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Old Rolex - Fake or Real

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  • 21-09-2018 6:38pm
    #1
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭


    I lived in the UK years ago and I have an old Rolex with only half a bracelet. I've never been sure if it's real or fake because I bought it in a car boot sale. I wore it for years before the bracelet broke and had forgotten about it until I recently found it.
    It has lots of wear and tear on the glass. There are no markings or serial number on the back. Does this mean it's fake? I wonder if it's worth having it assessed?


«13456

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    #2
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    Here it is

    461911.jpg

    20180921_184450.jpg

    20180921_184432.jpg

    20180921_184455.jpg

    20180921_184509.jpg


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    #3
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    OmegaGene wrote: »
    I’m no expert but it looks real to me and you should get it checked out, if that’s real it’s worth big money
    Wish you luck with it

    :eek: Big Money? It's very scratched and there's only half a bracelet! I wonder would it be nice to get repaired, although you have me worried that repair might also be big money!


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    #4
    Clareman
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 23,923 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Check at the 6 o'clock position to see if you can make out a serial number there, a google of the number should flag if it's a fake very quickly. This site might be useful for you https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers


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    #5
    Clareman
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 23,923 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Gorteen wrote: »
    :eek: Big Money? It's very scratched and there's only half a bracelet! I wonder would it be nice to get repaired, although you have me worried that repair might also be big money!

    Depends what you classify as big money, I know people that are horrified at the thought of paying ~€500 every decade to get a watch serviced. If that is a genuine model then you'll have the nice option of either getting it repaired or sold (dips first shout at buying it if you want to sell it :D)


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    #6
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    I found the serial number after I took off the (remaining) bracelet.

    https://est1897.co.uk/serial-numbers-check-year-of-manufacture-online

    It may be real! Year of manufacture either 1949 or 1957/1958. If it's real, does this make it valuable?


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    #7
    893bet
    Registered Users Posts: 8,742 ✭✭✭893bet


    In bought in car boot it’s most likely fake but.......it looks real enough!

    If real it’s a rare one! Reference 1019!

    Get someone to open the back and the movement will reveal all its secrets!

    https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/ref-1019.htm#gref


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    #8
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    893bet wrote: »
    In bought in car boot it’s most likely fake but.......it looks real enough!

    If real it’s a rare one! Reference 1019!

    Get someone to open the back and the movement will reveal all its secrets!

    https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/ref-1019.htm#gref

    What does Reference 1019 mean?


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    #9
    893bet
    Registered Users Posts: 8,742 ✭✭✭893bet


    Gorteen wrote: »
    What does Reference 1019 mean?

    1019 is the model number or reference number of the watch.

    Fingers crossed!


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    #10
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    Many thanks for all the advice and info

    Can someone recommend any place where I can get an honest appraisal as to it's status (real or imitation), cost of repair versus current market value?


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    #11
    bren2002
    Registered Users Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭bren2002


    Nobody has asked yet, does the second hand tick in a stop start every second sense or is it more of a sweep that's could be described as 5 ticks per second.


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    #12
    bren2002
    Registered Users Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭bren2002


    Gorteen wrote: »
    Many thanks for all the advice and info

    Can someone recommend any place where I can get an honest appraisal as to it's status (real or imitation), cost of repair versus current market value?

    Where are you based?


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    #13
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    Midlands


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    #14
    per aspera ad astra
    Closed Accounts Posts: 116 ✭✭per aspera ad astra


    bren2002 wrote: »
    Nobody has asked yet, does the second hand tick in a stop start every second sense or is it more of a sweep that's could be described as 5 ticks per second.

    This...


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    #15
    bren2002
    Registered Users Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭bren2002


    It's difficult for me to tell (I'm not an expert on old stuff) but at first glance it's not an obvious fake. The $20 fakes you can spot a mile away. The $100 fakes are harder from a few photos but you know when holding it generally.

    The crown on the face looks raised and the face looks high quality (when you look past the wear damage)


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    #16
    bren2002
    Registered Users Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭bren2002


    Gorteen wrote: »
    Midlands

    Not a recommendation, just a search result.
    But as above, if its a 1 per second tick, its a fake. Doesn't mean a sweep hand isn't a fake, but it just puts more ticks (so to speak) in the real column.


