ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

mikkibarry · 6 January 2013, 01:47 PM

Greetings everyone. I just started collecting vintage watches, and tinkering around a bit with them, trying to learn all I can. I just picked up a nice ladies watch, listed as 9kt, in pretty nice shape with an aftermarket band. I was wondering whether anyone could tell me how to open this so I can photograph the movement? It has two small hinges with indents that I tried to open with a fingernail, but it didn't budge. I'm not going to use any tools to open it, but I'm expecting there's a trick to it somewhere.

I'd appreciate any ideas, and if anyone has any information on what the original band might have looked like, I'd really appreciate it. Tried posting pictures, but they don't seem to be working (likely user error). Trying URLs instead
http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546036722/
http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546038050/

HRPinDC · 6 January 2013, 01:59 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have no idea how to open your watch, but I am sure someone here will. I would suggest that you post some pictures so the folks in the know will be able to help.

mikkibarry · 6 January 2013, 02:10 PM

Oops! I tried to post the photos, but it seems that the software doesn't like them. Let's try just the URL this time then?
http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546038050/
http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546036722/

Vlad · 6 January 2013, 04:39 PM

use a razor blade above and below the crown. I would suggest not opening the top part, since you do not need access to dial/hands, yet if you damage them you'll ruin the watch.

Vlad

mikkibarry · 7 January 2013, 02:50 AM

Thanks very much, Vlad. Would you happen to know anything about the origins of the watch? The seller said it was circa 1922. Cheers!

Vlad · 7 January 2013, 05:17 PM

based on the scans, 1922 should be about right. The case back should have English hallmarks - that should date the watch.

mikkibarry · 8 January 2013, 08:57 AM

I got it open! Thanks guys. I took photos of the inside back cover with the hallmarks, but of course I have no idea how to read them. I also took a picture of the movement itself. I'd like to learn more about the early ladies Rolexes. Does anyone have any recommendations for books/mentors/websites? It would be much appreciated.
http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546045799/
http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546045816/

TSW · 8 January 2013, 11:28 PM

Welcome

mikkibarry · 9 January 2013, 01:24 AM

Thanks! It's been very educational so far.

Felix.H · 9 January 2013, 01:28 AM

Welcome,...

financeman · 9 January 2013, 04:30 AM

Welcome to the forum. Glad you were able to get the back opened. These guys are very knowledgable and great to lend a helping hand.

mikkibarry · 9 January 2013, 04:54 AM

I see that, financeman. I'd really like to learn as much as I can, especially rudimentary watchmaking for dummies. I seem to not have much knack for it thus far with failures trying to replace a capacitor in a worthless Seiko Kinetic to see if I could. Next fail was taking apart a pocket watch but not knowing how to let it down, so it attacked me. Good thing that I wear glasses, and the watch was also worthless. But I can change a mean watchband and take out/replace links. And SOMETIMES open backs. Now all I need is a good resource book for very early Rolexes, especially WWI trench watches that I think are gorgeous.

6 January 2013, 01:47 PM	#1
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	Hi folks. Another newbie here Greetings everyone. I just started collecting vintage watches, and tinkering around a bit with them, trying to learn all I can. I just picked up a nice ladies watch, listed as 9kt, in pretty nice shape with an aftermarket band. I was wondering whether anyone could tell me how to open this so I can photograph the movement? It has two small hinges with indents that I tried to open with a fingernail, but it didn't budge. I'm not going to use any tools to open it, but I'm expecting there's a trick to it somewhere. I'd appreciate any ideas, and if anyone has any information on what the original band might have looked like, I'd really appreciate it. Tried posting pictures, but they don't seem to be working (likely user error). Trying URLs instead http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546036722/ http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546038050/

8 January 2013, 11:28 PM	#8
TSW "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: TSW Location: Le Brassus Watch: Rolex & AP's Posts: 27,449	Welcome __________________ AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection

9 January 2013, 04:30 AM	#11
financeman "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Heath Location: Lawrenceburg KY Watch: Submariner Posts: 3,982	Welcome to the forum. Glad you were able to get the back opened. These guys are very knowledgable and great to lend a helping hand. __________________ “You may delay, but time will not.” ― Benjamin Franklin

6 January 2013, 01:59 PM	#2
HRPinDC "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 152	Hi and welcome to the forum. I have no idea how to open your watch, but I am sure someone here will. I would suggest that you post some pictures so the folks in the know will be able to help.

6 January 2013, 02:10 PM	#3
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	Oops! I tried to post the photos, but it seems that the software doesn't like them. Let's try just the URL this time then? http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546038050/ http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546036722/

6 January 2013, 04:39 PM	#4
Vlad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 813	use a razor blade above and below the crown. I would suggest not opening the top part, since you do not need access to dial/hands, yet if you damage them you'll ruin the watch. Vlad

7 January 2013, 02:50 AM	#5
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	Thanks very much, Vlad. Would you happen to know anything about the origins of the watch? The seller said it was circa 1922. Cheers!

7 January 2013, 05:17 PM	#6
Vlad "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 813	based on the scans, 1922 should be about right. The case back should have English hallmarks - that should date the watch.

8 January 2013, 08:57 AM	#7
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	I got it open! Thanks guys. I took photos of the inside back cover with the hallmarks, but of course I have no idea how to read them. I also took a picture of the movement itself. I'd like to learn more about the early ladies Rolexes. Does anyone have any recommendations for books/mentors/websites? It would be much appreciated. http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546045799/ http://pinterest.com/pin/482518547546045816/

9 January 2013, 01:24 AM	#9
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	Thanks! It's been very educational so far.

9 January 2013, 01:28 AM	#10
Felix.H Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Felix Location: Indonesia Watch: Rolexes, APs, Pams Posts: 204	Welcome,...

9 January 2013, 04:54 AM	#12
mikkibarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Mikki Location: Northern Virginia Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,146	I see that, financeman. I'd really like to learn as much as I can, especially rudimentary watchmaking for dummies. I seem to not have much knack for it thus far with failures trying to replace a capacitor in a worthless Seiko Kinetic to see if I could. Next fail was taking apart a pocket watch but not knowing how to let it down, so it attacked me. Good thing that I wear glasses, and the watch was also worthless. But I can change a mean watchband and take out/replace links. And SOMETIMES open backs. Now all I need is a good resource book for very early Rolexes, especially WWI trench watches that I think are gorgeous.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)