Took a chance on this

[winst]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Many thanks for the kind comments. And that's a lovely example @winst, I think that mine is going to have a noticeably aged dial.

I am interested to get a closer look at the finish of the dial, because it appears to have circular brushing, in contrast with the sunburst dials I typically see on dials from that era.

Thanks Dan. I love the Dagger Hands on yours and with a new crystal on it, it should look great. I will be changing the dial on mine to a new Grey Service dial as it will be easier for me to read with more contrast between the dial and hands.

Mine has a bit more of a modern vibe to it than yours so am not too concerned about doing it, but the gracefully aged dial and Dagger Hands on yours will be perfect. All the best and please keep this thread updated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Singhalager]

do you have to unwind crown to wind watch? I find these wear crowns out fast

[winst]

Originally Posted by Singhalager

do you have to unwind crown to wind watch? I find these wear crowns out fast

Yes you do, but I have had 6694’s in the past that I wound & wore on a daily basis, that I never experienced that problem with and used to get serviced roughly every 9 years. I checked my Father’s watch paperwork last night and the last 2 services were at 10 and 11 years.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Singhalager

do you have to unwind crown to wind watch? I find these wear crowns out fast

Haha, I was waiting for this comment. So ... do you really find that Rolex crowns "wear out" fast? Or is this just something you've read on the internet. If the former, you may be doing it wrong.

[TuRo]

Interesting lozenge HR marker shape too by look of it.

[kl2244]

Beautiful, you should be very happy about this watch. Wear it in good health.

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by Dan S

It was an auction and I had to pay about $2500 USD for it. So not dirt cheap, but unless something is badly wrong, I should be ok. I will definitely update the thread with some good photos when I have it in hand. I have never handled one of these in person, so I'm curious to see it.

Hiya Dan I believe this is the model with drilled lugs on only one side. If my memory is correct then the bracelet head links are rare and peculiar to this model only.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by janice&fred

Hiya Dan I believe this is the model with drilled lugs on only one side. If my memory is correct then the bracelet head links are rare and peculiar to this model only.

Hi Fred, thanks for the comment. Yes, the end-links appear to be the ones with the big half-moon openings allowing them to be used with blind lug holes. I have them on another 7206, and they are #75, so I suspect these are the same.

There are no through lug holes on the crown side for sure. I don't have a definitive photo from the other side, but it doesn't look like there are lug holes there either.

[KY..]

I like everything about your watch Dan.
From the monochromatic tone to the alpha hands to the smooth bezel to the rivet bracelet and so on.
Great looking watch that has a quintessential classic look that is undeniably refined.
Congratulations, great get!

Originally Posted by Dan S

Photos not very good, so I can't be 100% sure everything is legit, but this appears to be a 36mm Oyster Precision, which has a 20mm lug width, and therefore a 12-link 7206 bracelet, in need of some TLC of course. What's life without some risk?

[Singhalager]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Haha, I was waiting for this comment. So ... do you really find that Rolex crowns "wear out" fast? Or is this just something you've read on the internet. If the former, you may be doing it wrong.

I have owned three 6694s and the crowns have expired very quickly. So, no longer interested in this model.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Singhalager

I have owned three 6694s and the crowns have expired very quickly. So, no longer interested in this model.

Aha, so you're the one stripping all the crowns!

[Singhalager]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Aha, so you're the one stripping all the crowns!

No.

[Greglaw]

Really cool look, from the dial to the bracelet, very understated and just plain awesome.

[Dan S]

It finally showed up and is about as I hoped. Some spotting on the dial lacquer and a small piece of lume missing from the end of the minute hand. The dial definitely has a circular brushed finish. The profile is noticeably thinner than a DJ due to the small hand-winding movement. Based on what I am seeing, I believe the movement is a cal 1215, which originally was specified with a 58 hour power reserve. The reference and serial numbers are there, but hard to read, and the 1.1M serial seems consistent with the 1 65 clasp code. Bracelet needs a re-build for sure. It's a nice change of pace from a DJ and probably a very versatile watch. Daily wear on a bracelet or could be pretty dressy on a strap. Makes me want to find a 1018.

[TimeToGo]

.
Congrats - Done very well!

[Andad]

Nice one.

[BigBlue1]

Looks great Dan.

Wrist shot?

I like the rivet bracelet.

