My 56' 6569

[Sidmind]

I found this at a Texas antique show last weekend, so I asked the vendor if he worked trades which he does, so I went back this weekend with a box of vintage watches I cared little about along with some scrap gold.

Worked out perfectly and managed an even trade.

I happened to have a replacement crystal in my many tote boxes full of spare parts, after a quick cleanup it looks much better now.

I ordered a new Mainspring so will give it a service soon, even though it is keeping excellent time right now.

The bracelet is trashed but lucky these types can be fixed with a little work which I will do myself. I did some more work on the bracelet after I took these photos and it is already looking better.

[Charles Underwood]

Congrats! Nice watch, because of its simplicity.

[MorningTundra]

Wow what a find! I love the textured dial and machined bezel. A very attractive and unique piece. Well done indeed.

Incidentally, what did you do on the bracelet? Would love some details as I have one in need of some love.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[dhknola]

Great trade! What a fine watch!

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Incidentally, what did you do on the bracelet? Would love some details as I have one in need of some love.


@morning_tundra

Just change the shape of the links that have flattened out over time, at first I just went in with needle nose pliers and closed the gaps, which made a slight difference, then I noticed to get any real change I would have to re-shape each one by hand. I might get some hardwood and create a form of what it should look like so I can assembly line all the links much faster.

Here is a two second drawing,

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by Sidmind

Just change the shape of the links that have flattened out over time, at first I just went in with needle nose pliers and closed the gaps, which made a slight difference, then I noticed to get any real change I would have to re-shape each one by hand. I might get some hardwood and create a form of what it should look like so I can assembly line all the links much faster.



Here is a two second drawing,

Thanks. I’ve been tempted to try something like this. Any suggestions on how to reform bent end links?


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Thanks. I’ve been tempted to try something like this. Any suggestions on how to reform bent end links?


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

Hobby Stores sell special needle nose pliers for creating end links for necklaces and such, they provide the rounded tip needed to shape without scratching the metal. Just try to think about what the link looked like 70 years ago before it was pulled into a longer flatter shape. tedious but relaxing work.

I am still working it out myself, just playing around so far and the sloppiness is slowly going away,

[77T]

That’s a nice dial with interesting hour indices. I’m sure you have a good feeing about finding a fair trade, too.

Good luck on the bracelet rehab and movement service.

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by 77T

That’s a nice dial with interesting hour indices. I’m sure you have a good feeing about finding a fair trade, too.

Good luck on the bracelet rehab and movement service.

Yes, I feel good about it, he wanted 1250 for the watch and 250 for the bracelet, which I think was about 150 too much for the bracelet but it was all in trade and I had very little into the stuff I gave him, so we were both happy.

He was a watchmaker himself so I am surprised he didn't' do a little restore on it himself and get more, but I figure he probably got it for cheap so he just wanted to flip it and move on.

[Vlad]

Love the waffle dial. Though no "SWISS" is a big no no to a lot of collectors - has that issue been discussed recently?

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Love the waffle dial. Though no "SWISS" is a big no no to a lot of collectors - has that issue been discussed recently?

Yes, I noticed that. of course, I have only had this two days so not had time to research if that meant re-dial on this model.

Although to be honest, that does not bother me, after all it is not a highly sought after model or such, it is what it is and I appreciate the beauty of it as is, that and if it is a re-dial it was probably done 50 years ago so it in itself is vintage. :) haha.

[cjohns]

Hey Kevin any back story on the watch ? Been to a lot of sales of all types over many years have never seen a ROLEX for sale ,, most any other watches are junk . Did he let you open it ? Was this his grail piece I know many dealers have a grail piece that they never intend to sell they just bring it to show it off .

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by cjohns

Hey Kevin any back story on the watch ? Been to a lot of sales of all types over many years have never seen a ROLEX for sale ,, most any other watches are junk . Did he let you open it ? Was this his grail piece I know many dealers have a grail piece that they never intend to sell they just bring it to show it off .

Not much of a back story, I did not ask. all I know is he was a watchmaker and gold dealer who appeared to mostly buy for gold. it was sad that a few of the solid gold watches i traded he indicated he would melt for gold value.

I actually had a problem with that, but in the end I wanted the watch.

The guy had a HUGE tent at the antique who in Warenton Texas, I would say 40x80 tent and he sets up every year for about a month. If your not familiar with the Waranten and Round Top Texas antique show it is hard to describe. Thinks a flea market about 10 miles long.....
his tent was a watchmaker paradise, I picked up more tools and spare parts as well. he had clock parts and watch parts and watches galore. But the Rolex was the only one I wanted.
Basically, two little towns between Houston and Austin population 90 and 7 respectively turn into 50k each for a month.
I am sure he has lots of overhead and was simply there to make money, I brought enough older watches and junk gold to make a fair trade and it worked out, probably in his favor but only in regards to full retail of my trade which was an entire box of stuff and would have taken me months to sell. I got rid of it all in one wack so I am happy.

its not like I don't have plenty more vintage watches. :)

[cjohns]

Holy moly ! Any WW2 stuff ?

[Sidmind]

Originally Posted by cjohns

Holy moly ! Any WW2 stuff ?

No Sir, all is gone.

[Jfullm42]

Nice brother! Great find :)

[Sidmind]

I spent the last few days performing a service as well as tweaking the bracelet, I think I have done all I can to the bracelet since it is just worn out.
So far running close to spec, only lost a few seconds all day.

What is the model # for the oyster bracelet I should try to find? I can only find info on the sports models and not these lesser popular ones.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Sidmind

I spent the last few days performing a service as well as tweaking the bracelet, I think I have done all I can to the bracelet since it is just worn out.
So far running close to spec, only lost a few seconds all day.

What is the model # for the oyster bracelet I should try to find? I can only find info on the sports models and not these lesser popular ones.

Need pics of the clasp but judging from the endlinks, theres a possibilty that bracelet itself is fake.

[Sidmind]

It could very well be fake, just because it came with the watch means little.
Lucky at this point the bracelet is too far gone so I will be replacing it regardless.

I will probably switch to an Oyster bracelet, which one should I look for?

Here is a photo, it would be good to know if any of it is real so perhaps I could use parts of it and save money???

[Vlad]

The clasp is fine. USA make Rolex clasp. As far as oyster, you will been a 19mm riveted US made band or, though it's too late for the watch, a 7835 should work as well.

[Sidmind]

What model is the jubilee I currenlty have? I spent time on Google and could not figure it out. I can only find information on Oyster

Also I have an update. I serviced this two days ago and set the time from time.gov as of just now I am +/- ZERO

The 1030 movement is amzing.

[Rebel]

Very nice indeed.

[rloke]

Originally Posted by Sidmind

What model is the jubilee I currenlty have? I spent time on Google and could not figure it out. I can only find information on Oyster

It is the solid oval links (USA made) bracelet. Although your endlinks does look a bit odd....and I thought the solid oval links started in the 60s. Perhaps your '56's bracelet got replaced with one from the 60s.

[Vlad]

Looking at the band, I agree, it's probably not from the mid 50s. The end links don't sit well with me at all. The oval links look fine - but then again, who would fake that quality of worn out links.