6694- Authentcity check

[vintagewaferthin]

Hi all, I saw this watch randomly browsing ebay earlier. Obviously its just a head, that needs a service w a refinished dial, but seems at least to me that it has potential. The price is clearly really low, but id imagine the bidding will go up closer to the end of the listing. I must admit im considering putting in a bid if it stays on the low end. So how does this look authenticity wise?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rol...R/202968267954

[rokonman]

Seller has said it all. Bet it breaks 1500.00. Bored folks just got their stimulus checks. I have been selling my surplus shooting stuff. Everything is selling really fast. The opposite of what you’d expect.

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by rokonman

Seller has said it all. Bet it breaks 1500.00. Bored folks just got their stimulus checks. I have been selling my surplus shooting stuff. Everything is selling really fast. The opposite of what you’d expect.

does everything look genuine?

[offrdmania]

Everything looks genuine and the seller has pointed out all of its faults. It looks like a solid wearer. Keep in mind that it is just the head. I personally wouldnt pay anymore than about $900 the way it sits without a bracelet but its eBay so you know it will go over that. You dont have to worry about 6694s because there are so many parts out there and I have never seen a fake 6694 case.

[Toronto Soup King]

I have the identical watch, everything looks A-OK. You WILL need to service that watch and replace the gaskets, but after that just source a 19mm strap and as long as you don't have huge wrists (mine are 7.25" and 34mm looks fine, particularly in long sleeves) this watch can serve you as a daily for another fifty years.

When you service the watch, consider replacing the mainspring. Not expensive and I wish I'd done mine, it has only a day's PR. A new MS would give you more than a day's wear. Anyway good luck

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

I have the identical watch, everything looks A-OK. You WILL need to service that watch and replace the gaskets, but after that just source a 19mm strap and as long as you don't have huge wrists (mine are 7.25" and 34mm looks fine, particularly in long sleeves) this watch can serve you as a daily for another fifty years.

When you service the watch, consider replacing the mainspring. Not expensive and I wish I'd done mine, it has only a day's PR. A new MS would give you more than a day's wear. Anyway good luck

My thoughts with an example like this would be to give it the full RSC treatment since I don't really like how the refinished dial looks anyway. I have a 34mm 5500 which fits nicely on my 6.5 inch wrist, so this also being 34mm I wouldn't imagine would feel differently on the wrist other than how it would sit as the caseback is a bit flatter w the handwind caliber.

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Everything looks genuine and the seller has pointed out all of its faults. It looks like a solid wearer. Keep in mind that it is just the head. I personally wouldnt pay anymore than about $900 the way it sits without a bracelet but its eBay so you know it will go over that. You dont have to worry about 6694s because there are so many parts out there and I have never seen a fake 6694 case.

Thanks for the insight. Depending on how high the bidding goes(as you said I wouldn't want to pay more than $900 w just the head and refinished dial) I may take the risk and buy it. I would definitely want it to have a bracelet, so im sure at some point id send it to RSC for the full treatment.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by vintagewaferthin

Thanks for the insight. Depending on how high the bidding goes(as you said I wouldn't want to pay more than $900 w just the head and refinished dial) I may take the risk and buy it. I would definitely want it to have a bracelet, so im sure at some point id send it to RSC for the full treatment.

I agree that the dial is pretty bad. If you send it to RSC, won't you pay another $1k for service and replacement parts. And then you'll have a watch with service parts. It's almost never cost-effective to do that unless you find the watch at an estate sale. You could try to find a decent period-correct dial on eBay, which seems plausible, but honestly, I would wait for a legit example. Who wants to pay top dollar for a project. These are common and not really in great demand.

Use the eBay advanced search feature to look through SOLD listings and you will see what you can expect to find with a little patience.

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I agree that the dial is pretty bad. If you send it to RSC, won't you pay another $1k for service and replacement parts. And then you'll have a watch with service parts. It's almost never cost-effective to do that unless you find the watch at an estate sale. You could try to find a decent period-correct dial on eBay, which seems plausible, but honestly, I would wait for a legit example. Who wants to pay top dollar for a project. These are common and not really in great demand.

