rolex oysterdate 1959 - clarification

[Lebog]

G’Day

Case History

1958-59 – Purchased a Rolex OysterDate stainless steel watch with Rolex bracelet in Aden. I was 19yrs young!!

I wore the watch for around 40-45 years.

Apathy set in. I put the watch away with a number of lesser prestigious watches and bought a Japanese watch….with bells and whistles – which I still use…perpetual!!!!!

A few days ago I carried out a minor spring clean at home….discovered Casio, Seiko + and the Rolex.

Ditched all of them…except the Rolex….I wound it up, set the time via my computer….it was… as if it was yesterday……perfect!!!

Cynical thoughts: Aden – no providence – probably a fake!

Fate or Fortune!!

My wife informed me that her two watches needed batteries…so I visited our local watch specialist and took the Rolex along…curious to see whether they had the right tools to open the Rolex OysterDate watch…..

It was an Antique Road Show (UK) moment.

Listed below is the relative information taken from the inside back, ref numbers at the top of the lug and bottom.
Photographs taken by the watch specialist confirms this.

• Case back no. 6694 164
• Movement caliber 1215
• Main plate no. 79121
• Number on outside of case lugs 6694 (12 o’clock)
• 1009679 (6 o’clock)

The Rolex is 57-58 years…..needs a facelift…but is working…perfectly.

Is there any members who are of the same vintage (owner and watch) who could explain to me what the 164 means (grey cells thinks it might be ref to the pecking order when this watch was created).

Is it worth the investment bringing it back to pristine condition, purchasing leather Rolex strap or Rolex stainless steel bracelet to maximize a return in the global market.

Any enlightenment - good or bad would be welcome

Lebog

[adam78]

If you indeed bought this in the late '50s, then the case back is likely an early service replacement (I 64 means it was produced in the first quarter of 1964). Sometimes these needed to be replaced if the threads underwent corrosion and could not longer hold a seal. On the other hand, the 1,009,XXX case serial number is also consistent with 1964 production, so I wonder if you mis-remember when you bought it, if that is possible? See: http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/numbers.html Unless, that is, the entire case needed to be replaced?

[Old Expat Beast]

I/64 ties in with the serial/case number, so I assume you bought it some time in or after 1964?

[jban5]

The 1 64 indicates the 1st quarter of 1964, the sn puts the date at about the same, so that is good as they match.

It looks like the watch needs nothing more than a new crystal and a proper cleaning to be a good keeper/wearer. Providence directed your hand to it twice in this lifetime, that might mean you don't need all those bells and whistles, just a simple classic timepiece.

Try out a couple of different patterns of nato straps, which change out in an instant, and see how classy that watch would be.

[janice&fred]

yes going by the dial and hand style the entire watch looks like 1964 is probably correct as there are many examples from that early to mid 60's time period that have the more modern straight markers and the older style sword hands.

could be since it was so long ago the exact time of purchase is hard to recall and 1959 could have been the early 60's. either way it's a fine looking time piece and congrats on finding it again! as mentioned a simple service and she's ready to enjoy

[Lebog]

Hi to everybody who responded to my post.

Thank you all for the input, advice and memory jogging!!

Yes I was in Aden in 1959…but there’s a possibility I was passing through in 1963 too…and onto Singapore, Hong Kong..maybe Gibralter. I was in the Grey Funnel Line.!!

I bought and fitted a leather strap (the original Rolex bracelet went missing ages ago) applied D.I.Y. cosmetics (i.e. elbow grease – very fine, fine sandpaper and ‘Brasso’)

Would show you…but cannot attach a jpg to this ‘thank you’ message.

After 57 years it looks pretty damn good…and still keeps accurate time.

Currently wearing it – nostalgia – but as I no longer wear suits, ‘mingle’ with glass in hand at company events…..and haven’t wound a watch up in decades…its time.

The market beckons…..no real priorities…research has surprised me as to their current market price.

Thank you, Sean Connery ‘couldn’t afford a submariner at the time’!!!…it could have been a Longines or Omega etc.

Lebog
Born a David

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Lebog

The market beckons…..no real priorities…research has surprised me as to their current market price.

In its current condition, I would say around $800US in this current market. Needs a crystal, a polish, a service, possibly some laser welding and a bracelet.

[Lebog]

Hi Everybody

When I initially posted my query....the response to the info provided was that my Rolex's 'birth' was 1964.

Further investigation using Ebay as reference 'How to Find Out the Exact Year of Your Rolex' - using their Date = serial number (1009679)places my watch 'birth' 1956 - closest S/N 1,090,000

Am I heading in the right direction...or is it a case of ignorance is bliss!

Regards

David

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Lebog

Hi Everybody

When I initially posted my query....the response to the info provided was that my Rolex's 'birth' was 1964.

Further investigation using Ebay as reference 'How to Find Out the Exact Year of Your Rolex' - using their Date = serial number (1009679)places my watch 'birth' 1956 - closest S/N 1,090,000

Am I heading in the right direction...or is it a case of ignorance is bliss!

Regards

David

That eBay serial number chart, I'm afraid, is not at all correct. Notoriously so.
Use this one, as it's way more accurate.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Lebog

Hi Everybody

When I initially posted my query....the response to the info provided was that my Rolex's 'birth' was 1964.

Further investigation using Ebay as reference 'How to Find Out the Exact Year of Your Rolex' - using their Date = serial number (1009679)places my watch 'birth' 1956 - closest S/N 1,090,000

Am I heading in the right direction...or is it a case of ignorance is bliss!

Regards

David

That serial number is right on for 1964

[Lebog]

Thank you all

Larry, this clinched it - http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=54362.....the grey cells eventually came through when I realized putting the 100 in-front of my last 4 serial numbers brought up the closest cross ref. i.e. 1964.

Thanks again

David