A Little Mystery
Everybody loves a mystery, unless that unsolved mystery happens to be yours.
Over a decade ago I was handed an heirloom from my mother:
“It was in the back of my old jewelry box. I’m not sure whose it was.”
“Sure Mum, I’ll look after it.”
And I did. The watch muggle I was put it safely in a drawer for the best part of another decade.
It wasn’t until my relatively recent watch epiphany that I became truly interested in this piece’s history.
It has a very small, even for me, 31mm case size. The brown straps were as crusty and crumbly as a freshly opened Jacob’s Cream Cracker and almost looked delicious? (Replaced the straps just recently). The dome has scuffs and a big crack visible when tilted, and is definitely some sort of acrylic.
It has a mechanical wind up movement with a screw down crown. The wind is smooth and grows in resistance until I dare not twist any farther. And to my astonishment,
the thing still works.
Not once have I ever seen my own father wear this watch. I have no memory of it from my childhood. I’d love to ask him but he passed when I was 18. Unfortunately, I also no longer have any living grandparents to ask either. Mum? Bless her, she has no idea. In fact just the other day when I asked about this watch, which let’s not forget, she handed to me, she asked me:
“That’s nice. Where did you get it from?”
I didn’t even know if it was real or not. The more I learned online, the bigger the doubt in my heart grew. Serial number between the lugs…nope. Nowhere to be found. I couldn’t open the case back. I actually tried some YouTube video hacks - didn’t budge a bit!
After hour upon hour of internet research, my best guess is that it is an Oyster Precision from the 1950s?? The closest model I could find with gilt leaf hands and lollipop seconds is ref: 6422.
But I’ve never seen even a photo of this watch.
Could it really be a fake?
Do I even want to know?
Well, the answer turned out to be yes, and once again, I relied on my local watchmaker, Mr. Onizuka.
This time, he had to send it to someone else to help verify and hopefully service it if it turned out to be real.
Three weeks later, Mr. Onizuka sits me down and says,
“I’m afraid….”
Pause.
“It’s real.”
This revealed Mr. Onizuka’s unexpectedly cruel sense of humour. I don’t dislike it.
Authentic then. But they still couldn’t date it for me and said that a small part needed replacing but only a Rolex AD would have it.
Truth be told, even having the date and reference won’t tell me who this watch actually belonged to. Which grand dad? Or maybe dad simply bought a vintage watch. Just add those to the long list of life questions I want to ask my elders when I pass over.
Also I’m not ready to walk into an official Rolex AD just to ask them to try to identify the watch for me. Something tells me that they will have little time for this little mystery of a little timepiece.
Watch Fam, a little help please perhaps?
Teacher trainer but always the student. Lost in the world of mechanical watches. Working towards the dream piece of a Grand Seiko GMT.
Congratulations for the present discovery 💪🏻I would try to send it to Rolex for a thorough service and hopefully identification, if your ready for the investment required… 🤔
Congratulations for the present discovery 💪🏻I would try to send it to Rolex for a thorough service and hopefully identification, if your ready for the investment required… 🤔
Yeah seems like the best bet to go direct with RSC. I’m not sure if they restore or service vintages watches though? Call and verify first!
Congratulations for the present discovery 💪🏻I would try to send it to Rolex for a thorough service and hopefully identification, if your ready for the investment required… 🤔
Thank you for commenting! Blew past my watch budget for the year a while back. The proper service will have to wait a bit longer! 😅
Thank you for commenting! Blew past my watch budget for the year a while back. The proper service will have to wait a bit longer! 😅
Be patient, save and you’ll get there 💪🏻
It’s around 70 yrs old, if it survived so far, it could wait a lil longer 🤣
Now I’m no vintage expert, but this may be an early version of the speedking that is manual wind, which explains the resistance and lack of perpetual on the dial.
Again, I’m no expert nor knowledgeable on vintage pieces. This is me putting my detective hat on.
If sent to Rolex, they will do a complete retail of the watch including swapping out that very clean dial. Find a vintage watchmaker who may have the parts.
What a cool watch!
