1930's? 1940's? or FAKE?

[lavintagetime]

Hey I just picked up a "Rolex" today with a 9k gold british case engraved with someones name dating to 1945, and I wanted to see what you guys think of the dial and movment. The dial has a sub seconds hand. The dial is marked Rolex Oyster, and Swiss . The movment is marked 15 jewel, Swiss Made and appears to be the 6 position adjusted movment and at the very bottom of the movment there appears to be a 8 or 18.

But here are my issues the movment is not marked Rolex at all. I have caliber 59 with no markings from Rolex, so I want to see if i just bought an expensive peice of gold or got something a little more special.

I appoligize for the quality of the pictures all i had was my camera phone on time of purchase .

[lavintagetime]

No input?

[Wrist Candy]

Try posting this on the Vintage Rolex page. You might have more luck there.

http://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

[lavintagetime]

Originally Posted by Wrist Candy

Try posting this on the Vintage Rolex page. You might have more luck there.

http://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

my computer is telling me thats where this is posted?

[Tools]

Your photos aren't really good enough to tell much.. the so called "California Dial" is a common refinish look..

All Rolex movements from that era should be badged, especially on the main gear and bridge...

[lavintagetime]

Here are some better pictures of the movment.

[drtooth73]

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index...howtopic=62173 ,
there is a photo in the above thread.

[adam78]

Cal. 59 was a common contract movement in Oyster and Tudor watches of the '30s-40s. It should be marked Rolex on the movement surface beneath the dial side. The dial itself has been refinished inaccurately (originals never looked like this).

[lavintagetime]

Originally Posted by adam78

Cal. 59 was a common contract movement in Oyster and Tudor watches of the '30s-40s. It should be marked Rolex on the movement surface beneath the dial side. The dial itself has been refinished inaccurately (originals never looked like this).

So in your opinion it is a Rolex movment?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by lavintagetime

So in your opinion it is a Rolex movment?

I think he said no?

[crhfish]

I have never seen an older Rolex movement with that shape. The main plate on the older Rolexs usually have more movement (curves) in them. You can google a Rolex 59 and see what I mean. Does it have any Ebauche marks or the 3 letter swiss code? Any other markings? What about the case? Any markings there?

[lavintagetime]

Originally Posted by crhfish

I have never seen an older Rolex movement with that shape. The main plate on the older Rolexs usually have more movement (curves) in them. You can google a Rolex 59 and see what I mean. Does it have any Ebauche marks or the 3 letter swiss code? Any other markings? What about the case? Any markings there?

Case is maked birish 9k gold

[crhfish]

It looks like the movement is an old Felca. Here is a pic of a similar one. While not exact, the plates layout the same.

[watchthisone2]

For me, not Rolex.

[lavintagetime]

Oh well looks like i lost out on this one guys Thanks for all the help, I appreciate you guys taking a look at it.

[adam78]

A cal. 59 should look something like this (so yours does look like a totally different movement):

[Tylden Reed]

Originally Posted by adam78

A cal. 59 should look something like this (so yours does look like a totally different movement):

Greetings. The illustration above looks to me to be the centre seconds version of the cal. 59 but is up-dated to cal. 65. With the exception of the centre seconds drive wheel above the train bridge and the cock covering the centre seconds pinion they look the same. The plates look the same...for what it is worth. Tylden.

[adam78]

Originally Posted by Tylden Reed

Greetings. The illustration above looks to me to be the centre seconds version of the cal. 59 but is up-dated to cal. 65. With the exception of the centre seconds drive wheel above the train bridge and the cock covering the centre seconds pinion they look the same. The plates look the same...for what it is worth. Tylden.

Perhaps, but it is marked "59" on the lower left!

This is the movement in my Oyster Raleigh.

[Tylden Reed]

Originally Posted by adam78

Perhaps, but it is marked "59" on the lower left!

This is the movement in my Oyster Raleigh.

Yes, I agree but it only goes to show that Rx were adding centre seconds devices to base movements.
If you had ordered a 4th wheel for a cal. 59 you would have receiver a 4th wheel without the extended top pivot that takes the seconds drive wheel. Hope this helps, regards Tylden.