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dra43b
·Looking to buy this but my question is: Natural patina or water damage?
Rolex 6694 tropical dial
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cristos71
·To start with describing it as tropical is IMHO romanticizing what in fact is tired looking, well aged and bubbling dial. I'd say the dial looks like that due to aged and faded dial lacquer + some earlier water ingress which caused the bubbling + perhaps a healthy dose of nicotine at some point in its history.
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Scarecrow Boat
·Yeeaaahhhh... I would have a hard time calling this a tropical patina. That’s damage and I would pass.
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ICONO
·Far, far better examples to be found
It’s very rare to find a 6694, in that kind of poor condition…
It’s very rare to find a 6694, in that kind of poor condition…
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janice&fred
·Would depend on the state of the movement and price. Nice original 6694 dials are fairly easy to source and not expensive, so if the thing is a good runner and cheap then I say go for it. Can always wear it until a replacement dial is found. For me price of the watch will be the deciding factor. Anything can be fixed if the price is right.
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Davidt
·Agree with what people have said above.
Also I don’t pay any attention to what caused the ageing/patina/damage etc. What’s important is whether you find it aesthetically pleasing if it relates to the dial, bezel, hands or case, or if it has caused damage to the movement.
Also I don’t pay any attention to what caused the ageing/patina/damage etc. What’s important is whether you find it aesthetically pleasing if it relates to the dial, bezel, hands or case, or if it has caused damage to the movement.
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killer67
·Unless the price is very compelling I would search a better oyster precision
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janice&fred
·I agree as price is key. I will add that finding an older version 6694 with it's original intact rivet oyster is getting harder as the years go by. That bracelet appears to be in decent shape as the head links aren't knife-edged or the grooves shallow from too much resurfacing. Of course more pics and a movement shot will help in determining overall condition aside from the aged dial. At the very least the entire watch does present as consistent with it's age. Nothing is more distracting than seeing an oldie like this fluffed up with a gleaming late model bracelet and freshly brushed lugs.
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pongster
·Would depend on the state of the movement and price. Nice original 6694 dials are fairly easy to source and not expensive, so if the thing is a good runner and cheap then I say go for it. Can always wear it until a replacement dial is found. For me price of the watch will be the deciding factor. Anything can be fixed if the price is right.
OT: was just watching price is right reruns. 😀
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dra43b
·Hey everyone
Thanks for the inputs. For those who are curious the price is $1200. And here are additional photos
And I am actually very curious as to how the dial came to be, because I saw another one with the same discoloration but no bubbling, as shown in the photo below.
Thanks for the inputs. For those who are curious the price is $1200. And here are additional photos
And I am actually very curious as to how the dial came to be, because I saw another one with the same discoloration but no bubbling, as shown in the photo below.
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Stripey
·What is going on with the bottom left lug in the picture of the movement that you posted - is it just heavily scratched, or actually corroded?
The movement looks as though it is in need of a clean, comparing it to mine - maybe those more experienced will have a more valuable view on that.
I would have thought you could make it work at that price, or negotiate some more, but for me it's difficult to justify it when it's a pretty common watch and there are a load of nicer ones about?
The movement looks as though it is in need of a clean, comparing it to mine - maybe those more experienced will have a more valuable view on that.
I would have thought you could make it work at that price, or negotiate some more, but for me it's difficult to justify it when it's a pretty common watch and there are a load of nicer ones about?
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janice&fred
·I would have thought you could make it work at that price, or negotiate some more, but for me it's difficult to justify it when it's a pretty common watch and there are a load of nicer ones about?
It's not as common as you think given the year. The matching rivet bracelet is a huge plus and in my opinion it's gonna be hard to find one in such original condition for less or equal to what it will cost to buy that one, get the movement serviced and a replacement original dial. For me the watch looks like an honest survivor that luckily has escaped a flipper's scotchbrite pad and tube of polish. Not easy to find these days and once that watch is serviced up and the dial is replaced it's gonna be a $2200 to $2500 piece. I would pay $1200 for it as-is any day.
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Scarecrow Boat
·It's not as common as you think given the year. The matching rivet bracelet is a huge plus and in my opinion it's gonna be hard to find one in such original condition for less or equal to what it will cost to buy that one, get the movement serviced and a replacement original dial. For me the watch looks like an honest survivor that luckily has escaped a flipper's scotchbrite pad and tube of polish. Not easy to find these days and once that watch is serviced up and the dial is replaced it's gonna be a $2200 to $2500 piece. I would pay $1200 for it as-is any day.
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janice&fred
·Sounds like 6 of one, half dozen of the other. I know the vintage Rolex market fairly well and like I said...I'm a buyer for that watch the OP posted any day for $1200.
OP if you don't take it, kindly PM me and I will. Even better for you...buy it, add $100 to the price for your troubles and I will pay you $1300 😁
OP if you don't take it, kindly PM me and I will. Even better for you...buy it, add $100 to the price for your troubles and I will pay you $1300 😁
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Stripey
·It's not as common as you think given the year. The matching rivet bracelet is a huge plus and in my opinion it's gonna be hard to find one in such original condition for less or equal to what it will cost to buy that one, get the movement serviced and a replacement original dial. For me the watch looks like an honest survivor that luckily has escaped a flipper's scotchbrite pad and tube of polish. Not easy to find these days and once that watch is serviced up and the dial is replaced it's gonna be a $2200 to $2500 piece. I would pay $1200 for it as-is any day.
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janice&fred
·What year is it?
Early '60's is my guess as it's hard to make out the year stamp on the caseback with my monitor.
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killer67
·Go for the bracelet; everything else is a bonus. Next one you find will likely have a later bracelet or a strap
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journeyforce
·I would pass
The 6694 was very common and made for a long time(1960's to about 2000) so you have a lot to play with.
The dial looks like it was in a fire.
It might be tempting to get it for the $1200 but for a little more you can get a better one. I got mine for under $1000 a few years ago.
Plus looking at the fact the adjustment is way to one side of the balance, It probably needs a service badly.
the 6694 was an entry level model with a non COSC movement that is manual wind with a screw down crown. If you are a person that fears unscrewing or screwing the crown on your watches because you are afraid of stripping it, then you will not like this. Everyday you need to unscrew the crown to wind the watch. There is not quick set date ether. It is also a small watch
That said, the 6694 is not a bad watch and looks and wears great but you can do better then this one
The 6694 was very common and made for a long time(1960's to about 2000) so you have a lot to play with.
The dial looks like it was in a fire.
It might be tempting to get it for the $1200 but for a little more you can get a better one. I got mine for under $1000 a few years ago.
Plus looking at the fact the adjustment is way to one side of the balance, It probably needs a service badly.
the 6694 was an entry level model with a non COSC movement that is manual wind with a screw down crown. If you are a person that fears unscrewing or screwing the crown on your watches because you are afraid of stripping it, then you will not like this. Everyday you need to unscrew the crown to wind the watch. There is not quick set date ether. It is also a small watch
That said, the 6694 is not a bad watch and looks and wears great but you can do better then this one
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Dan S
·That dial is too far gone for me to be interested.
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