Is this a Rolex?

[HectorLooi]

A friend ask me to service his old Rolex recently. To be honest, I have an aversion to Rolexes. I've never liked the designs, I've never liked the idea of needing specialized tools and I don't like the attitude of their authorized distributors in my country. 

But this one looked so different that I'm wondering if it's even a real Rolex. I showed it to my mentor who says the movement is genuine, the dial might be refurbished and he's not sure about the case.

So I'm seeking the opinions of Rolex experts in our community. Is this a real Rolex?

[oldhippy]

If the case is a genuine Rolex it will have case numbers on it. The hands look as if they are Rolex but with a photo it is a job to say. The dial looks correct. The movement I would say nothing that I see stands out telling me it is genuine. Going back to the case I haven't come across that type.  Does the button have the Rolex motif on it?    

[Stretch]

I've never seen a Rolex with that kind of strap connection, i always though they have used the common interchangeable connection.  Which is what i would be questioning/researching.

[HectorLooi]

The crown is unsigned but my mentor told me that early Rolexes and Tudors didn't have signed crowns.

I found out from the owner that it is supposed to be a model 9083 and I found the number engraved on the inside of the caseback. 

I also did a search on the internet and found images consistent with the watch. So it looks like it's real. I was also told that if the end pieces of an Oyster bracelet were removed, it would fit. I think I'll get an OEM Oyster bracelet from Cousins and see if that's true.

Thanks OH and Stretch.

[Stretch]

Oh yes, just looked the model up on google images and its a thin old style oyster bracelet.  Looks like you'll have to remove the first middle link too on the oem bracelet, for female end to fit male on watch case.

[Jon]

It's definitely a genuine Rolex movement without any shadow of a doubt. It's also got a beautiful Breguet overcoil

[oldhippy]

1 hour ago, Jon said:

It's definitely a genuine Rolex movement without any shadow of a doubt. It's also got a beautiful Breguet overcoil

Jon may I ask what makes you so certain it's a genuine Rolex?  

[Michael1962]

What does the 6506 that is stamped on the movement just down from the balance stand for?

[Jon]

23 hours ago, oldhippy said:

Jon may I ask what makes you so certain it's a genuine Rolex?  

Because I work on these movements often and I'm very familiar with them, right from the Kif flexor balance cap jewel, the Breguet overcoil, the triangular stud and the support. the poise and timing screws. No one is going to this length to produce a fake form the late 50's and make it look that age. This movement is definitely the real thing.

Here's a couple of photos from one I worked on last week. It's a 1210 calibre, although it is actually a 1215 base but it doesn't have the calendar work or date window

[oldhippy]

Thank you for you answer. I finished all of my horology work way back in the 80's due to poor health. I envy those of you who are happily working away on watches and clocks.  

[clockboy]

The movement certainly looks genuine the case and dial I have not come across before. It could be rare and therefore well worth investigating further. There are wealthy Rolex collectors who will pay a premium for a rare model. Bonhams in the UK specialise in fine watches and clocks. Many years I contacted them about my Rolex and the person I spoke to was very knowledgeable indeed. 

[Jack75]

And here is another one in a 1938 case - the same characteristics apart form the Kif flexor.

 

[Jon]

4 hours ago, Jack75 said:

And here is another one in a 1938 case - the same characteristics apart form the Kif flexor.

 

Great looking early non shockproof movement with an 18 jewel version and a different design on the balance. One thing one has to be careful of is the wrong 'wheel over third' as I call it. That's the wheel staked to the third wheel arbor can be replaced with a wheel that doesn't have the correct teeth count, thus, not meshing with the sweep second pinion correctly and creating a stutter on the second hand. It's not backlash (flutter), as there is to much gap between pinion leaf and third wheel teeth and no amount of brake spring pressure will alleviate the problem. The second hand then doesn't move 2.5 times a second and has no 'sweep'. It looks more like a quartz watch second hand, so heads up on that!