What’s your opinion on this one?

[goheel]

Hi all,
A guy locally to me is trying to sell me his Rolex. He said he bought it from an estate auction years ago. He doesn’t know the model number, just that it’s gold-plated and there’s an engraved date of 1962 on the case back. The watch runs, but one of the lugs is cracked. The guy wants $1500 for it. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

[1665fan]

So the lug is hollow inside???? WTH

[swish77]

Need much better photos, especially of the dial.

[Toronto Soup King]

1014, you don't see these too often and this one's led a rather rough life, possibly in lockstep with the camera used to take those pics

[Kingface66]

Wait….what??? Is the rest of the case hollow?

[dhknola]

It’s pretty tempting at that price even in the shape it is. I believe that is the gold capped model hence the “hollow lug”.
Almost a cool odd ball bc the only reference Rolex did in a gold cap; all except this one are solid precious metal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TuRo]

Mid 70s c and I bracelet - mullered case is odd - the 62 is Swiss dial era but it looks like it might a refinished dial from photo need a close look - is O C C correct for 62 anyone ?

[goheel]

Here’s a little bit better picture of the dial and the damaged lug. Is the lug repairable? If yes, how much would it cost?

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by dhknola

It’s pretty tempting at that price even in the shape it is. I believe that is the gold capped model hence the “hollow lug”.
Almost a cool odd ball bc the only reference Rolex did in a gold cap; all except this one are solid precious metal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes they were not that many... 5520 air king was also gold plated I think the dial is refinished btw

[Ascari_2]

Radium lume? Wouldn't it be a little late for that on a '62?

[miamiclay]

Unless it’s a very odd trick of the lighting, it looks like the 11 and 1 markers are damaged. Idk if the black mark on the center bit of the coronet is an artifact of the repaint, or what.
.

[zapokee]

The 1975 C&I rivet bracelet is probably worth more than the watch. I might consider taking a punt at that price. The seller will probably come down on the price too, given the condition.

[Dan S]

I can see some value in most watches, but this looks like junk to me. Horrible repaint, thrashed case. Maybe the bracelet has some value, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Ascari_2]

Without the case back being off it's hard to tell, but the movement, if compete and in decent condition, could be worth close to $2k. So for a watch repairman this watch would make sense. But for anyone else, this is a pretty tattered up can of worms.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[Traveling]

that watch seems like an aficionado-only deal to me. Have to have a very specific reason for being interested in it.

[offrdmania]

So the stainless lug under the gold cap has completely rotted away? That would be some major restoration work. It would be far fetched to find someone willing to work on a gold capped watch.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

So the stainless lug under the gold cap has completely rotted away? That would be some major restoration work. It would be far fetched to find someone willing to work on a gold capped watch.

Yes. Certainly a purchase for bracelet and movement parts, rather than for intent to wear. Restoration would cost way more than the watch is worth.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Yes they were not that many... 5520 air king was also gold plated I think the dial is refinished btw

Gold cap, gold plated - two different things. You wouldn't get that hollow lug effect with gold plate.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

So the stainless lug under the gold cap has completely rotted away? That would be some major restoration work. It would be far fetched to find someone willing to work on a gold capped watch.

Yeah, an impossible fix, I would think. But that's what it looks like.

[goldfixer21]

The lug could be fixed. Being its gold capped, the stainless steel could be added using a laser welder, then gold can be welded on top of it. It's time consuming, but doable. The question would be, would the cost outweigh the value.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

The lug could be fixed. Being its gold capped, the stainless steel could be added using a laser welder, then gold can be welded on top of it. It's time consuming, but doable. The question would be, would the cost outweigh the value.

Entirely agree 'news of its demise has been greatly exaggerated' ....to coin a phrase !

[StanGMT]

I'm sure that others here know a lot more than I do, but this is the first I've ever heard of Rolex producing a gold plated watch. I came to Rolex in 1965 and all models then were solid platinum, gold or stainless steel, or some combination of these. Also, no decent stainless steel should 'rot' in the way the lug has on this watch.

My first reaction to seeing this example is that it looks like a poor quality fake. But, as I say, I stand to be corrected.

Stan.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

I'm sure that others here know a lot more than I do, but this is the first I've ever heard of Rolex producing a gold plated watch. I came to Rolex in 1965 and all models then were solid platinum, gold or stainless steel, or some combination of these. Also, no decent stainless steel should 'rot' in the way the lug has on this watch.

My first reaction to seeing this example is that it looks like a poor quality fake. But, as I say, I stand to be corrected.

Stan.

Rolex has offered gold plating, usually stamped plaque or a big P on the bracelet, gold capped or solid gold in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct

The gold plating and gold capped were usually only offered on entry level models in the late 60s through to the mid 70s.

[Tools]

In my opinion this watch would be worth the price if it was in good and usable condition.

It isn't. That broken lug is a very expensive fix because the gold cap needs to be taken off, the stainless re-welded, then recapped in gold.

This needs a skilled professional to accomplish this and the cost would likely be more than it's value.

If it was an heirloom or of significant historically impact, such costs could be justified. Just to put it back into good condition needs to be an act of appreciation for the brand and determination to save an old classic. It would not likely be a good financial endeavor

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by StanGMT

I'm sure that others here know a lot more than I do, but this is the first I've ever heard of Rolex producing a gold plated watch.

Not super common, but they made some gold-capped watches, and gold-filled bracelets, at one time. It would definitely not be in line with the current Rolex brand, but things weren't quite the same back then.

I agree that the damage to the lug looks really strange. It appears to be a combination of corrosion and spring-bar-related.