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topitz · 19 February 2012, 07:26 AM

Found a Rolex bubble back model 2940 in a box of old watches, no original band. It was a working man's watch and the condition reflects years of labor. It's not running. The face is bronze with numbers 2,4,6,8,10 and 12. Hands are straight with points and a second hand. The face has Rolex crown and Rolex below the 12 and Oyster Perpetual below that. Nothing printed on bottom half of the face. Crown is still there and will set the time. I will try to post some pictures. Have I got anything worth fixing, keeping or selling?

topitz · 19 February 2012, 07:32 AM

Scan of Face

Michael M. · 19 February 2012, 07:50 AM

Definitely worth fixing!! Dial looks refinished though. Probably just needs a service, after that and maybe a new crystal it may be worth above $1,000, it would be worth more without a refinished dial. I'd recommend sending it to Rolex watchmaker guru Bob Ridley.

topitz · 19 February 2012, 07:55 AM

What is it about the Dial that looks refinished? Is that something that the Bob would be able to determine?

Jason71 · 19 February 2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topitz

What is it about the Dial that looks refinished? Is that something that the Bob would be able to determine?

The crown and "Rolex" is off-center towards the 3'Oclock hour. I would say refinished. Still looks pretty good IMHO though.

Keeperoftime · 21 February 2012, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

The crown and "Rolex" is off-center towards the 3'Oclock hour. I would say refinished. Still looks pretty good IMHO though.

Here's an un-restored Bubbleback dial that I had the pleasure of owning.

P.S Your Bubbleback is definitely worth restoring. A new dial can be found, but it is cost prohibited.

vintagewaferthin · 5 July 2012, 11:53 PM

The dial is most likely an early refinish. It's just something about the cornet and the Rolex wording that looks off to me and indicates that it's a refinish.

dysondiver · 19 February 2012, 07:50 AM

some one will be along who knows , but i think it looks great

topitz · 19 February 2012, 08:05 AM

Thanks, I do like the look of it as well. I don't think it was my Dad's, but maybe an Uncle who worked as underground bauxite mine Supervisor. I like to think it served him well in a rugged and dangerous environment, but the actual History is lost to the ages now.

adam78 · 19 February 2012, 11:45 PM

Try using Polywatch or Brasso on the crystal and some elbow grease. We'd be able to see the dial better. If there is no "Swiss Made" below 6:00, it is definitely redialed, but seems to be a very nice older refinish (probably in the age of radium). Whether it's worth restoring is your call, as that might cost upwards of $700-800.

topitz · 20 February 2012, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam78

Try using Polywatch or Brasso on the crystal and some elbow grease. We'd be able to see the dial better. If there is no "Swiss Made" below 6:00, it is definitely redialed, but seems to be a very nice older refinish (probably in the age of radium). Whether it's worth restoring is your call, as that might cost upwards of $700-800.

Adam, Thanks for the reply, I use an old Konica 40mm camera lens (reversed) as a loupe, there is no "Swiss Made" below 6:00. Both the Hands and Numbers have (radium?) that appears the same vintage. The back had etched letter and numbers, maybe three different sets. Would that be the Watch service marks?

I will try to clean the crystal and get a better macro shot of the face without crystal glare and distortion.

Tom

pz93c · 20 February 2012, 07:25 AM

Those would be watchmaker marks.

I would be the crystal replaced, the movement serviced and wear it. All of the wear on the case is part of it's family history. You can erase that history anytime, but it's only original once.

topitz · 19 February 2012, 07:51 AM

Scan of inside

Michael M. · 19 February 2012, 07:54 AM

Well it's a ref.2940. RWC LTD stands for Rolex Watch Company LTD. This watch was produced in the 1940's.

slcbbrown · 6 July 2012, 12:19 AM

What is the size of the case? That's a great looking watch, and I hope you get it back in shape. I'm sure that watch came on a strap, so putting a new one on would be model appropriate and inexpensive. IMO, any oyster case Rolex is worth fixing and wearing, daily.

As to the possible redial, back in the olden days (50's, or so) refinishing a dial was pretty common, and I wouldn't worry about it-- especially if you want this watch for yourself. I would find a good vintage repair guy and fix this watch and polish it back to near original. It should be a beauty.

19 February 2012, 07:26 AM	#1
topitz "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 6	Vintage Bubbleback 2940 Serial 200xxx Found a Rolex bubble back model 2940 in a box of old watches, no original band. It was a working man's watch and the condition reflects years of labor. It's not running. The face is bronze with numbers 2,4,6,8,10 and 12. Hands are straight with points and a second hand. The face has Rolex crown and Rolex below the 12 and Oyster Perpetual below that. Nothing printed on bottom half of the face. Crown is still there and will set the time. I will try to post some pictures. Have I got anything worth fixing, keeping or selling?

19 February 2012, 07:32 AM	#2
topitz "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 6	Bubbleback Face Scan Scan of Face Attached Images

19 February 2012, 11:45 PM	#10
adam78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,830	Try using Polywatch or Brasso on the crystal and some elbow grease. We'd be able to see the dial better. If there is no "Swiss Made" below 6:00, it is definitely redialed, but seems to be a very nice older refinish (probably in the age of radium). Whether it's worth restoring is your call, as that might cost upwards of $700-800. __________________ Cheers, Adam

19 February 2012, 07:51 AM	#13
topitz "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 6	Bubbleback inside back Scan of inside Attached Images

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19 February 2012, 07:50 AM	#3
Michael M. Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 8,391	Definitely worth fixing!! Dial looks refinished though. Probably just needs a service, after that and maybe a new crystal it may be worth above $1,000, it would be worth more without a refinished dial. I'd recommend sending it to Rolex watchmaker guru Bob Ridley.

19 February 2012, 07:55 AM	#4
topitz "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 6	What is it about the Dial that looks refinished? Is that something that the Bob would be able to determine?

5 July 2012, 11:53 PM	#7
vintagewaferthin "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Earth Watch: Air-King 5500 Posts: 2,620	The dial is most likely an early refinish. It's just something about the cornet and the Rolex wording that looks off to me and indicates that it's a refinish.

19 February 2012, 07:50 AM	#8
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	some one will be along who knows , but i think it looks great

19 February 2012, 08:05 AM	#9
topitz "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Little Rock Posts: 6	Thanks, I do like the look of it as well. I don't think it was my Dad's, but maybe an Uncle who worked as underground bauxite mine Supervisor. I like to think it served him well in a rugged and dangerous environment, but the actual History is lost to the ages now.

20 February 2012, 07:25 AM	#12
pz93c "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Brian Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 2,776	Those would be watchmaker marks. I would be the crystal replaced, the movement serviced and wear it. All of the wear on the case is part of it's family history. You can erase that history anytime, but it's only original once.

19 February 2012, 07:54 AM	#14
Michael M. Banned Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 8,391	Well it's a ref.2940. RWC LTD stands for Rolex Watch Company LTD. This watch was produced in the 1940's.

6 July 2012, 12:19 AM	#15
slcbbrown "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: steve Location: dallas area Watch: 50's TT t-bird Posts: 3,689	What is the size of the case? That's a great looking watch, and I hope you get it back in shape. I'm sure that watch came on a strap, so putting a new one on would be model appropriate and inexpensive. IMO, any oyster case Rolex is worth fixing and wearing, daily. As to the possible redial, back in the olden days (50's, or so) refinishing a dial was pretty common, and I wouldn't worry about it-- especially if you want this watch for yourself. I would find a good vintage repair guy and fix this watch and polish it back to near original. It should be a beauty.

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