WTB 1952 Rolex

[Explorer 2011]

My father in law is 60 next year and my wife would like to buy him a Rolex. (I think I have converted her). Can anyone offer me any advice on where to start? We have got a while yet before we need to buy, but that means I have time to find something perfect.

Any advice is much appreciated.

[slcbbrown]

Are you saying you'd like to buy a 1952 Rolex to match his birth year? I'm not expert enough to tell you what will be available, but I can warn you a little about trying to find a real 1952 watch. I have my father's Rolex Thunderbird that he bought in the late 50's.
The case has a 1947 era serial number, I think Rolex started selling the Thunderbird in 1953, and I'm pretty sure my father bought his in 1958 or 9, new.

[Explorer 2011]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

Are you saying you'd like to buy a 1952 Rolex to match his birth year? I'm not expert enough to tell you what will be available, but I can warn you a little about trying to find a real 1952 watch. I have my father's Rolex Thunderbird that he bought in the late 50's.
The case has a 1947 era serial number, I think Rolex started selling the Thunderbird in 1953, and I'm pretty sure my father bought his in 1958 or 9, new.

Yes I'd like an 'actual' 52 Rolex. Or at the very least a '50's Rolex

[Chris B]

The Vintage Watch Company specialise in birth-year watches, your FIL will love it, very well done


Let us know how the search goes



http://www.vintagewatchcompany.com/

[slcbbrown]

You can certainly get into the 50's just by shopping around the net. There is probably a listing of dates for the start of the various models somewhere on the TRF. You'll greatly widen your options if you can think of another, more recent anniversary. 60's and 70's are a lot more plentiful.

However, all the best people were born in 52-- a well known scientific fact.

[Paul]

Rolex have always offered a broad range of models. Here's a few that were available new in 1952 if it helps get you started.

A google image search will quickly find you a few pics ......

Rolex 6518
Rolex 6098
Rolex 6244
Rolex 6518
Rolex 6084

Some you'll find are small by today's standards and the manual-wind models are hard to live with nowadays IMO.

Some such as the 6084 look surprisingly modern - a vintage Rolex that looks great on the wrist even today (Pic below poached from VRF archives).

Good luck and enjoy your search !

[adam78]

I have a 1952 6094 Oysterdate, with Super Oyster crown. They are not uncommon, and can be very, very nice for not a whole lot of money.

[Explorer 2011]

Originally Posted by Paul Needham

Rolex have always offered a broad range of models. Here's a few that were available new in 1952 if it helps get you started.

A google image search will quickly find you a few pics ......

Rolex 6518
Rolex 6098
Rolex 6244
Rolex 6518
Rolex 6084

Some you'll find are small by today's standards and the manual-wind models are hard to live with nowadays IMO.

Some such as the 6084 look surprisingly modern - a vintage Rolex that looks great on the wrist even today (Pic below poached from VRF archives).

Good luck and enjoy your search !

thanx that ones a beauty