Interesting local find - jumbo OP from 1954

[Dan S]

Not a Sub or a GMT-Master, but I think this was an interesting and unusual pick-up, especially to find it locally on Craigslist. The seller said that the reference and serial numbers were obscured, but I was able to read them under magnification. It's a ref 6298 with serial 172016 (just after the serial number reset), and the case-back engraving reads I 54.

The case is 36mm, I have seen it called an "Ovettone" on the internet (big egg) because it has sort of a semi-bubbleback shape. Notably, the dial has an interesting 50m=165ft depth rating, for which reason it is also sometimes called a pre-Explorer, although I guess that could be a bit of hype.

The black gilt dial is reasonably well-preserved, with mostly intact lume, although it has mostly lost its glossy finish and the lacquer is showing its age. I will need to do some research, but I'm guessing the crown is not correct.

The cal A296 movement is running well, but the rotor was attached with an incorrect screw, so I am assuming that the auto-winding may need some work. Fortunately, my watchmaker says that he has quite a few parts for this caliber, including a complete auto-winding mechanism.

Fun find for me. What do you think?

[Tom1675]

I dig it and love that it has a depth reading.

[TimeLord2]

Very cool find! Unusual location for the depth rating.

[Dan S]

There seems to be a lot of variation in the references leading up to the Explorer. Interesting period for Rolex transitioning from dress to sport/tool watches.

https://revolutionwatch.com/brief-hi...olex-explorer/

[springer]

Very nice find Dan. Enjoy the watch.

[mrs_LA]

Nice find Dan, especially in that condition given its age.

[alwayshere]

looks great.

I do love the strike-through of the old case back number and the update!

[LateLearner]

Always curious about Geiger readings on older, radium era dials. Have you tested this dial?

If not, what reading might you expect?


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[Nick9]

Congratulations on a great find!!!

[Filipão]

Love those casebacks. Those were the days of no waste.

Congrats!

[77T]

Nice job - a proper find.


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[Styles Bitchley]

Very distinguished looking. And a great size too! Love it. What sort of strap will you pair it with?

[Dan S]

Many thanks for the favorable comments. Funny how many times I've looked at Craigslist, and how seldom I find anything even slightly promising.

I agree it's fun to see these older Rolex examples where it's clear that they didn't see themselves as a fancy upscale brand, and were unapologetic about using up their parts. In our NAWCC group, we have some collectors in their 90s, who have distinct memories of the 1950s, and they always assert that Rolex was not seen to be in a tier above IWC, Longines, Omega, Zenith, Eterna, etc. at that time.

@LateLearner, I have a lot of watches with radium, and I don't really get into Geiger readings, since I've convinced myself that DIRECT radiation exposure from watches like these is not a major concern. I do have a radon detector in the room that I keep my watches because my wife has a congenital condition that puts her at risk. Fortunately, the ventilation is such that the radon level is not above background.

@Styles, I think I will probably put it on a flat black leather or perhaps a black croc strap. Although it would be interesting to see it on a rivet bracelet. I suppose that the only period-correct bracelets would have straight end-links.

[mineral]

Love the vintage dial design in this oyster. Congrats Dan.

I do agree with you that the crown is replaced crown since the early 50s crown should be Brevet + crown.

I think the lug width may be 20mm? Instead of 19mm. It will looks gorgeous on the riveted oyster bracelet for sure if you plan to try it out.


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[Dan S]

Originally Posted by mineral

Love the vintage dial design in this oyster. Congrats Dan.

I do agree with you that the crown is replaced crown since the early 50s crown should be Brevet + crown.

I think the lug width may be 20mm? Instead of 19mm. It will looks gorgeous on the riveted oyster bracelet for sure if you plan to try it out.

Thanks for the info about the crown. It's not a huge priority for me, but I will ask my watchmaker if he has one, and perhaps track one down if he doesn't.

Yes, the lug gap is 20mm. I don't have a straight-end rivet at the moment, but I'm sure I will come across one at some point and give it a try.

[TuRo]

Hi Dan, Lovely piece indeed.
Second year or so of Swiss, with the brevet + between lug.
And yes crown point well made.
Handset look original too.
These puppies are rare, esp with depth rating as most come as o.p. precision only, and quite a few are Honeycombe some with a Tudor style self-winding font.
They look great on an early folded link 20 jubilee' btw.... my mate has one - it's not the depth rated dial though he has.
Chapeau and Rgds Paul

[mountainjogger]

Love the dial Dan. What type of strap are you thinking?

[Scaramanga74]

Great find! I think it will look awesome on a green nato strap (with patina).

[Toronto Soup King]

That is a GREAT find well done sir. I am six shades of green looking at that dial, good for you.

[L.K Johnson]

Love it!!!

[dhknola]

Killer find! I love the depth rating and it looks like a time capsule, congrats on the pick up!

[douglasf13]

Wow, that’s gorgeous. You might even try throwing it on a Forstner rivet bracelet.

[330ci]

A personal grail of mine. Good to know these finds are still out there

[OYptL]

Heck of a find OP. She looks damn near pristine.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by OYptL

Heck of a find OP. She looks damn near pristine.

It's far from pristine, but the dial has a nice vintage look IMO, with evenly distributed aging.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Wow, that’s gorgeous. You might even try throwing it on a Forstner rivet bracelet.

I think that would be a good match, and a plausible approach eventually if I don't find the right Rolex bracelet.

[OYptL]

Originally Posted by Dan S

It's far from pristine, but the dial has a nice vintage look IMO, with evenly distributed aging.

Fair enough.

[swish77]

Love it! And big congrats for the detective work needed to buy this model off of Craigslist, of all places.

So refreshing to see a watch that's not the usual vintage Subs and GMTs discussed on the forum.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by swish77

Love it! And big congrats for the detective work needed to buy this model off of Craigslist, of all places.

So refreshing to see a watch that's not the usual vintage Subs and GMTs discussed on the forum.

Thanks Aaron. The watch was definitely not in my wheelhouse so it required some research for me. When I first saw it, I assumed it was a standard 34mm OP, and didn't really get too excited, even though the dial was nice. When the seller said it was 36mm, I figured he was measuring it with the crown, but he showed me a photo with a ruler, and I got more interested. If he could have read the numbers between the lugs, it would have simplified things, but he claimed that the numbers were gone, so I didn't really know the reference until I got it home and had a good look. It can be an adventure buying a watch locally from a non-collector. My watchmaker thinks he has a correct crown and any parts that might be needed for the movement, so I should be able to restore it completely.

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

I dig it and love that it has a depth reading.

This!