My New, 1957 Rolex Ref. 6494!

[Joe_Rolex]

Happy New a Year, gentlemen of the forum!

A mere public service message announcing the most recent addition to our loving home; My new (old) Rolex 6494 "Oysterdate" Precision with "roulette" date dial - complete with dirty, neglected (riveted) bracelet, an unrestored dial, and a dented, kanji-etched case-back! I love it! I feel that I can wear this with impunity and enjoy it. The intent is to remove and ultrasonic-clean the bracelet, have the o-ring replaced, install an original crystal-with-cyclops, and wear the &$@£ out of it!

It's not an automatic, as you can see in the pictures, but I'm not fixed on that as are many. I'm just looking forward to wearing a "worn" Rolex from a simpler time. I'd be pleased to provide a full report once I've worn it for a week or so, should anyone be interested.

Kind regards to the group - and Happy New Year, no matter where ye may be.

Comments and criticisms welcomed.

Joe_Rolex

[Joe_Rolex]

Pictures below....

[cop414]

Happy New Year Joe, that looks great!

[Joe_Rolex]

Thank you, sir! I'm excited!

[mineral]

Very nice manual Precision oyster. I own one like yours too and the dial has aged into cream dial. I like this watch especially the roulette date wheel and the dagger hour markers.


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[franklin]

Very nice. I like it.

[dane75]

Nice looking watch! And a great plan for it, too! Enjoy!

[mountainjogger]

Awesome. Wear the heck out of it.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Woody]

I also have a 6494 from 1958, but unfortunately mine has had the dial, hands and date wheel replaced at a previous service. It also has a new bracelet (the old 7205 is rather worn). They are great watches and I am sure you will enjoy yours. All the best.

[Justinmg]

I like it! And no cyclops is cool

[1675-David]

[rokonman]

Love the rivet bracelet. It’s the thing that is pulling me towards one of the Black bay Tudors. Congrats on a nice old piece.

[Floorguy]

My birth year! Beautiful!!!

[Joe_Rolex]

Gents, I’m absolutely loving it! I’ve removed the bracelet and replaced it with a leather strap and it’s inexplicably bespoke! I’ll see if I can’t get an updated pic posted!

[Joe_Rolex]

As promised. My 1957 ref 6494 (cal 1215) on leather.

[cop414]

Looks great Joe

[Joe_Rolex]

Thanks, sir! I’m absolutely loving wearing it! There’s some kanji inscribed on the back, along with a date. I’ll do my best to post some images and maybe someone can help me with the Kanji...

[Joe_Rolex]

Kanji on the back-plate...

[mineral]

Originally Posted by Joe_Rolex

Kanji on the back-plate...

Hi Joe, I believe the engraving is the Japanese name of the previous owner.

By the way, your oyster looks really nice with that brown leather strap. I wear mine on vintage oyster bracelet and will change it for leather for a try too.


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[Joe_Rolex]

Hi, again, fellas. It turns out that the first two characters are Chinese, while the remaining two are Korean.

Interesting....

[Paul]

That's a lovely old-skool Rolex you have there Joe.

The tactile experience of the daily manual wind is something I enjoy too about that generation of Rolex too. Seems to make me bond more with the early watches oddly enough.

And if you like old watches and E-Types you must be a great guy. I'm restoring an XK140 FHC just now ... a very slow grind but it'll get there

[Joe_Rolex]

Hi Paul! I personally love the XK140 and the fact that it's a FHC makes me uber envious. I have an older carbureted Ferrari, some Porsches and a Model A Ford, but my prizes are my two E-Types. I'm a huge fan of the 6-cylinder XK engine (despite the fact that the design lends the lower third of the head studs to residing constantly immersed in coolant). When's the expected completion date? When can I see a picture? While you're driving the 140, what's your favorite watch to wear?

[Fredcohiba]

Nice.

[Joe_Rolex]

Here ya go, Paul...

[motoikkyu]

Great looking vintage! Can't beat these!