Rolex oyster perpetual brevet

[Slipstream]

Hi,

I'm relatively new to this forum and Rolex watches. I was given an old watch (attached) but don't know anything about it.

Has anyone seen it before and know how old it is? And is it rare?

Can't seem to find information about it online.

The information on the case reads: swiss made - rolex oyster perpetual brevet 988074

Cheers
Dom

[Mark020]

What's the stuff on the edge of the dial? Can you post better pictures?

[Tom R]

Originally Posted by Slipstream

Hi,

I'm relatively new to this forum and Rolex watches. I was given an old watch (attached) but don't know anything about it.

Has anyone seen it before and know how old it is? And is it rare?

Can't seem to find information about it online.

The information on the case reads: swiss made - rolex oyster perpetual brevet 988074

Cheers
Dom

The focus on your phone camera has focussed on your hand, not on the watch.

Lay it down on a table and get a good clear shot of the dial etc. Also case back, crown etc. :-)

[Shade]

Why does the dial look off centre and... uh whats that wavey gold thing around the dial?

[Slipstream]

Sorry about the image quality, the first one was taken with my old ipad... unfortunately the next best camera I own is my iPhone (images attached)

There is some very thinly engraved wording on the case back but it is barely visible.

-Along the top it reads: Registered Design
-Along the bottom it reads: Model D????? (hard to make out the model number)

Thanks

[Slipstream]

Originally Posted by Shade

Why does the dial look off centre and... uh whats that wavey gold thing around the dial?

Sorry about that dial looks off center because of the camera angle, the wavy border around the bezel is just part of the design. Should be clearer in my latest images.

[Slipstream]

One more image here

[Tools]

interesting dial and design.. very early straight end-link band..

Take the band off and see if there are any model and serial numbers against the case between the lugs.. ;)

[Slipstream]

Originally Posted by Tools

interesting dial and design.. very early straight end-link band..

Take the band off and see if there are any model and serial numbers against the case between the lugs.. ;)

Thanks tools.

between lug and case on top: BREVET
Between lug and case on bottom: 988074

[bonbonson]

Originally Posted by Slipstream

Thanks tools.

between lug and case on top: BREVET
Between lug and case on bottom: 988074

Are there any numbers below BREVET that would be the model number while the 988074 will be the serial number dating it to the year 54-55

[Tom R]

It's almost definitely 1950's. i've never seen on like this myself though to be honest.

The only brevet's I've seen have been stainless steel and with plain bezel. I've never seen one with an egine turned bezel and that decorative "swirl".

Could be a period custom job, or could be later aftermarket. (obvs all brevets are custom, but is this orginal or later is the key...)

It's an interesting watch, though, for sure, and I look forward to hearing some more from the real experts on here instead of the "uneducated guessers" like me! haha

Good luck! :-)

[Tom R]

One thing I might add here is that of all the 50s(ish) brevets I've seen, they tend to have "brevet" under the coronet on the crown, so you may find this crown is aftermarket.

I'm sure someone will know for sure, but that's my twopenneth worth!

[Tom R]

ah voila!

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Tom R

One thing I might add here is that of all the 50s(ish) brevets I've seen, they tend to have "brevet" under the coronet on the crown, so you may find this crown is aftermarket.

I'm sure someone will know for sure, but that's my twopenneth worth!

Not aftermarket just a service replacement. Is it solid gold? It looks like the bands marked 750 but I can't tell exactly.

[bonbonson]

Originally Posted by Tom R

One thing I might add here is that of all the 50s(ish) brevets I've seen, they tend to have "brevet" under the coronet on the crown, so you may find this crown is aftermarket.

I'm sure someone will know for sure, but that's my twopenneth worth!

Not all rolex from the 50s that have brevet written between the lugs with the model number have a brevet crown. My 6580 has a standard rolex crown

[Slipstream]

Thanks, ill try and make it the model number tonight, its on the case back and very faded.

Hopefully someone who has seen this watch before can chime in, for better or worse from all the research I have done the last few days I have yet to come across another one that looks like it.

Does it at appear to be authentic?

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Slipstream

Thanks, ill try and make it the model number tonight, its on the case back and very faded.

Hopefully someone who has seen this watch before can chime in, for better or worse from all the research I have done the last few days I have yet to come across another one that looks like it.

Does it at appear to be authentic?

Everything but the dial seems good, never seen a dial like that.

[Vlad]

Awesome band, early and rare. Crown should have been the '+' version, currently what you have is a service crown (no big deal). Interesting dial. Would love to see if the gold trim on the diameter is a separate piece that was glued/attached to the original dial. Nice bezel, not much wear.

[Tom R]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Would love to see if the gold trim on the diameter is a separate piece that was glued/attached to the original dial.

I thought that too (it being attached afterwards) but because it is stamped "swiss" at 6 made me think it might just be original!

Come on, someone out there knows what we're looking at here! :-)

[Slipstream]

I can't make out how the gold ring around the bezel has been put on, but it is nicely done... Lines up perfectly and looks very clean.

Dying to to know what we're looking at too! :P

[bonbonson]

To the OP could you please take of the band and check the lugs at 6 and 12 clock to check the model and serial number. Could be very useful

[crowncollection]

Nice early hollow oval link band, photos of between the lugs needed. Nice dial :thumbup:

[bscepter]

is that the same type of gold band eisenhower had on his famous datejust?

[Slipstream]

unfortunately could not see a model number between the lugs, this is all I could find after scrutinizing it:

[Slipstream]

Originally Posted by bscepter

is that the same type of gold band eisenhower had on his famous datejust?

Eisenhouwer's is a little different, the outer links on his band are thicker than the ones in the middle, mine are all the same width.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by Slipstream

Eisenhouwer's is a little different, the outer links on his band are thicker than the ones in the middle, mine are all the same width.

They are different bands. Hollow oval link and d link jubilee :thumbup:

[Vincent65]

looks like a lovely piece to me

[Tom R]

Ok, it's definitely 1954, which is something. But that's all I can tell you.

This is annoying.

[Slipstream]

Thanks for all the feedback!

So far:

Rolex perpetual oyster brevet
Year 1954
Early hollow oval link band
Service crown?
Possible period custom job

*still hoping to find out more about the bezel, haven't seen anything like it. Anyone know if there is someone I can contact who might have more info?

Thanks again :)