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DRDT · 1 December 2012, 01:09 AM

I have been very fortunate to inherit a Rolex Oyster precision manual wind gents watch. I believe it to be a model 6422 of late '50s vintage in a 34mm(?) SS case with a SS bracelet but no documented history. It appears in excellent order with a very clean dial with gold coloured arabic numbers 1-12 although the luminoscity no longer functions on the hands. I have checked the S/No on the case but it has been mostly rubbed away by the bracelet and only the tops and bottom of the numbers are just visible so no help there. Is the S/No repeated inside the watch? The multi-toothed gear-wheel style back looks like it needs a special tool to open it with. Are these readily available. I would like to open it to check on the other markings in the watch - movement type and any servicing marks etc. The SS bracelet has the standard ROLEX marks with an A20 at one end where it fits over the watch lug. Other than that there are no other S/No marks so I cannot exactly identify the bracelet year. Are there any user/owner booklets available on line please.

All help and advice gratefully received. Thank you

Tools · 1 December 2012, 02:48 AM

Without some photos it's hard to make good guesses..

There are ways to bring up the numbers.. Also, if the movement is original, Rolex can cross reference the movement and know what case it was put into..

It the dial is tritium marked then it is into the 60's or later and the lume would not likely glow.

DRDT · 1 December 2012, 05:10 AM

Thank you. I will try and post some photos.

DRDT · 2 December 2012, 01:23 AM

Hi - photos attached - sorry the quality is not that good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Without some photos it's hard to make good guesses..

There are ways to bring up the numbers.. Also, if the movement is original, Rolex can cross reference the movement and know what case it was put into..

It the dial is tritium marked then it is into the 60's or later and the lume would not likely glow.

joe100 · 2 December 2012, 02:06 AM

Photos don't work

vintagewaferthin · 2 December 2012, 02:16 AM

Well, the dial on the watch has definatly been refinished, and not refinished well either. Can you post some pics of the movement?

DRDT · 3 December 2012, 09:03 PM

Hi, Regret I do not have the necessary tool to access the movement - I am leaving that to a local Rolex trained watchmaker. I note what you say about the face etc. Despite the estimated age of the watch (late '50s?) the face does look almost new. This may be because the previous owner had it serviced and the face replaced - ? Being a layman in these matters and not a Rolex expert the face looks very OK (to me) in the watch and I am happy with it. I accept this will ruin its vintage reputation, but it is still a very nice Rolex watch which I am happy wearing on a daily basis. I will post again once I have access to the inside.

Thanks once again for your help.

1 December 2012, 01:09 AM	#1
DRDT "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: David Location: UK Watch: Rolex Oyster 6422 Posts: 6	New - very pleased - Owner I have been very fortunate to inherit a Rolex Oyster precision manual wind gents watch. I believe it to be a model 6422 of late '50s vintage in a 34mm(?) SS case with a SS bracelet but no documented history. It appears in excellent order with a very clean dial with gold coloured arabic numbers 1-12 although the luminoscity no longer functions on the hands. I have checked the S/No on the case but it has been mostly rubbed away by the bracelet and only the tops and bottom of the numbers are just visible so no help there. Is the S/No repeated inside the watch? The multi-toothed gear-wheel style back looks like it needs a special tool to open it with. Are these readily available. I would like to open it to check on the other markings in the watch - movement type and any servicing marks etc. The SS bracelet has the standard ROLEX marks with an A20 at one end where it fits over the watch lug. Other than that there are no other S/No marks so I cannot exactly identify the bracelet year. Are there any user/owner booklets available on line please. All help and advice gratefully received. Thank you

1 December 2012, 02:48 AM	#2
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,049	Without some photos it's hard to make good guesses.. There are ways to bring up the numbers.. Also, if the movement is original, Rolex can cross reference the movement and know what case it was put into.. It the dial is tritium marked then it is into the 60's or later and the lume would not likely glow. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

2 December 2012, 02:06 AM	#5
joe100 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,753	Photos don't work __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

1 December 2012, 05:10 AM	#3
DRDT "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: David Location: UK Watch: Rolex Oyster 6422 Posts: 6	Thank you. I will try and post some photos.

2 December 2012, 02:16 AM	#6
vintagewaferthin "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Earth Watch: Air-King 5500 Posts: 2,609	Well, the dial on the watch has definatly been refinished, and not refinished well either. Can you post some pics of the movement?

3 December 2012, 09:03 PM	#7
DRDT "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: David Location: UK Watch: Rolex Oyster 6422 Posts: 6	Hi, Regret I do not have the necessary tool to access the movement - I am leaving that to a local Rolex trained watchmaker. I note what you say about the face etc. Despite the estimated age of the watch (late '50s?) the face does look almost new. This may be because the previous owner had it serviced and the face replaced - ? Being a layman in these matters and not a Rolex expert the face looks very OK (to me) in the watch and I am happy with it. I accept this will ruin its vintage reputation, but it is still a very nice Rolex watch which I am happy wearing on a daily basis. I will post again once I have access to the inside. Thanks once again for your help.

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