Does anyone know what era and model this is? Or if it is even real?

 

It's probably legit, although it's obviously hard to get a good look at the dial. As a rough guess, I would say early 1950s, and I'd also guess very small ... like 32mm small.

 

Some lovely radium burn at 10:30 makes me go with "original dial or very old redial"

 

Thoughts on the hands? The second hand looks like less metal corrosion that the others IMO.

 

looking at a 1948ish catalog it may be 4809. it wants a 17mm band. When I asked for one for my similar 1948 Tudor at the jewelers the lady insisted there was no such thing... she actually ended up yelling at me when I said I had both 17 and 19mm bands for watches.

My Tudor has an FHF30 movement marked caliber 59. Most sources list this movement as a Tudor movement, but some insist it was also in some Canadian market Rolex stuff through the WW2 period. Looking at an ad for a Rolex "sky Rocket" a Canadian market piece from the 40s, it says Rolex on the dial and caliber 59 in the ad, so it seems possible.

 

Tisk tisk to her

 

Yeah, dopey woman, its dangerous for someone in the trade to think they've seen it all and nothing else exists beyond their experience. There's always something new out there to bite a loud mouth self professed expert on the butt! (a bit of the voice of experience there perhaps?)

By yelling at me when I calmly tried to tell her such things were out there the only thing she convinced me of was the need to shop elsewhere.

 

30 or 32mm, and as mentioned made for the Canadian market. From the one not great picture the dial looks original. All in all a cool little piece. For the right price I would happily rock that!

 

one issue with these, if its a caliber 59, parts can be a bit of a pig to get.

 

Yeah that is the thing about these weathered crystals. So hard to tell. Canadian market is a pretty cool story. I would have purcahsed but at $1200 and most likely the need for an overhaul I had second thoughts lol

 

Could be a 4444 from around 1958
Here's mine

 

Ohhh nice! What are your pros and cons of owning something like this? Is the movement a pain to service? Today would you buy one?

 

I am not an expert but I have been admiring the small Rolex 59 calibre watches from the 1940's and 50's and the oyster cases seem to be more prevalent in the 1950's. The one here looks similar to some of the Solar Aqua pieces that were sold by Eaton's in Canada. The Sky Rocket and Victory watches of the 1940's that I have seen do not seem to have Oyster cases. One of these days, I will get one of these small case vintage Rolexes.

 

What do you all think is a good price range to purchase these? I thought 1200 was too much lol

 

There are quite a few 59 calibre watches in circulation, so routine service should not be a major issue if the main parts are in decent condition. If this is not known, I would be wary. The price seems a bit high, as one that is in good shape with a serviced movement would be in the $1000-1500 range. The dial on the watch you are looking at seems pretty good but I suspect the hands may have been swapped at some point. The the shape looks a little odd for the style and both the second and minute hands, go slightly past the second track. Compare the one you are looking at to the photo of Smurfdivers. A generic replacement crystal can probably be sourced in the vintage NOS or aftermarket parts supplies.
Here is a link to a Solar Aqua on Derek Diers website for comparison, although neither is the same model you are looking at. The 30-31mm is often called boys size, so unless you have tried one one, people are often disappointed with these cases. I had a Solar brand watch fron the 1950's that I gave my daugher and she loves it. If I had kept it, I would have it on a bundt strap, which wears a tad bigger.

https://watchestobuy.com/shop/solar-aqua-watch/

 

Great to know! Yeah I passed on this one. I know what you mean about smaller watches. But I am starting to get used to and prefer them. I can get down to 33-34mm comfortably but I did buy a 50s Oris military it's like 31ish. Still taking some getting used too but I am suprised at how quickly I warmed up to the smaller sizes.

 

In that case, you should buy a Patek.

 

What's your favirote Patek?

 

I don't own a Patek because I would want one that was at least 35mm, and I don't want to make the necessary investment to buy a good one of that size. But at the 31mm-32mm size, they are a relative bargain, and it would be cool to have a Patek.

 

Nice, good to know. Maybe! The 31-32 may take some getting used to. I could always pay for a surgery to make my wrists smaller..