Greetings - first post...

[Paul_in_KC]

Hello Rolex Forum Members,

This is my first post - as I just recently purchased (but not yet received) a gold plated 6694.

I would have preferred a plain stainless steel case, but - I got it at a very favorable price (I think?) - so, was okay with the gold plating. From what I have seen in pictures - the plating looks to be in good shape considering the age.

She's a bit rough - but, I have seen worse. I attached a couple of pics. There is no bracelet or strap with it, just the case and contents.

Hoping to connect with some watchmakers for advice and resources - as I am a hobbyist watchmaker and planing to help this old watch look and run it's best.

Hope all are staying well and safe.

Kind Regards,
-Paul

[Kingface66]

That dial does not look right. From where did you buy it?

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

That dial does not look right. From where did you buy it?

Kingface66's concern is right.

The word 'OYSTERDATE' is usually longer than the word 'ROLEX'.

There *may* have been some exceptions though.

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

That dial does not look right. From where did you buy it?

Kingface66 - thank you for your post!

It's an eBay purchase - but the seller accepts returns. So, I don't think there is a huge risk.

This watch is not pristine untouched example - certainly could be a Franken-Watch.

What are your concerns regarding the dial?

I noticed the text looks to be a little to the right - and may be a past redial. But I would consider having the dial refinished if needed - even though I know lots of folks would frown on it.

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by FrenchBigCrown

Kingface66's concern is right.

The word 'OYSTERDATE' is usually longer than the word 'ROLEX'.

There *may* have been some exceptions though.

FrenchBigCrown - thank you for that. I think it might be an old redial.

I should have it in-hand Monday - so will be able to get a better look at everything.

-Paul

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

FrenchBigCrown - thank you for that. I think it might be an old redial.

I should have it in-hand Monday - so will be able to get a better look at everything.

-Paul

You bought that watch based off those pictures alone?

[Paul_in_KC]

Not sure if this means anything - but found this on Chrono24.
Having said that - this dial doesn't look totally legit either. "PRECISION" looks way too white.

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

You bought that watch based off those pictures alone?

BigBlue1,

Not just those - but just pictures yes.

As I mentioned - it was an eBay purchase using PayPal, so not much risk really (in my assessment).

I have purchased a number of vintage Omegas, Girrard-Perrigaux, and others from eBay and haven't had a problem yet.

-Paul

[miamiclay]

I’m no expert on this, but the typeface/font of both OYSTERDATE and PRECISION look wrong to me.

[Paul_in_KC]

Here is a 1972 from BobsWatches.
The overall layout looks very similar - though the font from OYSTERDATE and PRECISION are different.
Which is consistent with a less-than-perfect prior redial.

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by miamiclay

I’m no expert on this, but the typeface/font of both OYSTERDATE and PRECISION look wrong to me.

MiamiClay,

I agree.

[Kingface66]

Paul, nothing about that watch is sounding good...especially after seeing its eBay history. Two sales in the same day from two different sellers? One with just 91.9% positive feedback? And yeah, the printing on that dial is way off kilter.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTE...p2047675.l2557


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Oyste...p2047675.l2557

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Paul, nothing about that watch is sounding good...especially after seeing its eBay history. Two sales in the same day from two different sellers? One with just 91.9% positive feedback? And yeah, the printing on that dial is way off kilter.

Wow Kingface66!

Very kind of you to do that research!

I actually spotted the "arkansas" seller. He started an auction using pics from the guy I purchased it from. I guess a fairly easy thing do (steal pics and start a fake auction).

I called the arkansas guy out on it - and he terminated his "auction".

I didn't bother to post all of that here - since it would just be confusing and not really relevant.

I requested some additional pics from the real seller before shipping and he was able to produce those. So, no question he is in possession of the watch. And I now have a FedEx tracking #.

So, as messy as this all seems, I will likely be in possession of the watch Monday (sometime).

I am not expecting a pristine specimen - and pretty sure that I'm not going to receive one.

And if it doesn't meet my expectations - or appears that there was some deception, I can simply return it.

Thanks to all that have posted - I appreciate the time that it takes to share opinions and knowledge.

Kind Regards,
-Paul

[77T]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

So, as messy as this all seems, I will likely be in possession of the watch Monday (sometime).

Did the watch arrive? Would like to see what it looks like.


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[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by 77T

Did the watch arrive? Would like to see what it looks like.

Hey 77T,

Yep - arrived as expected. And looked like the pictures.

I am going to attach a few here.
One of the case - empty with the crystal, and case cleaned up a little.
Another of the dial by itself.
Top and bottom of the movement before disassembly
One of the top of the main-plate fully stripped and cleaned.

I received pretty-much what I expected. A project watch with some known issues (like the flawed redial with the off center text). The plating isn't great - but not horrible (to me).

It was in "running" condition - but looked pretty bad on the timegrapher. DU & DD were decent - but generally terrible amplitude and crazy variation between the vertical positions.

I was feeling pretty bad about the amplitude - until I got it apart. All of the thinner oils had partially evaporated in to goo. And no doubt were a HUGE drag on the movement.

I suspect there is a fairly bad poise problem that isn't going to go away just by being cleaned. But shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

I need to get all the pics posted to a Google album so I can easy insert/share them here.

-Paul

[Paul_in_KC]

Ugh - apparently my pics are too large. I'll make a Google Album and then post some...

Sorry.

-Paul

[77T]

Good deal - sounds like it’s a project worth documenting and sharing.


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[Paul_in_KC]

This isn't how I want to insert pictures - but it's the only thing working (for me) right now...

