Is Grandpa's Rolex worth anything?

[OriginalGeek]

I can't get it to run but I can change the day and date and time.

I didn't even know he had one but found it in a drawer.

I mean, it's mine now - he left everything to me. I'm not just rummaging through Grandpa's stuff uninvited.

I've read recently that people are ruining the value of their old watches by polishing the cases and whatnot. This one looks pretty well-used.

I did some google and found you're supposed to be able to see model and serial numbers behind the bands but I haven't been able to see through the years of gunk and I'm scared to try to clean it.

I also read that the average service cost is around 800 dollars. lols. Not doing that.

[Paladin]

1. Have you thought of who you might pass it on to?

If it's a Rolex, it has some market value. Yours sounds like a family heirloom, worthy of preservation. Looks like a nice one.

[brush]

6. If it's a real Rolex it's worth a lot more than $800 for a cleaning.

[ret5hd]

2. Have it cleaned at a Rolex distributor.

Then maybe you can see the numbers.

[leftieNanner]

3. There is a very good watch and clock store near me

L. C. Antiques in Medford, Oregon. Their phone number is [phone].

You can call them and ask. They are very reasonable and knowledgeable. You could probably mail it to them for an evaluation.

[think4yourself]

4. It's a beauty!

Definitely worth keeping in the family!

[trc]

5. You may need to actually remove the band to see the serial numbers on the case

Had a similar watch and that is where we found the serial number.

[safeinOhio]

7. Lots of fakes out there.

Need to take it to a watch repair shop to have it looked at.
Does look to be yellow gold.

Repair shop can pop the back off and tell right off what you have.

[SoCalNative]

8. Looks sort of like this one, yes?

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/day-date-oysterquartz--id14487252.htm

[Hoyt]

9. I'd sure check with a jeweler who knows about Rolex. That one has some gold,

which helps.

Yours is a bit unusual in that it’s battery powered (quartz), rather than self wind. They only made those a few years. In fact, it’s possible a battery replacement is all that’s needed to run. (Had to look it up, not an expert). Yours also has a different bracelet from the Oysterquartz I saw online. Not necessarily bad.

Although I’d be careful using them, there are some sites on-line that specialize in old Rolexes.

I’d be very surprised if it’s not worth a few thousand, probability more if it can be serviced.

[LisaL]

12. Good point.

Since it's battery operated, it's possible that changing the battery is all it needs to work again.

[OregonBlue]

10. If its the real deal it could be worth a lot. Find

out before you do anything to it.

[AJT]

11. If it's real and vintage,1979 or so, it could be worth

Between $5000 - $8000.

[Lochloosa]

13. Rolex has certified repairmen. Don't let anyone else touch it.

Contact Rolex.

[OriginalGeek]

14. Thanks everyone!

I looked and found 2 official Rolex dealers near me so if all it needs is a battery I might just sport me a Rolex to fancy nights out on the town. Wish I had known about this 2 weeks ago when I took my wife to Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa for our 34th anniversary.


Well snot. While typing this I called the store closest to me and while they are officially licensed to sell them, they do not open them up and authenticate them or do anything to them. They will ship it to Rolex for 99 bucks and have them open it up but then if it's fake I'm out 99 bucks lol. They probably won't even put in a battery if it's fake.

And I did a bit of scrubbing between the lugs and I don't see any serial numbers or model number and I just don't see how it could be worn down enough for them to be gone so I assume they were never there. Unless Rolex made some watches with no numbers on the outside of the case I'm probably looking at costume jewelry.

It's weird because I can guarantee grandpa would never have bought a fake Rolex on purpose and I doubt he would have bought one accidentally. I expect it could have been a gift - he did retire from both the Air Force after 22 years and the State Department of Education after 20 more and he knew a few people. The only thing he ever splurged on was his Airstream trailers and he and grandma were members of the WBCCI almost since it began in the 50s.

Oh well, it was fun being rich for a minute lol.

[Zorro]

16. Uhhhh....

Rolex doesn't do batteries.

Looks like a President model. It's going to be worth a lot of bucks if it's real.

[Boxerfan]

17. Yeah-they did

Google is your friend.

[Zorro]

19. Not for a Superlative Chronometer

[Boxerfan]

20. Unless you have credentials I don't know about.

I'd wait for the opinion of the experts. Because they did make that model & the superlative designation is just a decoration on the dial. They probably all met the standard as per Rolex practice. Dial variations can make this a very valuable watch.
If it is real-I do pocket watches so my expertise is there.
Agree to disagree.

[Hoyt]

21. Look up Rolex OysterQuartz.

They made them in 70s/80s, although they didn’t look exactly like the one in the OP.

[Zorro]

22. I stand corrected

Looks like Rolex hasn't made quartz watches in quite some time...

[Hoyt]

23. I was surprised too, but wasn't popular. Although, that doesn't mean worthless.

[Boxerfan]

15. 1st see if it is real-Link below.

I'm a member here & they have a lot of experts and they love to look at Rolex's. Need to make a membership free to post they aren't allowed to give value unless a few hoops are jumped. But I'd say 16-20K is not unheard of.


https://mb.nawcc.org/forums/wrist-watches.18/



And they will probably ask to see the movement-but I'd leave that to a expert authorized repair facility. You could also ask for a referral for same with the watch message board.

That said-Men's watches are the only hot item in watches now. And Rolex es Buenos. But i'd prefer the mechanical version those are very valuable into 6-7 figures for pristine examples.

Cue Antiques roadshow video...

[OriginalGeek]

18. Neat! Thanks

Perusing the forum there now.

[onethatcares]

24. since you're near Tampa my advice

would be to put it on Craigslist and see what you can grab..

[Fla Dem]

25. Here's one that looks a lot like your grandfathers, asking $18,450.

It's a rolex oysterquartz day date black face.

https://www.thewatchbox.com/shop/4291555.html?cur=USD&keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwsan5BRAOEiwALzomX6Ol_vZubap5Phk6iGhuTaJAKGymmVeSEUNnqBffgGOZYu9BN_iWWBoCg9EQAvD_BwE

[OriginalGeek]

26. lol that would be nice!

I think it's worth a lot more than mine because it's an actual mechanical self-winder. Mine has quartz movement.

[OriginalGeek]

27. Update monday - it's fake

I wish I knew the story of why he would have a fake rolex lol.

[Lasher]

29. Maybe he went to Tijuana one weekend.

[Hotler]

28. See if you can find the original box and sales receipt.

Research its value before you get rid of it and don't let someone offer you chump change for it until you do.