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Evening All
A family friend has been handed down this watch and asked me to see if I could find anything out about it, and thus my question to you.
I has been in his family for at least two generations so one would presume it is completely original.
Any ideas as to what it is, some have said an early Rolex but I see no name or marks that I recognise.
Any help/ideas much appreciated, thanks Andrew
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Have you had the back off & got a photo of the movement?
Good question, no I will ask for a pic, thanks
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Quality looking good so far I would say but let’s see the movement please
What an interesting looking piece. Thread bookmarked.
It certainly looks like an early (1920s) Rolex Cushion-cased oyster, but I see the crown tube has sheared off the rest of the case, which is a shame.
D
The crown being signed 'Oyster Patent' would make me guess Rolex, but I have almost no knowledge of vintage pieces (or modern really!). Could also not be original, but again, I'm not one to ask.
Thanks all for comments so far. Any rough idea of value, is it worth restoring it?
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Here you go, movement pic, thanks again
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And case back, so a Rolex then.....He could have sent me those first....Any any idea of value? Thanks again to this great forum.
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Movement looks correct. I think there was a Prima, Prima Extra and Ultra.As pointed out I think the problem is the damaged case at the stem.
I had something similar about twenty years ago. It had Rolex in the dial and a rolled hold case.
I sold it at auction for about £400 but it was a long time ago.
It’s strange to think this is the Great Grandad of all the modern day Rolexes.Where it all began if You like. I’m wondering how far a watch like this should be restored before it’s taken too far ? For instance what should be done with the dial?
It certainly looks like the dial has been treated to some work before, Surely that printing roughness on the numerals is due to removal of the original radium lume???
The case does need re-soldering, looking from the back is seems like the whole case tube has been bent up, snaping the front half.
It will take some very skilled work to get that repaired invisibly.
Dave
It’s an Rolex watch company oyster. Assume that it is very radioactive indeed. As in keep it in a sealed bag in a metal box. The first for Radon the second for radium and radium daughters. Don’t open it up as the dust from the lume is dangerous.
The case is presumably silver. On the plus side it’s the very first Oyster case.
Last edited by M4tt; 21st February 2019 at 11:50.
If it's silver it can be dated from the Hallmark. I had a 9 carat gold one and the Hallmark was "Glasgow 1934". It would be easier to repair a silver one than a stainless steel one.
Looks like a nice Bonklip bracelet as well, quite possibly original to the watch.