Vintage 1955 Rolex Oysterdate question

[Peter Canna]

I'm a new member and this is my second post. I just picked up a 1955 Rolex Oysterdate. I'll try to attach pictures). I'm 99% sure it's real based on the owner.

My question is regarding the serial number. At the 6 It has Brevet 6294. At the 12 It has 18259.

I can identify the reference number and model but the serial number indicates it was a pre 1926 model?

Can someone help me or refer me to a good source of information.

Thanks

Peter
P.s. I'm bringing it in tomorrow for repair.

 

[Adam Harris]

Hi
BREVET is French for patent. Probably the OYSTER CASE
6294 is the ROLEX MODEL
Lots on it here
rolex 6294 - Google Search

in 1954 Rolex reached 999999 and started again
I suspect you are missing a number - look again very closely

Regards

 

[Peter Canna]

Thank you for the info! I'll have my watchmaker review it as well.

The sellers story of getting the watch while he was stationed in France in the 50's doesn't seem to hold water. Since I didn't pay much for it I may have gotten what I paid for!

Thanks again!

 

[Adam Harris]

I believe you have a lovely and 100% original Rolex piece from the 50s.
Its a great find.
Not everything in ROLEX is explainable (by me) but that watch (with roulette date wheel) looks great

 

[Peter Canna]

Thanks I'm excited to get it working and on my wrist.

 

[Peter Canna]

Just a FYI.

My watchmaker told me the last service was by Rolex in 1967. I may ask the original owner if he remembers if they replaced the case.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Adam Harris]

Pardon?
How would he know if/when "ROLEX" serviced it? They dont scratch inside of case.

I think the chance if it being a "service" case is between none and impossible.
FYI - ROLEX use a code in front of a service (replaced) case

This watch is all original

 

[Peter Canna]

I'll question him again. I may have misunderstood.

Thanks,

 

[Adam Harris]

I'll question him again. I may have misunderstood.

Thanks,

I think so
A

 

[gatorcpa]

The 18,259 serial number makes sense to me. The 1955 engraving on the back is the clue.

The watch was likely made in 1954 just after the changeover, and sold shortly thereafter.

The lowest serial number from that era that I have seen is low 10,000's.

Nice old Rolex.
gatorcpa

 

[Jeff Hess]

can wee see the inside back of the case?

 

[Jeff Hess]

I suspect your watch is just fine. The serial number is just fine. I suspect your watch inside case back will be marked I/54 or II/54 on the inside back, making it a manufacturing date of the first or second quarter of 1954.

As James Dowling and I wrote in our book, Rolex was slow to change the font of their serial numbers in between lugs and for many years simply put the date of manufacturing on the inside case back. Please share this with us.

show us that inside case back!

Also a bit of internet sleuthing suggests that Dr. Sitler could very have been traveling in France in the mid 50's.
good luck! cool watch

 

[Jeff Hess]

btw, this forum (which is one of the few tht acknowledges James' & my work (read the intro) shows clearly other watches with similar serial number/ref number combos!

The Vintage Rolex Case Number Project