Pretty clean too

[TuRo]

Looks better than I anticipated tbh - concentric brushed finish is nice look - the 65 - 7206 is pukka too !

One sided lugs like the 40/50s Rolex/Tudors is a rare old thing too.

Btw, can't see exactly from photo, but does the the dial edge have a little gap to rehaut, like a 5701 Explorer Date has, minus the notch at 12 though of course ?

Rolex Explorer
Price on request
https://chrono24.app/rolex/rolex-rol...GB&SETCURR=GBP

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Looks better than I anticipated tbh - concentric brushed finish is nice look - the 65 - 7206 is pukka too !

One sided lugs like the 40/50s Rolex/Tudors is a rare old thing too.

Btw, can't see exactly from photo, but does the the dial edge have a little gap to rehaut, like a 5701 Explorer Date has, minus the notch at 12 though of course ?

Rolex Explorer
Price on request
https://chrono24.app/rolex/rolex-rol...GB&SETCURR=GBP

No gap near the rehaut that I can see, and no lug holes on either side. I used to have a Tudor like that.

[Stephe]

It is a nice watch, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy it. Kudos!

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks like it was maybe originally bought and worn in Japan. The 4-53 and 5-63 service markings would be April 1978 and May 1988 on the Showa calendar and the 9-3 would be September 1991 on the Heisei calendar that replaced it. Japanese watchmakers usually use Japanese year markings when servicing watches. Looks like it may have even been the same watchmaker all three times, or at least the first two.

[alwayshere]

nice one Dan.

I do like the larger size case. If you didn't tell me the model number, I would have guessed 6426 like the one in the avatar.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

nice one Dan.

I do like the larger size case. If you didn't tell me the model number, I would have guessed 6426 like the one in the avatar.

Yes, very similar looking. TBH, I wasn't really very familiar with the reference. When I saw the auction photos, what caught my eye was the rivet bracelet with the typical profile for 20mm lugs. (As you know, the rivet bracelets for 19mm lugs are noticeably more tapered.)

[cinli]

That is really awesome, I’d say you did a good job. Thanks for sharing!

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looks like it was maybe originally bought and worn in Japan. The 4-53 and 5-63 service markings would be April 1978 and May 1988 on the Showa calendar and the 9-3 would be September 1991 on the Heisei calendar that replaced it. Japanese watchmakers usually use Japanese year markings when servicing watches. Looks like it may have even been the same watchmaker all three times, or at least the first two.

You're right on the money, Adam. Too bad there's not a more recent service date. :-)

[Dan S]

Well, I picked up another one of these 6424 pieces, also with a 7206 and #75 end-links. It's a little earlier, just SWISS at the bottom and it has a different dial (interesting cartoonish coronet) and hands. I haven't had a chance to take off the bracelet and open it up, but I'll get to that eventually. It has a very domed crystal. Compared to a 36mm Datejust, they are noticeably thin and light, kind of nice for a dress watch. Somehow they feel larger than a DJ because they sit so low and flat on the wrist.

The one from earlier is on the left (on an ostrich strap instead of the 7206) and new one is on the right.

[Dr.Smellody]

[QUOTE=Dan S;13101756]Well, I picked up another one of these 6424 pieces, also with a 7206 and #75 end-links. It's a little earlier, just SWISS at the bottom and it has a different dial (interesting cartoonish coronet) and hands. I haven't had a chance to take off the bracelet and open it up, but I'll get to that eventually. It has a very domed crystal. Compared to a 36mm Datejust, they are noticeably thin and light, kind of nice for a dress watch. Somehow they feel larger than a DJ because they sit so low and flat on the wrist.

The one from earlier is on the left (on an ostrich strap instead of the 7206) and new one is on the right.

Nice pair Dan! Really like the indices on your new, older Swiss version. Both are sleek and clean.

[art1810]

Originally Posted by Ascari_2

Didn't realize they has 36mm Oysters back then. Thought they were all 34mm. What's the reference number on this one?

The 36mm OP Superlative Chronometer of the early 1960's onwards, is the reference 1018.

The reference is sometimes referred to as: oversize, Big Oyster, or Business Explorer.

I had mine restored in the early 1990's with new Rolex parts. At about the same time I fitted a NOS Rolex Oyster bracelet as the original folded link Oyster bracelet had literally disintegrated from link wear.

In my biased opinion, this us an absolutely stunning watch.