Hello all

[micus]

hello all, my name is Michael. Im a student from vancouver island Canada. ive joined your very interesting forum with the goal of hopefully fixing my watch and possibly finding out more information regarding it and other similar models, i think ive found the right place by the look of things.

ok so. this watch was my grandfathers, my grandmother saved up for it for a year before she was able to afford the purchase of the watch, i believe she kept it on layaway and made monthly installments on it so she would have something nice to send my grandfather during the war. The watch was sent to my grandfather sometime around 1939-1941 while he was serving with the canadian army in Europe. He wore the watch throughout the war and everyday until it stopped working sometime in the late 90's, he died shortly after.

my mother has sent the watch to rolex once without any luck, it was returned to her still broken, according to rolex the parts required to make the repair are no longer available so essentially i am SOL. ive considered getting the parts fabricated my a micro machining company that i know of locally but me being 100% ignorant as to the how watches even operate would be lost as far as asking for parts to be made are concerned and this is where im hoping to find information about it.

it is a 1939-41 vintage rolex oyster, gold in color if that makes any difference, it says "ROLEX OYSTER" and the word "PERPETUAL" underneath. on the back side of the watch in tiny lettering it says BASE METAL R.W.C. and the number 2940 under it.


if anyone knows any iformation regarding this watch or similar models i would love to hear it, or if anyone can point me in the direction i need to go in to get the watch slightly closer to working that would be AWESOME aswell, im literally starting from ground zero on this one, please forgive my lack of watch knowledge in general and thank you in advance.

[micus]

i figured i would upload some pictures of the watch that may help

[TRW]

Welcome to TRF Mike

[Latrodectus]

Welcome to TRF! I am sure, you get the information you are looking for. You found the right place...

[DCgator]

Best of luck!

[Sherwooddavid]

Very Interesting. I'm sure somebody here on TRF can help you out.

[sleddog]

Welcome to TRF Mike...
I'm sure somebody here can help you in your endeavours.Good luck and enjoy the forum!
Rob.

[Michael M.]

Welcome to TRF, my name is Michael too.

[rfknauss]

Mike, welcome to TRF!

[jatco]

Hii Michael..
Welcome to TRF.. 1 of the best places to be...
Thats a great story...and it looks like the 'Neptune' model...(did some searching..)
Check this link..maybe there'll be some info to help you out...!
http://www.horologist.com/canadianrolex.htm

[afnios1]

welcome Michael,hope to get all you need in this forum,guys in here are amazing.And as there are so many Michaels in here we would demand a special for us room

[micus]

thank you all very much for the warm welcome, and the link thomas ( jatco ) , it does look close to the neptune your right, ive found through searching the website the name of a watch maker in vancouver, otto freidl, i will give him a call during the week and see if he wouldnt mind taking a look at it.

[jatco]

You're most welcomed Michael..
and yes, Otto Freidl's name has been mentioned numerous times on this site, for us locals...
He does have a site..
http://www.ottofriedlwatchservice.co...ource=canpages
.
I bought a Gruen 'Precision' from a local enthusiast who has delt with Otto, as did some other 'local' members here.
Certainly worth checking into.
.
Let us know how it goes..!!!

[micus]

hello again all, i feel it necessary to update this thread as my (previously my grandfathers) watch is once again operational and no longer hiding in the "heirlooms" box away in the depths of the attic haha.

the watch was fully disassembeled at Otto Freidl's watch service in vancouver 3 weeks ago where all parts were cleaned and polished, the watch was then recalibrated and re oiled. the perpetual movement is still in working order and does not require additional winding to keep time. When the watch was sent to Rolex it was deemed irreperable and was sent back. Being that the watch was not serviced once for over 40 years all that was required was a thorough cleaning and dissasembly. I hope this thread serves as inspiration to anyone else in a similar situation to mine. This watch survived across Europe for the majority of the second world war and has now been going for 70 years, over 40 of them unserviced, on all original parts and from all measurements ive taken, holds very accurate time still. Although my grandfather is no longer with us, im sure he would be very happy with this outcome.

i also opted for a more original looking leather calf skin strap over the 1980's ( somewhat tacky in my opinion) metal "expando" strap.

Thank you all for the help, its repair wouldnt have been possible without it, Merry Christmas

[sea-dweller]

Welcome!

[hacampbell1360]

Wow!! What a story. We really have some knowledgeable people here on TRF.

[rolexguynfl]

Welcome Michael - great story and ending.

[jatco]

Fabulous story..and results from Otto.. Kudos to him..and for your persuing the restoration of a classical piece...as well as the emotional connection...

[Art 1]

Welcome.

[micus]

pictures of the refreshed watch

[Rags]

Welcome to TRF..

[jatco]

Originally Posted by micus

pictures of the refreshed watch

...Uh.. did we miss something...??
Want more....!!

[cyglee]

Absolutely delightful story; this is what TRF is all about.
A good ending to 2010, and great beginning to 2011.

[DCgator]

Good on you micus!

[HL65]

Welcome to TRF!!!