Rolex

G99
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My First Rolex

When i first joined this forum 2 years ago i knew nothing about Rolex other than some of the bad press associated with the 'bling' types who buy them. i was even under the misplaced impression that they used ETA calibres and the Submariner was no better than the Omega SMP

i've learnt a lot since then, mainly from people i have huge respect for. they have diverse collections and also have Rolex's in there. i've learnt the the movements are developed in-house and the grade of steel in some of the models is a far higher grade than most other companies use. i've learnt that certain vintage pieces are very highly collectable. i have a very strict collecting criteria so none of the new models will fit into my collection, but i have thought for a little while about buying a piece from 1964, the year of my birth, which is the other side of my collection. i've looked at Submariners and nearly died of fright at the cost, after looking at the Daytonas i needed defibrillation so i looked towards the simpler end of the market. a few months ago i found an Air-king with original papers, but didnt have enough cash at the time and of course its now sold.

the other day whilst browsing my favourite site i saw a 1964 Oyster perpetual chronometer non date for a very reasonable price. i pm'd Dr Strong who kindly looked it all over and gave it the thumbs up. it is a 1002 34mm case with 26 jewel 1560 calibre chronometer certified auto movement with the pretty red wheels you dont see in other watches. the case is clearly marked IV.64 and the movement matches up. the only point i was concerned about was the marking on the dial which looked like spotting in the pics. Dr Strong assured me that it wouldnt look anywhere near as bad in the flesh so i pressed the button and for a very reasonable price obtained the watch.

it arrived today. from US to Wales in 42 hours including all the usual Fedex stop offs. Amazing. Dr Strong was 100% correct, the dial just has some bubbling under the silver finish, exactly the same as i've often seen in Vintage Omegas of the same era.

the case is in remarkable condition as is the plexi crystal, the crown screws down nicely and the caseback is a good tight fit. having never owned a Rolex before i dont have the case removal tool so cant look at the movement other than through the pics the seller took. i intend to remedy that in the near future.

the dial is very nice and totally original with the crown at 12. the quarter indexes are interesting as they look a bit like very squashed and stretched crowns. the other indexes are plain bars. it is clearly marked with its original font and has very nice Dauphine hands. it is marked T SWISS T and has lume spots at the indices and on the hands, but i doubt it still glows.

its currently on a 20mm black Ostrich i had lying around and it seems to suit it well even if the lugs are 19mm so it will probably stay like it. the only change will be a vintage tang buckle i have already bought.

in short, i'm very happy to have it in my 64 collection and it will sit nicely alongside my speedy and seamaster 300's.

just got to check the accuracy which i'll do over the next few days so here's some pics.

i'd like to thank Dr Strong for all his help with my annoying pm's and everyone else for showing me that it isnt just pimps that wear a Rolex.

enjoy

Graham