Quote:
Originally Posted by samuelhuntington
Thanks, but like I said I more just want to learn why. I figure the bezel could always be replaced with a sourced genuine one, so is it right that I should stay away from any and all refinished dials? Or is there something else about this watch that would make you run. Thanks
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With early vintage sports models there are some examples that bring in big money, but the ones that sell usually have good-great original dials, original bezels and inserts sometimes specific to a certain range in the model run, provenance and good unpolished/lightly polished cases.
These watches get a little crazy as radium was used to luminate the dials back then and often it destroyed the top layer of the dial over years of time. Many people got their dial replaced by Rolex or redone by an independent which makes finding an original dial in good or bad condition like a needle in a haystack.
If you bought that watch for $9k you would NEVER find an original dial in decent shape for it, and the original bezel and insert would likely cost more than the project itself.
To most of us here we find it smarter to buy the best watch in the most original condition for the price range. 9,500 on a franken 5508 that is unlikely to ever be returned to original isn't a very smart watch to buy IMO. However a Meters First 5513 with B&P could be had for the same price which has a much better upside potential down the road. Or any other original Rolex that strikes your fancy.