a huge red flag.
Get it authenticated.
I wouldn't have high hopes on that one being authentic. Which is not to say you can't enjoy it and wear it as a tribute to him. But yeah, the case back, cyclops, crown, dial don't look great to me.
More fake than Mclovins ID
The 16610 on the caseback is a submariner reference👀
Very nice #vintage #rolex 🤩
I lived in Korea for a year and saw a lot of "Foolexes" including ones with cheap auto movements. I would pop the bracelet and look proper serial number on the case between the lugs. Also check for wear thru on the bezel. The fakes have "flash" gold tone plating that lasts about a week. A real Rolex bezel is solid gold and will not show base metal no matter how much wear. It is possible that the caseback is a used piece from a sub. Let us know what you find out!
As a long time member of various watch fora I find the recent (past few years) spate of questionable Rolex watches found among the possessions of dearly departed relatives to be rather unsettling. What was going on ,lo those many years ago?
I'll go out on a limb and say it's probably a fake.
Caseback seems to be a huge red flag.
Get it authenticated.
I concur 100%. The five digit reference 16610 is for a Rolex Submariner (pictured below). Something doesn't sound right.
In addition, I have never seen a Rolex caseback engraved, only sterile. The 16610 Sub did not have that engraving on the caseback.
totally fake, just zoom in on the text on the dial...the font looks horrible