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michiganwatchguy · 27 July 2012, 10:42 AM

I just bought a 1950's Rolex Oyster Royal case ref 6044. Should this have a screw down crown? The crown is signed "Rolex Oyster", but isn't screw down.
Are there suppliers that can supply the correct screw down crown, if it turns out it should have one?

adam78 · 27 July 2012, 12:25 PM

It likely originally had a Super Oyster crown (which did not screw down), however in the early-mid '50s, many of these were replaced with Oyster screw down crowns during routine service, since the water resistance of the Super Oysters was found to be deficient. If a Super Oyster crown was replaced by an earlier Oyster crown, it is possible that it was replaced without the proper case tube, so that it no longer screws down. This can undoubtably be rectified with the proper part and willing watchmaker.

michiganwatchguy · 27 July 2012, 02:59 PM

Thanks Adam. I'll check the markings on the crown more closely. It does appear to have the original case tube. I thought that all Oysters were supposed to have screw-down crowns, and I admit

I should also mention that I am a watchmaker trained by the NAWCC's School of Horology and I have my own storefront in Albion, MI. I don't work on Rolex's exclusively, but I have had a wide variety of experience with vintage and new watches. I've worked on everything from antique fusees to modern ETA 7750's. I've serviced a few vintage Rolex's (and have owned a few) and have never had an issue finding the parts, except for the genuine Rolex crowns. I know they can be found on eBay, but is there anyone who is willing to supply vintage Rolex crowns to independent watchmakers like myself?

michiganwatchguy · 27 July 2012, 11:10 PM

It is marked "Super Oyster Rolex". That's a relief. Thanks again!

adam78 · 28 July 2012, 02:39 AM

Yes, that makes more sense! All original. Just keep it out of water...

Here is my ref. 6020 Speedking for comparison:

michiganwatchguy · 28 July 2012, 06:32 AM

Here's my 6044.

KatGirl · 28 July 2012, 08:20 AM

MWG and Adam: NICE pieces!

KAT

g.gomez@iaea.org · 2 July 2013, 10:26 PM

http://www.dorotheum.com/en/dailyauc...ba26fb2d3d4a31

27 July 2012, 10:42 AM	#1
michiganwatchguy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Albion, Michigan Watch: ETA 7750 NAWCC Posts: 38	Rolex 6044 Oyster Royal I just bought a 1950's Rolex Oyster Royal case ref 6044. Should this have a screw down crown? The crown is signed "Rolex Oyster", but isn't screw down. Are there suppliers that can supply the correct screw down crown, if it turns out it should have one?

27 July 2012, 12:25 PM	#2
adam78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,830	It likely originally had a Super Oyster crown (which did not screw down), however in the early-mid '50s, many of these were replaced with Oyster screw down crowns during routine service, since the water resistance of the Super Oysters was found to be deficient. If a Super Oyster crown was replaced by an earlier Oyster crown, it is possible that it was replaced without the proper case tube, so that it no longer screws down. This can undoubtably be rectified with the proper part and willing watchmaker. __________________ Cheers, Adam

28 July 2012, 02:39 AM	#5
adam78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,830	Yes, that makes more sense! All original. Just keep it out of water... Here is my ref. 6020 Speedking for comparison: __________________ Cheers, Adam

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27 July 2012, 02:59 PM	#3
michiganwatchguy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Albion, Michigan Watch: ETA 7750 NAWCC Posts: 38	Thanks Adam. I'll check the markings on the crown more closely. It does appear to have the original case tube. I thought that all Oysters were supposed to have screw-down crowns, and I admit I should also mention that I am a watchmaker trained by the NAWCC's School of Horology and I have my own storefront in Albion, MI. I don't work on Rolex's exclusively, but I have had a wide variety of experience with vintage and new watches. I've worked on everything from antique fusees to modern ETA 7750's. I've serviced a few vintage Rolex's (and have owned a few) and have never had an issue finding the parts, except for the genuine Rolex crowns. I know they can be found on eBay, but is there anyone who is willing to supply vintage Rolex crowns to independent watchmakers like myself?

27 July 2012, 11:10 PM	#4
michiganwatchguy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: Derek Location: Albion, Michigan Watch: ETA 7750 NAWCC Posts: 38	It is marked "Super Oyster Rolex". That's a relief. Thanks again!

28 July 2012, 08:20 AM	#7
KatGirl 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: Kat Location: CA, USA Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T Posts: 7,138	MWG and Adam: NICE pieces! KAT

2 July 2013, 10:26 PM	#8
g.gomez@iaea.org "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: vienna, austria Posts: 1	http://www.dorotheum.com/en/dailyauc...ba26fb2d3d4a31

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