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archie12 · 3 July 2017, 11:38 AM

I have this old watch from my dad. The watch face has come off and it's in bad need of repair. I want to get it fixed, I'm not even sure it's real. I think he put a new watch strap on it in his lifetime. I've gone online to try to find a comparable version but have had no luck. Can anyone here tell me anything about this watch?

offrdmania · 3 July 2017, 02:31 PM

Looks like a model 3139 in a military case. Mid to late 40s is my guess.

Fredrik · 3 July 2017, 05:42 PM

Interesting hour hand...

It says observatory on the dial which I think means that it is a higher grade movement inside.

offrdmania · 3 July 2017, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Interesting hour hand...

It says observatory on the dial which I think means that it is a higher grade movement inside.

I think the hour hand is bent

Fredrik · 4 July 2017, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I think the hour hand is bent

Yes, that is basically what i meant.

For instance if someone asks you how something looks and you answer "interesting" or "intriguing", it doesn't exactly mean that you approve.

R.W.T. · 4 July 2017, 06:55 AM

Unfortunately that is a VERY rare handset. You will be very hard pressed to duplicate it.

I doubt seriously that the hour hand ( the rarer of the two ) could be straightened out but it is possible...The minute hand is a more common "fish" variety that pairs with the diamond hour.

The watch is legit. Other descriptions above apply. Dial is more rare than not.

Rare does not equate to value necessarily.

I can service it.

I could attempt to straighten the hour hand although I would have to take no liability and no guarantee there. I probably have "fish" hour and minute that I could fit if it didn't work out.

Best not to do anything like trying to wind or run it or whatever until it sees an overhaul.

Seconds hand can be sourced as well if I don't have.

joe100 · 4 July 2017, 09:08 AM

radium dial I presume.

R.W.T. · 4 July 2017, 10:02 AM

Yes Radium

archie12 · 17 July 2017, 09:32 AM

thanks everyone for the info. yes the hour hand is bent. i've been told that i should send to rolex for repair. would you recommend doing this or going to an independant watch repair for a vintage watch like this? I would like to repair and wear it mainly for the sentimental value and not the monetary value of the watch. i live in toronto so there is a rolex office available to me nearby.

Old Expat Beast · 17 July 2017, 10:31 AM

Send it to a good, specialist independent like our friend R.W.T. (above). Rolex likely won't touch it.

R.W.T. · 17 July 2017, 06:27 PM

I don't think you will find that they will do anything for you on it. MAYBE if it was 10 years newer they would possibly but even then...they turn down 15xx automatics everyday from the 1960's.

jmiicustomz · 17 July 2017, 08:57 PM

I can vouch for R.W.T. !! He does great work and is reasonably priced. Nice to work with and full of knowledge. He has done a couple for friends and a few for me and is working on one for me now that I found neglected in my wife great grandfather's stuff.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

R.W.T. · 18 July 2017, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

I can vouch for R.W.T. !! He does great work and is reasonably priced. Nice to work with and full of knowledge. He has done a couple for friends and a few for me and is working on one for me now that I found neglected in my wife great grandfather's stuff.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

I'm on it. Looking for a 3rd wheel. It's not so easy. Nothing is standard.

jmiicustomz · 18 July 2017, 08:29 AM

Like I said......R.W.T. is the man when it comes to vintage. He takes his time and does it right, let's you know what's going on and when it returns to your wrist, you know exactly what you have.

To know the future is to be trapped by it

3 July 2017, 02:31 PM	#2
offrdmania 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 X2 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Matt Location: Wine Country, Ca Posts: 5,849	Looks like a model 3139 in a military case. Mid to late 40s is my guess. __________________ TRF Member 11738

4 July 2017, 09:08 AM	#7
joe100 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,753	radium dial I presume. __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

3 July 2017, 05:42 PM	#3
Fredrik 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sweden Watch: 1680 Posts: 1,826	Interesting hour hand... It says observatory on the dial which I think means that it is a higher grade movement inside.

4 July 2017, 06:55 AM	#6
R.W.T. "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,973	Unfortunately that is a VERY rare handset. You will be very hard pressed to duplicate it. I doubt seriously that the hour hand ( the rarer of the two ) could be straightened out but it is possible...The minute hand is a more common "fish" variety that pairs with the diamond hour. The watch is legit. Other descriptions above apply. Dial is more rare than not. Rare does not equate to value necessarily. I can service it. I could attempt to straighten the hour hand although I would have to take no liability and no guarantee there. I probably have "fish" hour and minute that I could fit if it didn't work out. Best not to do anything like trying to wind or run it or whatever until it sees an overhaul. Seconds hand can be sourced as well if I don't have.

4 July 2017, 10:02 AM	#8
R.W.T. "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,973	Yes Radium

17 July 2017, 09:32 AM	#9
archie12 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: toronto Posts: 2	thanks everyone for the info. yes the hour hand is bent. i've been told that i should send to rolex for repair. would you recommend doing this or going to an independant watch repair for a vintage watch like this? I would like to repair and wear it mainly for the sentimental value and not the monetary value of the watch. i live in toronto so there is a rolex office available to me nearby.

17 July 2017, 10:31 AM	#10
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Hong Kong Watch: SEIKO Posts: 28,362	Send it to a good, specialist independent like our friend R.W.T. (above). Rolex likely won't touch it.

17 July 2017, 06:27 PM	#11
R.W.T. "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,973	I don't think you will find that they will do anything for you on it. MAYBE if it was 10 years newer they would possibly but even then...they turn down 15xx automatics everyday from the 1960's.

17 July 2017, 08:57 PM	#12
jmiicustomz "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: John Location: North Carolina Watch: 1953 pre explorer Posts: 2,758	I can vouch for R.W.T. !! He does great work and is reasonably priced. Nice to work with and full of knowledge. He has done a couple for friends and a few for me and is working on one for me now that I found neglected in my wife great grandfather's stuff. To know the future is to be trapped by it

18 July 2017, 08:29 AM	#14
jmiicustomz "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: John Location: North Carolina Watch: 1953 pre explorer Posts: 2,758	Like I said......R.W.T. is the man when it comes to vintage. He takes his time and does it right, let's you know what's going on and when it returns to your wrist, you know exactly what you have. To know the future is to be trapped by it

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