Oyster Perpetual 6567 - your thoughts?

[ashburton_grove]

Hi all,

I have fallen in love with this (to me) stunning Oyster Perpetual 6567, my first venture into the world of vintage.

It comes from a reputable source and I am told it is all original parts, but I was hoping someone with more knowledge and experience on this forum could help me get a sense of whether this feels accurate?

The serial number dates it to 1957, but in my research I have rarely come across a similar example with this combination of bezel, hands and hour markers.

In addition, the dial looks to be in great condition given its age -- a watch out? Or feasible?

Grateful for any perspectives or light that you can shed!

[CTech]

It's very difficult to verify if any watch of this age is all original as it is unlikely any one person will have known the watch every day and kept all the service records detailing any parts that have been changed. Sellers use the term loosely and if you ask what that means they will usually say something vague.

As for this particular watch, it looks to be a very nice example and I'd be happy to have it. This exact combination of dial, hands and bezel is unusual, but everything looks to be in good order.

A lot of watches of this age have had the dial repainted and many have had the hands updated so I wouldn't be surprised if this is a refinished dial. It doesn't reduce the value of the watch, in my opinion, if it is done well as a good looking dial is much easier to use than an old discolored and possibly corroded one.

If the overall cosmetic condition is attractive I think it is more important to look at the condition of the case and see if the serial and model numbers are complete and legible, see if the case back serrations are undamaged, see if the winding crown is the same design as other watches of the period, etc.

After that, removing the case back would tell you if the hallmarks and Rolex date code are consistent with the serial number dating estimate. You could also look at the movement to see if it is the correct type and not corroded, see if the screw heads are still in good condition and check any service records scratched into the inside of the case back.

The only thing that jumps out at first glance is the bezel, and I'd be surprised if this watch left the factory with that bezel. It's not a problem if you like it as a lot of watchmakers or dealers would change the bezel, dial and hands to the customer's taste either when the watch was new or at anytime during its almost 65 year life.

[Dan S]

Super interesting markers at 3, 6, and 9.

[Ferrari308]

I also have an Oyster Perpetual dated to 1957. Mine is a model 1014, so a bit different than yours. I would be interested to see how close the serial #s are if you might share the first few numbers. I think mine is from 1961, but the guy who did the service said 1957.

Personally, I rather like your watch. I haven't seen that configuration, but honestly I am rather new to the Rolex vintage world. There are people here who know a LOT more than I do.

Finally, WELCOME to the forum!!



PDG

[motoikkyu]

I have a similar bezel on my 6564 in stainless. Please don't razz me about the dial, this was a spec-mod from way back that I couldn't resist.

[ashburton_grove]

Hi all, thank you very much for such considered responses. This is a fantastic community.

With regards to what's on the inside of the case-back, we have the following, struck-through:

6564 6567.

6567 is outside on the case in the usual spot. This is interesting context for the potential slight mis-match on the bezel, especially in light of motoikkyu's image, above. Or perhaps I'm making too much of this, given we know these model 'corrections' were relatively standard practice?

Ferrari308, the serial is 196xxx. My original post has a typo - that sound indeed be 1956, which is what the seller has passed on to me.

I haven't yet seen inside the case back personally, so will do to confirm the movement and hallmark related questions you raise, CTech.

This may well be the final check before taking a deep breath and going ahead..!

Thanks again, all.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Super interesting markers at 3, 6, and 9.

Eiffel Tower markers.

Delightful piece.

[powerfunk]

Great watch! I can't say for sure if the dial is all-original, but since it's unlumed, I think it's definitely possible. Radium causes a lot of the discoloration we typically see on dials this old imho

[Ferrari308]

Thanks for the info. I just checked my serial against Bob's watches database and mine came up to 1961, so a little newer than yours.

I wonder though, why did they have so many different model numbers for Oyster Perpetuals?



PDG

[alison100690]

Great watch! I can't say for sure if the dial is all-original.

[ashburton_grove]

Just to give an update: a slight curveball has emerged, in that the seller isn't able to provide photos of, or grant us a view inside the case-back.

They are a reputable seller, which isn't in question, but they are not a specialist watch dealer.

It feels odd to buy without seeing under the hood, so to speak, even if all our other questions have been answered to our satisfaction. We will have 7 days after the purchase date to do any investigations of this nature ourselves, but something in me says that the seller really should be able to provide this prior to closing a sale.

Given I'm new to vintage, is this assumption correct, or am I being unreasonable in this request?

Thanks very much again!

[Dan S]

Many owners aren't comfortable opening watches themselves, so they would have to take it to a watchmaker which is a pain in the neck. If it's a professional dealer charging premium prices, then I think it would be reasonable to ask to see the inside. However, with a private seller, demanding to see the inside could sour the deal, and they might just decide to sell to someone else who isn't as picky.

So it's is a personal risk/reward decision for you. I've bought many watches from private sellers without seeing the inside if everything else seems to line up and the price is right. And especially if you have the option to return within 7 days, it really just puts the onus on you to have it opened.

[Boopie]

I’m not a vintage expert (but I have a few dress watches from that era), and it does look great. I love the indices!

The experts here haven’t noted any red flags. The dial looks good.

If it’s a reputable seller who gives you 7 days to return it, and you have a good price on it, I would go for it and have a vintage watchmaker you trust open the back and take a look to allay any concerns.

As truly wonderful as this watch is, it’s the vintage Rolex sports models (GMTs, Subs, Daytonas) that command the stratospheric prices, so there’s a huge incentive to fake/franken those. Plus, those watches were designed as tool watches, so they were used for everything from diving to military combat. The heavy use (and lumed hands and dials) would in turn create the need for service dials, new hands, etc. The chance of a dress watch surviving pretty much intact, with its original movement, is much higher, I would think.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[SDREW22]

Shark tooth hour markers. Cool!

[Mendota]

Very cool hour markers and hands. I love how Rolex used interesting designs back during the 40s and 50s. Some of my favorite pieces are all from the '50s. Nice watch!