Use the eBay advanced search feature to look through SOLD listings and you will see what you can expect to find with a little patience.

Thanks for your insight. Unless this stays on the low end price wise(which I doubt it will when the auction nears the end), ill probably pass. I paid $1630.00 for my 5500 in 2016, and that watch wasn't in great shape when I got it however it still had its original dial non refinished dial, hands, etc. Later got it fully serviced cosmetically and mechanically by Central Watch a year later. What do 6694s that are all original go for? Ive seen many that are 3k and the higher end of 2k which seems way to high for what they are, and this is without box or any kind of vintage papers. Thoughts? Thanks again

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by vintagewaferthin

Ive seen many that are 3k and the higher end of 2k which seems way to high for what they are, and this is without box or any kind of vintage papers. Thoughts? Thanks again

I assume you're talking about asking prices. As I mentioned, some research using the eBay advanced search feature, checking the SOLD box, will be very revealing. Also, use watchrecon to look at listings from other collectors.

I think you will find that you can get an average one for about $1500 USD with patience, closer to $2k with bracelet. A really fine example maybe a few hundred more, with some flaws a few hundred less. Roughly speaking. Obviously, if you're in a rush, you will always pay more. As I always say ... fast, cheap, good ... you can have two of the three, but not all three.

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Do you really intend to wear a 34mm watch in today’s 40mm+ times??

[motoikkyu]

There is a regional component to 6694 prices, I've definitely seen them sell for more in the UK than in the USA. I bought one, had it serviced, have it on a jubilee bracelet, it's a great watch. I know we don't use the term "entry level" because it stigmatizes, but that really describes the 6694: manual wind, calendar, good wrist presence, announces "Rolex" with classic styling, etc.

"Size envy" is a slippery slope. I wear bubblebacks, I'm wearing one today. Those are 32mm. I also wear a lot of 48mm chronographs. Size is a preference thing.

[vintagewaferthin]

definitely like the 34mm size. Still not sure on this one. Shall see what happens w the auction. I know im probably in the minority here, but I don't mind the idea of service parts(dial, hands, bracelet) at least not on a 6694 like this.

[vintagewaferthin]

Does the case on this watch look ok to you guys? Is it normal by the crown to have a spot that kinda "juts" out like it does?

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I assume you're talking about asking prices. As I mentioned, some research using the eBay advanced search feature, checking the SOLD box, will be very revealing. Also, use watchrecon to look at listings from other collectors.

I think you will find that you can get an average one for about $1500 USD with patience, closer to $2k with bracelet. A really fine example maybe a few hundred more, with some flaws a few hundred less. Roughly speaking. Obviously, if you're in a rush, you will always pay more. As I always say ... fast, cheap, good ... you can have two of the three, but not all three.

Solid advice. Thank you. At this point, I think im going to stay on the hunt. I am definitely in no rush for such a piece, and for sure want to find the best one I can find for my money. Curious, do these rarely come with a full set(box papers, etc)? Have only seen one or two with a complete set.

Ideally id like one with an original black dial and a full set would be an excellent bonus.

[LChanyungco]

Hard pass on this. For the price that this 6694 will likely sell for you could get a much nicer watch. Won't be a Rolex but still...

[vintagewaferthin]

Originally Posted by LChanyungco

Hard pass on this. For the price that this 6694 will likely sell for you could get a much nicer watch. Won't be a Rolex but still...

Definitely going to pass on this one. Will keep on the lookout for an original good condition example. Definitely not in a rush, but I do look forward to scratching my itch for a hand winding Rolex.

[Nick9]

Originally Posted by vintagewaferthin

Definitely going to pass on this one. Will keep on the lookout for an original good condition example. Definitely not in a rush, but I do look forward to scratching my itch for a hand winding Rolex.

Good call. You can do much better than this one. Probably won't take too long, either; there are lots of these. My spouse and I have his and hers 6694s. They are a pleasure to wear.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 2000-NJDEVILS

Do you really intend to wear a 34mm watch in today’s 40mm+ times??

[Facepalm] 34 mm roolz.