HELP.. Granddads watch

[Finally got one]

I just inherited my Grandfather watch from my Uncle. He said the watch was from the 70's but is not sure. I would like some help finding out more information on it and to see if I can get the correct band for the watch and to see if I should get it fixed up. The second hand only moves when you are wearing the watch and moving your arm.

What I know..

On one side of the watch it says Model 6605 and Registered Design.
On the other side it looks like the S# may be 415XXX.
The date alternate between black and red.
There are no dots behind the markers like other Datejusts I've seen.

Like I said, I'd like to get it restored and wear it and pass it on to my kid. Would it be a crime to watches if I got this thing restored or is it normal to get an old Rolex and fix it up?

[Tools]

Most any Rolex is worth fixing up if it has meaning to you.

This one, if authentic, is likely from '59/60 but the dial has been poorly printed. There are many good watchmakers who can service your watch and get you a new dial. It will then be good for many more decades of use.

The original band would have probably been a Jubilee and could be fitted at Service if you went with the RSC.

These are commonly worn on leather as well.

[ec51]

Find a reputable watchmaker with a parts account and make it like new!

[DCheeta]

Post this in the vintage board and you'll get tons of knowledgable responses regarding how to get it restored.

It will cost you some money, but I would definitely do it. I wish my grandfather had owned a Rolex that I could restore and wear with pride.

[Finally got one]

Thanks for your inputs fellas, I will definitely get it restored now.

[Rogdogg]

The plan you have for passing the watch down to your son and making it an heirloom is a great idea. If it were me I would reach out to a vintage watch expert with a Rolex parts account and see what is involved in getting it back to perfect working order and looking as great as when your grandfather wore it. They should evaluate it for you before starting any work so that you have a good idea of what will be involved.

[Finally got one]

Would a RSC be able to get me a correct time period band or would I need to find one on my own and send it in?

[crowncollection]

Nice watch but needs a correct dial


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[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by ec51

Find a reputable watchmaker with a parts account and make it like new!

This of course will make next to no difference on this watch because the movement is a 1065 series and all parts for that movement have been obsolete for nearly 3 decades. Rolex doesn't have any parts for that watch except case tube, crown and crystal.

RSC would not even open your watch most likely.

Originally your watch would be fitted with either an Oyster or Jubilee or leather strap, but the oyster band would be worth a good deal more than the watch if it were the correct year.

I believe the case on the 6605 is a 20 mm lug spacing just like the later date just so it's a question of finding a style you like. It's kind of a light watch to put a full on modern oyster bracelet on in my opinion. Jubilee is certainly easier to find and much less expensive.

The watch would look fabulous on a leather strap and any good 20mm lug spacing strap would work and you can get a Rolex buckle for it or buy a Rolex strap with a buckle they are very nice straps though a bit pricey.

The watch is self winding but the automatic winding mechanism was only designed to keep the watch "topped up" not to start it from scratch so you would want to manually wind the watch before wearing it say 20 - 30 turns.

To do that you would need to unscrew the winding crown from the case tube.

Then the second hand would continue to move unless it is VERY gummy and dry, which it very likely is.

HOWEVER...IF THE MANUAL WINDING IS VERY STIFF...and it very likely may be as the watch has not seen service in a long time...DON'T wind it until someone services the watch or if you do go VERY VERY VERY gently...because the stiffness in the reversing mechanism of the autowind will exert too much pressure on the teeth of the crown gear and you will likely sheer some of the teeth off of it. They are very brittle. They are also VERY PRICEY as they, as I said have been obsoleted for many many years and they are very prone to this problem.

Dial...if it bothers you I would likely opt at having it refinished again doing a better job. The issue is, you MIGHT find an original dial...but it's gonna be scarce, scarce, scarce and quite cost prohibitive.

Not to discourage you at all it's a GREAT watch and a lot of family history there It needs to be looked after by someone who knows the 10xx series movements and who can sort out the issues with everything for you.

The watch was manufactured in 1958 by the serial number given.

[mdw3]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Nice watch but needs a correct dial


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Uhhh, what? I hate to disappoint everybody, but that is an original (and quite nice) black gilt dial for this early Datejust reference. No restoration necessary on this one.

Michael

[Lordofrolex]

Personally i would get it serviced to working order but try not to change anything in terms of appearance.

