Anybody familiar with the 6426?

[Gedanken]

Okay, as a preface, this watch isn't for sale. I'm just trying to figure this out because I'm not familiar with the manual wind models.

Sadly, my friend's father has just been moved into a nursing home, so my friend's been cleaning out the place. He came across this watch in the process and asked me about it.

It appears to be a Rolex 6426, and at first I wasn't too sure if it was real. My friend's father had put it on a crappy elasticised bracelet, apparently because he found clasps uncomfortable, and it had a dodgy hologram sticker on the back. However, according to my friend, his father had received the watch from Shell (where he had worked for 39 years) back in the 1980's, and the sticker could well have been attached by some watchmaker later.

I took the bracelet and sticker off, and had a closer look at it.






Looking at the serial number, the case appears to have been manufactured in 1983, which is about the time the watch was given to my friend's father. I've compared the hands and dial to photos of other 6426s that I've seen online, and nothing seems amiss. Hell, the crown even points straight up when fully screwed in:



I took a 1-second exposure of the second hand, and it appears to be running at 21,600bph, which is right for the 1225 movement that's supposed to be in it.



I'm going to take it to a watchmaker to check out the movement when I have the time.

Pending that, a couple of things strike me as odd, though. My understanding is that the 1225 movement is non-hacking, but when I pull the crown all the way out and turn it counterclockwise a bit, the second hand jumps back three seconds, runs backwards for a second and stops. Should that be happening?

Also, when the crown is in the winding position, should it make a ratcheting sound when the crown is turned counterclockwise?

If there are any 6426 experts out there, I'd like to know your thoughts on this watch.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Pending that, a couple of things strike me as odd, though. My understanding is that the 1225 movement is non-hacking, but when I pull the crown all the way out and turn it counterclockwise a bit, the second hand jumps back three seconds, runs backwards for a second and stops. Should that be happening?

Also, when the crown is in the winding position, should it make a ratcheting sound when the crown is turned counterclockwise?

If there are any 6426 experts out there, I'd like to know your thoughts on this watch.

That is perfectly normal with a non-hacking second's mvt. You can force the second's hand to stop by holding on to the crown, and sometimes the second's hand even stops (but not by any hacking mechanism) by just turning it CCW a bit. It would start moving again if you touch the crown just ever so slightly. It also seems that is is easier to make the hand halt if the mvt. is not fully wound. My SS Daytonas 16520ies did the same thing (not having a hacking second's feature).

The ratcheting sound when turning the crown CCW is also normal.

[Gedanken]

Cool stuff, Bo! Now I just have to get that caseback off to be sure before I give my friend the good news - and then get him hunting round for the bracelet, box and papers. As far as I've been able to ascertain, it's got a 78350 with 557 end links, and the complete set should be worth US$800-1200, not that he'll be looking to sell it.

[Tools]

Can't add any more than Spacey..

It's a shame the bracelet was replaced. A new one is worth almost as much as the watch head by itself is..

Still, a keeper IMO..

[redshirt1957]

What was the price again? J/K

[txrob779]

That is about right I think as well. What is it about the Depression age gentlemen and this tacky stetch bracelets. I wore a 1603 Datejust for years. It had a 1507 or a 5107 no-quick set movement that ran at 21,600 as well. My 1603 was a 1977 model. I paid $1500 for it and traded it for $1200 just a month ago or so. I don't know what those bracelet numbers mean, but mine had a oyster bracelet and an engine cut bezel. Mine hacked though I am pretty sure. I would imagin the box is very much like this one. My wifes 6917 has the same box. It is a 1980 I think non-quick set.

Here it is

[jac67]

Hey James

That watch looks in GREAT condition.

From the story you posted, all sounds legit, however, it may be the pictures, but the engraving between the lugs looks too thick.

Also there appears to be no bracelet wear on the case.

Once the case is opened, all (hopefuly) will be revealled.


John.

[tomski12]

That's a good looking watch.

Interesting about the stretch bracelet. The Tudor sub that my father-in-law gave me a few months ago had one of those on it that his dad had put on it.