6538 from 1958 -anything fishy?

[fflump]

Hello-I've been offered this for sale. Aside from rather an clean inside of the caseback it looks OK to me but would welcome some other opinions from true experts.
Thanks for any advice offered..

[antrolexsub]

Fake. The only thing that’s real on that is the movement.

[Coopdog]

Originally Posted by antrolexsub

Fake. The only thing that’s real on that is the movement.

Curious because I know little about the older vintage pieces - what makes you say that?


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[antrolexsub]

Dial is very good. However it’s not right. Looks like it’s from a well know Vietnamese dial maker/fake parts supplier.

Hands shape isn’t right. Sloppy lume application, look at the ‘Y’ section of the hour hand, lume is dripping over the front. Seconds hand is also far too high on the pinion.

Insert. Fonts are off for a red triangle. Red triangle has been added to a later insert. You can actually see the red section flaking off on the left hand side on the pictures on chrono24. This wouldn’t happen on the genuine part, it’s anodised.

Bezel. It’s off. Shape is wrong.

Crystal. Far too pristine to be original. Wrong shape to be a service crystal.

Case. Shape is off. Looks like it was milled yesterday. Far too sharp for a 60 year old watch. No wear between lugs/serial engraving where the bracelet would rub. No wear the back of lugs where endlinks rub. Lug holes are too sharp, look like they were drilled yesterday. Pictures not good enough to see engravings clearly. But this means nothing. Factory engravings can be all over the place.

Case back. Stampings are slightly off in font sizes. No service marks on a 60 year old watch, not definitive but suspect.

The only wear on this thing is where seller has taken a bit of sandpaper to it in an attempt to make it look worn, and a bad job he has done.

[Coopdog]

Originally Posted by antrolexsub

Dial is very good. However it’s not right. Looks like it’s from a well know Vietnamese dial maker/fake parts supplier.

Hands shape isn’t right. Sloppy lume application, look at the ‘Y’ section of the hour hand, lume is dripping over the front. Seconds hand is also far too high on the pinion.

Insert. Fonts are off for a red triangle. Red triangle has been added to a later insert. You can actually see the red section flaking off on the left hand side on the pictures on chrono24. This wouldn’t happen on the genuine part, it’s anodised.

Bezel. It’s off. Shape is wrong.

Crystal. Far too pristine to be original. Wrong shape to be a service crystal.

Case. Shape is off. Looks like it was milled yesterday. Far too sharp for a 60 year old watch. No wear between lugs/serial engraving where the bracelet would rub. No wear the back of lugs where endlinks rub. Lug holes are too sharp, look like they were drilled yesterday. Pictures not good enough to see engravings clearly. But this means nothing. Factory engravings can be all over the place.

Case back. Stampings are slightly off in font sizes. No service marks on a 60 year old watch, not definitive but suspect.

The only wear on this thing is where seller has taken a bit of sandpaper to it in an attempt to make it look worn, and a bad job he has done.

Wow, that was thorough. Thanks. I am pretty good at modern Rolex, but I am not nearly knowledgeable enough to catch stuff like that on vintage. However, when I first saw the pictures I knew it looked “wrong.” Not specific but things like the case being as razor sharp as it is - pieces in this shape go to auction at Christie’s.

I appreciate it even though I’m not the OP, you learn something new everyday.


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[PRSWILL]

I don't think this vintage had steel rings around the lum markers either did they? I thought the lum was just applied directly to the face. Also no seals on the case.

[antrolexsub]

Originally Posted by PRSWILL

I don't think this vintage had steel rings around the lum markers either did they? I thought the lum was just applied directly to the face. Also no seals on the case.

No they’re not steel rings, they’re gilt outlines around the lume.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by antrolexsub

Dial is very good. However it’s not right. Looks like it’s from a well know Vietnamese dial maker/fake parts supplier.

Hands shape isn’t right. Sloppy lume application, look at the ‘Y’ section of the hour hand, lume is dripping over the front. Seconds hand is also far too high on the pinion.

Insert. Fonts are off for a red triangle. Red triangle has been added to a later insert. You can actually see the red section flaking off on the left hand side on the pictures on chrono24. This wouldn’t happen on the genuine part, it’s anodised.

Bezel. It’s off. Shape is wrong.

Crystal. Far too pristine to be original. Wrong shape to be a service crystal.

Case. Shape is off. Looks like it was milled yesterday. Far too sharp for a 60 year old watch. No wear between lugs/serial engraving where the bracelet would rub. No wear the back of lugs where endlinks rub. Lug holes are too sharp, look like they were drilled yesterday. Pictures not good enough to see engravings clearly. But this means nothing. Factory engravings can be all over the place.

Case back. Stampings are slightly off in font sizes. No service marks on a 60 year old watch, not definitive but suspect.

The only wear on this thing is where seller has taken a bit of sandpaper to it in an attempt to make it look worn, and a bad job he has done.

Nice write up, good job...