Hi,

i have a Rolex Oyster Commander that I would like to date the production year of before I sell it. Can anyone help me based on the pictures and number back of the case?

Here is an article about the watch for those not familiar with the model: https://montrespubliques.com/1minute-reads/the-rolex-oyster-commander

Thanks for all the help

 

Both references I checked give a date circa 1941. I Don’t know of any s#/date tables actually published by Rolex, and I haven’t heard that they have an archive which is available ala the Omega archives.

 

Thank you, do you have a link to any of the reference overviews?

 

Shame about the re lume…

Awesome piece though.

 

My references are two books on Rolex published by Roy Ehrhardt. I don’t know of anything on line. The link you included in your original post probably covers the Commander as well as any source I am aware of. I will say that we run into Rolex watches from that era in Canada that use the Rolex Aegler movements, as well as bog stock Rolex calibre 59 (aka FHF calibre 150) movements. Without seeing what is inside the case of your Commander, I’d have to say I have no idea what is in there.

The first movement I show is in a Rolex Oyster, and it was made by Aegler, a firm associated with both Rolex and Gruen at the time.

The second movement I show is a Rolex calibre 59 (aka FHF 150) which is also in a Rolex (Canadian cased). The Aegler movement is vastly superior in my opinion. I have no idea which movement your Commander might have.

 

Early 1940s for sure. You really can't be exact with these.

 

Thank you and agree, it’s hard to find a 100% perfect piece so old. Othewise the watch looks very good

 

Looks like in the early 1940s

 

Thanks for all the input, this forum is full of knowledge

 

Here are some photos of the movement

 

The movement is one I only rarely see in a Rolex labelled watch. Usually see them in Oyster, or earlier Tudor watches. That is the Rolex calibre 59, aka FHF 30, aka FHF 150. The FHF 150 was made in a number of different plate layouts, but it is basically an FHF 30. Most parts are interchangeable. The few Rolex badged watches I have seen with this calibre 59 movement in them, have been in Canadian (non-Oyster), chrome plated or gold plated cases. Confusing, I know. I have shown two versions of the FHF 30 movement.

As originally produced.


And as modified by Rolex.