~1947 Rolex Oyster Speedking

[chet]

I recently inherited a Rolex from my father that I believe my grandfather purchased in 1947 while traveling from India to England by boat, and I was hoping to receive some information from some of the experts here.

The third picture is of the crown. It's a little difficult to read, but "Rolex Oyster" is stamped onto the crown.

The fourth picture is of the stamping on the bracelet. I don't know for certain, but I believe the bracelet is original to the watch but it appears to be made by Gay Freres. There's a picture of a lamb or deer between the G&F, and then "Steeling Swiss Made" is stamped to the right.

Were these watches sold with third party bracelets at the time? The watch has significant sentimental value but can anyone provide a rough estimate as to its resale value.

Thanks in advance, and I will attempt to answer any questions should they arise.

Thanks in advance.

[andromeda160]

the guy feres bracelet is original to the watch, they made bracelets for rolex in the 40's. Appraisals aren't allowed here, and I would just look up the going rate of a speedking. although the bracelet helps substancially with resale value and the fact that it's all original adds to the value as well.

[chet]

Would an AD be the right place to take it for service?

It appears the face has rotated a couple of degrees clockwise, and I am sure the workings haven't been touched in decades.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by chet

Would an AD be the right place to take it for service?

It appears the face has rotated a couple of degrees clockwise, and I am sure the workings haven't been touched in decades.

no, the best place to send it would be to a vintage watch specialist. theres plenty of them and if you need references other members will be along. there seems to be quite a bit of stretch in your band. Mike young fixes this for a very modest fee. a cleaning and servicing is definatley due. i would opt for not getting it polished, but if you want it polished to make it look "like new" and it will look like brand new if you get it polished, i would have that done by mike young as well. I've seen plenty of his work, and it is phenominal. he keeps the case lines original so it always maintains a new factory look. not a botched polishing job as some watchmakers do.

[a and e watches]

Your watch is original,
Rolex used to have these bands sold with their watches back in the 40s and 50s
and by other manufacturers,
It is nice to have it for collectors,however it is better to have a stronger newer band for normal use.
edited

[chet]

I received the following repair quotation from a vintage repair shop. Does it seem reasonable?

The Watch Needs:

Cleaning, Oiling, and Regulating (to remove the schellac-like old oil and debris that is trapped in it)
To be Put In-Beat (so that the Balance Wheel is oscillating the same amount of time from one side of its traverse to the other)
Burnishing of the Train Pivots (these are the bearing points for the gear train. They are burnished with diamond paste so that the pivots are once again smooth)
A New Mainspring (the main motive force as the old one is weak)
Tightening of the Cannon Pinion (the friction fit part that allows the hands to be set)
Alignment of the Hands (they have shifted)
A New Balance Staff (the major moving part in the watch. This part is worn)
Poising of the Balance Wheel ( this is like balancing a tire on a car, we use tiny gold washers to achieve the proper balance)
An Adjustment of the Escapement (so the watch keeps proper time)
Truing of the Hairspring (so that the coils remain concentric and allow the balance wheel to properly oscillate)
A New Crystal (the old one is badly scratched).

We are estimating that this will cost $975.00 for the mechanical work and a crystal will cost $95.00 additional for a total of $1070.00 plus about $15.00 in tax.

We would also clean and polish the case and band at no extra charge if this meets with your approval.

Once restored the watch will have a value of about $2000.00 and will be warrantied for one year for parts and labor

[powerfunk]

Seems a bit high but maybe it needed more work than mine. I sent a 1940's Speedking to Rikki and had it back quickly for about half that cost. In any case, very nice watch!

[andromeda160]

$1000 is probably more than what rolex themselves would charge if they would even service it. I would search another route to getting it repaired.

[Knappo 1307]

Repair cost is high, a non RSC service should be roughly half that quote....

[Tools]

Originally Posted by chet

I received the following repair quotation from a vintage repair shop. Does it seem reasonable?

I think that you should get a couple of quotes.. That's a bit high for a Speed King and a generous "appraisal". The dial and hands appear to be in excellent condition.

. Sutter's in Chicago is a Rolex Service Center.

. Bob Ridley in Texas is a Rolex Restoration Professional. www.watchmakers.com

. I would carefully take the Guy Frere band off and store it safely away and never include it with any service.

[Vlad]

1) do NOT polish the case - this will remove metal and make the case less desirable for collectors and less sentimental for you.
2) Make sure that no one cleans/replaces/changes/ etc. dial, hands, crown - EVEN if the watch is not water proof.
3) Basic COA for this watch should be $150 to $200. Balance complete probably adds another $200. Thus I would not recommend spending over $400 for complete cleaning.

Vlad

[Paul]

. I would carefully take the Guy Frere band off and store it safely away and never include it with any service.[/QUOTE]


Nice watch OP and the bracelet makes up a significant part of the value of your watch.

The Gay Freres rice bead bracelets were an option available to Rolex buyers of that era - very desirable to collectors now

[francis]

Very nice watch and interesting back story. Would love to know what your grandfather was doing in India back in those days... I myself have lived there..

[chet]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that you should get a couple of quotes.. That's a bit high for a Speed King and a generous "appraisal". The dial and hands appear to be in excellent condition.

. Sutter's in Chicago is a Rolex Service Center.

. Bob Ridley in Texas is a Rolex Restoration Professional. www.watchmakers.com

. I would carefully take the Guy Frere band off and store it safely away and never include it with any service.

Thanks--why would you remove the GF band?

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by chet

Thanks--why would you remove the GF band?

no need to send it during service. The band needs to be restored by a band restorer, or just put away until your watch gets back.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by chet

Thanks--why would you remove the GF band?

Guy Frere bands are rare and if properly restored could be worth more than the watch..

Yours appears to be in bad shape and continued use could destroy it completely, or if you include it in a service, it may be tossed as unusable or "misplaced" since not too many are aware of what it is.