ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
16 November 2022, 12:30 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4
|
Inherited Early 50s (I think...) 6075 Datejust. What Should I Do?
Hi all,
I've just inherited my grandfather's Rolex, which (thanks to a bit of a research on these forums and elsewhere) I believe to be an early 1950s Datejust. While it doesn't say Datejust on it, there's some old insurance paperwork for it back from the 1970s that describes it as a 6075, which I understand to be just before they started putting that word on them. It also has an all red date wheel rather than a roulette one, which I understand 1945 to 1953. My dad thought he had a memory of being told by someone once that it was from 1962, so I'm guessing perhaps his memory is ten years out and it was 1952. It seems to be running properly, it's keeping time well and I love just holding it up to my ear and listening. However, there are some issues. As you'll see from the attached picture, it's missing an 'arrow' (I'm not sure of the right terminology for this), where the number 10 would be. The winder (again, probably wrong word!) is also very stiff. Then, most majorly, the crystal (I don't know if original or replacement. I suspect the latter) has a habit of popping off from time to time. Dad said it used to happen when he took it on a plane, as well as other times every now and then, so he stopped wearing it and put it in a drawer... Finally, and easiest, I don't really like the current strap on it, which is just a modern replacement. I'm not sure what to replace it with, I think I prefer leather to gold even if the cost wasn't a factor, as I prefer the more subtle look. The paperwork from the 70s describes the strap as 'Black Alligator', so I imagine that's what my Grandfather used. All these things really boil down to the question, how should I go about fixing these things? I understand it won't be cheap, but I suppose I'm hoping to keep it under about $1500 or so, if that sounds reasonable? I could afford that, but getting into multiple thousand would be tricky. I also imagine it's not worth more than a few thousand. I have no interest in selling it so perhaps that's not relevant, but it still would feel funny spending $3k fixing something worth $4k for example, even if I could... There's a Rolex service center just a few minutes away from me. I originally thought I'd go in there and talk to them, but I understand that they probably wouldn't do anything with it anyway as it's too old and they won't have the parts. Seems the advice will likely be to send it to a private repairer/restorer, but, perhaps wrongly, I'm a bit nervous about shipping it off to someone 'unofficial', and also how the hell I go about choosing the right person. I've had Rolliworks recommended, so perhaps I should start by sending off to them for an estimate. Perhaps I may as well just talk to the Rolex Service Center people anyway, even if they won't go near it, they're extremely conveniently located for me. Anyway, here it is. I know very little about this now and I knew absolutely nothing a week ago, so as well as any guidance, any observations of things I may have missed are most appreciated! |
16 November 2022, 09:56 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
Welcome Mr. Portman,
Outstanding and really chique watch! You can date its production if you sort out its serial number. Regarding the hour marker (arrow) some Day Date had similar ones. My father's 6305 from 1955 had them (serial 85.XXX). Maybe you can outsource a poor dial just for the hour marker, your beauty surely deserves some TLC from an expert watchmaker! Best of luck, Filipe |
16 November 2022, 10:12 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
You can still get original crocodile bracelets for yours, do you have the original matching gold buckle?
|
16 November 2022, 10:28 AM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: michigan
Posts: 2,316
|
Paging R.W.T...
He's most likely your man for getting this thing serviced. He specializes in this era Rolex and would be who I'd trust to get it sorted. |
16 November 2022, 10:36 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: David
Location: australia
Posts: 20,211
|
Lovely watch, have a good independent service it
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
watches many |
16 November 2022, 10:46 AM | #6 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 6,214
|
Isn't this a big bubble-back reference? Can you post a clear straight-on photo of the whole dial?
__________________
@oldwatchdan on IG |
16 November 2022, 11:13 AM | #7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Hobart
Posts: 1,027
|
__________________
2 FA Enabled |
17 November 2022, 12:16 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4
|
Thanks for the comments everyone! I really am already completely in love with it and want to know everything I can about it. Unfortunately it seems I don't have the original buckle. I've included a photo here of the buckle, but I think it is probably from whoever put one of the replacement straps on.
It is indeed, I believe, a big bubble-back. All of this terminology is new to me but I understand that refers to the fact that it's essentially quite big and rounded. Lifts it off the wrist a bit, but actually seems to make it extremely comfortable as far as I'm concerned. Another point of interest is the crown (that's the bit I called the winder in my original post but I think I now know the right word!) My googling seems to show that most of these for this model/date say 'Rolex Super Oyster' with the Rolex crown, but mine just has a crown and what looks like a cross or plus sign. Interestedwatcher - I'd be interested in what yours looks like as otherwise yours and mine look pretty much identical (other than yours having all the parts!)? I wonder if this was replaced at some point. I'm thinking at the moment my plan is I may as well stop into the RSC near me as they seem to have a watchmaker there. I'm expecting them not to be of any use with this but it feels like I may as well, given that I literally drive past them anyway. Then I guess it's a question of researching the best people to send it off to. I have seen R.W.T mentioned elsewhere too, also Rolliworks, Ridley, True Patina...I guess it's tricky to work out who but I'll do as much looking into it as I can. Sorry I am terrible at taking photos but I've tried to cover as much as I can as well as I can here. Please let me know if anything else is helpful or interesting. All I really want to do at the moment is talk to people about this thing... |
17 November 2022, 12:53 AM | #9 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 6,214
|
I assume you're referring to a Rolex dealer, not an RSC (there is no RSC in Massachusetts to my knowledge). I would be careful at an AD, which are generally just jewelry stores. They often send watches out to 3rd party watchmakers and you really don't know what you're getting. Also, communication through a middle-man can be poor.