[Michael M.]

Dial isn't refinished.

[JimSnyder]

The crystal looks really ruffed up. Could be the dial is fine but distorted by the crystal?

[Finally got one]

I've been calling around and explaining how the watch is operating. They all say it needs serviced and possibly a new mainspring. They also say that an original mainspring will be hard to find but there are quality ones out there that are suitable replacements.

I am not going to get the watch restored. I'm just going to get it in good working order and the case cleaned up a bit, not polished, just cleaned like we all do with the watches we wear today.

How important is an authentic Rolex mainspring?
The plastic has been replaced already so its not the original, should I stick with a plastic one or replace it with crystal?
I'm thinking a quality black leather band.

[Richard Carver]

Use the modern replacement spring. Never change plastic to sapphire.

If it were mine I would:

service movement.
Replace all gaskets
replace tube and crown
pressure test

Do not:
Polish
replace red/black date wheel
replace dial
replace hands

Be careful of that gorgeous semi-coin edged bezel. They are rare in that condition.

Leather is fine, a nice period jubilee will run 450-500 US

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by mdw3

Uhhh, what? I hate to disappoint everybody, but that is an original (and quite nice) black gilt dial for this early Datejust reference. No restoration necessary on this one.

Michael

I'd have to see that out of the case to verify that. Possible but that's some pretty squirrely SOCC and ROLEX Michael. Also SOCC would not have been on that watch in 1958

crystal distortions and scratches...notwithstanding. Could be...but like I say from the photos...jury out.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Finally got one

I've been calling around and explaining how the watch is operating. They all say it needs serviced and possibly a new mainspring. They also say that an original mainspring will be hard to find but there are quality ones out there that are suitable replacements.

I am not going to get the watch restored. I'm just going to get it in good working order and the case cleaned up a bit, not polished, just cleaned like we all do with the watches we wear today.

How important is an authentic Rolex mainspring?
The plastic has been replaced already so its not the original, should I stick with a plastic one or replace it with crystal?
I'm thinking a quality black leather band.

Did you hand wind the watch yet?

Swiss Generic mainsprings are absolutely fine. I would not sweat that. I use them in 103x movements all the time.

[R.W.T.]

PM sent

[Finally got one]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Use the modern replacement spring. Never change plastic to sapphire.

If it were mine I would:

service movement.
Replace all gaskets
replace tube and crown
pressure test

Do not:
Polish
replace red/black date wheel
replace dial
replace hands

Be careful of that gorgeous semi-coin edged bezel. They are rare in that condition.

Leather is fine, a nice period jubilee will run 450-500 US

All perfect suggestions.. Those is are precisely what I am leaning to.

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

I'd have to see that out of the case to verify that. Possible but that's some pretty squirrely SOCC and ROLEX Michael. Also SOCC would not have been on that watch in 1958

crystal distortions and scratches...notwithstanding. Could be...but like I say from the photos...jury out.

What is SOCC, Ive read about COSC?

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

Did you hand wind the watch yet?

Swiss Generic mainsprings are absolutely fine. I would not sweat that. I use them in 103x movements all the time.

I have wound it about 20 times, it sounds normal. When setting the date however, going counterclockwise to set the date forward the second hand continuous to tick smoothly. Going clockwise to set the date in the past, the second hand jump backwards but seems to shoot forward to whatever second it would have been on..

[Richard Carver]

Hey Tommy, you are absolutely correct about the redial, no question. I wouldn't replace it because this is an heirloom watch. That's the dial grandpa looked at so why change it? No lume to get in the movement. :) A service and a clean up and it's ready to start another 60 years.

[Richard Carver]

Superlative is an actual COSC designation, not just a Rolex marketing tool. It is a tighter 3/5 second per day than the normal COSC 5/7 seconds per day.

The 15XX movement was the first to achieve the SCOC designation. Your watch has a 10XX movement which was designated with OCC, Officially Certified Chronometer. It would never have Superlative on the dial.

note: im posting the seconds from memory, may be off but not by much lol

[Finally got one]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Superlative is an actual COSC designation, not just a Rolex marketing tool. It is a tighter 3/5 second per day than the normal COSC 5/7 seconds per day.

