My grandfather's Rolex

[MaverickH1]

I'm trying to figure out everything I can about my grandfather's Rolex.

Apparently I can't show the images in the thread until I have 10 posts...

The back is engraved for 20 years of service at Johnston in Houston. Dated October 2nd, 1970.

The face of the watch reads Oyster Perpetual Air King.

It is no longer accurate for reading time. Off by a few minutes within an hour. I'm looking forward to learning any and all details about this awesome piece of engineering.

Cheers!

[Dan S]

You can post photos if they are sized correctly. Use the Go Advanced button and Manage Attachments.

[thesharkfactor]

Lovely,but really sounds like it would benefit from a service.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by MaverickH1

I'm trying to figure out everything I can about my grandfather's Rolex.

Apparently I can't show the images in the thread until I have 10 posts...

The back is engraved for 20 years of service at Johnston in Houston. Dated October 2nd, 1970.

The face of the watch reads Oyster Perpetual Air King.

It is no longer accurate for reading time. Off by a few minutes within an hour. I'm looking forward to learning any and all details about this awesome piece of engineering.

Cheers!

An Air King from the 70s is a very nice family heirloom. I'm glad you got it & can appreciate it. The movement is relatively simple (only three hands) & while any reputable watchmaker would be able to service it, it might give you more of a warm & fuzzy if it's given the full rehab treatment by an RSC. Be specific with your words with them about what to polish or what not to polish, what to replace & what not to replace. According to their website, there's one in Virginia Beach: https://www.rolex.com/watch-care-and.../virginiabeach

[MaverickH1]

Hopefully this post adds the resized pictures.

[MaverickH1]

Originally Posted by Dan S

You can post photos if they are sized correctly. Use the Go Advanced button and Manage Attachments.

Thank you! It worked :)

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Lovely,but really sounds like it would benefit from a service.

Nice to know it can probably be fixed.

Originally Posted by piratfisk

An Air King from the 70s is a very nice family heirloom. I'm glad you got it & can appreciate it. The movement is relatively simple (only three hands) & while any reputable watchmaker would be able to service it, it might give you more of a warm & fuzzy if it's given the full rehab treatment by an RSC. Be specific with your words with them about what to polish or what not to polish, what to replace & what not to replace. According to their website, there's one in Virginia Beach.

Thank you! I'll have to read around a lot to see what I'd like to have done. He was a hands on engineer like I am, so I definitely don't want it to look shiny and new. It wouldn't be our style.

[Dan S]

That's a great family heirloom. The movement certainly needs to be serviced. Personally, I prefer to use an independent watchmaker who has experience with vintage watches and respects their originality. If the bracelet is badly stretched, it can be restored if necessary. I doubt I would do anything else to that watch, there's no need for it to look new.

[joe100]

It’s a Rolex 5501 Air-King, yellow gold fluted bezel. Not terribly common but not rare by any means, you won’t see many that’s for sure. The bracelet is all stainless which was fairly normal for these 5501s sold in the US. At first glance, there may be some water damage on the dial, who knows how old that could be. I’d recommend a competent watchmaker service the movement and you’ll be good to go.