Very early Ladies rolex - unsure how to date it

[shane0]

Hi guys,

Look firstly I apologize for landing here with the sole purpose of obtaining information, but, determined I shall;

I seek to understand and quantify what looks to be a very old Rolex that has found its way into my possession via a dearly loved relative whom has passed on.

No one in my family knows anything about this watch, and my efforts on the net thus far have been fruitless, perhaps its non-genuine is why I struggle.

Here are a couple of pics, and I sincerely hope that someone may be able to offer some assistance.

The serial inside the case reads; 525 P 61725

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/6200/photo4ugl.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2968/photo3wm.jpg



Kind regards, and thank you in advance

Shane

[DrLindaPhD]

This is likely a very old woman's rolex (no name) and the 515 means it is 14k gold and the 61725 number falls around 1925. There is really not much else to say about it. It's an old woman's rolex and if you can get it running and cleaned up and pick up a vintage rolex band to put on it then you can have a really great watch. If you are interested in finding out about price I'm afraid to tell you that it is not much more than the gold value. I would suspect the case it about 12 to 15 grams of gold or worth about $300 or so and with the watch (if it runs) then you could possibly get about $400 or $500 for this watch on an auction site, like ebay.

I found a similar dial with the circles around the numbers in a square faced 1920's model in one of my books.

The dial is very unique and very nice.

[Vlad]

it looks like there are english gold hallmarks on the caseback. Decode them and you'll know exactly what the watch was made.

515 or 525 does not sound correct - should be 585 (for 14K)

[shane0]

Hi to both of you,

Firstly, thank you so much for your quick responses !

I certainly have no intention of selling it, and if what you say is accurate, and Im sure it is, I will not relinquish it for a meager $500 :)

I think I will follow your advice and set sail on a quest to have it restored to a functional state.

Once again, thanks

Kind regards

Shane

[Alcan]

A nice "telephone dial", named for the dial layout. Its probably mid-1930's. On early watches, serial numbers usually can not be relied on to date the watch. As Vlad mentioned, the case hallmarks will let you know when the case was manufactured. For comparison, here's Nancy's with the original expansion bracelet. Later serial 42555, with case hallmarked to 1937. This one, by the way, is in 9kt:

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Alcan

A nice "telephone dial", named for the dial layout. Its probably mid-1930's. On early watches, serial numbers usually can not be relied on to date the watch. As Vlad mentioned, the case hallmarks will let you know when the case was manufactured. For comparison, here's Nancy's with the original expansion bracelet. Later serial 42555, with case hallmarked to 1937. This one, by the way, is in 9kt:

Very nice AL.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Very nice AL.

Thanks Dan, took a couple of years to find that one. Interestingly, almost every one I came across was in Australia or NZ whick leads me to believe that Rolex released certain models to specific markets.

[Venusfly]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Very nice AL.

+1

[DrLindaPhD]

I found something similar - I think it is more the early 20s. What I found (I'll attach photo) from ebay from a watch dealer states

9kt Solid Rose/Yellow Gold example made for the British market ca 1917 - 1920. This triple-signed watch is what’s called a “Telephone Dial” model, given its numbers set into circles, very charming.

I have not seen this "telephone" dial "newer" than the 20s.

See photo for comparison and the price on this one in mint condition on ebay and it says it is running great is at $567 in bidding right now. I doubt it will go over $800 but it could. It's in really great condition. Of course, it could be refurbished.

[DrLindaPhD]

Originally Posted by Alcan

A nice "telephone dial", named for the dial layout. Its probably mid-1930's. On early watches, serial numbers usually can not be relied on to date the watch. As Vlad mentioned, the case hallmarks will let you know when the case was manufactured. For comparison, here's Nancy's with the original expansion bracelet. Later serial 42555, with case hallmarked to 1937. This one, by the way, is in 9kt:

This is the first time I've seen a "telephone" dial on one in the 30s. I thought they were all 1900-late 1920s but I guess they could have gone through the 30s too. Nancy's is MINT. I love it. I love the one on ebay too - such a pretty pink gold.