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    #17
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    per aspera ad astra wrote: »
    This...

    The watch is stopped at the moment. It's been at the bottom of a box if bits & bobs in my shed for about 14 years :rolleyes:

    It might benefit from a service (if it's the real deal) :)


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    #18
    per aspera ad astra
    Closed Accounts Posts: 116 ✭✭per aspera ad astra


    200_d.gif


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    #19
    bren2002
    Registered Users Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭bren2002


    If its the real deal it could pick up from where it left off if you wind it or even carry it around in your pocket for a few hours (I assume the strap is broken)

    The real deal doesn't use a battery.


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    #20
    893bet
    Registered Users Posts: 8,742 ✭✭✭893bet


    Gorteen wrote: »
    The watch is stopped at the moment. It's been at the bottom of a box if bits & bobs in my shed for about 14 years :rolleyes:

    It might benefit from a service (if it's the real deal) :)

    Give it a small wind and then a shake and see if it moves!

    If real then a service and request to keep the watch as original!

    This chap comes well recommended!

    http://thevintagewatch.net

    First port of call is to get the watch back off!


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    #21
    Pawwed Rig
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 22,294 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    Can someone increase the intrigue and give a rough valuation on the assumption it is real??


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    #22
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    OmegaGene wrote: »
    Look at the link to chrono24 posted earlier
    If it was me I’d be sending it to fellows for auction once it all checks out of course

    Would you get the work done or let it go "as is"?


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    #23
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,075 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    Pawwed Rig wrote: »
    Can someone increase the intrigue and give a rough valuation on the assumption it is real??
    In working cleaned condition, I'd reckon it could fetch around 15 grand(that would be more an auction price, dealer prices would be higher of course).

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



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    #24
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,075 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    Gorteen wrote: »
    Would you get the work done or let it go "as is"?
    Depends on the cost of the work required G. You need proper expert advice on this as Rolex themselves will often devalue a piece by replacing visible parts that collectors want with age and originality. Though if I recall rightly, lately they don't do that at least without permission. I'd reckon if the work required to improve it aesthetically is around a thousand euros you'd get more for it come sale time. Pity the other half of the bracelet is missing. That hurts the value. Rolex bracelets alone can go for many thousands. It's a good time to sell mind you as the Rolex market has never been so buoyant. There's a feeding frenzy on most, but particularly some vintage and rarer pieces. A 50's Milgauss like yours is one of them.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



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    #25
    KERSPLAT!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Gorteen wrote: »
    The watch is stopped at the moment. It's been at the bottom of a box if bits & bobs in my shed for about 14 years :rolleyes:

    It might benefit from a service (if it's the real deal) :)

    In the first two photos the seconds hand is in different positions... So not completely stopped?


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    #26
    Gorteen
    Registered Users Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭Gorteen


    KERSPLAT! wrote: »
    In the first two photos the seconds hand is in different positions... So not completely stopped?

    You're right. It moves when I give it a shake. It's neither a very clear tick motion nor a sweeping motion, if you know what I mean


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    #27
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    Old Milgauss is a very collectable watch. I would get it to an expert for evaluation, congratulations on a good find.


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    #28
    sparrowcar
    Registered Users Posts: 2,815 ✭✭✭sparrowcar


    Thread followed....

    Screenshot_20180921_220325_You_Tube.jpg


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    #29
    aaakev
    Registered Users Posts: 3,088 ✭✭✭aaakev


    Man i hope this is real! Best of luck OP, fingers crossed for you


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    #30
    Wheety
    Registered Users Posts: 5,510 ✭✭✭Wheety


    I haven't a clue about watches but was intrigued when I saw this on the front page.

    In my completely uninformed opinion, it looks like the bottom of the crown is thicker on the OP's watch then the one's in the link above?


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    #31
    Pawwed Rig
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 22,294 CMod ✭✭✭✭Pawwed Rig


    Wibbs wrote: »
    In working cleaned condition, I'd reckon it could fetch around 15 grand(that would be more an auction price, dealer prices would be higher of course).

    Great stuff. This thread could give us the climax we have all been waiting on since the safe thread !!!! ;)


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