Need help on Rolex 68274 Precision

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My first posting here and would appreciate thoughts from anyone on this piece I have on hand.

I am researching the background and have some questions.

Rolex 68274
Automatic, Oysterdate 31mm
Stainless steel
Serial number R3XXXXX (Circa 1987-1988?)
Bracelet 62510M P1 (1991?)
smooth bezel
no papers
Pic attached

Questions:
1) This piece has a "Precision dial", ie not COSC certified. I pored through the internet and was unable to find any stainless steel 68274 on a Precision dial, ie not COSC certified. Seems like 1987-88 are transitional years where Rolex started COSC certification - probably a transition piece?

2) Bracelet is stamped/dated "P1". This would refer to 1991? Seems like a replacement bracelet as this is newer than the watch, Circa 1987-1988. Could this be a replacement bracelet? Did I get these dates right or am I missing something here?

[CTech]

Another question that needs an answer is why this watch, claiming to be from the late 1980s, has Alpha hands typical of a 1940s to 1950s watch. These hands were used up to about 1963, but were often changed at service for the more modern looking stick hands and so are not common nowadays.

The dial also looks to be an older design than 1987 to 1988 so maybe this is an older movement, dial and hand set in a newer case.

A late 1980s 68274 was fitted with an Oyster Perpetual Datejust dial so I don't understand why this one has an Oysterdate dial, similar to those fitted to the manual wind 31mm watches, such as the 6646, 6694, etc.

More detailed photos of the dial, hands, inside the case back, serial number/model number engravings, bracelet clasp and movement would help identify what has been done to this watch.

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Initially I thought it was a 6466, until I removed the bracelet and found the ref to be 68274, with serial number R3XXXXX (Circa 1987-1988?)

This piece was bought by my auntie in the mid-90s from a reseller, and no modifications were made by her.

Back in the 90s, I would imagine someone would probably change to newer dial/hands as opposed to going for older dials/hands.

Will go to my trustee shop and open up for more clues on the case back and movement.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by CTech

Another question that needs an answer is why this watch, claiming to be from the late 1980s, has Alpha hands typical of a 1940s to 1950s watch. These hands were used up to about 1963, but were often changed at service for the more modern looking stick hands and so are not common nowadays.

The dial also looks to be an older design than 1987 to 1988 so maybe this is an older movement, dial and hand set in a newer case.

A late 1980s 68274 was fitted with an Oyster Perpetual Datejust dial so I don't understand why this one has an Oysterdate dial, similar to those fitted to the manual wind 31mm watches, such as the 6646, 6694, etc.

More detailed photos of the dial, hands, inside the case back, serial number/model number engravings, bracelet clasp and movement would help identify what has been done to this watch.

[TuRo]

Welcome. Got a better photo pls, as you can't conclude anything from this one. In fact so fuzzy is it, that the R of ROLEX looks lower than the rest of letters in this photo !

Having said that it's a Datejust 31(COSC always as you say) and a precision dial is not right and neither are dauphine/alpha Hands. It should also be fluted - 68240 smooth example

These are pretty cheap (from £3k), and plentiful.... so you can afford to be picky :-)

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Originally Posted by TuRo

Welcome. Got a better photo pls, as you can't conclude anything from this one. In fact so fuzzy is it, that the R of ROLEX looks lower than the rest of letters in this photo !

Having said that it's a Datejust 31(COSC always as you say) and a precision dial is not right and neither are dauphine/alpha Hands. It should also be fluted - 68240 smooth example

These are pretty cheap (from £3k), and plentiful.... so you can afford to be picky :-)

Good pick on the bezel - I am of the impression that it should be fluted too.

Seems like a frankenwatch! Yikes

[Dan S]

I think something may be wrong. When I google that reference number, I find a mid-size DateJust, marked Oyster Perpetual as expected. I could be wrong, but the dial of the OP watch suggests a hand-winding movement.

Edit: Sorry, I just read through the whole thread more carefully, and saw that Aaron already made similar comments.

[TimeToGo]

.
Dial feet could have been snipped and taped to the movement, or refitted with an older movement/dial altogether..

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Opened up caseback. Just to close the loop:
- 6466 caseback with 1225 movement (manual date) - this is suggesting perhaps mid to late 60s
- Dial and Alpha hands are pointing to early 60s
- Case was replaced with something newer: 68274 with serial number dating 1987-1988
- Bracelet was changed to 62510 dated 1991


I'd call it a frankenwatch LOL