Help with 1966 Daytona Chronograph

[SadZoe]

Hello all,
I am new to the forum, and a total "watch ignorant", but I am seeking help. I posted this earlier, but I've must have done it wrong because I don't see it posted.

While traveling in Europe my husband almost got his rolex stolen. The thief got away with 3 bracelet links.

I've been doing research so I can get the bracelet repaired for him, but he is talking about selling it. He just turned 70, and believes the watch can now be a liability and health hazard rather than a great watch to wear.

He bought this watch in 1966 in San Francisco. He has worn it ever since interchanging it with other 2 watches he owns. The watch is silver and the face is all black. I remember back then he bought it as a gift to himself after winning a "new customer" (they were called IBM)

Does anybody know if these links are replaceable? Are the bracelets sold by themselves?
The clasp has some numbers and insignia on it as well as the rolex logo. I am not sure if these numbers are meaningful to the watch itself.
Are we doing the watch a disfavor by replacing the entire bracelet?
Can we sell the watch if we cannot repair it correctly?
What is the best place to find out the current price?
Can anyone direct me to a place where I can find these answers?

Your help is most appreciated. If photos would help I can post a couple.

Thanks,

[mike]

Hi SadZoe,

First of all let me welcome you to the forum! I'm so sorry to hear of this experience. Fortunately no one was hurt, and that's the important thing.

The watch you describe could be one of several references, all of which are considered extremely collectable in today's market and quite valuable. It's very tough to asses a value without good scans and model numbers. If you could post some photos of the watch--dial, side view model number and first three numbers of the serial (located between the lugs) it would help. I'm guessing which ever model it is the price today is more than some pay for a new car---a NICE new car.
I believe the bracelet should be a 19mm revited probably a 7205 with 71 endlinks, although I'm a bit sketchy on these older Daytonas.
I don't believe Rolex makes this bracelet any longer and sourcing one may well be a difficult task--though I think it could be done. Price will be $$$$$.
I would NOT sell this watch!!!!!!! Pieces like this are heirloom watches. Especially since your husband bought it new! (My humble congrats on that!)

Some collectors have gone to a nice leather strap on these fine old pieces with wonderfull results. In any event the watch is quite valuable.

Perhaps posting this on a forum dealing with vintage pieces will yield more information.
Here is an excellent site with some of the most knowledgeable people in the hobby. These guys are more than willing to help and will give you great information.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/

[txrob779]

I can't wait to see this.......waiting patiently.

[SadZoe]

Thank You Mike for all the information given. I looked between the lugs and all I see written on one side is "registered design and below that 4 numbers (not 3) 6238". On the other side it says "stainless steel". Is that a serial number? The only other number I see is "7-66" on the clasp.
txrob779, as I said I am not a watch fan. I hope the photos don't dissapoint you. It is an old watch and my husband always liked it. I never did like this watch anyway, and back then I thought he had paid to much for it!
I hope the photos come up.

[txrob779]

Man he did a number on the bracelet huh. What a beautiful vintage Rolex. Ma'am oyu need ot keep that watch and IMO put a strap on it until you can find a replacement bracelet. DO NOT SELL THAT TIMEPIECE.

[SadZoe]

I just found the serial # I can't see it well, but it is under the part that says "stainless steel" I think the number might be 166890. There might be a letter in front of it, but I can't make what it is maybe an "I"?

Thanks for your reply rob, I am glad you think is worth keeping. I'll talk him into it.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by SadZoe

Hello all,
I am new to the forum, and a total "watch ignorant", but I am seeking help. I posted this earlier, but I've must have done it wrong because I don't see it posted.

While traveling in Europe my husband almost got his rolex stolen. The thief got away with 3 bracelet links.

I've been doing research so I can get the bracelet repaired for him, but he is talking about selling it. He just turned 70, and believes the watch can now be a liability and health hazard rather than a great watch to wear.

He bought this watch in 1966 in San Francisco. He has worn it ever since interchanging it with other 2 watches he owns. The watch is silver and the face is all black. I remember back then he bought it as a gift to himself after winning a "new customer" (they were called IBM)

Does anybody know if these links are replaceable? Are the bracelets sold by themselves?
The clasp has some numbers and insignia on it as well as the rolex logo. I am not sure if these numbers are meaningful to the watch itself.
Are we doing the watch a disfavor by replacing the entire bracelet?
Can we sell the watch if we cannot repair it correctly?
What is the best place to find out the current price?
Can anyone direct me to a place where I can find these answers?

