Help! Too confused...

[topcat28]

Firstly, hello! This is my first post, so please be gentle. And I'll apologise now if I ramble...

I've been lurking for a while, and learnt a lot. But not, it transpires, enough!

I've been looking today at a potential purchase for my girlfriend. Its from a 'reputable' jewellers, but not one that specialises in high end watches. It doesn't have paperwork or boxes, but seems to be in excellent condition. It has apparently been serviced recently, they will show me the paperwork. It will come with a 2 year warranty - that I'm happy will be honoured.

So, what (I think) I know: Its a 'mid size' (I assume) 29mm (29.9mm?) steel Oyster. It has an Oyster strap which seems to be in good condition, and an off-white (silver?) face. From memory I can't remember if its a rivet strap - I think not.

Its face is marked ROLEX OYSTERDATE and PRECISION, with T Swiss T at the bottom.

What confuses me, is that it is self winding. Everything I have read says that OYSTERDATES are not.

So, confused.com. Sadly I didn't have my phone with me to take a picture, which the chap even suggested.

One thing occurs to me - it's not self winding, and the jeweller is wrong! It certainly started working on movement, but could a manual watch find a last little bit of energy if agitated?!

Thank you for getting this far! Any clarity would be much appreciated...

[swish77]

There are plenty of people here who would be happy to help you, but you've got to post some photos. Go back with a phone/camera or have the seller take some. Also, a model number would help, along with the beginning of the serial number for dating purposes. Good luck!

[HunterST]

Sounds like a 6694 Precision Oysterdate - which is definitely manual wind. You'll have to post pictures of the case, dial, bracelet clasp (with numbers) as well as the back and movement if they'll open it up for you. What is their approx asking price?

[topcat28]

Thanks guys! Certainly looks like a 6694. I've attached a pic of something similar - as far as I can remember it.

Will hopefully get the model and serial numbers tomorrow, perhaps with some more information.

The jeweller was convinced though that it was a self winder - and as I say, it started on agitation.

I'm ashamed (on here) to say that I'm an Omega chap. I have an automatic (co-axial?) Seamaster and an old (1953) manual wind military. Its pretty obvious with these, even to me, that one is a manual. Is the same true for Rolex - or does the manual wind also have a screw in crown?

If it all looks good, I'll pop back and try and take some pics. Price wise, its a tad over $2k, which looks a bit rich from what I've been able to learn from here. But it is (or appears to be) in lovely condition, and finding ladies' (mid) sized watches seems tricky...

[topcat28]

Okay, only the watch itself, but at least this is the actual watch!

Hoping to get numbers etc. today, but in the mean time, I have to admmit - this looks like a manual wind. BUT I was convinced (at the time) it was an auto...

[azguy]

It appears the 6694 should have the 1210 movemnet which is manual wind-

http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-...swk&Rolex_1210

Be careful on this one since the jeweler doesn't seem to know his watches 100%

[topcat28]

Or not at all it transpires...

Definitely a manual wind. Don't know how they could be so wrong. And feel a bit daft myself for not realising, or thinking to check properly.

Learn't something though. A manual wind watch will give up a last bit of tension in its spring if shaken...

Thanks for all the help. Back to the drawing board though. Lovely though it is, after an automatic movement.