Can you help me identify this Rolex?

[wade]

New to this forum but feel you guys are up to the task of identifying this watch. I was told it was at least 1956 or older...is this a rolex band?

[frostie]

I am not an expert when it comes to rolex vintages but i've never seen a rolex with this kind of band. Let's see what the experts will say

[wade]

that was my first reaction, i was reading about a "flat Mesh" band but I don't know if this is such a band

[MAC4130]

I think we need some of the experts here, but that band looks kindda small compared to the case and lugs doesn't it?

[Tools]

That one has all the looks of a Rolex from the early 1940's. You really need to have a look at the movement and get the serial number to pinpoint it any further..

The Band is not Rolex. In the 1940's and 1950's they were sold without bands or straps, those were extras..

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

Rolex did offer endlink types like show, but I am not sure about the bracelet itself. I believe it is an aftermarket bracelet.

Just checked James Dowling's book. The watch is a model # 4467. It is shown on page 235. It is one of the DJ's from the first decade after the introduction of the DJ in 1945. Some DJ's had red date font at the time.

[mdx77]

Very interesting pice, what strikes me (other than the bracelet) is that the date is off-set to the left.......

[MAC4130]

It looks like a 1956 or 57 Oyster Date, I think it should have a leather strap or the gold oyster strap... but Let's wait for some of the more enlightened members to appear...

[Tools]

Coin edged bezels and date windows appeared in the mid 1940's....

Get the back cover off and on the back of the rotor will be a movement number....

The applied crown possibly dates it into the 50's.. If so, the inside of the case back will be stamped with the date (II 56, etc.) as well as the model number..

[Orchi]

Originally Posted by wade

New to this forum but feel you guys are up to the task of identifying this watch. I was told it was at least 1956 or older...is this a rolex band?

Err buddy Wade...as little as Orchi knows...that dial n to a certain extent...the case also...resembles a Bubbleback model...from earlier than 40s...

If u don't mind to post more close up pics of the bracelet ends...clasps...case back...crown n the internal movement...etc etc...Orchi might be able to assist u to find out more...

[wade]

it does have the appearane of being to small for the watch, but there is no wiggle.

[wade]

here is one more

[Orchi]

Err buddy Wade...if ya don't mind Orchi asking...do you have the watch with you now...or somebody sent u those pics...before?????

If you have it in hand...please take more close up pics of its back n rest of the bracelet(band)...

[wade]

sorry don't have it at the moment

[Orchi]

Err buddy BO...always remember...some of the earlier models of Rolex watches...didn't even have screw down crown...n its bezel was designed as ONE piece construction of the case...not separately...

Some Early Bubbleback Dials would say "Oyster Perpetual" only(without the print "Date") even on watches with Date...or "Oyster Date Perpetual"...err...very intriguing...mostly.

[wade]

Launched in 1945 as the Jubilee Datejust model 4467, it was only available in 18K gold at first and when the fortunes of the Prince faded this became their flagship model. This model features a fine coin edged bezel, a gold edged date window, alternating red/ black date figures, a tiny bubbleback winder and a deeply domed back. This was an Ovettone model. (Three piece case)

The Ovettone model was soon surpassed by a model with only two case parts. Yet it still retained the protruding back, and the finely milled bezel. The date function also retained the its alternating red and black numbers. The only obvious change was that the winding crown, previously the small bubbleback crown became larger when Rolex increased the depth to which it went from 60 to 165 feet.

The most dramatic change in Datejust occurred in 1954 when Rolex introduced the Cyclops lens at Basel. This allowed the date to be read easier and has now become part of the Rolex signature. Soon came a slimmer movement, which allowed the fitting of a flatter back. The new movement calibre 1065 introduced in 1957 was much lighter and much slimmer than its predecessor making the old domed back obsolete


I think this puts my watch at somewher between a 45 and 53, and the final verdict on the band? not original?

[wade]

how much should i insure this for?

[Beef]

A famous (locally) head and neck surgeon in Birmingham, Al. had one just like in back in the nineties. He said he bought in Europe, post-WW II. A beautiful watch. I am glad to read the above info on it, since I have not seen another like it.

[wantonebad]

Need to get it authenticated and insured, no way to do that for sure through a message board, get it into the hands of a good vintage watch expert. Most major cities have one, i have a few here in Boston, they are top notch

[wade]

do you put it on your homeowner's insurance or have specific policy?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by wade

Launched in 1945 as the Jubilee Datejust model 4467, it was only available in 18K gold at first and when the fortunes of the Prince faded this became their flagship model. This model features a fine coin edged bezel, a gold edged date window, alternating red/ black date figures, a tiny bubbleback winder and a deeply domed back. This was an Ovettone model. (Three piece case)

The Ovettone model was soon surpassed by a model with only two case parts. Yet it still retained the protruding back, and the finely milled bezel. The date function also retained the its alternating red and black numbers. The only obvious change was that the winding crown, previously the small bubbleback crown became larger when Rolex increased the depth to which it went from 60 to 165 feet.

The most dramatic change in Datejust occurred in 1954 when Rolex introduced the Cyclops lens at Basel. This allowed the date to be read easier and has now become part of the Rolex signature. Soon came a slimmer movement, which allowed the fitting of a flatter back. The new movement calibre 1065 introduced in 1957 was much lighter and much slimmer than its predecessor making the old domed back obsolete


I think this puts my watch at somewher between a 45 and 53, and the final verdict on the band? not original?

Nice info. Seems to confirm it's a 4467. Where is the abstract from, please?