Your help is most appreciated. If photos would help I can post a couple.

Thanks,

Welcome to TRF!

Wow! That is a nice EARLY Rolex chronograph! I believe a model exactly like it appeared in a James Bond movie ("On Her Majesty's Secret Service", 1969), starring George Lazenby as Bond. The only difference is that YOUR watch has a black dial, but the Rolex chronograph in the Bond movie had a silver coloured dial:

Click this interesting link:

Bond Rolex chronograph. Click!

Quoted from there:

"O.H.M.S.S. (1969) - Rolex Submariner with steel bracelet. George Lazenby takes off his Submariner, places it on top of a photo-copier and then peruses a Playboy magazine. A Rolex chronograph with a silvered dial and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet is also worn by Lazenby. It is seen twice when Bond times the cable car."

About the bracelet:

Try out this site:

VINTAGE WATCH PARTS. CLICK!

I hope it helps!

[SadZoe]

Thank You Bo. That is a nice website for maybe restoring the bracelet.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by SadZoe

Thank You Bo. That is a nice website for maybe restoring the bracelet.

No problem! Glad to help!

Your husband might also be thrilled to know/read that this quite rare Rolex chronograph (or one LIKE it, that is!) appeared in a Bond movie. Might be trivial, but still a nice "conversation topic".

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by SadZoe

Thank You Mike for all the information given. I looked between the lugs and all I see written on one side is "registered design and below that 4 numbers (not 3) 6238". On the other side it says "stainless steel". Is that a serial number? The only other number I see is "7-66" on the clasp.
txrob779, as I said I am not a watch fan. I hope the photos don't dissapoint you. It is an old watch and my husband always liked it. I never did like this watch anyway, and back then I thought he had paid to much for it!
I hope the photos come up.

Hi again!

Just remembered having seen a pic of that watch in the book "2421 Rolex watches" by Kesaharu Imai.

It appears on page 96 (silver dial like the "Bond" chronograph I mention) and the text about it is the following (translated from German, since the book is on German):

"CHRONOGRAPH. Dial with tachometre scale, manual wound. REF. 6238. Dimensions: 14 X 35 mm. Estimated value: 11.200 DM (Deutschmarks)"

The number "6238" is the REFERENCE (MODEL) number of the watch, not the serial number

A note about the above estimation: The book is written in 1997, and 11.200 DM would be around US $ 7,600.

But TODAY a Rolex chronograph like your husbands would be a LOT more! My estimate would be around US $ 18,000 to 20,000 Dollars, maybe even more in good condition. If it then also has its box and papers.....?....... Then we are talking even more! But I would NEVER sell it, if I were you.

[mike]

Ah! Gotcha SadZoe!

That is a beautifull example of a 6238. The reference was made with three dial colors--white, a steel grey, and the Black you have. A mint white recently traded hands for around 34K!:clap on a Rolex leather strap. Yours appears to be as good!
From the photo is it possible the bracelet was an expanding version? These were pulled by Rolex in the mid to latter 60s as they did not have the wear factor as latter replacements and tended to stretch. I'm not sure that bracelet can be saved, but I'm not an expert.

The difficultly you have reading the numbers is a normal course of the endlinks wearing against the case over time. Perfectly normal for a pirce of this vintage, and quit honestly speaks to it's authenticity.

I see you have a couple of answers on VFR already.
Let me add a possible contact.
http://www.watchmakers.com/index.html

Bob is a great guy and easy to talk to.
That's simply a wonderfull example you have! Please keep it and tell your husband to enjoy a beautifull vintage piece the like of which we will never see again!

[SadZoe]

This is wonderful. All your replies are making this old woman teary. I'll pass on the kudos to Bill.

THANKS !

[SSD]

Oh, my goodness, what a beautiful watch! I, too, am sorry for your experience, and I am compelled to echo the sentiments of our good friend, Bo. I cannot recommend strongly enough that you do NOT sell that watch! I would also like to recommend you look around on the forum and enjoy all the great posts. These folks here really are the best going, and are really fun. Allow me to add my kudos, too...