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madraida · 27 June 2015, 11:35 AM

My MIL asked me to remove the band/bracelet of her Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6509 so she can take the bracelet to her goldsmith for welding. The clasp has cracked where the pin is inserted.

The serial no. on the watch is 290XXX which, according to a stickied thread in the Rolex Reference Library, was manufactured in 1944. It was passed on to my MIL by her mother. Both women used the watch as an everyday watch so the bracelet looks stretched and there are previous welding spots on the clasp.

My question is, are all Rolex bracelet clasps supposed to be stamped with any/some of the markings we've come to expect - Rolex, woman's head, code, curly figure, etc.?

I ask because my MIL's Rolex clasp doesn't have any marking which makes me wonder if (1) Rolex didn't stamp their clasps in 1944, (2) it's a fake, or (3) the goldsmith who "fixed" her bracelet before did a switcheroo.

Tools · 27 June 2015, 12:36 PM

I think that you are about a decade off on your dating.. Rolex started the numbering over in ~53 and the Jubilee bracelet was not available until 1945, only on the Datejust for a while..

Rolex didn't always stamp stuff, depending on the source of the parts back then. That one looks like it's been repaired a few times.

madraida · 27 June 2015, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that you are about a decade off on your dating.. Rolex started the numbering over in ~53 and the Jubilee bracelet was not available until 1945, only on the Datejust for a while..

Rolex didn't always stamp stuff, depending on the source of the parts back then. That one looks like it's been repaired a few times.

Was I off by a decade? Sorry, I know next to nothing about the manufacturing dates of Rolex watches. My dating was based on this forum's Serial Number chart (http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362) (it does say the years are only approximations) that showed:

1944 269561
1945 302459

Good to know that there isn't always supposed to be a stamp. And yes, this watch has been welded once at several spots, and it's not a pretty job. It needs another welding. I told my MIL to just get a gold-plated stainless steel band and just keep the original gold bracelet in her jewelry box. Nope, my MIL loves her all-gold Rolex and Omega watches. No, stainless steel for her. :)

Now, to find her a goldsmith/jeweler with craftsmanship who maybe can also fix that awful first welding.

Old Expat Beast · 27 June 2015, 05:07 PM

Yeah, I'd say around 1956-57. The dial and hands are in great condition. Were they ever cleaned, do you know?

padi56 · 27 June 2015, 05:42 PM

That watch is from around 1953-57 definitely not 1940s at that time period Rolex bracelets were made in many parts of the world some only had the Rolex emblem crown.Afraid that bracelet is well worn and its going to be hard to get a repair.Unfortunately a replacement would cost more than the watch is worth I would put it on a nice leather strap and even have it serviced.

madraida · 27 June 2015, 11:03 PM

It has never been cleaned or serviced. My in-laws are not collectors nor have a collector's mindset. They (and their parents) just like/d buying and wearing beautiful, expensive luxury watches. They wear them, have batteries changed if the watch is quartz, relegate them to the drawer when they don't work anymore then buy a new one. Consequently, the backs of their watches and the bands look like what a child's collar would look like after a whole day of sweaty playing outside. I've since learned that several years ago after they started dumping their watches on me when they discovered I tinker and open and resize my own watches. However, since they are business people and not particularly sporty or outdoorsy people, their watches are usually still good looking except for the metal bands which tend to be fairly worn and eaten away (like how my metal eyeglass frame temples looked like when I was a kid before I learned of stainless steel and titanium frames

).

I do find it very entertaining when I clean their never-been-cleaned-in-decades metal watch bands in my ultrasonic cleaner and I find myself mesmerized by all the brown/gray/black clouds that ooze out from the links.

They don't like leather straps. Too fussy. They're in their late 70s/late 80s so things must be simple.

Oh, I did see a teeny tiny hallmark on one of the lugs (5 o'clock position).

27 June 2015, 11:35 AM	#1
madraida "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Chicago Posts: 3	1944 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6509 - bracelet clasp not stamped My MIL asked me to remove the band/bracelet of her Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6509 so she can take the bracelet to her goldsmith for welding. The clasp has cracked where the pin is inserted. The serial no. on the watch is 290XXX which, according to a stickied thread in the Rolex Reference Library, was manufactured in 1944. It was passed on to my MIL by her mother. Both women used the watch as an everyday watch so the bracelet looks stretched and there are previous welding spots on the clasp. My question is, are all Rolex bracelet clasps supposed to be stamped with any/some of the markings we've come to expect - Rolex, woman's head, code, curly figure, etc.? I ask because my MIL's Rolex clasp doesn't have any marking which makes me wonder if (1) Rolex didn't stamp their clasps in 1944, (2) it's a fake, or (3) the goldsmith who "fixed" her bracelet before did a switcheroo.

27 June 2015, 12:36 PM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,044	I think that you are about a decade off on your dating.. Rolex started the numbering over in ~53 and the Jubilee bracelet was not available until 1945, only on the Datejust for a while.. Rolex didn't always stamp stuff, depending on the source of the parts back then. That one looks like it's been repaired a few times. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

27 June 2015, 05:42 PM	#5
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,255	That watch is from around 1953-57 definitely not 1940s at that time period Rolex bracelets were made in many parts of the world some only had the Rolex emblem crown.Afraid that bracelet is well worn and its going to be hard to get a repair.Unfortunately a replacement would cost more than the watch is worth I would put it on a nice leather strap and even have it serviced. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

27 June 2015, 05:07 PM	#4
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Hong Kong Watch: SEIKO Posts: 28,359	Yeah, I'd say around 1956-57. The dial and hands are in great condition. Were they ever cleaned, do you know?

27 June 2015, 11:03 PM	#6
madraida "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Chicago Posts: 3	It has never been cleaned or serviced. My in-laws are not collectors nor have a collector's mindset. They (and their parents) just like/d buying and wearing beautiful, expensive luxury watches. They wear them, have batteries changed if the watch is quartz, relegate them to the drawer when they don't work anymore then buy a new one. Consequently, the backs of their watches and the bands look like what a child's collar would look like after a whole day of sweaty playing outside. I've since learned that several years ago after they started dumping their watches on me when they discovered I tinker and open and resize my own watches. However, since they are business people and not particularly sporty or outdoorsy people, their watches are usually still good looking except for the metal bands which tend to be fairly worn and eaten away (like how my metal eyeglass frame temples looked like when I was a kid before I learned of stainless steel and titanium frames ). I do find it very entertaining when I clean their never-been-cleaned-in-decades metal watch bands in my ultrasonic cleaner and I find myself mesmerized by all the brown/gray/black clouds that ooze out from the links. They don't like leather straps. Too fussy. They're in their late 70s/late 80s so things must be simple. Oh, I did see a teeny tiny hallmark on one of the lugs (5 o'clock position).

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