Possible 1950s Rolex ? Help Needed New Memebr.

[Little1large1]

Hi all new here so please be gentle !!

I have inherited what i hope turns out to be a Vintage 1950s Rolex.

This was my Grandfathers watch and it has come into my possession it sadly does not work the bezel seems not to turn and is in general grubby condition.

He brought this second hand in the 1960s and until it stopped working a few years ago he wore on a regular basis with no problems.

I have been told it might be worth a bit of money but i have my doubts !!!

Is it worth restoring and would the cost of this be financially worth while as i have not a lot money in the first place.

Many thanks to those that help.

[Tools]

If it's real it is worth restoring..

Your pictures aren't good enough to say much more.

[Little1large1]

Sorry I thought that if you clicked on pictures they enlarged ?

My knowledge of computers is up there with my knowledge of watches I'm afraid.

[Little1large1]

I will attempt to get better pictures.

Thanks

[R-H]

As stated above take some much clearer pictures as detailed as possible, the experts of this forum will be able to tell you what you have there. If you feel comfortable removing the bracelet the watches serial #, and model # will be on the case, needed information, otherwise don't play with it, you my have something very valuable, which you already do being your grandfathers. Bob and Phillip Ridley, at Watchmakers International, would be a good start to check out. Sorry for the loss of your grandfather, hope you enjoy his gift for many years.

[Little1large1]

Hi

Thanks for the reply I have no idea what to do in taking the bracelet off so I best leave. I will as I say take some better pictures tomorrow and see what others think.

Thank you also for your condolences.

[R-H]

Your welcome and also it will probably be well worth restoring, good luck

[Jonnyred72]

Hi, and welcome.

Find quite a large needle, then hold the bracelet in your hand with your thumb on the edge of the bezel.
Gently push the watch away with your thumb while holding tight on the bracelet.

Carefully push the needle into the holes on the watch either side of your thumb one at a time.
With the needle pushed into the second hole the bracelet will separate from the watch.

This may take a few goes if you have not done it before, just be very careful not to scratch the case around the holes.

If you are not confident with this, get someone who is, or your local watchmaker.

Looking forward to better photos.

Cheers

[Michael M.]

Appears to be an early 6536/1 or 5508 Submariner. The dial looks to be original, however the bracelet and insert/pearl are later. Original bracelet would have been a rivet. Definitely worth getting serviced, etc., easily worth $10,000 assuming the dial is in decent condition. (will need better pictures).

[Little1large1]

Hi just followed instructions and it is so so dirty a light rub with a piece of cotton revealed the number 6536 1. There is another number on the other side do I need to work out what this is as well ?

[Little1large1]

Just re read your post $10,000 was that a miss print ?

Surely as it doesn't work it can't be worth much ?


Sorry for being irgronat on these matters.

[Jonnyred72]

Hi, Yes, but don't write it on here, just first 3 digits then xxx.

[Little1large1]

229 xxx

Can I ask why not put full number sorry being dumb again.

[QueueCumber]

My mistake.

[Little1large1]

??????

[Kingface66]

Here's some of his pics enlarged from the download link

[Tools]

This one probably needs professional evaluation. Certainly on a Forum you need high quality images, which these lack.

If authentic then leaving it pretty much alone may be your best direction if you don't know what you are doing. Do the wrong thing and the value can be halved or destroyed.

If authentic and you choose to have it properly overhauled then you need the services of a vintage professional. It's not something your local watch cleaner should be touching..

[QueueCumber]

Send it to ABC for an overhaul and cleanup. Too bad the original insert isn't on it. Very cool piece.

[Kingface66]

I would suggest putting a small dab of toothpaste on the crystal and spend a few minutes rubbing and buffing it with a soft cloth...and some elbow grease! It will allow the dial to be seen more clearly.

[Little1large1]

Many thanks for sorting pictures out and making larger. I 100% have no idea on watches so I will just put back in the draw and leave well alone.

I will however take (or try) to take much clearer pictures in the daylight tomorrow. Are there any specific pictures needed or the same but clearer

Many thanks to those who have already helped with this.

[seattleal]

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

Case serial is a bit low for that two color 2-line dial? Shouldn't that be a one color early radium serial?

Enlarged on my cell it looks like it could be one color - and has the off-color lume at 6 typical of the radium dials. But it lacks gilt hands, and doesn't have a lollipop second hand, which could mean hands were replaced at some point.

Much better pics would help -

but OP, for comparison, here is a 6536-1 with 155xxx serial number -

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by seattleal

Enlarged on my cell it looks like it could be one color - and has the off-color lume at 6 typical of the radium dials. But it lacks gilt hands, and doesn't have a lollipop second hand, which could mean hands were replaced at some point.

Much better pics would help -

but OP, for comparison, here is a 6536-1 with 155xxx serial number -

Dude, I changed my post a bit before you posted this...

The serial is correct for two color 2-line later radium according to the VRF serial database.

[themaninblack]

The pictures aren't good but I'd go out on a limb here and say that the watch indeed is. Hard to tell more on the basis of the pictures but all that can be seen checks out as okay. Case profiles, dial look spot on. Crown is good. Hands, hard to tell, but these may be Rolex service items as is the bracelet. Insert...?

[R-H]

Originally Posted by Little1large1

Many thanks for sorting pictures out and making larger. I 100% have no idea on watches so I will just put back in the draw and leave well alone.

I will however take (or try) to take much clearer pictures in the daylight tomorrow. Are there any specific pictures needed or the same but clearer

Many thanks to those who have already helped with this.

That's a smart thing, your in no hurry, learn as much as you can from this forum, I came to this forum about 4 month's ago with a vintage submariner, knowing absolutely nothing, now after trying to learn something about it daily, sometimes I think I know even less. The members on the forum were a big help in getting mine successfully restored, most important don't rush, and no mall watch repair shops for this one. I think you'll find that there's only a handful of people you'll want to trust this watch too.

Good Luck, in the Vintage Rolex Zone.

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by Little1large1

Just re read your post $10,000 was that a miss print ?

Surely as it doesn't work it can't be worth much ?


Sorry for being irgronat on these matters.

No misprint, $10,000. Most likely a fair bit more if you are willing to have the watch properly cleaned/serviced.

[GEORGE505]

Whatever you do don't soak the watch in water! You don't want water to get into the movement. The seal's and crystal might leak.

[Little1large1]

Hi hopefully this is a better picture ?

[Little1large1]

Is the picture good enough if not I will take somewhere to get a professional shot I think.


Cheers all

[Kingface66]

Seriously, try buffing the crystal. I promise, with a little time and effort, you can make it a lot clearer, and thus, show the dial better

[omitohud]

I luv these hand me down treasures. Personally I think it's in very good condition except for the crystal, for sure it's worth a lot of money. Take good care of it. Contact abc watchwerk in Los Angeles.


I blame it on the autoconnect.