Heirloom Help Please

[CN18]

Hello All,

The below has been passed down from my wife's Grandfather.

Can someone please help with what I have here and your thoughts on a potential service? It has probably been almost 30 years since the watch was worn.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[clyde2801]

Remove the bracelet and check for the reference number between the lugs at noon and the serial number between the lugs at 6. That should help you date it. She's a beauty!

[CN18]

Thanks for the tip, Clyde2801. I appreciate the response.

[offrdmania]

Im going to guess an early 60s model 6426

[CN18]

Great, thanks offrdmania that gives me something to go on. Appreciate it!

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by CN18

Great, thanks offrdmania that gives me something to go on. Appreciate it!

Its only a guess, you need to pop that bracelet off and look between the lugs to see exactly what it is.

[CN18]

I will do that. Going to need to enlist the help of a trained professional. Will circle back once I find out. Thanks again for the help.

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by CN18

I will do that. Going to need to enlist the help of a trained professional. Will circle back once I find out. Thanks again for the help.

you do not need to go to a professional to take the bracelet off and read the number. Get a paperclip and watch a vid on youtube.

[gregorpal]

looks like ref 6424

[CN18]

I am finally getting back around to figuring out what to do with this watch and could really use the expertise of this group for some direction. I will apologize in advance for my continued ignorance.

This watch was worn every day for almost 30 years by a WWII Bronze Star Marine who owned a truck upfit and repair business, so I can assure you it's had its fair share of use. Amazingly, it is keeping perfect time although it has not been worn or wound since 1988 and I would venture to guess it has never been serviced.

Although the last reference number is difficult to see, it appears to me to be a ref. 6426 (Paperclip worked like a charm, thank you). There is also an engraving on the back of one of the lugs that appears to read "6R668". That number does not seem to have any relation to the serial number or reference number. Does anyone know what that could be?

As this was my wife's Grandfather's watch, she would like to have it refurbished so that she can wear it on a regular basis. I am somewhat new to the watch world and my watches are current references so I do not have any experience with Rolex service, let alone a vintage piece. Is this something that should go to the RSC? Should I try to find an independent? Can the band even be tightened or do we need a new one?

I am grateful in advance for any and all continued help and guidance.

[jcatt]

That's a beauty! I wouldn't refurbish it, the age is much of it's charm, and potentially of it's value, too. But the bracelet does need to be addressed. I'd recommend a consultation with a Rolex service tech. Maybe reach out to Vanessa, who is not with Rolex, but she's pone of the favored watchmakers on this site. There's surely a way to preserve the "patina" and history of this piece, while still making it reliably wearable. But it will take the right approach.
JCATT

[Lol-x]

I suggest Ric would be your man for a service.
I think it may just need an oil change.
You would need to send that bracelet to Hong Kong to get it re-tensioned.

[motoikkyu]

Those are great because they have such a nice flat profile (since manual winding). I think you'll like it a lot once you get it serviced.

[joli160]

Nice watch,
Bracelet to Michael Young in Hong Kong and service by an independent watchmaker i.e. LAWW. I would give it a light polish to enhance the shine.

[Tools]

I think that it has one of the expansion bracelets. They're not very comfortable and I wouldn't want to wear one, even in great condition, every day.

The movement is old and parts may be scarce, although it may be in good condition and not need anything critical. Ensure that you use a watchmaker who is familiar with these older models.

This one would work just fine on leather, or a more modern bracelet can be purchased from Rolex, along with the service. I would take the original off and save it, but that's me.

The mark on the lug could be anything from your relatives personal identifier or simply a mark from a previous service, it isn't anything that Rolex would have done...

[CN18]

Thank you everyone for all of the great info. I really appreciate it!

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by gregorpal

looks like ref 6424

Heh, after surfing pics of old oysters on the internet for years you get really really good at telling 19mm vs 20mm lug width, the proportions are very slightly different with the 34mm watches vs the 36s. The 34s are charming IMO

[mineral]

Originally Posted by CN18

Hello All,



The below has been passed down from my wife's Grandfather.



Can someone please help with what I have here and your thoughts on a potential service? It has probably been almost 30 years since the watch was worn.



Any help is greatly appreciated.



Thanks.

Hi this is very beautiful Watch and thanks for posting to share with us.

I have one very similar with yours and the reference is 6426, the hour and minute hands are dauphine hand and second hand is blue steel, which is different from yours. My dial is oyster Royal dial and manual winding movement.

Despite the size is only 34mm but it wear bigger due to thinner bezel. The biggest plus for me it is super comfortable to wear. I really enjoy this watch. I hope you will be enjoy it as much as I do after the servicing.

Cheers












Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CN18]

This update has been a long time coming but finally got around servicing the watch and wanted to thank you all again. The bracelet was sent off to Michael in Hong Kong and the watch went to RSC for a service. Attached is a before and a couple of afters. All of your help and guidance was very much appreciated. It all worked out great!

[rootbeer7]

So lovely to see the update. Looks fantastic.

[1675-David]

Great job! Looks smashing!!

[Phwtch1]

Satisfied customer review, lol...
Glad it turned out nice .

Sent from my A5_Pro using Tapatalk

[Toronto Soup King]

And now this watch is ready for you (or someone in the family!) to wear it for another fifty years. I love well-made stuff staying relevant far beyond its sell-by date, half my everyday items are many decades old (and me too hah). Well done OP, good for you.

[pault8084]

Nice job, love it

[Dan S]

Enjoy!

[Mk2rick]

great to see ! wear it in good health!

[TuRo]

Very nice pre-1964 (swiss dial) 6426 sir. Nice clean minimalist dial and orig. handset.

[996marty]

Looks fabulous a great update