While visiting with my mother today and discussing my recent Speedmaster service experience, she mentioned that she still had my late stepfather's Rolex Oyster Perpetual. She brought it out (probably for the first time in decades) and we would it a bit, after which it immediately began running.

Now, I know nothing about Rolex products (outside of the fact that they are generally unavailable), so I hope that the hive mind here might chime in and tell me more about this beastie.

Compared to my Speedmaster it seems tiny, perhaps 34mm across, and is mounted on an unusual mesh band (no idea if the band is stock or aftermarket). It is believed that my stepfather bought the watch in either Switzerland or France in the late '40-mid '50s.

Anyone care to chime in?

 

It's a JB Champion bracelet (should be well-known to a Speedmaster aficionado ), not related to Rolex. If you pop it off, you will find the reference number between the lugs on one side and the serial number on the other.

 

Much can be revealed if you can find somebody with the required wrench to get the case back off. The case serial number should be between the lugs on the 6 side (?), and the case style between the lugs on the 12 side (?). There may also be a serial number on the mechanism. If you can supply this information, we may be able to help further. My guess is it is from the mid-1950s. It might be style 6564/0, The mechanism might be calibre 720. The information stamped inside the case back may also help.

 

That Rolex is quit old. I wonder if they even made fakes back then. Not saying this, is just got me thinking. You can always take the watch to a vintage store from my experience to find out details.

 

Great info, all. Thanks much! I'll take a spring pin tool to Mom's the next time I visit so I can get to the reference/serial numbers, and we've already discussed taking it in for a service. I really like the funky patina of the dial.

Any idea what sort of band/bracelet this might have shipped with? I'd like to install an appropriate replacement.

 

A rivet bracelet of the appropriate size would probably be the most appropriate. I assume that the lug width will be 19mm, in which case a 7205 bracelet would work well, with the correct end-links.

 

People have been making fake watches ever since people started making watches.
The unscrupulous cashing in on other's reputations, brands and designs is not a new thing.

 

I don’t know when Rolex introduced the typical style Oyster bracelet. As was mentioned, one of the”rivet” style Oyster bracelets might be a good choice, but was it available as early as the subject watch? My late father was in the jewellery business in the mid 1950s, and he carried Tudor watches. IIRC, they were usually equipped with leather straps from source.

 

definitely early 50's, mine(1952) has the red "officially"...….ref 6085 Semi-Bubble back, correct crown.

 

Are you a bot? You know you have to tell me if you are.

 

Rolex riveted bracelets started in the mid-50s IIRC, 1954-55, something like that.

 

Being a Speedmaster fan, I'd want the original JB Komfit bracelet more than the watch

 

Thanks for all of the input so far! A closer examination of the watch shows that “6084” is stamped between the lugs on one side, which I assume is the model number. A serial number starting with 875xxx is stamped on the other side.

Any other wisdom anyone might share?

 

This may be fairly obvious, but try googling "Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084" and look at what comes up