The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 20 March 2019, 03:37 AM   #1
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Rolex Prince Ref : 912, 1934

My name is Fergal and I'm from Cork in Ireland.

Well I had a nice surprise recently !

My Grand Uncle Sonny who passed away in 1981 had this watch.

I only found out about it today as it was in the belongings from my second cousin who passed away recently and my Dad showed it to me today.

From a quick Google I found out the model name and it's year of production.

So a Rolex Prince Ref : 912 made in 1934.
Handwind of course.
Serial number is 55928
*Correct me on any of this if incorrect please*

Now it doesn't run, I did do some gentle winds and when I felt a slight resistance I stopped but the watch didn't run.
Not surprising as Sonny passed away in 1981 so hasn't been used since or maybe long before, who knows.
I love the case design and dial, the art deco numbers are very cool too.

I have been recommended a watchmakers by a very good friend of mine so I will send it off to get it working again and serviced.
I won't be getting it polished, just sympathetically cleaned as it has a lovely patina.
This watch will be staying in the family.

My questions are as follows :

Has anyone got a link for a history on this model in particular ?

Obviously it's over 80 years old, but is it particularly rare ?

Thanks in advance, any other information gratefully appreciated.

Fergal.
MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 March 2019, 04:31 AM   #2
offrdmania
2024 Pledge Member
 
offrdmania's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Real Name: Matt
Location: Wine Country, Ca
Posts: 5,810
Welcome to the forum OP. We would love to see pics once you hit 10 posts and are able to put some up.
The problem you will run into is finding parts for the movement. If anything needs to be replaced, the watchmaker may need to manufacture the new parts or you may need to track down a donor movement. The monetary cost of this type of work is usually greater than what the piece is worth unfortunately, but since it is a family heirloom then it may be worth it to you.
Rolex themselves will not touch it due to its age and their new restoration department is a complete joke. Crazy expensive! You can usually find a local watchmaker that can do the same level of work for a whole lot less.
The watch is probably somewhat rare due to its age but that wont equate into worth. The older, smaller pieces have fallen out of favor with collectors due to their really small size and most of its value will be in the precious metal of its case if it is in fact solid gold or silver.
__________________
TRF Member 11738
offrdmania is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 March 2019, 05:09 AM   #3
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Thank you very much for your informative reply.

I did contact Rolex Service in St. James.
They couldn't help as you said and did mention their restoration service but it would cost £1,400 just for them to look at the watch to give me an estimate.

They also recommended Steven Hale in London and I emailed them an inquiry.
They said it would be £500 + VAT + parts if needed to service it.

A very good friend of mine has recommended ORA Watchmakers to service it.
I had a nice conversation with them today by phone and have decided to send it off to them and see what they say after checking the condition of the movement and giving me an estimate.
MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 March 2019, 06:21 AM   #4
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Thanks very much for the informative reply.

I did contact Rolex Service in St. James but as you said they couldn't help.
They did mention their new restoration service but they charge £1,400 to just receive the watch to do an estimate.

A very good friend has recommended a Watchmakers so I'll send it to them and see how I get on.

Thanks again.
MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 March 2019, 03:36 PM   #5
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Sorry for the double post above.

Has anyone on the forum one of these as I'd love to see more photos of this model ?
MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 March 2019, 03:53 PM   #6
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Here are some photos of my Rolex Prince Ref 912 :

MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 March 2019, 07:21 AM   #7
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Sent off the Rolex to ORA Watchmakers in Wokingham today for an estimate on what it will take to get it going and service it.

Will report back when I have news.

MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 March 2019, 07:26 AM   #8
dhknola
"TRF" Member
 
dhknola's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,152
GREAT old watch! Good luck and enjoy it!
dhknola is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 March 2019, 08:27 AM   #9
77T
2024 Pledge Member
 
77T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40,569
Rolex Prince Ref : 912, 1934

Good on ya for reviving it. The tanks began in the ‘20’s and evolved to wider cases like granduncle’s in mid ‘30’s.

But one thing for sure: that watch made it through some pretty tough times judging by its case. And it is a survivor.

The spring should be easy to replace and should be included in the service quote - but the gears, pinions and other parts could be a challenge.

The quote you got was likely the base charge for a service without fabricating new parts. Best to ask that question now before work commences.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________


Does anyone really know what time it is?
77T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 March 2019, 09:19 AM   #10
watch-guy.com
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 501
just quick point of interest. This is strictly not a Prince

Prince cases and movements are different
Cases are rectangular and the movement has a specific orientation with the balance wheel and the main spring . The sub seconds are also totally separate to the hour and minute hands

But this is a lovely watch

Julian
watch-guy.com is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 March 2019, 12:12 AM   #11
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Thanks for all the comments.
MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 June 2019, 12:37 AM   #12
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
It's back :)

I'm very very happy with how it has turned out.
ORA Watchmakers did a brilliant job on it and kept it's patina whilst getting it all cleaned up and lightly polished.

It has the better Prima 15 jewel movement also.

A strap was made for me which matched the one it came on but I don't think it's for me so I'll get Stevostraps to make one for me soon. It's an unusual size at 24mm for a vintage and of course the watch has fixed pins so needs to be a fold over strap.

Now onto the photos :)



















Here are two photos from BEFORE it was restored at the end to show the difference.



MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 June 2019, 12:56 AM   #13
brigadoonb
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Smurf
Posts: 421
great story...thanks for sharing....dont see these everyday! Nice.
brigadoonb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 June 2019, 01:32 AM   #14
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
Thank you !
MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 August 2019, 09:27 AM   #15
MiniMpi
"TRF" Member
 
MiniMpi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: IE
Posts: 16
1934 Rolex 'Tank' is back with me after a new crystal was fitted and a check over.
Finally fitted the Steveostrap I got made for it.
Love the new look !! :)
Can't Thank ORA Watchmakers enough for great work and customer service.








MiniMpi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.