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geodome · 19 January 2012, 02:19 AM

Hi,

I am new to the Rolex market and I am looking at my first one. It appears to be a ladies model, I am guessing from the 1930s or so, it looks "art deco" to me. The rear of the watch has the numbers "897" at the top and "50630" at the bottom. The side of the winding knob is stamped (faintly) "ROLEX PATENT". I have searched the net trying to find info on it but with my limited knowledge I have been unable to successfully find information about this piece.

I tried to get some decent photos so hopefully they help. As for condition all of the stones are intact. I don't know what type they are, I would assume diamonds, but all I can say is they are definitely "clear stones/gems". Between the stone insets it has a millwork pattern and the side of it has an engraved pattern. The outer face appears to be scratch-free but it looks like there may be some very small, black lint that has gotten inside the case on the face of the watch. Overall, to my untrained eye and lack of knowledge, I would say the watch is in excellent condition cosmetically. However, it does not appear to function. If I pull out the knob I can set the time but the time does not advance.

At this point the watch is owned by someone that is wanting to trade it to me. We are both firearms enthusiasts and he is looking to use this as trade. I am interested in obtaining it for my future wife but I want to know a fair value on it and also what it might entail to get the watch functional, and if that is a smart thing to do. In other words, I don't want to do anything to it that would reduce it's value if it is worth more left untouched.

I have a local jewelry store that I deal with who happens to be a Rolex dealer, but having no knowledge of Rolex watches I don't want to go in completely in the dark. I just don't want to be taken advantage of, but at the same time I don't want to assume this watch is worth thousands if it is something not desirable or collectable.

I have attached some pictures. Thank you in advance for any information and/or help with determining the value.

Welshwatchman · 19 January 2012, 02:27 AM

The dial seems to be re-done, hand drawn.

I don't recognise the watch though I'm am far and away from being an expert on 1930s Ladies Rolex.

azguy · 19 January 2012, 02:55 AM

This should be interesting

geodome · 19 January 2012, 03:43 AM

I am not sure that it is from the 30s. Just based on the appearance of it I was taking a stab at it being from the 30s, possibly the 20s. I have been unable to locate anything like it other than a gold one, similarly styled, that was advertised as being from the 30s.

azguy · 19 January 2012, 06:15 AM

You need Antiques Road Show

geodome · 19 January 2012, 06:35 AM

Yeah, it would seem that way. LOL. I will probably just take it to the local store that deals in Rolex. I was hoping to get some background info on it though so as not to get hosed. In doing more Google searching it may in fact be from the 20s vs. the 30s.

geodome · 20 January 2012, 03:40 AM

After some additional Google-Fu I beleive this may be from the 20s not the 30s and may be a "Princess" model. I have not found any pictures of this one specifically but several similar. If the construction of this is the same as the similar ones I found then it should be made of platinum and the gems would be single cut diamonds.

azguy · 20 January 2012, 03:54 AM

Does it keep time

dddrees · 20 January 2012, 03:57 AM

Hopefully an expert will be along soon, however you may want to try this forum as well:

http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/

geodome · 20 January 2012, 08:12 AM

azguy, currently the watch does not work. I can set the time so it is right twice a day but it does not work, even after winding. My goal is to identify the watch and determine a value and based on those findings I will either make the deal with the guy and get it repaired or move on with my search.

dddrees, thanks for the link

dddrees · 20 January 2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geodome

azguy, currently the watch does not work. I can set the time so it is right twice a day but it does not work, even after winding. My goal is to identify the watch and determine a value and based on those findings I will either make the deal with the guy and get it repaired or move on with my search.

dddrees, thanks for the link

No problem, hopefully someone here or someone on the other forum will be able to give you the info you seek.

Cheers,

Dan

19 January 2012, 02:19 AM	#1
geodome "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	Vintage Rolex, from the 30s? Help please Hi, I am new to the Rolex market and I am looking at my first one. It appears to be a ladies model, I am guessing from the 1930s or so, it looks "art deco" to me. The rear of the watch has the numbers "897" at the top and "50630" at the bottom. The side of the winding knob is stamped (faintly) "ROLEX PATENT". I have searched the net trying to find info on it but with my limited knowledge I have been unable to successfully find information about this piece. I tried to get some decent photos so hopefully they help. As for condition all of the stones are intact. I don't know what type they are, I would assume diamonds, but all I can say is they are definitely "clear stones/gems". Between the stone insets it has a millwork pattern and the side of it has an engraved pattern. The outer face appears to be scratch-free but it looks like there may be some very small, black lint that has gotten inside the case on the face of the watch. Overall, to my untrained eye and lack of knowledge, I would say the watch is in excellent condition cosmetically. However, it does not appear to function. If I pull out the knob I can set the time but the time does not advance. At this point the watch is owned by someone that is wanting to trade it to me. We are both firearms enthusiasts and he is looking to use this as trade. I am interested in obtaining it for my future wife but I want to know a fair value on it and also what it might entail to get the watch functional, and if that is a smart thing to do. In other words, I don't want to do anything to it that would reduce it's value if it is worth more left untouched. I have a local jewelry store that I deal with who happens to be a Rolex dealer, but having no knowledge of Rolex watches I don't want to go in completely in the dark. I just don't want to be taken advantage of, but at the same time I don't want to assume this watch is worth thousands if it is something not desirable or collectable. I have attached some pictures. Thank you in advance for any information and/or help with determining the value. Attached Images

19 January 2012, 02:27 AM	#2
Welshwatchman "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Paul Location: Wales, UK Posts: 14,578	The dial seems to be re-done, hand drawn. I don't recognise the watch though I'm am far and away from being an expert on 1930s Ladies Rolex. __________________ ..33

20 January 2012, 03:57 AM	#9
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,253	Hopefully an expert will be along soon, however you may want to try this forum as well: http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/ __________________ When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

19 January 2012, 02:55 AM	#3
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	This should be interesting

19 January 2012, 03:43 AM	#4
geodome "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	I am not sure that it is from the 30s. Just based on the appearance of it I was taking a stab at it being from the 30s, possibly the 20s. I have been unable to locate anything like it other than a gold one, similarly styled, that was advertised as being from the 30s.

19 January 2012, 06:15 AM	#5
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	You need Antiques Road Show

19 January 2012, 06:35 AM	#6
geodome "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	Yeah, it would seem that way. LOL. I will probably just take it to the local store that deals in Rolex. I was hoping to get some background info on it though so as not to get hosed. In doing more Google searching it may in fact be from the 20s vs. the 30s.

20 January 2012, 03:40 AM	#7
geodome "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	After some additional Google-Fu I beleive this may be from the 20s not the 30s and may be a "Princess" model. I have not found any pictures of this one specifically but several similar. If the construction of this is the same as the similar ones I found then it should be made of platinum and the gems would be single cut diamonds.

20 January 2012, 03:54 AM	#8
azguy Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: ------- Location: ------- Watch: --------- Posts: 12,609	Does it keep time

20 January 2012, 08:12 AM	#10
geodome "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	azguy, currently the watch does not work. I can set the time so it is right twice a day but it does not work, even after winding. My goal is to identify the watch and determine a value and based on those findings I will either make the deal with the guy and get it repaired or move on with my search. dddrees, thanks for the link

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