Need help with a vintage Ref 6605

[kensklo]

I have been collecting watches for over 20 years, but had never paid attention to vintage Rolex in the past. Recently my wife wanted to get our daughter a vintage Rolex for her 18th birthday and we came across this Ref 6605 today which my wife immediately fell in love with.

We were told the watch is genuine with all original parts (except for the tang buckle). However, upon returning home and doing some further research on my own, I am starting to doubt if the dial is original. It seems very new to me and I am not sure why its age (60 years plus) doesn't show on the black dial. Also, I wasn't able to find another 6605 with the exact same dial/indexes/hands combination on the internet. The only information I was able to find was on the caseback and the movement which I believe are real.

Based on the pictures I uploaded I would really appreciate any comments on the originality of this watch. It comes with neither box nor papers. Many thanks.

[kensklo]

Here are the pictures of the caseback and the movement.

[Dan S]

Can you post the number from between the lugs? At least the first few digits. At first glance, I'm also suspicious of the the dial, simply because it doesn't seem to show much age. But a closer look is warranted.

[motoikkyu]

Based on my limited experience (I have a 6605 in 18k, and one in stainless), this could go either way: at first glance, the dial seems credible BUT does seem to be rather excellent considering the dials I usually find in 6605s. My 18k has a re-dial, because the original dial had been repainted and I had it painted again better. My SS has an older re-dial. The original dials, I agree, are usually pretty crappy.

[Nickn]

Dial is incorrect for a 6605 it’s from a later 1601
Hands look ok

[kensklo]

I believe the serial number is 387049.

[Nickn]

It’s a nice looking watch with a later dial the hands are probably original
It all depends on the price

[kensklo]

Thank you Nick. I understand we are not allowed to discuss prices here, but the dealer is asking for a premium as he stated that the black dial this 6605 has is a rare find. I have looked around the internet and its asking price seems to be on the high side.

I'd rather pay more for an authentic watch with all original parts than one that was re-dialed. Also, I notice that the words "Registered Design" seemed to have been engraved at a later stage than its reference number. Does this make sense?

[Nickn]

I don’t see a problem in you telling us how much the dealer is asking
I can’t explain the registered design engraving
Now you know the dial is wrong haggle hard it’s still a nice looking watch
I have a similar one with a 9ct case for the U.K. market

[kensklo]

Noted, the dealer wants US$10,500 for it, and that's already the absolute lowest he is willing to accept.

[kensklo]

Nick, would you explain to me how you can tell the dial is not from the same period? I have been doing some research and found quite a few 6605's from the 50's with the same or very similar dial.

There are some I find that basically looks identical, but there are also ones I notice that at the bottom instead of "- SWISS -", I have found either "T SWISS T" or "T SWISS MADE T" printed. The one I am interested in has "- SWISS -" printed on the dial.

There are also examples which I find on the internet with the DATEJUST logo looking significantly smaller than the one I see at the dealer.

All these variations just confuse me more, unfortunately.

[Dan S]

Discussing the price on a watch that you are considering buying is not an issue IMO. It's a way that members can help each other make smart purchases. I think the issue with valuation is more associated with people making backdoor sales posts by supposedly asking for the value of a watch that they own.

[Tools]

The watch case dates to the late 50's, and hands look correct for that era.

Dial is a sigma dial, and those were early 70's.

There is nothing wrong with a watch that has had the dial replaced, it happens all the time, especially with the DJ.

I think that the price is way too high

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Tools

Dial is a sigma dial, and those were early 70's.
:

Either my vision has gotten very bad, or those are dashes, not sigma's.

[Nickn]

Originally Posted by kensklo

Nick, would you explain to me how you can tell the dial is not from the same period? I have been doing some research and found quite a few 6605's from the 50's with the same or very similar dial.

There are some I find that basically looks identical, but there are also ones I notice that at the bottom instead of "- SWISS -", I have found either "T SWISS T" or "T SWISS MADE T" printed. The one I am interested in has "- SWISS -" printed on the dial.

There are also examples which I find on the internet with the DATEJUST logo looking significantly smaller than the one I see at the dealer.

All these variations just confuse me more, unfortunately.

The watches you are looking at also have replaced dials
If you sent this watch to Rolex for a service in the 70’s these were the dials it would come back with
It’s far too expensive

[Tools]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

Either my vision has gotten very bad, or those are dashes, not sigma's.

- Swiss - dials are steel indices; o Swiss o dials are gold indices. Same era, but the steel dials are not called "dash dials"

[SDREW22]

You can source a day date with bracelet for that asking price.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Tools

- Swiss - dials are steel indices

I learned something today!

[kensklo]

Very interesting indeed, and so much to be learnt! Thank you all for your valuable contributions!

[kensklo]

I have talked to the dealer again today, and he insisted that the dial is original and it is in fact a gilt dial. He has just passed me photos that illustrate that the gold "prints" are actually suppressed and appear to be lower than the black lacquer surface that was applied on top.

Is he right that this is a gilt dial, and if so, this is original from the 50's?

And if so, what do you think of the asking price of US$10,500?

[kensklo]

Comments from anyone?

[watch-guy.com]

Not sure of the year case 257665

[Verdi]

At 10k, I would rather buy a DD. You can find a very good piece for that money.

[kensklo]

Originally Posted by Verdi

At 10k, I would rather buy a DD. You can find a very good piece for that money.

Yes, I'll probably pass on this one. But I'm still curious as to whether this is a gilt dial, and if so, is it original or re-dialed. This is more for own curiosity and education than a purchase decision.

[Nickn]

It’s a re-dial not sure when batton indices were introduced but long after your watch left the factory
If you can be bothered ask the dealer to explain the dagger hands if the dial is original to the watch