Inherited my late Grandfather Oyster Perpetual NoDate, Ref. #14233

[Robf52]

Condolences and very sorry for the loss of your grandfather. That's a beautiful watch with a great dial, justifiably holding much sentimental value. If it were me, I'd have it polished and brought back to new condition and ready to accompany you on your life journey and beyond.

[ArtNouveau]

I have my late father’s Omega retirement watch, a 34mm gold Constellation with licensed Accutron movement. It was in pretty sad shape, original strap long gone, on one of those Spidoflex bracelets. I chose to have it cosmetically restored and put back on a proper alligator strap. Not many watchmakers can work on those movements anymore but the local guy was able to clean it and get it running again although its accuracy is too poor to really wear it much. That said I would bring your grandfather’s watch back to fully serviced and polished glory, but I am also not part of the never polish clan.

[UNDRTAKER]

Thank you all. I actually received this email today:

Good morning Raymond,

I took a look at your Rolex Oyster Perpetual and put together a repair estimate. Due to bracelet wear on the case frame I cannot make out one of the digits on your serial number. One digit is marred on the reference side too but that one was easy to figure out.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual stainless steel and gold
White dial with Roman numerals and yg hour markers. Yg stick hands. Yg fluted bezel. Yg crown. S/g Oyster bracelet.
Reference: 14233
S/n: T87?734
Caliber: 3000
Movement s/n: 14904381


"Overall the movement looks pretty good. It doesn't seem like it was handled carelessly in any past services or subject to any moisture damage, just regular wear and tear of certain parts. The base service / labor cost is $XXX and I estimate the additional part costs to be around $XXX. A little over half of this is the sapphire crystal. Movement service ensures timekeeping to Rolex specification for the 3000 caliber, automatic winding efficiency testing, and water resistance testing to the case rating. For your case I believe we will test it to 5 ATM, which should be totally fine to get wet as long as the crown is screwed down. I also want to confirm from my notes when we last talked that when we refinish the case and bracelet, we are doing a very light cosmetic refinish only, just to mute some of the scratches and wear marks. Please let me know if I can answer any questions about your watch or the service procedure in general, and if you would like us to proceed with the service."

The important part of this email is:

"I also want to confirm from my notes when we last talked that when we refinish the case and bracelet, we are doing a very light cosmetic refinish only, just to mute some of the scratches and wear marks".

After a lot of thought and consideration, I think a "light cosmetic refinish" is the way to go. I understand the "scratches tell stories" but at the same time I am kind of a perfectionist and want it to at least look "better". My grandfather would understand.

Hoping to get it back soon!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Rolex.Journey

Very rare to see another op no date with the same configuration. Is yours 36mm??

That would have to be a 34. There was no OP36 prior to the mid-2000s, when the 116000 was launched and the only five-digit 36mm dateless model I'm aware of was the Explorer 14270. As I understand it, for the 40-50 years prior to the six-digit takeover, you could get the "classic" style case as:

Air King - 34mm
OP - 34mm (TT/PM only)
OP Date - 34mm
Datejust - 36mm
Explorer - 36mm
Day Date - 36mm (PM only)

Not sure when you could last get a manual wind Air King, or Air King Date, but those were in the mix at some point, too.

[tifosi]

Sorry for your loss.

This is the beauty of watches right, here. Love to see watches being passed down even though not in the greatest of circumstances. Hopefully you wear the watch often and are reminded of your grandfather.

I bought my father a watch as a retirement gift...and while I don't have children I'm hoping it goes to my nephew in (god willing) a very long time.

[GONZO2LR]

im really sorry for your loss and what great stories...i know once you get it back and you look at it, it will make you smile....

[GGGMT]

this is amazing! I'm sorry for your loss; what a legacy piece. It seems muddy, which is so perfect for your family business. Enjoy and wear in good health!

[jaySL350]

Welcome to the forum ,
That’s a great watch,,,
Sorry for you loss,,,,

[Slimpee]

Originally Posted by UNDRTAKER

After a lot of thought and consideration, I think a "light cosmetic refinish" is the way to go. I understand the "scratches tell stories" but at the same time I am kind of a perfectionist and want it to at least look "better". My grandfather would understand.

Hoping to get it back soon!

I think that’s the way to go. It will look refreshed without losing its character.

I’m sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I, too, inherited a Rolex from my grandpa and had some work done along with minimal polishing. I couldn’t be happier!

[Jackie Daytona]

Condolences on your grandfather and hope you continue to wear it as it looks like he had.

[faldoc]

Sorry for your loss.

My late mom gave me a 15038 series date, 34 mm in 1986.

I suspect yours is from the same era, late 80s to early 90s.

There are probably websites that can give you an estimate of when it was made based on the serial numbers.

When you get it back, please show us the final results.

After RSC service 5 years ago, my 34mm now keeps time at +2 seconds a day, even better than my 2017 Submariner!

[UNDRTAKER]

Thank you all again.

I am very excited to get the watch back!

My grandfather retired in 2000 and my father bought it prior to that (obviously). Although I do believe the watch is a model from the 1990's. The model that came before (with 4 reference numbers) is a little bit older and I believe that was before they used the sapphire crystal (but I may be wrong)

[noshame]

Condolences for your loss. That is a beautiful timepiece that will always remind you of your grandfather.

[thesharkfactor]

Never seen such a dirty watch. Did you find that buried?

[Anek]

Looking forward to see the end result. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum Raymond. I’m sorry for your loss. Hopefully wearing your grandpas watch reminds you of him and you wear it in good health for many years to come.