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Dr.Smellody · 4 May 2014, 01:36 AM

Back in March I was at my Jeweler picking up my “new to me” Daytona 116523:

When he pulled out a 6567 that had just come into his shop that he had put aside for me. The 6567 is in 14k, dates from 1957, and has a flawless dial. Downsides include a character nick in the bezel @12 o’clock and most of the original brushing on the lugs is worn off. I negotiated a price to include a movement service. (I know everyone has their favorite outfit for servicing, but I would highly recommend my jeweler to anyone living around Portland, OR. Of the watches he has serviced for me, they all run spot on.) He asked if I wanted a strap for the watch and I replied, no, I will source an era appropriate oyster bracelet. I think he laughed under his moustache at that daunting task. . .

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I sourced the 9ct stretch, rivet bracelet below out of Great Britain. From what I was able to research, bracelet of this nature were available up to the early 70’s and the available in “capped” gold, solid 9k for the UK market, solid 14k for the US market, and the very rare 18k; silly Yanks do not consider anything less than 10k to be gold. In my search, I found several 19mm aftermarket jubilee bracelets, lots of two-tone bracelets, one capped bracelet missing all the gold underneath, and finally found this 9k period bracelet in the UK. It is in great shape without stretch, it was serviced and repaired. The bracelet was manufactured for Rolex by Mecan and dates from 1967.

I went in early last month to check-in on the 6567 and was able to see the case without the movement:

I showed my jeweler the bracelet find and he quickly stepped in the back of his shop to find a set of NOS Rolex 19mm spring bars and matched the bracelet up to the case. I should have taken pictures, but was so mesmerized by the incredible factory fit of the end link to the case. It was as good as a modern solid link bracelet. I’m sure someone out their reading this will cringe at me matching 9 and 14kt gold, but the case and bracelet looked great together and I think the solid 9 is better than the alternative capped gold that I could afford. There is a very slight color variation since I think there is a little more copper in the 9ct bracelet giving it a red hue.

The bracelet is a little tight since the watch head is only 34mm, but it should work for me (at least in the winter months). I’d like to find a couple of extra links to keep the stretch band from being under load all the time. The only other thing I can think of to note is that I declined having the case and bracelet refinished. I’m worried that it would remove too much gold.
Thanks for reading and allowing me share my little project.

Xander · 4 May 2014, 01:49 AM

Finished pics?

Dr.Smellody · 4 May 2014, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xander

Finished pics?

Movement has not been cased back up. . . .more to follow.

Dr.Smellody · 5 May 2014, 11:28 PM

Surprised there is no interest. Well I am excited.

andromeda160 · 5 May 2014, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Surprised there is no interest. Well I am excited.

I've been watching, waiting for finished pics. I can't wait to find one to pick up myself , to was going to get mine on a strap but seeing your oyster bracelet makes me want one even more

CrownMe · 6 May 2014, 12:28 AM

Very cool. Look forward to the finished pictures. As for the 9kt bracelet. I'd rather have that then the capped/plated one. And as long as it looks good and your happy that's all that matters. Thanks for sharing

Paul · 6 May 2014, 05:43 AM

Before my time but the dress Rolexes from the late 50s' really call out to me.
In my collection, a simple 6534 (SS not gold) from 1958 is probably the only watch I'll never sell.

Old gold has a real warmth to it too - hard to capture in pics but very evident in the flesh.

Will look forward to the reveal of the finished project

Dr.Smellody · 13 June 2014, 10:46 PM

Stopped in to see my jeweler yesterday. My movement is not back together, but remembered to snap a couple of shots of the case and bracelet together.

JohnBaker3 · 13 June 2014, 11:03 PM

Looking good Doc; it's important for folks like us to appreciate the vintage stuff and go the extra mile to get them back to as close to original as possible.

Keep up the good work.

4 May 2014, 01:36 AM	#1
Dr.Smellody "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 5,391	Rolex 6567 Project to Share Back in March I was at my Jeweler picking up my “new to me” Daytona 116523: When he pulled out a 6567 that had just come into his shop that he had put aside for me. The 6567 is in 14k, dates from 1957, and has a flawless dial. Downsides include a character nick in the bezel @12 o’clock and most of the original brushing on the lugs is worn off. I negotiated a price to include a movement service. (I know everyone has their favorite outfit for servicing, but I would highly recommend my jeweler to anyone living around Portland, OR. Of the watches he has serviced for me, they all run spot on.) He asked if I wanted a strap for the watch and I replied, no, I will source an era appropriate oyster bracelet. I think he laughed under his moustache at that daunting task. . . Fast forward a couple of weeks and I sourced the 9ct stretch, rivet bracelet below out of Great Britain. From what I was able to research, bracelet of this nature were available up to the early 70’s and the available in “capped” gold, solid 9k for the UK market, solid 14k for the US market, and the very rare 18k; silly Yanks do not consider anything less than 10k to be gold. In my search, I found several 19mm aftermarket jubilee bracelets, lots of two-tone bracelets, one capped bracelet missing all the gold underneath, and finally found this 9k period bracelet in the UK. It is in great shape without stretch, it was serviced and repaired. The bracelet was manufactured for Rolex by Mecan and dates from 1967. I went in early last month to check-in on the 6567 and was able to see the case without the movement: I showed my jeweler the bracelet find and he quickly stepped in the back of his shop to find a set of NOS Rolex 19mm spring bars and matched the bracelet up to the case. I should have taken pictures, but was so mesmerized by the incredible factory fit of the end link to the case. It was as good as a modern solid link bracelet. I’m sure someone out their reading this will cringe at me matching 9 and 14kt gold, but the case and bracelet looked great together and I think the solid 9 is better than the alternative capped gold that I could afford. There is a very slight color variation since I think there is a little more copper in the 9ct bracelet giving it a red hue. The bracelet is a little tight since the watch head is only 34mm, but it should work for me (at least in the winter months). I’d like to find a couple of extra links to keep the stretch band from being under load all the time. The only other thing I can think of to note is that I declined having the case and bracelet refinished. I’m worried that it would remove too much gold. Thanks for reading and allowing me share my little project.

6 May 2014, 05:43 AM	#7
Paul "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,000	This will be worth waiting for ..... Before my time but the dress Rolexes from the late 50s' really call out to me. In my collection, a simple 6534 (SS not gold) from 1958 is probably the only watch I'll never sell. Old gold has a real warmth to it too - hard to capture in pics but very evident in the flesh. Will look forward to the reveal of the finished project

13 June 2014, 11:03 PM	#9
JohnBaker3 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: John Baker III Location: Spring,Texas Watch: 1971 Red Sub Posts: 2,222	Looking good Doc; it's important for folks like us to appreciate the vintage stuff and go the extra mile to get them back to as close to original as possible. Keep up the good work. __________________ As I've grown older, I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing off everyone is a piece of cake.

4 May 2014, 01:49 AM	#2
Xander "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: State of panic Posts: 65	Finished pics?

5 May 2014, 11:28 PM	#4
Dr.Smellody "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 5,391	Surprised there is no interest. Well I am excited.

6 May 2014, 12:28 AM	#6
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	Very cool. Look forward to the finished pictures. As for the 9kt bracelet. I'd rather have that then the capped/plated one. And as long as it looks good and your happy that's all that matters. Thanks for sharing

13 June 2014, 10:46 PM	#8
Dr.Smellody "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 5,391	Stopped in to see my jeweler yesterday. My movement is not back together, but remembered to snap a couple of shots of the case and bracelet together.

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