Seeking Information Grandfather's OP

[Mantis_Sebastian]

Hi guys I was hoping you could tell me a little about my grandfather's Oyster Perpetual.

I researched some of the dating posts on this forum and I am assuming that this watch does not have an original dial or hands. I actually am having a hard time finding an example of this dial on another watch.

My grandfather was a Cuban refugee who fought in Korea as a heavy artilleryman as a pathway to gain citizenship. When the war ended, he bought this watch sometime around 1953. For him it was a symbol of success. He opened up a Sheetmetal shop in NJ and wore this watch hard until he passed away in the mid 2000's.

My father gave me this watch after noticing that I was interested in watches (I had recently Purchased a Tudor Pelagos).

This watch is a 34mm Oyster perpetual, but do you have any idea on the reference number? The Gold crown, dial and handset are unique. I have a suspicion that all 3 were replaced. Can this watch still be serviced by Rolex, or should I go to a wacth shop that specializes in vintage watches?

[Nick9]

Looks like a very nice vintage Rolex.

You are better off with an independent watchmaker than with Rolex. Lots of recommendations on this site.

Meanwhile, in the picture the crown is not screwed down, amd should be.

Edit: I believe you are correct about the crown.

[Mantis_Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Nick9

Looks like a very nice vintage Rolex.

You are better off with an independent watchmaker than with Rolex. Lots of recommendations on this site.

Meanwhile, in the picture the crown is not screwed down, amd should be.

Edit: I believe you are correct about the crown.

Thanks! The crown is screwed down as far as it will go. This is why I think it is an aftermarket crown. Why wouldn’t it cover the entire stem?

[Nick9]

Originally Posted by Mantis_Sebastian

Thanks! The crown is screwed down as far as it will go. This is why I think it is an aftermarket crown. Why wouldn’t it cover the entire stem?

It should. Off to the chosen watchmaker. You’ll end up with a beauty.

EDIT: As Dan S says below, just get the movement serviced and the crown sorted out.

[Dan S]

I agree that the watch has had some replacement parts added over the years. However, it is as your grandfather wore it. Restoring it with period-correct parts would completely change almost every visible part of the watch, so I would be inclined simply to have it serviced by an independent watchmaker. If the crown bothers you, you could source a stainless Rolex crown for it. The hands would probably have been dauphine or alpha, one would have to research that. And the research would be facilitated by knowing the reference number from between the lugs.

Originally Posted by Mantis_Sebastian

Thanks! The crown is screwed down as far as it will go. This is why I think it is an aftermarket crown. Why wouldn’t it cover the entire stem?

I think you mean why wouldn't it cover the entire tube. It's possible that it is an aftermarket crown, or simply that the stem wasn't trimmed correctly. Certainly it is not the correct crown for the watch, but we would need good macro photos of the crown to determine if it is aftermarket or Rolex.

[Dan S]

Have you looked between the lugs for the reference and serial numbers?

[dannyp]

Looks almost like a "pre-Explorer" (as in the watch that became the Explorer, prior to having "Explorer" printed on the dial). 1953 might have been a little early for that watch (with its cold weather modifications) to be widely available, so it could just be an OP with a 3-6-9 dial.

Main concern on the crown is that the tube is sticking out too far and needs to be tightened. Agree with leaving it as your grandfather did, assuming that it's protected from water/dust at crown.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Looks almost like a "pre-Explorer" (as in the watch that became the Explorer, prior to having "Explorer" printed on the dial). 1953 might have been a little early for that watch (with its cold weather modifications) to be widely available, so it could just be an OP with a 3-6-9 dial.

The OP noted that the watch is 34mm. Assuming he measured it correctly, it wouldn't be one of the so-called "pre-Explorer" references (e.g. 6098/6198/6150/6350), which are 36mm.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The OP noted that the watch is 34mm. Assuming he measured it correctly, it wouldn't be one of the so-called "pre-Explorer" references (e.g. 6098/6198/6150/6350), which are 36mm.

Ah, you're right. I was thinking of some of the slightly later (but still early) Explorers that apparently used the Air King case. Guess I assumed that all of the early Explorers/pre-Explorers were 34 as well.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Ah, you're right. I was thinking of some of the slightly later (but still early) Explorers that apparently used the Air King case. Guess I assumed that all of the early Explorers/pre-Explorers were 34 as well.

Nice heirloom - btw the dial has been repainted/refinished at some point, as no SWISS footer under 6 HR marker. Likely a 6022 or similar 34mm model. I suspect dial plate/coronet/HR markers are original, as they are almost identical to a 5701 explorer date I had, that had a repainted dial.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Nice heirloom - btw the dial has been repainted/refinished at some point, as no SWISS footer under 6 HR marker.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Nice heirloom - btw the dial has been repainted/refinished at some point, as no SWISS footer under 6 HR marker.

I couldn’t tell. But what struck me as a little odd was how small the Arabic numerals at 3-6-9 were relative to batons. As for the “SWISS” I forgot about that but when I look I can’t tell if it’s absent or just obscured because it would be right under where the crystal starts to dome in the photo (and could therefore have been obscured).

[Mantis_Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The OP noted that the watch is 34mm. Assuming he measured it correctly, it wouldn't be one of the so-called "pre-Explorer" references (e.g. 6098/6198/6150/6350), which are 36mm.

It is entirely possible that I did not measure it correctly. I just assumed it was 34mm because most OPs of that era appear to be. It certainly feels like it is 10mm smaller than my Tudor Pelagos. It is off to the watchmaker for a full rehaul and cleaning. I have requested for him to call me and tell me a bit about the watch, but that may take 3 weeks.

[Mantis_Sebastian]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The OP noted that the watch is 34mm. Assuming he measured it correctly, it wouldn't be one of the so-called "pre-Explorer" references (e.g. 6098/6198/6150/6350), which are 36mm.

I actually did not measure it, it is already off to the watchmaker for a cleaning. It certainly feels like 34mm compared to my Tudor Pelagos. I have requested to have the watchmaker tell me more about it, but that will take at least 3 weeks.

I want something to be done about the crown, as it looks pretty odd the way it is.