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. 

Rolex ref 8171 Triple Calendar Moonphase watch

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.

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

Rolex 4467 & 6031 in solid gold

进入到1950年之后，劳力士推出了4467的后续型号，5030, 5031, 5075, 6031。5030和5031, 6031 开始，就增加了钢壳和间金型号。

Rolex 5031 in yellow gold bezel and crown from 1947

Rolex 5075 in rose gold bezel and crown from 1947

Rolex 6031 yellow gold bezel and crown

Rolex 6031 in yellow gold bezel and crown from 1947

Of all the Big bubbleback, I love the straight lugs best as it truly replicate and represents the original bubbleback design from 1947

Rolex 6104 in rose gold bezel and crown

Rolex 6105 in yellow gold bezel & crown from 1953

Rolex 6105 in rose gold bezel & crown

Rolex 6605 (fluted bezel) Steel and yellow gold Datejust 

Rolex 6605 Steel and white gold Datejust

Rolex ref 6605 in 18k gold from 1957

Rolex ref 1601 Wide Boy in 14k gold from 1966

https://www.ancienne.es/en/blogpost/story-vintage-datejust-watches/

L to R : Rolex 6105, 6031,5075,5031

Source: https://www.vetroplastica.it/rolex-datejust-22.html

Rolex ref 5075 (from 1947) big bubbleback 勞力士大泡泡背

This is another version of the big bubbleback ref 5075 with the straight lugs and fully covered bubbleback movement with rose gold bezel. I first saw the watch on fb in March 2020 but it was taken out from the web. This watch was recently being listed again and I immediately went to the shop to check it out.

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 (A296，from year 1953 - 1956)
Rolex Datejust 6604, 6605, 6609, 1600, 1601,1603, 1607, 1625 (from 1959 - 1977 onwards using Butterfly movement calibre generation features cal. 1065 and later cal. 1565 and 1575.)

I was looking at getting a Rolex 6075 big bubbleback from a seller initially but he was not very friendly and I have decided to give it a pass as 冇緣份· Like what they said, one door shut and another one opened. I am lucky to be able to get a better condition and straight lugs big bubbleback 5075. Really thankful! 

Coming back to the Rolex bubbleback series give me great joy as it has rekindled the special relationship with my hobby. There are many new collectors going after the Rolex sports models but for me, the Bubbleback series (from 1930-50s) an the Prince series (1930s) are the real backbone of the Rolex brand.

我比較喜愛1950年代出嘅勞力士大泡泡背大倌 5030,5031, 5075, 6031 除咗有紅date外,錶殼兩耳中間還是保留橫端,帶住濃厚官財仔嘅味道!

Rolex 6031, 5075, 5031

In its history of "Radium" usage... "Radium" was discovered to be very lethal in its radioactive dosage causing harmful side effects particularly to the Dial painters or those that have been widely exposed to the highly radioactive substance Radium" and such was in this past infamous incident which had previously occurred way back in 1917 (please see link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls

Eventually by late 1950s "Radium" had to be phase out completely and as quickly as possible then by watch producers worldwide. It was later ONLY became compulsory that the usage of "Tritium" with much Milder dosage of radioactivity level(eg. <25 micro Sv/h) be marked accordingly either by adding the plot "T" at 6 o'clock position of the Dials...in later production of watches by Rolex in particular from early 60s. 

As such, some of the Vintage Rolex dials were replaced during service during the 1960s with Tritium lumious instead of the Radium.

It was also during the same Transitional Period soon after the change from "Radium" to "Tritium"...most of the remaining Dials in stocks. that were previously contracted & made by the relevant Rolex's Dial suppliers had to be re-marked or re-printed with the additional "T" or "T<25 variant" plots to indicate the MILD radioactivity usage of of "Tritium" instead of "Radium" on the available Dials which had been Pre-printed with "SWISS" at the 6 o'clock position of ALL the remaining Dials in stocks...believed to be in limited quantities then. (Information from the forum)