The 15XX movement was the first to achieve the SCOC designation. Your watch has a 10XX movement which was designated with OCC, Officially Certified Chronometer. It would never have Superlative on the dial.

note: im posting the seconds from memory, may be off but not by much lol

There is allot of information about this watch being reveled. The case definitely says 6605, the S# is scratched and hard to read so there might be another digit there making it newer than 1958. Now I'm looking to see how long Rolex produced the 6605 Datejust....

Thanks for all the inputs and advice fellas..

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Finally got one

All perfect suggestions.. Those is are precisely what I am leaning to.



What is SOCC, Ive read about COSC?



I have wound it about 20 times, it sounds normal. When setting the date however, going counterclockwise to set the date forward the second hand continuous to tick smoothly. Going clockwise to set the date in the past, the second hand jump backwards but seems to shoot forward to whatever second it would have been on..

The watch is Hacking with what is called Watchmaker's hack.

The cannon pinion is set up to be tight enough on the center wheel to stop the train on reversing the hands but loose enough to slip allowing the dial train to be set without breaking the mechanism. Completely proper and completely normal.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Finally got one

There is allot of information about this watch being reveled. The case definitely says 6605, the S# is scratched and hard to read so there might be another digit there making it newer than 1958. Now I'm looking to see how long Rolex produced the 6605 Datejust....

Thanks for all the inputs and advice fellas..

If the serial number was 1415xxx it would be from 1966. That watch was no longer being made in 1966.

The watch was made in 1958.

[crowncollection]

Originally Posted by mdw3

Uhhh, what? I hate to disappoint everybody, but that is an original (and quite nice) black gilt dial for this early Datejust reference. No restoration necessary on this one.



Michael

I disagree this movement had occ designation not scoc as stated n the dial


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[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Finally got one

What is SOCC, Ive read about COSC?

Should have been SCOC. My typo

Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified That is like 1961 on I believe.

That watch would have originally said,

Officially Certified Chronometer as Richard stated.

[mdw3]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

I'd have to see that out of the case to verify that. Possible but that's some pretty squirrely SOCC and ROLEX Michael. Also SOCC would not have been on that watch in 1958

crystal distortions and scratches...notwithstanding. Could be...but like I say from the photos...jury out.

The dial is not refinished, and is original to the watch. That's all I am going to say about that.

Michael

[mdw3]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Superlative is an actual COSC designation, not just a Rolex marketing tool. It is a tighter 3/5 second per day than the normal COSC 5/7 seconds per day.

The 15XX movement was the first to achieve the SCOC designation. Your watch has a 10XX movement which was designated with OCC, Officially Certified Chronometer. It would never have Superlative on the dial.

note: im posting the seconds from memory, may be off but not by much lol

The above is completely inaccurate. 6605 Datejust and 6611B Day-Date were first designated as Superlative Chronometers back in the late 1950s, before other models gained this designation.

http://rolexpassionmarket.com/watche...just-ref-6605/

http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/1959...-datejust-6605

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152245770490...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-Vintage...vip=true&rt=nc

As I have stated, dial is not refinished, and is original to this watch.

Michael

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by mdw3

The above is completely inaccurate. 6605 Datejust and 6611B Day-Date were first designated as Superlative Chronometers back in the late 1950s, before other models gained this designation.

http://rolexpassionmarket.com/watche...just-ref-6605/

http://www.hqmilton.com/watches/1959...-datejust-6605

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152245770490...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-Vintage...vip=true&rt=nc

As I have stated, dial is not refinished, and is original to this watch.

Michael

Great information...still I would have to see that dial outside of the watch...as the fonts...are pretty squirrelly Michael.

You may be 100% right about the dial but 3 of those examples you list are FAR neater than the OP's dial.

Once again not disagreeing with you just saying I would like to see it in the open.

[Finally got one]

Well an update. I wound the watch 20 to 30 times with no binding or grinding. I set the time and put the watch down for the night. When I picked it up this morning, the second hand was still moving and the time was correct. I think I'm going to wear it on my other wrist for a week or so and check / set the time and wind it on Sunday like I do my other watch. Maybe my Uncle never wound it up enough to get the spring under tention.

I appreciate everyone's inputs and help with this watch. I actually tried to look this thing up months ago and could never find an exact match. That is until mdw3 posted that link to eBay where someone has it going for $4100. I am still going to get it serviced, but like I said, Ima wear it for a week to see how it operates.