Help with very old Rolex

[tom.koval]

Hello all.
A freshmen here in a quest to find what model of very old Rolex it is.

So far I know it is from 1930's (sponsor marks points to 1929-1930) and have Dublin hallmark.

Looking thru internet and ebay and such it looks alike Queen or Princesses from that era but not quite.

I've contacted Rolex repair centre (West Malling) but they couldn't tell me much except that gladly service it for 900 pounds.

I contacted with Steven Hale in London and got similar answer except they would charge around 400 plus vat.

Here should be some pictures:



History of the watch is unknown to me as it do not belong to me but to a colleague of mine who found it in a scrap/trash.

Any help more that welcome.

Tom

[offrdmania]

Most likely there isnt a model number. The case is 37.5% gold, otherwise known as 9K and its definitely 30s in style. Not much value other than metal scrap. Its a ladies watch. It actually looks to be in really nice condition. That thing would be beautiful with just a cleaning.

Unfortunately, a cleaning and service will exceed its actual value.

[Mike Wood]

Sometimes referred to as the "Navette" due to the shape of the case.

It looks to be white gold...so I suspect it is 9ct yellow gold which has been rhodium plated. The dial would originally have carried the Rolex signature (but not the Rolex crown), the hands are possibly replacements, and the winder is not original. It would have been fitted to a leather cord strap or metal snake bracelet.

The value is relatively little (£100-200), and the cost of restoration is disproportionally high. A local watchmaker should be able to service the mechanism: a specialist should not really be necessary.

Good luck!

[tom.koval]

Here is a bit better picture of the dial.

Hands are dark blue and not sure if there ever was Rolex sign on the dial.

(at)offrdmania, (at)Mike Wood
Thanks for your help.

Locals watchmakers prices service from 200 to 400 euros.
From old Rolex ads I see on eBay etc I can see that Queen or Princesses had very similar big/wide winder

From scratches on inside of the watch I can see some dates most likely of service. I think there is some from 1990 year.

I'll advise it's new owner and let him decide what to do with it.

Thanks
Tom

[Mike Wood]

Hi Tom,

The dial has been refinished at some stage in the life of the watch, and has lost its Rolex signature and the "Swiss" re-applied. I would suggest the blued steel leaf minute finger is original, the baton hour finger is a replacement.

I attach an image of the watch illustrated in my 1930 Rolex dealers' catalogue, although the case here is pink and white gold and with a different dial variant.

Cheers!

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

Hi Tom,

The dial has been refinished at some stage in the life of the watch, and has lost its Rolex signature and the "Swiss" re-applied. I would suggest the blued steel leaf minute finger is original, the baton hour finger is a replacement.

I attach an image of the watch illustrated in my 1930 Rolex dealers' catalogue, although the case here is pink and white gold and with a different dial variant.

Cheers!

Mike, your knowledge and resources never fails to amaze me.

Vlad

[tom.koval]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Mike, your knowledge and resources never fails to amaze me.

Vlad

Second to that !
Thanks !!


Mike - on this watch there is 808 61515 number on the back, is this a serial number ?
Or model umber like 05/1105 on your catalogue ?

Just for my curiosity as watch case was sold as gold scrap metal.
Movement is broken anyway - can't be winded nor time set up.
Cheapest service I found was 200 euros from indy watchmaker so look like it would be end of it.

Tom
One more time - thanks all for your information.

[Mike Wood]

Originally Posted by tom.koval

On this watch there is 808 61515 number on the back, is this a serial number ?
Or model umber like 05/1105 on your catalogue ?

Just for my curiosity as watch case was sold as gold scrap metal.
Movement is broken anyway - can't be winded nor time set up.
Cheapest service I found was 200 euros from indy watchmaker so look like it would be end of it.

I would suggest the 808 to be a model reference number, and 61515 a case number. The numbers in my catalogue are pretty incomprehensible, but it shows so many different designs so may explain the spurious numbers used! Unfortunately, the old numbering system doesn't necessarily conform to our current understanding of Rolex serial numbers, so don't try and read too much into them!

Demand for these antique ladies Rolex models is very limited, and service / restoration costs can be prohibitive, hence why so many are worth little more than the intrinsic value of the precious metal cases.

It is sad, and I have a box full of them which I am loath to send down to the bullion refiners...

MW