Question about 1945 Air King parts watch

[gnatfish]

I recently received a Rolex 4925 Air King from 1945 from my great uncle's estate. It is in very sorry shape. The crystal is cracked, the gears are rusted, it won't wind, and one of the parts that attach to the watch band is broken. I don't know anything about Rolex watches and was wondering if it has any value, or if I should just toss it.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[joe100]

Aww that's a sad sight to see. You'd have to put a whole new movement into that, and it appears the case is pretty badly damaged too. Hard to find these in any shape, but this one is toast sadly.

Parts are going to be hard to find too. That's a Hunter movement btw.

If it has sentimental value and you have the patience of a saint, you might find the parts you need but I think it would take a long time to find a new case.

[R.W.T.]

It's not a total loss. The dial and hands are also original and have some value and are in pretty good shape. It's RARE dial...and although that doesn't equate to value necessarily...it's probably worth more than one might think.

The movement...has rust no doubt. Still many parts might be salvageable. The plates are fine likely.

I'm not afraid of it.

Do you have a case back? What is the reference or 4 digit number. What is the serial range. Is the serial on the case back or between the lugs.

I might be able to help you get this back on track.

Or I'd buy it for parts probably. The movement ring is something that need as we speak.

[gnatfish]

To answer your questions, RWT, the reference number and serial number are both in between the lugs. The 4 digit number is 4925 and the serial number range is 355xxx. The reference number is also on the inside of the case back (see attached photo).

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate it.

[R.W.T.]

Okay....that makes it a little more difficult because the case frame is damaged and has the serial number if you want to keep things linear.

Can you show the outside of the case back? I think this is the version with the inset knurls. You seem to have a rust through in the knurls shown about 2 o'clock.

With all of that ... 4925 is an uncommon reference.

You could search for years...decades or...a week and find a suitable case.

The case frame could be repaired with a laser. Not my favorite thing to get into but when you are out of options...that lug can be built up and reshaped and no one could tell.

The case back is likely toast.

The movement...seems the damage is superficial on the back side.

You just have to go into it and see what is good and what isn't and try and salvage the good.

If the hairspring is not rusty that is a plus.

The movements are available...

Just depends on what you want to do.

The dial and hands have value, unquestionably.

How much is kind of luck of the draw and day of the week.

At any rate the watch could be righted to an extent. Like I said the caseback has issues likely...that cannot be really addressed. That being said, if cosmetics are not a huge issue that could even likely be sealed up with the laser on the inside and used indefinitely until another case back could be located.

If it is sentimental it can be fixed. If it is not the dial and hands and some of the movement are good for parts. Don't toss it.

[gnatfish]

After much soul searching and lots of time looking at vintage Rolexes on the Internet, I've decided to restore this watch. It was originally my great uncle's watch and has sentimental value. I also have another Rolex (1956 dress watch that I have another post about on this forum) and two vintage Breitlings. I am going to keep them all, but this one is the problem child.

I lucked out and was able to find a 4925 case. I now have that in hand. I guess I need direction on the movement. I know there are guys out there that restore rusted movements and wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with anyone and could recommend a good place for me to get this baby back on it's feet.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[R.W.T.]

I can work on it for you. PM sent.

I might have, being that the watch was an heirloom, opted to try and fix the lug.

All of that being said, I have enough parts to right that movement.

I have probably 2 entire build able movements apart if that one proves impossible.

The plates and bridges are all serial numbered. So you would like to keep them together.

Really you can't tell what it is until you get it apart. How many screws will come out and how many...are badly rusted to the movement and what you have to do try and right that and pros and cons. I'm not seeing from this view a lot of problems...but like I said you never know til you are having it in hand and trying.