Again, I need some experts to ID this vintage Rolex

A Guy from Shanghai · Sep 9, 2008

Last year, I posted a thread here seeking help to id a vintage Omega. Later I took this Omega to a local watch repair shop to get it fully restored. And I am happy with the result. See I was wearing it after the watch had been serviced.

Recently Mom & Dad had a trip to China. And Dad came back with the Rolex that I mentioned on the previous post. He apparently found it somewhere in my old home. According to my Dad, my grandpa bought this watch before the liberation (in 1949). Does anyone has any idea about this watch? What is the best way to get it restored?

Thanks in advance.

dl20 · Sep 9, 2008

Try the rolex forum on timezone

dl

lbcgav · Sep 9, 2008

What's with the frankenstein case? None of the lugs match. It looks like someone either repaired the watch using lugs from a different watch or they went a little crazy with sanding the lugs to remove any scratches. Either way, it appears it's been repaired...unless you have a very early version of an asymmetrical design.

A Guy from Shanghai · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by lbcgav

What's with the frankenstein case? None of the lugs match. It looks like someone either repaired the watch using lugs from a different watch or they went a little crazy with sanding the lugs to remove any scratches. Either way, it appears it's been repaired...unless you have a very early version of an asymmetrical design.

Now you mentioned it, it looks like the upper right lug was replaced with a after market part, which does not match with the rest 3 lugs. And I can see the soldering trace left behind. I am wondering if I send this watch to Rolex, will they be able to fix that?

edmorel · Sep 9, 2008

the only thing that might be Rolex about that watch is the dial, case is wrong and the hands are wrong. If you show me the movement, I can tell you if that is right/wrong.

A Guy from Shanghai · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by edmorel

the only thing that might be Rolex about that watch is the dial, case is wrong and the hands are wrong. If you show me the movement, I can tell you if that is right/wrong.

Thanks Ed.

I just open the case, here are a few more shots.

gdl203 · Sep 10, 2008

Serial # seems to point to a 1940's production date indeed (1943-44).

The case front and lugs look like they've been messed up with - dial, movement and case back seem original to my untrained eye. I second the suggestion to post on TZ Rolex for real expert insight

A Guy from Shanghai · Sep 10, 2008

Originally Posted by gdl203

Serial # seems to point to a 1940's production date indeed (1943-44).

The case front and lugs look like they've been messed up with - dial, movement and case back seem original to my untrained eye. I second the suggestion to post on TZ Rolex for real expert insight

Thanks G!. I did post it on TZ as well, but have not received any replies yet. Any suggestions where/how to get it restored?

gdl203 · Sep 10, 2008

Originally Posted by A Guy from Shanghai

Thanks G!. I did post it on TZ as well, but have not received any replies yet. Any suggestions where/how to get it restored?

Just a bit of patience + maybe another post on thepurists

andyw · Sep 10, 2008

Nice workmanship on the movement and finishing on the case back.....I guess in this case no telling the book from the cover. I thought the watch was a fraud until looking at the pictures of the movement.

The good news from the pictures is that the watch could be authentic. A similar watch is listed on page 101 of "Wristwatches" by Brunner & Pfeiffer-Belli. That watch has similar steel casework, pencil hands and contains a 17 jewel mevement. I'll try to get a scan of the page up.

andyw · Sep 10, 2008

....here's the scan

A Guy from Shanghai · Sep 10, 2008

Originally Posted by andyw

....here's the scan

Thanks, really appreciated. My movement also has "17 RUBIS".

Again, I need some experts to ID this vintage Rolex

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