Has anyone heard of a firefly?

[chumpchange]

Has anyone heard of a Rolex Oyster Firefly? My dad recently passed and I found this watch in his collection. I do not remember seeing it before so I have have no information on its history. Searches have not turned up much but I think it is from the 40s. Any information is much appreciated.

[chumpchange]

I took another photo so you can see the writing on the dial better "Rolex Oyster FireFly". I also had it crystal cleaned up and added a simple leather band. Any info on this watch would be helpful thank you in advance.

[andromeda160]

it's a vintage boys sized manual wind Rolex from the early 40s possibly redialed, but in pretty good shape overall. If the dials original it would be fairly valuable as most of these didn't survive in very good shape.

[Old Expat Beast]

Nice looking piece. Dial of this type, with a mix of Roman and Arabic numerals, is called a California Dial. The only Firefly models I have seen (all online) have been from the early WWII period. I wonder if the name was anything to do with the quality or large are of the luminous material.

[chumpchange]

Thank you for the info. Is there any way to tell if the dial is original? And would it have come with a black leather band? The band I purchased is my best guess at what it would have come with from Rolex. I am not planning to sell it but nice to know it has some value. My wife really likes it and has been wearing it.

[linesiders]

It is an obsolete small transport class that is often found plying the trade routes of the outer planets and moons.

(sorry ;) )

[adam78]

The dial is indeed original. I have seen a few of these (also, all online) -- they are quite uncommon. It is in beautiful shape, especially the engine turned bezel. If it were a larger, bubbleback model, it would be more valuable; these smaller "boy's sized" manual winds are not really in demand, but the gorgeous black gilt Roman-Arabic dial does add value. I think originally it would have come with an unpadded black leather or pigskin strap. I'm sure no original has survived with the watch.

[chumpchange]

I am glad to know the dial is original. Thank you for the information. I guess i will have to find an unpadded strap to match the watch.

[Old Expat Beast]

It's worth looking at old Rolex advertising from the period on eBay for strap ideas, too.

[Vincent65]

Lovely dial and hands - great vintage Rolex!

[77T]

Many call the older 1930-1950 era watches "boy sizes" and it's true they were often gifted to children. But we should remember even full size watches were much smaller diameters in that era. So it could easily have been given as a High School or College graduation present to a full-size person.

Quick question - since I noticed the different pics have different times noted by the watch's hands - does this watch still run?


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[adam78]

Originally Posted by 77T

Quick question - since I noticed the different pics have different times noted by the watch's hands - does this watch still run?


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OP did mention that his wife has been wearing it, so I'd say yes!

[1369]

Originally Posted by linesiders

It is an obsolete small transport class that is often found plying the trade routes of the outer planets and moons.

(sorry ;) )

[Too Old]

Originally Posted by linesiders

It is an obsolete small transport class that is often found plying the trade routes of the outer planets and moons.

(sorry ;) )

Bring it back!!!

[77T]

Originally Posted by adam78

OP did mention that his wife has been wearing it, so I'd say yes!

Ah - reading IS fundamental


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[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by linesiders

It is an obsolete small transport class that is often found plying the trade routes of the outer planets and moons.

(sorry ;) )

You'll love this then, Joss Whedon references in Castle...





I live for these... Hahahah!

The best show that executives at war managed to destroy by mangling the storyline sequence intentionally when one group of executives took over the jobs of another group of executives...

[chumpchange]

Originally Posted by 77T

Many call the older 1930-1950 era watches "boy sizes" and it's true they were often gifted to children. But we should remember even full size watches were much smaller diameters in that era. So it could easily have been given as a High School or College graduation present to a full-size person.

Quick question - since I noticed the different pics have different times noted by the watch's hands - does this watch still run?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The watch runs great and good point about smaller watches back in the early 1900s. I wish I could wear it but it looks very small on my wrist for today's standards.

[james1787]

Originally Posted by linesiders

It is an obsolete small transport class that is often found plying the trade routes of the outer planets and moons.

(sorry ;) )

My wife and I just finished watching the entire series and movie on Amazon Prime

To the OP, very sorry to hear of your father's passing. No doubt that is a watch you will want to hang on to.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by chumpchange

The watch runs great and good point about smaller watches back in the early 1900s. I wish I could wear it but it looks very small on my wrist for today's standards.

BTW - if it runs great and she likes it - go for it - it is a very cool looking watch and it is fashionable for the ladies to wear those older pieces