Couple of questions about a watch

[Bestdj777]

Hi all,

I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than me might be able to help me with a little information about my Oyster Precision. Specifically, I’m curious about the following:
1. Anyone have a guess as to the model number? The serial number dates it to 1941, although it’s possible it’s from a year or two prior as the company I bought it from thought it was from 1939. It took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to swap the band out for this bracelet (it’s a cheap after market but makes me feel more comfortable using it as a daily wearer than the leather strap I was constantly afraid I’d get wet and ruin—I swap it out at some point with a vintage oyster band if I can find/afford a real one) that I’d like to avoid having to take it off to check).
2. What color is the dial? Was it originally white?
3. Any thoughts on whether tooth paste will work to get the scratches out of the crystal or whether it’s easier to just replace it?
4. Any thoughts on whether the hands and dial are original?

Thank you in advance,

Chris

[Cobar65]

Why don’t you post detailed photos of the watch in question? That way someone will be able help you.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Cobar65

Why don’t you post detailed photos of the watch in question? That way someone will be able help you.

Thank you. The photo looked much clearer on my phone but the resizing definitely obscured any details. I appreciate the feedback. I just took two closeups that was will hopefully show up clearer.

[Dan S]

The reference number should be around somewhere. Between the lugs, outer or inner case-back. Where did you find the serial? BTW, can you post the serial so we can check your year estimate, because I'm not so sure. If you don't want to post the whole thing, substitute x's for the last few digits.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The reference number should be around somewhere. Between the lugs, outer or inner case-back. Where did you find the serial? BTW, can you post the serial so we can check your year estimate, because I'm not so sure. If you don't want to post the whole thing, substitute x's for the last few digits.

Thank you. I took the bracelet off. The reference number is on the case and around 12 o’clock. It looks to be 6422, although there is a scratch through the bottom of the number so it’s possible I’m not discerning it right. The serial number is 1435**. Based on a quick look, it appears this may be from 1956 and the seller may have been mistaken, which seems to be a trend with the vintage sellers I’ve dealt with…. Feeling like a bit of an idiot now. Any thought on whether the year has any meaningful impact on the value and what the value actually is at this point? Bought it as a wedding present to myself but debating trying to return it now.

[Cobar65]

If it’s a 6422, that’s cool because its about a 36mm or 35 and change. 20mm lugs, kinda like my 5504 only a bit older. The bracelet appears to be a newer replacement.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Cobar65

If it’s a 6422, that’s cool because its about a 36mm or 35 and change. 20mm lugs, kinda like my 5504 only a bit older. The bracelet appears to be a newer replacement.

Beautiful watch. My bracelet came last week and was roughly $15.00 on Amazon. I got the watch with a leather band and wanted to try out something metal for a while before spending the money on an actual Rolex bracelet. So far I’m liking it much better with this and feel more comfortable wearing it on a daily basis rather than before when it just made an appearance on casual Fridays.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Thank you. I took the bracelet off. The reference number is on the case and around 12 o’clock. It looks to be 6422, although there is a scratch through the bottom of the number so it’s possible I’m not discerning it right. The serial number is 1435**. Based on a quick look, it appears this may be from 1956 and the seller may have been mistaken, which seems to be a trend with the vintage sellers I’ve dealt with…. Feeling like a bit of an idiot now. Any thought on whether the year has any meaningful impact on the value and what the value actually is at this point? Bought it as a wedding present to myself but debating trying to return it now.

The serial numbers were re-set in the mid-50s, and people sometimes get confused. I don't think it really matters much for value. I'd have to do some research to give you a valuation, but off the top of my head, I'm thinking somewhere in the $2k-$3k range without a bracelet. I'm sure someone will jump in and correct me if I'm way off.

[Cobar65]

I think Dan S. Is pretty much on the money. I’d choose a nice Horween strap for the watch. I picked up a couple from Hodinkee however, they can be had much cheaper. This would look so sexy on a nice strap.

[Bestdj777]

Thank you both. I really appreciate it. I paid towards the higher end of that range back in 2014, so I likely overpaid a bit. But I really loved the patina. I used to have it on the strap below and may have to go back at some point - my wife prefers that look.

Does everything else appear original and any thoughts on cleaning the crystal? Y’all are awesome and I really appreciate the knowledge. I’ve got some expertise in a few bitch areas but still learning watches and hope to be able to return the favor at some point.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Bought it as a wedding present to myself but debating trying to return it now.

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Thank you both. I really appreciate it. I paid towards the higher end of that range back in 2014, so I likely overpaid a bit. But I really loved the patina. I used to have it on the strap below and may have to go back at some point - my wife prefers that look.

Does everything else appear original and any thoughts on cleaning the crystal? Y’all are awesome and I really appreciate the knowledge. I’ve got some expertise in a few bitch areas but still learning watches and hope to be able to return the favor at some point.

So you bought it in 2014 and are considering trying to return it now? That could be tricky. ;-)

Assuming the scratches are fairly shallow, you can polish the acrylic crystal with any plastic polish, e.g. Novus. There is a product made specifically for polishing acrylic watch crystals, Polywatch. It's not really any better than generic plastic polish, but it comes in a very small tube and it's relatively expensive.

If the scratches are deep, you will need to start with sandpaper to remove the scratch, and gradually work through finer grades, finishing with the plastic polish.

There are plenty of threads on the topic.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=679114
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=776391

A couple of my before and afters below:

[Bestdj777]

Thanks Dan. That looks great. I just ordered some Novus polish, per your recommendation, so will read through the threads and then give it a shot.

As for the 7 year thing, I like to think I can be pretty persuasive. That said, I’d probably be a bit sad to let this one go given the memories attached to it, so, as much as I’d like to argue with the company I bought it from, I’ll likely chalk it up to a mistake on their end and move on.