Vintage watch experience 古董手錶: April 2021

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Rolex 18k ref 6605 (from 1957)

This evening, I have found a nice 18k solid gold Rolex 6605 from the year 1957. I have decided to let go my steel and gold 6605 plus the Tudor in order to upgrade for this. The watch must have been in a storage as the condition is near perfect and the old dial is in very good condition too even after nearly 64 years. The 6605 is one of the rare Datejust as it was made only for three years from 1956-59.

Many has mistaken the Rolex 6605 to be the Big Bubbleback as the Rolex 6605 actually looks similar to the first Big Bubbleback ref 4467 with a similar looking lugs.

The 6605 has a similar lugs with the Rolex 4467

Prices in DM

It is interesting to note that within the Rolex 6605 series, there are also variations in terms of bezels and also in terms of shape of case. See the comparison between a Bi colour steel and gold versus a solid gold 6605.

This watch has gone through an interesting journeys. I first seen the watch with a dealer name K at a higher price one month ago. I have waited and it finally changed hands to Mr. W.

Monday, 26 April 2021

Rolex ref 8171 Triple Calendar Moonphase watch big bubbleback 勞力士大泡泡背

This was my earlier blog written Jan 2012 when I found my dream watch Rolex 8171 moon phase. I have used my almost my entire bonus for this beauty.

Even though the ref 8171 is a triple calendar moon phase watch, I would classified it as part of the Rolex Big Bubbleback collection as it was also using the full bubbleback movement with additional parts. The Rolex 8171 is 38mm in diameter and is a huge watch during the early years but it was not a success then. Interesting enough, the steel versions of the Rolex 8171 is more collectable than the solid gold one as there are many gold after market cases made. In addition, there are also many nicely reconditioned dial as well.

There are both the Chronometer and Precision models for the 8171

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Rolex 8171

I have started a new year with a 8171. Even though this 8171 has an aged dial, it has a very nice original look from the 1950s,,,

I have spent months dreaming of the 8171 and finally...

Friday, April 27, 2012

Rolex 8171 Movements comparison ( pearl without the oyster)

For the Rolex 8171, the general perception is that the Steel 8171 should be a Precision watch while the gold or half gold Rolex 8171 should be with "Officially certified chronometer".

However, from my recent find, I realized that it all depends on the movements. My steel Rolex 8171 movement has engraved 17 Jewels Rolex Geneva and was timed to 7 positions while the movement of some version has the engraved Precision.

I hope I should to find more pictures to see the differences... Cheers

Rolex Big Bubbleback and evolution to Rolex Datejust

The Rolex Big bubbleback series leading to the Datejust consists of the following

Rolex ref 4467 (solid Gold from year 1945-1949)
Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold) , Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 (from year 1949 - 1950)，
Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)
Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953)
Rolex 6304 , 6305, 6309(Pre ThunderBird) (A296，from year 1953 - 1956)
Rolex Datejust 6604, 6605, 6609(Thunderbird), 1600, 1601,1603, 1607, 1625 (Thunderbird) (from 1959 - 1977 onwards using Butterfly movement calibre generation features cal. 1065 and later cal. 1565 and 1575.)

These are the early Rolex Big bubbleback with Date function:

劳力士DATE JUST于1945年推出的第一个型号是4467，4467是现在所有DJ的鼻祖，是世界上第一只自动上弦，带有瞬跳日历的手表（日历在夜里瞬跳切换）。4467是一只大三针手表，日历在3点位，注意当时还没有日历放大镜。4467只有黄金壳型号，尺寸36毫米