Hello Just Inherited a 53-54 Rolex 6305 Datejust need help!

[jakers2k]

Hello,
I just inherited a 1953-54 rolex it is a two-tone yellow gold and steel watch with jubilee bracelet. I cant seem to find much information on it so i am hoping some of you experts could help me out. There is markings on the side of the case that i couldnt get pictures of but it says 6305 and the serial number is 98776 (I think there should be another number at the end that might have rubbed off but not totally sure) There is another number on the movement which is 00362. The face is a shiny black with glow in the dark markers and there is also a sweeping second hand. There was a new crystal put on this watch about 10 yrs ago and they didnt get the magnification window centered over the date numbers. The Date numbers are all black. I think the bezel is called thunderbird but not too sure of that either.
I am hoping someone could give me a little information on the value and if everything looks authentic. Like I mentioned before I couldnt find a whole lot on the model number with black dial, the crown, or the serial number(i think there should be 6 digits) and absolutely nothing on the movement number (00362) Please Help!

Thanks in advance,
Patrick.

[Mark020]

Just a legit watch. Ignore the movement number. I think this is a 1030 movement. Serials did reset around 1955 so your serial might have only 5 digits. Nice watch btw.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Mark020

Just a legit watch. Ignore the movement number. I think this is a 1030 movement. Serials did reset around 1955 so your serial might have only 5 digits. Nice watch btw.

Serial numbers have been six digits since the early 1940s. With a 1955 case back, it appears to be missing the first number which was probably a 1 or 2.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by springer

Serial numbers have been six digits since the early 1940s. With a 1955 case back, it appears to be missing the first number which was probably a 1 or 2.

The serial numbers were reset after 1,000,000 we know that. Speculation about where they reset runs the gamut but we see even in Dowling's book, though there is some confusion in his explanation, a 2940 with a 5 digit serial number that is a very late production watch as can be noted by the Brevette and modele depose markings and the location of the serial. I say they started even at 0 but it will be long debated I'm sure.


98776 is an exactly legitimate serial for 111- 1955.

I had a IV - 55 sub with 112xxx.

I would say the dial is refinished no doubt.

The movement is a 775 calibre. This is a big bubbleback movement last version.

The crown is replaced and would have been a + crown. Typical and not any real issue.

The bracelet is later from 59 should be marked on the clasp blades.

That is a actually a one year production clasp and very valuable in and of itself even in a jubilee.

The bezel is key on these and yours is very nice and not polished. People have a tendency to polish gold...and on an engine turned bezel...the machining gets rubbed away. The case frame finish has been polished and is not exactly the best but easily corrected if you ever wanted it done.

This is a good movement and works well if maintained properly. Lubrication in maintenance intervals is key. The coupling spring in the autowind and also the rotor axle spring...are not happy when they get dry and they snap legs. Not good. As with all 1030 and prior watches...they really like to be worn more than not...so...get it serviced and use it. They don't tend to set up well and then perform brilliantly on a random wear.

[watchcrank]

Can't see 6:00 clear but looks re lumed and lack of "Swiss". @ 6:00 may indicate a re printed dial. But still nice little watch! M

[crowncollection]

Nice watch

[kanikune]

I think it's pre-1030.

[CrownMe]

Cool looking

[R.W.T.]

Check these from the VRF serial project.

941XX II 1955 DateJust 6305 cal. A-296/745 mvmt SS black dial, raised Rolex letters, triangular markers, alpha hands, red/black dates, YG framed date window from VRF member RichardNYC

98004 III 1955 DateJust 6305-2 34mm width, painted Rolex letters, alpha hands, red/black dates from eBay auction with caseback description

98687 III 1955 DateJust 6305-1 bubbleback mvmt with arc window opening 18 plus 7 jewels in rotor SS, fluted bezel, screwdown Twinlock winding crown, caseback stamped "6305" "III-55" (note the dash not a dot) redone dial, steel faceted "picket fence" markers except faceted trapazoidal markers at 6 & 9, red/black dates, steel baton hands (later replacements) from eBay auction w/pictures of caseback

[jakers2k]

It looks like there is a stamp on the bracelet it looks like ( 4 58 ) Also says Brevet here are some more pics.

[V.lats97nsx]

No holes case?

[Jamiewabbit]

Originally Posted by v.lats97nsx

No holes case?

My sentiments exactly....

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by v.lats97nsx

No holes case?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mens...item19f4e91f4c

within 1000 watches.....

You know....Rolex was anything but consistent in the old days.

I'm not saying that things shouldn't be scrutinized but we should try not to freak out too much on inconsistencies in RLX pre 1960 especially on heirloom watches under 5k. :-) Also not saying that you don't have a reason for suspicion but all things considered...the likelihood of anything being altered on his watch is fairly low. Yes most had holes. Maybe for that particular run of cases...they didn't.

Another

http://www.chrono24.com/en/rolex/ss-...2Fref-6305.htm

[ssultan]

Love that dial!

[Daytona4130]

Originally Posted by ssultan

love that dial!

x2!