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davski · 16 February 2014, 03:48 AM

Hi Chaps,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me identify my dad's old watch. As I recall, he was given it in the 1970s while working in Saudi Arabia. I'm not sure he was ever certain himself whether it was genuine or not. When it stopped running (possibly in the late 90s) he didn't get it serviced. I don't know now if he thought it wasn't worth the money or that it was a fake.

One of my colleagues used to work for a jeweller's who were an official Rolex dealer, and he has his dad's one from the 60s as well. I took it in to show him and he wasn't really sure about it (he would've told me if he was sure either way).

Markings:
"OT SWISS TO" below the VI
"555" on the pin covers
"Registered design 1603" on the side of the case
(haven't been able to remove the bracelet on the other side where I believe the SN might be?)
"Patented and Registered Swiss Made" on the left of the clasp
"Steelinox 62510H 1A" on the right of the clasp

Other
My friend said the movement might be an old Rolex - moving the watch a little starts the second hand moving at what looks to be 3/4 ticks a second. It is audible when I put my ear next to it.
The magnification on the bubble (?) worries me - I read it should be 2.5x but I can't really tell if it is or not.
My dad obviously wore it quite a lot, there's plenty wear apparent!

Photos attached.
http://imgur.com/a/cNe6l

Many thanks for any help!

crowncollection · 17 February 2014, 05:40 AM

Model 1603

davski · 17 February 2014, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Model 1603

Do you mean you think it's a genuine 1603?

Got the bracelet off on the do-able side - more pics:

http://imgur.com/a/ZUlIu

AbsolutelyROLEX! · 17 February 2014, 12:51 PM

Its real, should definitely get it fixed as it was your dad's, must have some sentimental value?

davski · 17 February 2014, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the responses guys :)

Any way to tell the year without getting the other side off the case? Are the hands and hour markings gold? I've been looking around on the boards but haven't seen any vintage DJs with that dial so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderl712000

Its real, should definitely get it fixed as it was your dad's, must have some sentimental value?

Yes, and I like the look of it anyway!

Anyone got any tips on who I should check out for fixing it? I'm in England atm.

This guy? http://www.robertreeves.co.uk/

On that front, what's a rough estimate of the cost of repair? The second hand will move but nothing else does. I can unscrew the crown(?) but turning it does nothing. Obviously there are quite a few scratches on the front, and from what I've seen on these boards so far, the bracelet has a lot of "stretch".

Thanks,

David

kooltzar · 17 February 2014, 09:38 PM

Real

Cc1966 · 18 February 2014, 02:29 AM

Looks like a good candidate for restoration/servicing. Good luck...

mikkibarry · 18 February 2014, 03:19 AM

I like it. Very pretty. Nice to know that some of the watches people ask about are real. Congrats.

davski · 18 February 2014, 11:20 PM

Thanks, anyone got thoughts on what I should do to get it fixed?

Cc1966 · 19 February 2014, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davski

Thanks, anyone got thoughts on what I should do to get it fixed?

Have it fixed locally/in the EU ~ as shipping to the U.S. is illegal. Good luck...

davski · 19 February 2014, 11:18 PM

Illegal? Probably wouldn't have been my natural instinct anyway though!

I think there's a RSC in London. Should I take it to them and let them have a look?

Old Expat Beast · 19 February 2014, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davski

Illegal? Probably wouldn't have been my natural instinct anyway though!

I think there's a RSC in London. Should I take it to them and let them have a look?

Yes, at least to get an estimate.

16 February 2014, 03:48 AM	#1
davski "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: UK Posts: 8	1970s DateJust... or is it? Hi Chaps, I'm wondering if anyone can help me identify my dad's old watch. As I recall, he was given it in the 1970s while working in Saudi Arabia. I'm not sure he was ever certain himself whether it was genuine or not. When it stopped running (possibly in the late 90s) he didn't get it serviced. I don't know now if he thought it wasn't worth the money or that it was a fake. One of my colleagues used to work for a jeweller's who were an official Rolex dealer, and he has his dad's one from the 60s as well. I took it in to show him and he wasn't really sure about it (he would've told me if he was sure either way). Markings: "OT SWISS TO" below the VI "555" on the pin covers "Registered design 1603" on the side of the case (haven't been able to remove the bracelet on the other side where I believe the SN might be?) "Patented and Registered Swiss Made" on the left of the clasp "Steelinox 62510H 1A" on the right of the clasp Other My friend said the movement might be an old Rolex - moving the watch a little starts the second hand moving at what looks to be 3/4 ticks a second. It is audible when I put my ear next to it. The magnification on the bubble (?) worries me - I read it should be 2.5x but I can't really tell if it is or not. My dad obviously wore it quite a lot, there's plenty wear apparent! Photos attached. http://imgur.com/a/cNe6l Many thanks for any help!

17 February 2014, 05:40 AM	#2
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,216	Model 1603 __________________ watches many

17 February 2014, 12:51 PM	#4
AbsolutelyROLEX! "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Andy Location: Ontario, Canada Watch: AKA: ANDERL712000 Posts: 4,935	Its real, should definitely get it fixed as it was your dad's, must have some sentimental value? __________________ We want to be the first in the field and Rolex should be seen as the one and only-the best. Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex founder

18 February 2014, 02:29 AM	#7
Cc1966 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Christopher Location: Georgia, USA Watch: ing the Sea... Posts: 6,713	Looks like a good candidate for restoration/servicing. Good luck... __________________ "I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778 "*Curmudgeons* " Favorites: 1665 SD, Sub Date, DSSD, Exp II, Sub LV, GMTIIc

18 February 2014, 03:19 AM	#8
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	I like it. Very pretty. Nice to know that some of the watches people ask about are real. Congrats. __________________ No Matter Where You Go - There You Are (and so's your Rolex) Card Carrying Chinese Crested Owner

17 February 2014, 09:38 PM	#6
kooltzar "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Zürich Watch: Submariner 5512 Posts: 922	Real

18 February 2014, 11:20 PM	#9
davski "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: UK Posts: 8	Thanks, anyone got thoughts on what I should do to get it fixed?

19 February 2014, 11:18 PM	#11
davski "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: UK Posts: 8	Illegal? Probably wouldn't have been my natural instinct anyway though! I think there's a RSC in London. Should I take it to them and let them have a look?

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