The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 17 August 2019, 09:53 AM   #1
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
Explorer Experts Needed! My Great Grandpa's Explorer & Bracelet (Early 1950's)

I was recently going through my family's watch collection with my father and was hoping some expert eyes might be able to shine some more light on this watch than google!

We no longer have box and papers however this is what we know:
He bought the watch new in the early 50's that came with the bracelet that is currently shown in the pictures. The watch is all original and has never been refurbished.

The bracelet has a stamp on it of 4-52. We believe that's referring to 4th Quarter 1952 when the bracelet was made. I believe the bracelet itself may be rare as well.

In regards to the watch, one side of the lugs says Brevet 6298 and on the other is the serial number: 929XXX. 6298 is the watch's reference number however it has been difficult to find an exact comparable on the internet, it seems like there were a lot of different 6298's - all with different hands, dials, and any combination of those. Some have the 12 at the top, some have the Rolex Crown, some have 12, 3, 6 & 9, all stating to be 6298's. I haven't been able to find one like mine with the 12 at the top with straight hands. Also, I haven't seen ANY with this bracelet. We believe the serial number puts the watch around 1953 - this was a time when the Explorer was first being branded as the Explorer. Stamped on the inside of the back cover is 4-53.

Is this one of the earlier 6298's showing Explorer on the dial? Which bracelet or strap was standard on this watch new? Why is it so difficult to find the dial/hand combination?

Thoughts, expert advice, link to comparables all extremely appreciated! Thanks!

(Also, what the hell is up with the 293.4kb max file size? How can I post higher res photos?)
Attached Images
File Type: png IMG_6841.PNG (173.6 KB, 575 views)
File Type: png IMG_6844.PNG (175.5 KB, 573 views)
File Type: png IMG_6845.PNG (176.8 KB, 568 views)
File Type: png IMG_6842.PNG (170.6 KB, 564 views)
File Type: png IMG_6843.PNG (176.0 KB, 562 views)
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 August 2019, 02:58 AM   #2
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
Bump!
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 August 2019, 09:35 AM   #3
swish77
2024 Pledge Member
 
swish77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,772
Yes, you need to post bigger photographs of the watch to get meaningful responses.

The file size is different than the physical size of the photos. You can size them up to 1250 pixels on the long size, which is about 8 inches with resolution at 150, as long as the overall file size is less than 300KB.
swish77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 August 2019, 11:37 AM   #4
mbc
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 620
On the bracelet, check this Hodinkee link

regarding the history of the oyster bracelet should be helpful to you...

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ro...l-perspectives
mbc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 August 2019, 11:50 AM   #5
mbc
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 620
And try these links regarding the watch

https://www.christies.com/LotFinder/...jectID=5130488

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=103785
mbc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 August 2019, 02:17 PM   #6
offrdmania
2024 Pledge Member
 
offrdmania's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Real Name: Matt
Location: Wine Country, Ca
Posts: 5,810
OP, your watch is a Canadian market "Explorer" and has nothing to do with a 3 6 9 dial, Mercedes hand Explorer sport watch that we know of today.
__________________
TRF Member 11738
offrdmania is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 August 2019, 12:10 AM   #7
Overwound
"TRF" Member
 
Overwound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: US
Posts: 422
Here are larger versions of Calefornia's watch.









Overwound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 August 2019, 12:48 AM   #8
Robtayham
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 532
I like it. When I think of ‘vintage’, these are the Rolex watches that I think of. Didn’t know this reference existed. Don’t know if this one is real. But, for the OP’s sake, I hope it is.

There’s a certain point, maybe in the late 60s, or early 70s, where Rolex watches became mass produced. I have a hard time thinking of the watches post 1970 as vintage. They’re just not.

On the other hand, this one is, and it looks good.
Robtayham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 August 2019, 12:05 PM   #9
dhknola
"TRF" Member
 
dhknola's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,152
Really great find!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
dhknola is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 August 2019, 12:25 PM   #10
ROGERB
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Roger
Location: WHITE ROCK BC
Watch: 89 16610, 57 7914,
Posts: 897
Very nice watch! It has been serviced as crown was replaced at one point which is no big deal. Now that is vintage
R
ROGERB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2019, 06:28 AM   #11
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
[QUOTE=Overwound;9908323]Here are larger versions of Calefornia's watch.

Thank you very much!
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2019, 06:34 AM   #12
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by offrdmania View Post
OP, your watch is a Canadian market "Explorer" and has nothing to do with a 3 6 9 dial, Mercedes hand Explorer sport watch that we know of today.
Interesting, I had this mentioned elsewhere also. Do you have anymore information regarding this watch? Based on the serial number it was early 1950's but had nothing to do with Hilary or any other explorer story?

And thanks all for the complements on it. I cant believe how good of shape its in compared to others I've seen from that long ago!
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2019, 07:05 AM   #13
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by offrdmania View Post
OP, your watch is a Canadian market "Explorer" and has nothing to do with a 3 6 9 dial, Mercedes hand Explorer sport watch that we know of today.
Interesting, I have heard this elsewhere. Do you have any more information regarding this being a Canadian market watch? - from a catalog or comparable, etc. Throughout all my searching I have not found a single model that is exactly the same as mine. Which may mean its not original/has been serviced?

Does anyone have any tips or contact info for the best way to reach out to Rolex with photos and serial number to hopefully get some more answers?

Very much appreciated!
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2019, 01:29 PM   #14
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
Apologies, not sure why the first post didn't show at first.
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 August 2019, 03:54 PM   #15
miamiclay
2024 Pledge Member
 
miamiclay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: 33139/95460
Posts: 1,279
Image search for Rolex 6298 found this ... Not the same?
.
.
Attached Images
File Type: jpeg DA48A689-DA99-4249-B926-1B32EF5C4277.jpeg (190.5 KB, 246 views)
miamiclay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2019, 12:49 AM   #16
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by miamiclay View Post
Image search for Rolex 6298 found this ... Not the same?
.
.
Thanks for the post! It’s actually not the same. If you look at the base of the hands on the picture you posted they taper down. Mine actually stays straight and overlap one another.
Calefornia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 August 2019, 04:11 AM   #17
miamiclay
2024 Pledge Member
 
miamiclay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: 33139/95460
Posts: 1,279
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calefornia View Post
Thanks for the post! It’s actually not the same. If you look at the base of the hands on the picture you posted they taper down. Mine actually stays straight and overlap one another.
Yes, sorry, yours are dauphine hands, the illustration is with alpha hands. offrdmania is likely right that this is a model with no direct connection to the “main” Explorer line, your 4-53 bracelet and 929xxx serial would both be before the 5.29.53 Everest summit.

Below is a Rolex ad with yet another hand style.

The Canadian/Commonwealth model 6298 was smaller, what is your case size without lugs?

Either way, it is an uncommon and likely a desirable watch. If I found it, I think I would contact Andrew Shear in NYC or Eric Ku of 10pastten.com and VRF.

Good luck!
Attached Images
File Type: jpeg 09DF95E3-F336-4124-BBFC-1F3E0C2B1631.jpeg (246.1 KB, 201 views)
miamiclay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 August 2019, 03:04 AM   #18
Calefornia
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: California
Posts: 12
I assumed it was 36mm however I will measure it and report back!
Additionally, we found a slides from my Great Grandfathers trip to Vancouver in the early 50's! I'll post any photos that include a new watch purchase. Excited to look through them!
Calefornia 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.