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Any ideas about this ref 4377 ?

  1. davidswiss

    davidswiss Feb 23, 2017

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    I saw this at auction and from the information provided it's a ref 4377 4461 with a movement number 337661.
    The internet tells me it's a calibre 10,5' and I guess from mid to late 50's.
    https://www.morphets.co.uk/40628/A-...page_no=1&sort_by=lot_no&view=lot_detail&year=

    I can't visit and check it myself but from the pictures it looks original and it's an attractive piece, but I know very little about Rolex and even less about the watches from this era.
    I'd appreciate any information the Rolex experts can give me about it.
     
    Edited Feb 23, 2017
  2. adam78 Ω 2

    adam78 Adam @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 24, 2017

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    It's probably from the '40s, with that style dial and "SWISS MADE" under 6:00. If really 35mm it would be a large manual wind Oyster for that era; most were 30-32mm. It looks fine and original to my eyes, the dial patina is not too bad. Estimate is reasonable.
     
  3. davidswiss

    davidswiss Feb 25, 2017

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    Thanks adam. Can you tell me anything about the 10,5' movement ? Google has not been my friend with this query.
     
  4. adam78 Ω 2

    adam78 Adam @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 25, 2017

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    To quote Wikipedia,"The ligne[pronunciation?] or line or Paris line,[1]is a historic unit of length used in France and elsewhere prior to the adoption of the metric system in the late 18th century, and used in various sciences after that time.[2][3]It is vestigially retained today by French and Swisswatchmakers to measure the size of watch movements..."

    The 10.5 ligne movement was Rolex's workhorse manual wind movement from the '30s-80s, with various modifications over the years. It later acquired caliber designations (e.g. 1210, 1225).
     
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  5. Amadeus

    Amadeus Feb 25, 2017

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    I've worked with this watches before, so I can tell you that everything checks out, except for the hands that has been re-lumed.
    One other thing, the ring between the case and the movement (I don't know the English terminology for this) doesn't seem to be of the period.
    Also regarding to the Ligne:
    01.jpeg
     
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  6. davidswiss

    davidswiss Feb 26, 2017

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    adam, Amadeus. Thanks for the info.
     
  7. emilio

    emilio Feb 26, 2017

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    Personally think that the diameter of this one includes the crown..
     
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  8. davidswiss

    davidswiss Feb 26, 2017

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    Emilio, I tried contacting the auction house after reading the comment from adam but no answer so will try on the morning of the sale.