__________________
@oldwatchdan on IG |
17 November 2022, 02:05 AM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
It's interesting that the reading I do about repair through Rolex shows so many different opinions. Lot's of people saying don't do it, but also several people that have done it, and they always seem very happy. I haven't actually found any accounts of it going wrong, but lots of people saying that it goes wrong, if that makes sense. Some people saying it used to be bad and now it's good, and I guess that's a possible explanation for the disparity. I hadn't heard about it going through third parties though which sounds concerning. I had thought that either a center with a watchmaker would work on it, or send it off somewhere else (Dallas?) that could, or say that they couldn't do it at all, which is what I've been suspecting would be most likely. There is a large part of me that would rather do it if it were possible, officially through Rolex or their authorized reps and somewhere that I could drop if off. Mainly as this is so special to me, not just because I love the thing itself, but because of the connection with my grandfather and my father. I work in an industry that involves sending stuff around the country with Fedex and UPS and I know that there are significant risks mailing things even insured at high values so I would be very nervous sending it off somewhere. I do realize that it may end up the sensible option anyway, but just considering my options carefully! |
|
17 November 2022, 02:51 AM | #11 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: USA
Watch: All of them
Posts: 502
|
|
17 November 2022, 03:55 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
You need a competent expert Indy Watchmaker, not a Rolex Authorized Dealer (AD).
ADs are absolutely no good with vintage - yours is the vintage of vintage! |
17 November 2022, 04:20 AM | #13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
When you say mine is the 'vintage of vintage', do you just mean because it's *really* vintage as in its properly old? Does it seem in good shape for its age other than the missing dial? Anything else notable about it? I've been trying to research this but it's really difficult because I can't find a lot of similar things, most have tiny differences, although at least what I can see of interestedwatcher's looks identical to my eye. |
|
17 November 2022, 05:54 AM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Gogland
Watch: Timex
Posts: 267
|
They added the “Datejust” name on the dial in mid 1955(ish), and introduced the cyclops together with the roulette date wheel - so yours pre-dates that for a start, you have one of the last bubblebacks
Makes a nice change to see a watch of this vintage, as most seem to be either pre-40’s and rather plain, or the submariners that are heavily documented collectors pieces. It’s a matter of opinion as always, but the 50’s in general were a great decade for Datejusts (marked up as such or otherwise), before they reverted to being rather more “conventional” to look at Mine says hello ('57 non-bubbleback)….. |
17 November 2022, 10:05 AM | #15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
Quote:
I can firmly state that mine was produced in 1955 and has serial number 85XXX, as per a Rolex HQ letter I have. Your watch is a beauty, has a fantastic patina, dont worry too much about the missing hour marker, you will eventually find one, I've seen quite a few Date Just with them, look and ask around for a damaged dial. "Vintage of vintage" was just to emphasize the age and rarity of yours. As you've seen, only 1 member (@interestedwatcher) has one. You will find many enthusiasts willing to help you out, but the route is to find a reputable independent master watchmaker. Try a WTB advert for a wrecked dial. Best of luck! Keep us posted! Filipe |
|
17 November 2022, 10:10 AM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
|
17 November 2022, 10:45 AM | #17 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Adam
Location: Far East
Watch: Golden Tuna
Posts: 28,748
|
According to this pic in the Dowling & Hess book, 'Datejust' was on the dial in 1945 on the first run of 100 watches.
__________________
_______________________ |
17 November 2022, 10:53 AM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
|
17 November 2022, 07:41 PM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Gogland
Watch: Timex
Posts: 267
|
|
18 November 2022, 08:53 AM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,004
|
It appears to be a 6075. The dial is difficult to say from these photos.
Without a clearer photo and really having the dial off of the watch, it's impossible to say definitively. The 6075 is originally a Super Oyster crown. This one has been replaced early on, presumably by Rolex as per their own request...(I have in writing). The watches were requested to be sent to RNY for retrofitting of a 600 crown. Early on because it has the + on the crown which would've disappeared within the decade it was made. Of course from a collectible standpoint the Super Oyster being original would be more desirable but from a practical standpoint the 600 is a better crown. 6075 utilizes an A295 movement or 720 series not the later A 296. The dissimilarities are akin to the difference between the 630 and the 645 movements. The 720 is full cover rotor mechanism and utilizes a different rotor axle and a completely different "barrel stack" coupling the autowind to the base movement than the 775-A296. It is NOT shock resistant and the 775-A296 is. The 775-A296 is shock resisting and has an opening in the rotor cover to allow for adjusting of the regulation as does the 645. The weak point in this movement is the last wheel of the autowind portion. I've seen countless with the teeth sheered off. This happens when something is dry and binds in the rotor mech. I'm always skittish about anyone wearing these after they are found in a drawer...it might be fine...but if it's not...and that wheel dies...it's one of the toughest parts to source there is. Ask Robby Durst and Thom Jacoby! Better safe than sorry. |
18 November 2022, 08:55 AM | #21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,004
|
|
18 November 2022, 09:17 AM | #22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
@CaveDweller thank you!
The Date Just is underrated, even by myself - mea culpa - a sports SS lover. But these older ones are a special breed, I am so proud of this heirloom, can't resist sharing some pics from its original paperwork. The retailer's premises are vacant but still there, Lisbon's downtown. Last edited by Filipćo; 18 November 2022 at 09:20 AM.. Reason: missing info |
18 November 2022, 11:39 AM | #23 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,004
|
Quote:
|
|
18 November 2022, 12:05 PM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Filipe
Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah
Watch: Never too many
Posts: 1,898
|
Thank you Sir, just one more for the road to keep this thread alive and the O.P. eager to restore his. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.