I have dabbled with vintage Rolex watches in the past and would date your lovely watch to late 50s but that case back is not a design that I have seen in my own limited experience. Your best option is to locate a decent watchmaker who works on vintage watches especially older Rolex. Not sure any official Rolex service centre would be willing to service such an old watch.
If i can suggest, take it to the Rolex service centre. Of course, it depends where you live, but if you're in the UK check out the london rolex sc. They will know exactly what to do, and if you ask them not to touch that lovely dial - they will not. Ask for a sensitive service, and for them to consult you before considering any changes. A new crystal will no doubt be a good idea. Not cheap but that watch is worth it, and so are you:-)
Btw a rolex AD will not know what it is.
Agreed, AD will not be helpful here. I had a similar situation with a Rolex found in a drawer after my Grandfather passed. Our local Rolex AD said it was very nice, but that Rolex wouldn’t service a watch from the 1940s. I’ve also heard that when they do service watches Rolex will sometimes replace parts without consulting the owners. Not sure if they still do that, or if they even will work on an older piece. Vet your watchmaker carefully, and get the name and part number, if possible, of the part that needs replacing. Long shot that you could source it yourself but at least you will fully understand what it needs and if the watchmaker can do it.
Such a beautiful watch made even more special because it's an heirloom. Mine was actually worn as a daily by my mom after it was gifted to her by her dad for her wedding. Still running strong without a service after over 50 years, although worn very sparingly and given a new strap.
Love the way you write; what a fun read with a great reveal. I hope you find a vintage Rolex expert who respects your wishes and keeps the watch as original as possible. Please take the time to research this with care; I’ve heard horror stories!
This is the real deal. I have a 1941 Rolex inherited from my grandfather with the very same dial. It is a 34mm.
Yeah seems like the best bet to go direct with RSC. I’m not sure if they restore or service vintages watches though? Call and verify first!
Thank you for your thoughts and advice! Much appreciated!☺️
Now I’m no vintage expert, but this may be an early version of the speedking that is manual wind, which explains the resistance and lack of perpetual on the dial.
Again, I’m no expert nor knowledgeable on vintage pieces. This is me putting my detective hat on.
If sent to Rolex, they will do a complete retail of the watch including swapping out that very clean dial. Find a vintage watchmaker who may have the parts.
Thank you for this information! It does certainly seem closely related to the model you kindly posted! 🍻
I have dabbled with vintage Rolex watches in the past and would date your lovely watch to late 50s but that case back is not a design that I have seen in my own limited experience. Your best option is to locate a decent watchmaker who works on vintage watches especially older Rolex. Not sure any official Rolex service centre would be willing to service such an old watch.
I am also a little worried about firstly the expense of an official AD and what they might replace. Thanks for your input!✨🍻✨
Btw a rolex AD will not know what it is.
A “sensitive service” is something I’ve not heard of. From the other comments here, there seems to be a split with those trusting their Rolex ADs and those advising against it. I trust my local watch guy - I guess a revisit and sit down is in order!
Agreed, AD will not be helpful here. I had a similar situation with a Rolex found in a drawer after my Grandfather passed. Our local Rolex AD said it was very nice, but that Rolex wouldn’t service a watch from the 1940s. I’ve also heard that when they do service watches Rolex will sometimes replace parts without consulting the owners. Not sure if they still do that, or if they even will work on an older piece. Vet your watchmaker carefully, and get the name and part number, if possible, of the part that needs replacing. Long shot that you could source it yourself but at least you will fully understand what it needs and if the watchmaker can do it.
Thank you for the great advice and sharing your story. It’s a beautiful piece, I love the unique strap pairing! Understood, I’ll proceed with due caution after a bit more homework!☺️
Love the way you write; what a fun read with a great reveal. I hope you find a vintage Rolex expert who respects your wishes and keeps the watch as original as possible. Please take the time to research this with care; I’ve heard horror stories!
Kind of you to say, thank you! Yes, “proceed with caution” seems to be the general warning. That’s advice I will take! Thanks again!
This is the real deal. I have a 1941 Rolex inherited from my grandfather with the very same dial. It is a 34mm.
Thank you for the affirmation! I have searched high and low for a similar looking dial to no avail. It’s good to know other ones are out there! 😄