Newcomer - New rolex! old rolex ?

[phrog]

After many years admiring Rolex on the wrists of others, I have finally graduated to being the proud owner of a brand new Stainless DateJust! More specifically it is a SS DJ with smooth SS bezel, Rhodium dial, silver numerals, and an SS oyster band. Needless to say, the watch is incredible and has surpassed every expectation thus far. I hope to have some pictures to share soon.

On a different note, my dad has an older Rolex he bought from an estate several years ago. The watch needs to be cleaned and could use a new band, but overall, is in good condition (aside from the band, which is shot). The dial indicates it is an Oyster Perpetual and we think it was made in the late fifties. Recently the watch was sent to the Dallas authorized service center, through an AD, to be cleaned, new crystal, etc, however, Rolex sent back and denied sevice due to fact that the watch had been altered/changed from the way in which it was born. Rolex said it was an Air King and other than that gave no further details. Okay, so not much detail. That is the reason for this post... Is there a way to look up a Rolex serial number to determine how it was made from the factory? I He would like to return the watch to its original look, but it is kind of hard if we don't know what it was. Does anyone know how I can find out this information? Would appreciate any help/thoughts.

Watch details:
Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified (as indicated on the dial)
Model 5500
Serial# 1124728
White dial, black numerals, gold hands, gold ticks, no date
Smooth gold bezel
Rolesor oyster band

Thank you!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

That sounds like a very classical Rolex!

Although I can visualize it, could you post a pic of it, please?

You can read about posting pictures in the "Sticky" called "Posting picture please read".

Anyway: A BIG welcome to you and congratulations!

[mike]

It sounds to me like the dial has been changed at the least.

The serial number I believe should place the watch circa 1964-65. The reference 5500 was not a chronometer. I believe this was a 19 mm lug watch that was known as an Airking Explorer.
I found a couple dial variations, the most likely of which might have been something that looked like this in your watch,



Other varients also said "Superprecision" on the dial. Depending on vintage the watch could have come with either a 1530 or 1520 movement.

Is it possible to post a pic or give anymore info?

[Tools]

Welcome phrog.

Congratulations on your new Rolex

If Rolex won't tell you how that Air King was configured, you're going to have a hard time.

The Air-King was introduced in the 1940's so it is one of the longest running lines. It had a reputation as one of the toughest of the bunch. The early 1950's models with the 5500 case probably had the 1500 movement and that was the one put in the famous (or iconic) James Bond type Submariner 5513. Rolex introduced the Oyster steel band in 1949 so it may have been either fitted with a leather or the oyster band.

Here's a couple of pics of what it might have looked like:

[mike]

Great pice Larry! I think you're closer than I am!

[Tools]

Mike,

Great look of a vintage original dial.

[phrog]

Thank you so much for all the replies so far.

The watch is still on its way back from Rolex so I don't have a picture of it. I did find one very similar on the internet and posted it below. Imagine the watch in the picture with no date and tutone with gold tick marks and hands. The verbiage on the dial is identical except his doesn't say "Date".



Immediatey below is a pic of my new DJ. Enjoy!

[GerardoG]

Nice!

[Tools]

You know, Rolex may not touch it.

But a good watchmaker can clean it up, oil it, and buff the stainless to a like new shine.

[richardlo]

I like the new datejust. Its funny how the bracelet can change the entire look of a datejust.