Very strange dial on roulette Rolex 6494

[jbtb077]

Hey all!

I stumbled across this Rolex Oysterdate and I'm wondering if anyone has more info on it. The dial appears unique (and probably a redial), but the lume/flake aging on it points to an older remake (or possibly a rare dial variation?)

Has anyone stumbled across one of these before and can share more info on it?

Thanks all!

[jbtb077]

Here is an Imgur album with more pictures: https://imgur.com/a/7vOb9tR

[77T]

The dial looks authentic but I agree the watch may have had a swap made. Maybe not the dial but possibly the date wheel.

[S]There were no roulettes that I know about in the Oysterdate lineup and I can't imagine a dial swap on an original roulette DJ.[/S]

[edit: I must correct myself - all 6494s apparently came with a roulette wheel with black for even and red for odd dates]


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[jbtb077]

Originally Posted by 77T

The dial looks authentic but I agree the watch may have had a swap made. Maybe not the dial but possibly the date wheel.

There were no roulettes that I know about in the Oysterdate lineup and I can't imagine a dial swap on an original roulette DJ.


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Thank you! Do you happen to know whether all lume of this era react to UV in the same manner? I believe I have a 6466 from roughly the same era (1958) that fades immediately after UV is applied. This one seems to slowly fade after 20-30s.

[77T]

Originally Posted by jbtb077

Thank you! Do you happen to know whether all lume of this era react to UV in the same manner? I believe I have a 6466 from roughly the same era (1958) that fades immediately after UV is applied. This one seems to slowly fade after 20-30s.

Radium would be the original lume material used to excite the phosphorus paint so UV might not affect it as a tritium might be affected.


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[offrdmania]

Im not aware of the 6494 to have ever had an Explorer type dial. Most likely an aftermarket dial and hands as well as an aftermarket date wheel. These swaps were popular in the 80s when these smaller size watches were much more popular.