Questions for DayDate experts

[nwk00]

I really like the skinny baton dials on the older DD, the ones with tritium spots at the end of the hour markers, and yet at the same time I really appreciate the improvements Rolex has done to the bracelet from year 2003 onwards. Can I

1) buy a new DD and get an old dial to be installed on it, assuming I find a new old stock dial?
2) buy an old DD and get a new 2003 bracelet installed on it? If it's possible to fit the new 2003 onwards bracelet on the old case, will the bracelet be fitted flush with the watch lugs?

My gut feel is both are not possible because for 1) the dial's feet is probably different and 2) the newer 2003 bracelet won't fit on the older DD.

Can someone confirm this?

Some other unrelated DD questions

3) Do the DD with bark bracelets come with bark bezel? I saw one with a fluted bezel in a local second hand shop so I wonder if it's a franken.
4) Do Rolex still supply the bark bracelets? The one I saw has a really loose bracelet and I wonder if Rolex will sell/exchange for a new one assuming everything is good.


Thank you for your time

[Darkangel]

I really like the skinny baton dials on the older DD, the ones with tritium spots at the end of the hour markers, and yet at the same time I really appreciate the improvements Rolex has done to the bracelet from year 2003 onwards. Can I

1) buy a new DD and get an old dial to be installed on it, assuming I find a new old stock dial?
2) buy an old DD and get a new 2003 bracelet installed on it? If it's possible to fit the new 2003 onwards bracelet on the old case, will the bracelet be fitted flush with the watch lugs?

My gut feel is both are not possible because for 1) the dial's feet is probably different and 2) the newer 2003 bracelet won't fit on the older DD.

Can someone confirm this?

Some other unrelated DD questions

3) Do the DD with bark bracelets come with bark bezel? I saw one with a fluted bezel in a local second hand shop so I wonder if it's a franken.
4) Do Rolex still supply the bark bracelets? The one I saw has a really loose bracelet and I wonder if Rolex will sell/exchange for a new one assuming everything is good.


Thank you for your time

Hey bro,

You have already answered your own question actually haha! Just curious why do you like the older look? Thought people preferred the newer look (well personally I do) but that's just me!



3) Bark DDs come with bark bezels. If it comes with fluted means they just fitted the bark bracelet to it that's all.

4) Not sure but they won't keep parts for more than 30 years after discon, 30 years is gonna come soon. There's a reason why I don't recommend people to buy bark DDs...good luck finding parts, not impossible but gets harder over the years. Now you can find but doesnt mean 20 years down the road you can find it when you need.

[Watcha]

you got your DD 18K already?

[Darkangel]

you got your DD 18K already?

As advised by many, not too late if I get it 20 years later. Hahaha....

[nwk00]

Hi Dark Angel,

so I did guess correctly and option 1 and 2 is a no go because of the reasons I have stated?

[Ian Limm]

HI NWK, I'm no expert on DD cos I only started to collect them 2 years back.

however I would discourage you from doing option 1 & 2 "mix and match" because your watches will become a "parts watch".
when I buy watches, I will check to ensure everything match and is from the same period.
for example a day date 1803 bracelet number should be numbered "53" and a 18038 bracelet should be numbered "55".
rolex tracks and marks a lot of their models and parts with codes so I like it that they are corectly matched.

[Darkangel]

Hi Dark Angel,

so I did guess correctly and option 1 and 2 is a no go because of the reasons I have stated?

Yes that's right bro.

Anyway you can PM me again, I just cleared my inbox.

[HerzAusStahl]

I don't like the lumed batons on the newer day-dates. Not sure if this is the reason TS prefers the older batons, but it is mine. For the newer dd, instead of franking the watch, I will go for roman or diamond dial to avoid having any lume on the dial.

[Darkangel]

I don't like the lumed batons on the newer day-dates. Not sure if this is the reason TS prefers the older batons, but it is mine. For the newer dd, instead of franking the watch, I will go for roman or diamond dial to avoid having any lume on the dial.

Roman on white dial is plain beauty

[nwk00]

I bought the 118238 with this dial in the end. It's stick markers with luminova but the lumes are tiny dots at the end of the sticks so it's much more subtle. I don't really like the lumes to be inside the indices as it makes the watch too sporty looking. But the plus side is the sporty looking stick marker with lumes is more legible. I guess I will come back to this when my eyesight starts to fail me.

[Ian Limm]

yea I prefer your dial too, good choice gold bars with tiny dots at the end.

the big lumi markers are strange looking , its like taking the dial of a sports watch and fitting it into a dress watch.

[Darkangel]

I bought the 118238 with this dial in the end. It's stick markers with luminova but the lumes are tiny dots at the end of the sticks so it's much more subtle. I don't really like the lumes to be inside the indices as it makes the watch too sporty looking. But the plus side is the sporty looking stick marker with lumes is more legible. I guess I will come back to this when my eyesight starts to fail me.

Sounds great bro! Share some pics!

[yulee]

This is my 'Dream' watch too

[watchyou]

My Favorite in my collection.

[Darkangel]

My Favorite in my collection.

You had to poison us Hehehe...love it too man!