Need help to indentify old Rolex

[dreale]

Dear all

My mother-in-law did ask me to understand better the value of the pictured watch as she did ask the local watchmaker to refurbish it and he came back with a pricetag of ca. 10'000 USD!!! for a complete overhaul of the piece (watch was sent to Rolex for a quote).

unfortunately I did not find any info on the internet about this model, I also have no clue from which year it is. on the back I can read the ref no. 34910. not more details than this...

Can anybody from here tell me a bit more about the piece? the more the better... also some info about the value would be great!!

thanks alot in advance for your help!

[R.O.L.E.X]

The quote of US $10,000 to service this particular style of watch is on the verge of sailing into uncharted waters. That is ridiculous.

You should be able to find a local watchmaker who can service it for a few hundred dollars however be careful who you trust with handling any vintage watches and provide clear instructions. Refurbishing vintage watches harms their value.

If the watch were serviced you may consider having the lugs adjusted slightly so that they grip the case better (assuming the end pieces are a correct fit) as they seem loose at the moment. Otherwise, the watch does not require anything 'cosmetic' done to it. The movement will likely require an overhaul if this has not been completed for a significant period of time.

At face value the dial looks refinished to me. Close up photos of the dial & stating whether or not the watch says SWISS below 6 would be useful.

The bracelet appears to be a spring-loaded rivet model and looks to be in good condition (no stretching of the links).

Given the fact the dial is probably refinished and the case size is below 34mm, I would say this is worth approx $1800 - $2,200 USD as a rough estimate. If you have a box/papers that can add value.

[Vlad]

OK, the dial has been refinished. That's the easy part. $10,000 for COA is a joke, that's also the easy part.

I cannot think of the model number for this watch. 5 digit Serial on the outside of caseback leads me to think 1930s/1940s. However, the case shape is closer to 1950s. Yes, of course I know that the serial numbers went from 1 mil to 0 (or whatever), but at that time, as far as I know Rolex was not using serial numbers on the outside of caseback, and I really cannot think of an oyster model from the 50s with sub seconds. ..though the case tube looks to be an early style (i.e. 1930s/1940s)

Any chance the watchmaker who looked at this watch specified the model number? Any chance you can take the band off and show us if there is anything written between the lugs? Any chance of taking caseback off and showing pics of the movement and the inside of case back?

Vlad