![]() |
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
![]() |
#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 1
|
1945 Oyster Perpetual
Hello,
I am new to vintage watches, and recently purchased a 1945 Rolex Oyster Perpetual. I am looking for any info on the watch. Style 4220 Case serial number 292913 Thank you! ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Nick H.
Location: Amherst, NY
Watch: me flip
Posts: 1,901
|
Did you just by the on ebay?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Real Name: Steve
Location: Burbank, CA
Watch: 214270 Mark II
Posts: 4,121
|
Is it just an illusion or is the crown symbol below the 12:00 marker lopsided?
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,829
|
Well, this is a refinished dial, so don't blame Rolex...
__________________
Cheers, Adam |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cheshire, England
Posts: 275
|
Hello Lancette,
I'm sorry to have to break this to you but, the watch you have appears to be a genuine Rolex but there is one real problem, that problem is the dial. The dial is a re-finished dial and not original to the watch. This in itself isn't too bad, some collecters don't mind a restored dial that brings the watch back to the state it was in when it was new, but some collectors prefer the original dial in an untouched state. Aesthetically, it's a matter of personal taste. In terms of value, untouched dials have more value. The problem with yours though is this, your re-finished dial is wrong. The term "Perpetual" when written on a Rolex watch refers to an automatic movement, yours is handwinding. The original dial would never have had "Perpetual" written on the dial. I'm afraid this mistake will have a big impact on the value of the watch, I would seriously consider having the dial re-finished again. Sorry. Andy B. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 3,764
|
I have never seen a horizontal "stick" marker at the 6 o'clock position, but rather all vertical.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,829
|
Quote:
![]() ![]()
__________________
Cheers, Adam |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 8,391
|
Nice peice, looks like it was produced sometime in the 1940's, the dial has definteley been refinished though.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
Quote:
I have serial number 280xxx. The "2" is identical to your "2" !! It is smaller than the other numbers and incomplete. Are you sure that's a "2"? Or a hallmark of some kind? 80xxx and 92xxx puts these watches at 1939. Plausible for both. I don't know why that first number is "sawed" off. The 1946 inscribed date, however, is a clue that it is a 2, and both watches were made in late '44. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 461
|
Ebay is good because it plays an important role in bringing us to many of the watches that we have not seen, during our life-time. While eBay is good, the same cannot be said about all the watches, listed there.
On eBay, we can get some good original watches. On eBay, we can get 'frankens'. On eBay, we can get fakes. If you do not have enough experience and exposure, regarding vintage-watches, be prepared for surprises (the horrible ones, unfortunately). While most of the eBayers are good and respectable, there are the bad and the ugly ones, too. It is always best to bring to the attention of the watch lovers in this forum of your potential dream-watch, before you part with your hard-earned $! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
Quote:
My rules for watches: stay away from anything new or foreign. For vintage watches, look at the movement and the serial number, plus the feedback record of the seller. I also avoid watches not working. They might be non-fixable--rust heaps inside. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
Here's the serial on my Oyster with that same funny first digit "2"?
Haven't seen an explanation of it, but I've seen it in other Oysters of that period. With all the Canadian Oysters, there are so many variations you could write a book just about these wartime Oysters. Oops. You can't see the serial very well here. But you can see the smaller first number on the left end. Oyster3.jpg |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Real Name: steve
Location: dallas area
Watch: 50's TT t-bird
Posts: 3,688
|
nice watch
Quote:
Is it going to be a safe queen or daily wearer? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
Quote:
Agreed. I never buy a vintage with a dirty or worn dial. I also never buy a personally inscribed piece, like this one. Except the date 1946 tells you something about when the watch was made and purchased. That is an important piece of information for a collector. If you own a half dozen watches, most are in the jewelry case most of the time. When I do something active, I wear my G-Shock. ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
I just want to add that seeing this watch has been very educational, since my Oyster has a very similar serial number, with the same small first digit. No doubt authentic. Though I still haven't seen an explanation!
These wartime Oysters are wonderful history. I just bought Imai's book on "3621 Rolexes". He shows color pics of many Oysters from the 30s and 40s. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,829
|
Quote:
cf. my Raleigh, on which the "2" is complete. ![]()
__________________
Cheers, Adam |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,829
|
Quote:
__________________
Cheers, Adam |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
Quote:
There were a lot of different Oysters made in this time period--different dials, etc. And it's hard to sort them out. I suspect many of the parts were interchangeable. Oyster4.jpg |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: PA, USA
Posts: 164
|
Quote:
Your serial no. dates to '42, a year or two earlier than the others (assuming the first digit is a 2). I wonder if the convention changed in the latter part of the "2xxxxx" production? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.