Here is a Rolex Oysterdate (pre dates the “datejust”) 6694 I restored and available for purchase. It features a black dial that has become “tropical” as they say, with specs throughout. The tritium lume, as usual, is completely dead and adds to the tropical vibe. The gold hands and indices compliment the stainless steel case and black dial nicely. It was produced Q1 of 1967 and features Rolex Caliber 1225.
This is a 34mm watch on an oyster bracelet. It is manual wind (must be wound every day or so) and features a date complication. There is no quickset for the date on this watch, therefor you should be sure to wind it often as advancing the date involves winding the hands until its the next day.
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Opinion:
This is an awesome watch, and if it suited me, I’d probably keep it! It’s a very nice watch for every day use or formal dress. I’m a big proponent of wearing and abusing watches (with some exceptions). It’s vintage enough to feel like you have a relic on your wrist, and just nice enough to avoid being a target while also having a nice piece of horology on. Few things beat the feeling of checking the time and seeing that coronet, and this watch certainly nails that vintage Rolex swagger. If you have been wanting a nice watch without the crazy price, this is a great option assuming you don’t have a 40mm appropriate wrist. You will instantly be way cooler than every kid with their “datejust”.
I like to add: if you wear a smart watch and you are the type that dreads the ding of a text, you should stop wearing a smart watch and wear a real watch.
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When I got this watch, it has it’s own litany of issues. The case needed attention, as did the bracelet. The case tube was stripped as was the crown.
Works to this watch included a full disassembly, full cleaning, new lubrication throughout, a new mainspring, new case tube and gaskets, and a light chemical polish (no abrasives). The cannon pinion had to be tightened.
Specific notes on service/originality:
1. All movement parts (sans mainspring) seem to be original and have not been replaced under my service.
2. All original parts able to be saved for providing to the end purchase have been. This includes original crystal, case tube, crown, mainspring, and bracelet. Throw em away or keep em in a drawer. Your choice.
3. The crystal has been replaced with a suitable replacement acrylic crystal
4. The case tube has been replaced with a suitable replacement
5. The crown has been replaced with an authentic genuine Rolex crown for this watch
6. The bezel has a small crack in it.
7. The bracelet installed is aftermarket. The original bracelet is included. The original bracelet will be serviced by a professional prior to delivery of the bracelet. The watch can be had as it is.
Price:
$3,450 + shipping
How to buy: contact me by email to rob (at) rosensound.com
While I will not alienate potential buyers, due to the under-market-price of this watch, I want to avoid selling to resellers. Please just let me know who you are and why you want it.
Please note: I am not a professional watchmaker. I am very much an amateur and therefor pricing reflects works performed but lower than market to account for the following things you should remember:
1. There is no guarantee of perfection
2. The watch is still sold “as-is”, with no returns
3. Vintage watches rarely keep perfect time over many days.
4. The goal of these sales is to buy a watch, experience fixing it and giving it new life, and sell it under market price to fellow enthusiasts and/or fans of my shop. The lions share of these sales funds my watch buying fund to continue to offer fun watches for sale. Your purchase (hopefully) helps one less person wear a smart watch.
5. Buying a watch from me will gain you no “points” or favorability at Rosen Sound.
Warranty: I will be more than happy to check out this watch again if necessary within 3 years of purchase assuming you did not drop it or break it yourself somehow.
