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Help identifying a Rolex Oyster Perpetual

S
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Hello, can anyone please help identify this Rolex Oyster Perpetual? I only have this one poor quality photo of it, and I have no immediate access to it. Hopefully I can get some more detailed images later on.

This was passed down from my Grandfather to my own father.

I was wondering if the eagle eyed amongst you can identify what model it is?

The glass is very rough, and someone has suggested that the bracelet is an aftermarket affair (it has an elastic stretchable core).

I had inherited an Omega which I have just had refurbished. It was my first attempt at resurrecting a vintage watch, and was quite a journey!

I’m not sure my father has the desire to service this watch, however if it was a collectable model, then perhaps I could persuade him. I note that the minute & hour hands are gold in colour, as are the Rolex crown and hour indices.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
 
9F9FEA02-9536-4F76-93AF-3C39C8783273.jpeg
Caliber561
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Seems like a vintage bubbleback, fairly collectible. To get the reference numbers, you'll have to look inside the caseback.
 
S
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Caliber561 Caliber561
Seems like a vintage bubbleback, fairly collectible. To get the reference numbers, you'll have to look inside the caseback.
Yes, Covid 19 restrictions are preventing this. I thought that might be the main feedback, but I thought I’d try just in case there was an immediate clue from the dial and crown shape.

The watch is supposed to be unaltered from how it was when purchased, perhaps apart from the bracelet. Surprisingly it still runs, but has not been worn for almost 38 years.
Edited:
 
Canuck
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The number inside the case back would be necessary to confirm the model. My references indicate that model 1003 is the same model, with one significant difference. The case shape of yours might indicate that it was sold with a leather strap. The 1003 was designed to accommodate the Oyster bracelet. The 1003 was introduced in 1960, and produced until 1984. My wife has the equivalent model in a watch for a woman. The bracelet is most assuredly after market.

As to collectable? You could likely find a buyer for it in that poor condition, but you might not like the offer. Models with a date are more collectable in the eye of most collectors. That, plus the case shape would limit what you would be obliged to choose. An Oyster bracelet won’t fit.

If your father has delayed fixing it up thus far, he won’t fix it once he’s quoted a price. It might end up being you who has it done.
 
Dan S
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If you told us the case diameter, it might help. Is it 32mm?
 
S
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Dan S Dan S
If you told us the case diameter, it might help. Is it 32mm?
Thanks. I know, it is a bit of a ‘long shot’ ‘this post, without more details. Once our covid restrictions are lessened, I can get to see my parents (and the watch) properly again.

i just know that some very eagle eyes people are very good at ‘spot diagnosing’.

My Omega 504 Constellation Callander has a larger diameter case than this Rolex.
 
S
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Canuck Canuck
The number inside the case back would be necessary to confirm the model. My references indicate that model 1003 is the same model, with one significant difference. The case shape of yours might indicate that it was sold with a leather strap. The 1003 was designed to accommodate the Oyster bracelet. The 1003 was introduced in 1960, and produced until 1984. My wife has the equivalent model in a watch for a woman. The bracelet is most assuredly after market.

As to collectable? You could likely find a buyer for it in that poor condition, but you might not like the offer. Models with a date are more collectable in the eye of most collectors. That, plus the case shape would limit what you would be obliged to choose. An Oyster bracelet won’t fit.

If your father has delayed fixing it up thus far, he won’t fix it once he’s quoted a price. It might end up being you who has it done.

thanks you. I’ve just had an Omega serviced, so to take on another watch this soon may be financially a challenge. There is no plan to sell the watch(es) as they have sentimental value. It just seems criminal to have it left in this state, especially if there is some intrinsic value.

do you have any approximate idea of what it would cost to bring this type of watch up to a standard?

If refurbishing a watch like this, would you use a genuine Rolex strap, or a third party offering? That stretch bracelet is very nippy on the old arm hairs!
 
Canuck
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S Sockie
thanks you. I’ve just had an Omega serviced, so to take on another watch this soon may be financially a challenge. There is no plan to sell the watch(es) as they have sentimental value. It just seems criminal to have it left in this state, especially if there is some intrinsic value.

do you have any approximate idea of what it would cost to bring this type of watch up to a standard?

If refurbishing a watch like this, would you use a genuine Rolex strap, or a third party offering? That stretch bracelet is very nippy on the old arm hairs!

There is very possibly more sentimental worth than intrinsic worth, being a family watch. As to the cost to bring it to a standard? I guess it depends on the standard you expect. The movement is likely a chronometer (as stated on the dial), so if you expect it serviced to that standard, the cost of servicing will be more than the cost for a “lick and a promise” servicing. But don’t expect anyone on the message board to be able to quote the cost of a service. As to using a genuine Rolex bracelet? I don’t know of a genuine Rolex bracelet that would be available to fit that case. But you might want to ask the opinion of a Rolex dealer. You won’t like the price of a Rolex bracelet, so maybe check the price of an after market look alike bracelet. A genuine Rolex strap? That would be up to you.
 
S
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Canuck Canuck
There is very possibly more sentimental worth than intrinsic worth, being a family watch. As to the cost to bring it to a standard? I guess it depends on the standard you expect. The movement is likely a chronometer (as stated on the dial), so if you expect it serviced to that standard, the cost of servicing will be more than the cost for a “lick and a promise” servicing. But don’t expect anyone on the message board to be able to quote the cost of a service. As to using a genuine Rolex bracelet? I don’t know of a genuine Rolex bracelet that would be available to fit that case. But you might want to ask the opinion of a Rolex dealer. You won’t like the price of a Rolex bracelet, so maybe check the price of an after market look alike bracelet. A genuine Rolex strap? That would be up to you.[/QUOTE

thank you
 
vibe
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Put an aftermarket strap on it and polish the crystal with poly watch. A service should cost around $500 depending upon where you are. It may be difficult to find parts for that movement it they are needed, Have it serviced at an independent that has a nice clean shop that has experience in vintage watches.
 
Dan S
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vibe vibe
Put an aftermarket strap on it and polish the crystal with poly watch. A service should cost around $500 depending upon where you are. It may be difficult to find parts for that movement it they are needed, Have it serviced at an independent that has a nice clean shop that has experience in vintage watches.

The crazing on the crystal will not be removed by polishing.

As mentioned above, servicing can be expensive and time-consuming, and there's no need to do it unless someone is actually going to wear a watch on a regular basis. I have a handful of PWs and a few WWs that I inherited that are basically display pieces for me, and I've only ever bothered to have one of them serviced (and now I regret paying for that service, since I never use the watch). They have sentimental value (and a few of them have some collectible value), but I don't care to actually use them. Similarly, if I had inherited a watch like this, which is probably too small for me to enjoy wearing, I would just keep it in my collection as-is. Maybe I'd wind it up once a year or so just to see it tick, and after 10 years it would need another service. What's the point. On the other hand, if (and only if) someone really wants to wear it, then get it serviced.
 
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