Datejust Question

[RobbieG]

Hey Guys,

Long time no visit. Hope you all are well. I was in my AD today picking up another gen watch from service and I tried on a nice wg datejust for kicks. I have never been a dress watch guy really but I do have a dj rep from back a few years ago. I remeber at the time the case was the correct size for sure and actually the dial is pretty good too considering it was a really cheap rep. Anyway, did I miss something? It seems like the DJ is now the same as the day-date or maybe they both are larger? The case seems wider and the dials bigger now for some reason. Please advise. I'm sure the rep is visably smaller now. My rep used to look pretty great really, but is there now a new size for this watch or is the case shape just a little different or what? Not that I really care but I must say I am curious...

RG

 

[alligoat]

A year or two ago Rolex did change the case and I believe it's now 37mm and slightly different shape. Numbering system was also modified from like a 16234, say, to a 116234.

 

[rek001]

Interesting coincidence - I was at Tourneau yesterday looking at watches, trying to decide on my next rep.
I tried on a beautiful DJ, all SS, black dial, romans, smooth rounded bezel and jubilee bracelet - just gorgeous.
After it was put back in the case, I noticed that it looked definately larger than another DJ with fluted bezel. I asked about this and the saleslady did say that the case size of the DJ I tried on is larger, by about 2mm she thought (not sure).
So there's your answer and I wish the rep makers would produce this slightly larger DJ, it site wonderfully on the wrist.

 

[alligoat]

The newer DJ reps are out there- you might check with Ruby. Ruby is the DJ expert and can get whatever you want- basically made to order. Sure beats paying $4, 5, or 6K for a gen!

 

[RobbieG]

Thanks guys - although I have seen Ruby's reps and they are like mine size and shape wise- which is fine BTW. DJ reps are really underrated IMO. They are extremely accurate and very high quality from that one particular factory. Andrew and Josh have the good ones too or at least they did when I got mine. I have yet to see a rep DJ with the newer case from any dealer. It sort of looks square in the middle now. The shape is less elegant for sure but Rollie probably had to increase the size to keep sales up as the trend is moving toward larger watches. the 40MM in the sports watches still cuts it but I guess they think 36MM may bee a bit small even for a dress watch these days.

 

[guanaco]

Be careful on a particular DJ, it has the roman markers (small) and it has Two VII (7's), the 8 marker is a 7 (VII)... I hope they fix this. Other than that my advice is to go with Ruby with a Datejust.

Another alternative, a little bit more expensive than to buy a rep, is to go to eBay, buy a Datejust case, crown, etc. The whole thing, for around $250-$500, slap an ETA movement and you'll have a Frankenjust, no one will call you on it because it's a gen!

 

[alligoat]

Here's the new case on one of Paul's DJ's

http://www.pam111.com/product_info.php? ... ts_id=1387

His blurb says 36mm, but if you look on the back it says 116233- the model #

 

[guanaco]

Remember kids, in the rep world, solid gold means plated!

 

[fakemaster]

The new Rolex designs are driving me away from the brand.

 

[Klink]

puke in a rolex jar

 

[RobbieG]

Yeah I agree. I would say am a pretty astute collector - just shy of 50 pieces (not including replicas) and I still have only two genuine Rolex watches - a Rolesium YM and a Sub (also the DJ rep in this thread and a GMT rep I love). I also tend to stick with pretty traditional stuff and I'm not hard to please but the new Rolex stuff is just awful IMO. My fave piece at the moment is a Ti Aquatimer I just got. So light and comfortable I can't take it off. The bracelet is amazing. I also just got a Sinn 757 UTC that I like alot. Last year I fell in love with the PO above all else and I wore that forever it seemed - viewtopic.php?f=46&t=14604&p=124359&hilit=planet+ocean#p124359

Anyway, I'm rambling but my point was that I feel I am a good example of a true watch lover in that we tend to like very functional and classic stuff by and large. I fear Rolex will lose many customers if they forget where they came from. They really don't need to change a thing. In that respect they really are special in the watch world. They have created some designs that absolutely cannot be improved on. I feel that way about some other brand offerings as well lately. The Aquatimer and PO would both fall into that category. How do you improve in those designs if you are Omega or IWC? Can we say that about anything Invicta or Kreiger or Jacob makes? Rolex is sailing in dangerous seas if they arrogant enough to think they can improve the Yachtmaster...

I promised a year ago that I would try and photograph more of my genuine watches - especially since great reps are being made of many of them by now. I have more free time at the moment and I will try to do so soon - starting with the Aqautimer and the 757 probably as they are the newest.

 

[Spirit]

Be careful on a particular DJ, it has the roman markers (small) and it has Two VII (7's), the 8 marker is a 7 (VII)... I hope they fix this. Other than that my advice is to go with Ruby with a Datejust.

Funny that even on the new models on this "PAM111" site, the DJ has this issue on the dial...
It seems that not only on particular watches, but it´s getting kinda random I see, which is a down to these reps.

I was aware of this issue before, but thought it was only on DD´s, and not on DJ´s too. Kinda small issue, but surely would bug me out if I was to buy some watch like this.
...But design will never drive me away of the Rolex brand =)

Have fun,
=)
Spirit.

 

[hk45ca]

just stay away from the dj's with the roman numerals on the dial. this one has been laid down on the counter next to a gen and it passed with flying colors. there are some very accurate dials out there. just study the watch like it was a sub or something. my non ad jeweler looked at this one when i laid it on the counter to try on a used one he had and he didn't have a clue. it is about 5 years old and is a tw best, it is representitive of a 80's tt dj with a blue vignette diamond dial and open 6's and 9's. i need to change the spring bars in the end links because they are worn and let the hollow end links move around a little bit but even that is Representative of a 20 year old dj. compare this picture to a old tt dj and you will see just how accurate it is.

i would say at this time ruby is the king of dd's and dj's custom made to order. just find a picture of the one you want and send it to her.

 

[rek001]

However I think that all the rep DateJust's are 36 mm case size without crown, which is incorrect?
Should be 38 or 39 mm, can anyone verify this?

 

[alligoat]

Datejust cases are 36mm. The new style may be 37mm, but I'm not 100% on this.

 

[hk45ca]

the cases are 36mm on my dj and dd which is correct for the time frame they are from.

 

[sawalke4]

i have a newer DJ from trusty. Compaired to a gen, the case is smaller and slightly different size