One of the case - empty with the crystal, and case cleaned up a little.
Notice this case-back is from a 6494. This case is a 6694. (I knew this before I bid on it).
Another of the dial by itself.
Top of the movement before disassembly.
Bottom of the movement before disassembly.
One of the top of the main-plate fully stripped and cleaned.

-Paul

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

This isn't how I want to insert pictures - but it's the only thing working (for me) right now...

One of the case - empty with the crystal, and case cleaned up a little.
Notice this case-back is from a 6494. This case is a 6694. (I knew this before I bid on it).
Another of the dial by itself.
Top of the movement before disassembly.
Bottom of the movement before disassembly.
One of the top of the main-plate fully stripped and cleaned.

-Paul

I have a Google Photos album created. But still haven't figured out how to insert pictures in-line.

If anyone is using google photos to insert pics (in-line). Could you give me a hint?

Thanks.
-Paul

[Paul_in_KC]

Testing in-line image address...



That works for me - but I am the creator of the album.

Please let me know if you can or can't the image in this post.

Thanks.
-Paul

[Paul_in_KC]

Here's the dial. The text isn't centered (which is a pretty big error) but other than that, it looks like a decent redial.


Can anyone here suggest a dial service? I have one (Dial Craft Corp) in Canada that I want to send some work - but they are still shutdown with the pandemic.

Thanks,
-Paul

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

Here's the dial. The text isn't centered (which is a pretty big error) but other than that, it looks like a decent redial.


Can anyone here suggest a dial service? I have one (Dial Craft Corp) in Canada that I want to send some work - but they are still shutdown with the pandemic.

Thanks,
-Paul

Paul, I gotta ask: Why are you keeping it? If you can send it back, why don’t you? The dial is terrible (and I just noticed how Wrong/awful that “PRECISION” is. It looks like the 80s Magnavox TV font!) and what’s the point of having it refinished yet another time? It’s just gonna cost you more time and money, and it’ll still be a repainted dial. Even if you were to source a correct dial, it’s gonna cost you money.

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Paul, I gotta ask: Why are you keeping it? If you can send it back, why don’t you? The dial is terrible (and I just noticed how Wrong/awful that “PRECISION” is. It looks like the 80s Magnavox TV font!) and what’s the point of having it refinished yet another time? It’s just gonna cost you more time and money, and it’ll still be a repainted dial. Even if you were to source a correct dial, it’s gonna cost you money.

Kingface66,

Yes - it's a previous redial. And Yes - everything costs money. For me it's going to be educational. This is going to be fun for me.

No doubt, in the end I will have spent more money than I would have to in order to buy a read-to-wear model. But that wouldn't include the fun and education. I will enjoy this project more than just buying a watch.

I will have a special connection to this watch - whatever it turns out to be.

And I understand that a lot of people won't get it (only meaning that the idea doesn't appeal to them).

-Paul

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

Testing in-line image address...



That works for me - but I am the creator of the album.

Please let me know if you can or can't the image in this post.

Thanks.
-Paul

Loud and clear here. That works fine buddy.

[330ci]

I would just buy an authentic non refinished dial on ebay, oysterdate dials are pretty cheap and plentiful, there's sure to be something you like that's clean and original on ebay cheap. probably less than getting this one refinished tbh. you could also find a new case if you wanted stainless in the $200 range. cool project.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

Kingface66,

Yes - it's a previous redial. And Yes - everything costs money. For me it's going to be educational. This is going to be fun for me.

No doubt, in the end I will have spent more money than I would have to in order to buy a read-to-wear model. But that wouldn't include the fun and education. I will enjoy this project more than just buying a watch.

I will have a special connection to this watch - whatever it turns out to be.

And I understand that a lot of people won't get it (only meaning that the idea doesn't appeal to them).

-Paul

There are other members who do the same thing to produce their own creation. Jocke is one who comes to mind.

He and friend Tony sometimes fit some interesting combinations together and produce excellent articles on the tear down and rebuild. So, remaking a legendary model is more about the journey than the final destination.

Here is an Omega project as an example but I’m sure you’ll find others he has undertaken.

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/smrebe.htm





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[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by 330ci

I would just buy an authentic non refinished dial on ebay, oysterdate dials are pretty cheap and plentiful, there's sure to be something you like that's clean and original on ebay cheap. probably less than getting this one refinished tbh. you could also find a new case if you wanted stainless in the $200 range. cool project.

330ci,

Thanks for those thoughts. I have been (am) looking for an original dial. So far, no luck. But you never know what will turn up.

Have also been looking for a stainless case - I have seen some cases, but no 6694/6494 cases that looked like something I wanted.

If you run across either - please send me a message (if you have time).

-Paul

[Paul_in_KC]

Originally Posted by 77T

There are other members who do the same thing to produce their own creation. Jocke is one who comes to mind.

He and friend Tony sometimes fit some interesting combinations together and produce excellent articles on the tear down and rebuild. So, remaking a legendary model is more about the journey than the final destination.

Here is an Omega project as an example but I’m sure you’ll find others he has undertaken.

http://www.watchwallpapers.com/smrebe.htm

77T,

Very cool (to me) project - roll your own Speedmaster.

Thanks for sharing.

-Paul

[77T]

That was actually Jocke’s & Tony’s project. Mine have been less spectacular-


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=625405


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[330ci]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_KC

330ci,

Thanks for those thoughts. I have been (am) looking for an original dial. So far, no luck. But you never know what will turn up.

Have also been looking for a stainless case - I have seen some cases, but no 6694/6494 cases that looked like something I wanted.

If you run across either - please send me a message (if you have time).

-Paul

I will for sure, just looked at sold listings and theres been plenty sold within the past month, I'm always looking at midsize Rolex on ebay. I just snagged a 1005 w/ bracelet on there last week myself. waiting for it to come in today/tomorrow