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Figuring out a mismatched Oyster Precision

  1. Delroyb Apr 22, 2022

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    So, here we go. I picked up this little (30mm) Oyster Precision the other day. The case is older than the dial, mid 40s ref 4270, with a 60's ish T-Swiss-T dial. Judging by the overall state of the watch it has been this way for a long while. I am assuming swapped out in period. However, I cannot for the life of me find the actual 60's reference it would have come from.

    It is basically a Speedking dial, but with not marked as such. I can find similar with date, and similar as perpetuals, the same but larger (32mm) but none in 30mm. However, there is one almost identical combo, mid-40s case with the same dial and hands on Ch24 https://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/oyster-precision-shock-resisting--id21567067.htm, which leads me to think maybe this was supplied by Rolex as an in-period replacment dial. Thoughts?
    Rolex precision.png
     
  2. Canuck Apr 22, 2022

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    I’m unable to comment on the case and dial, but I suspect the movement is a calibre 700 as shown. This movement was used by Rolex and Gruen for decades, so pinning down an era is a guessing game. The movement was made by Aegler, a firm associated with both Gruen and Rolex. I would guess your watch to be early 1950s.

    65D96A5A-E1D2-479C-A266-375837A4A339.jpeg
     
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  3. Delroyb Apr 22, 2022

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    Cheers Canuck. Yup, its a cal.710 which evolved from the Aegler 700 (sub second version) and was used for years. (I'm currently on the hunt for a pallet for a 10 1/2 hunter centre second movement in another Dennison cased Precision I have).

    The case serial definitely places the case c.1944-45, but the T-Swiss-T dial is defo early 60s onwards.

    The confusing thing is I cannot find a matching reference for the dial anywhere. The original dial would have been branded Oyster Elegante. Its been replaced, but the fact I cannot find a single matching ref using this dial on a later Rolex makes me thing it may be some sort of service dial. It's defo a genuine dial and unmessed with, just not the one that originally came on the watch.
     
  4. Delroyb Apr 22, 2022

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    This is the dial it would have had from the factor, or similar at least. Oyster Elegante.png
     
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  5. Canuck Apr 22, 2022

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    I have two similar Rolex models, both all original. The dials are different to both you have shown.

    41DD4C85-DDCF-445F-BEEC-7F4C5BAA7293.jpeg 45F2C56B-1D33-49B6-80A3-A9403ED2786F.jpeg E7E2073A-3154-4F81-914D-575F68B7C949.jpeg A4314884-1978-495B-9B56-0E9D149E5EE9.jpeg
     
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  6. Delroyb Apr 22, 2022

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    That second one is awesome!
     
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  7. Canuck Apr 22, 2022

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    The “Royalite” is marked “Observatory”, and marked as adjusted to five positions (I suspect 8 adjustments, total). It is a mid 1940s (approx.) chronometer.
     
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