edwin777
210
Now I'm a bit confused
I did months of research about this thing and for the various versions...
If I'm good, so there are 2 ( or 3 ) different make of this bakelite insert ! - a radium with strontium activator "original" ( radio active ) soon replaced by
- a service with zink sulfide with tritium as activator ( no radio active or very faint as 0.16 peak microsivers I did measure ) ?
- another version more recent was then ....( ceramic ? )
+ all the after markets and copies...
As this one still shine very well in the dark under UV, and is not radio active, it's the 2nd version in time
The bezel ring around is also another one than the most seen on 6542, as it's crenels are quite particuliar, with a different crenel every 5 one.
I could locate at least two likely same bezels on the internet :
One sold on antiquorum NY 2014
another one on a watch sold in AMS by watch company.
Not many people are able to tell, obviously older ones who were concerned at the time are mostly passed over, as my dad.
But I really want to ID the part in a 100% certain way. Sooner or later.
Thank you for your help and details, added to this post.
best regards
Edwin
Available on the marketplace
17,436 Rolex listings are live on the eBay market and 1886 collector listings on the WatchProSite marketplace.
Oh Inherited? The source will give an idea
I had a 6542 Gmt but didn't have the bakelite bezel. Bought an aftermarket one but didn't have the heart to install it, left it as is. Did you post this picture on the VRF?
Try the VRF those guys are Eagle Eyed
Do you have more pics of it? From the one you posted, it's hard to tell
The first thing is provenance if you know the history.
some reference materials - The mighty bakelite insert of the Rolex 6542. Next you can check if it emits radium as the originals did but Rolex did replace / recall the 600 back in the day so Tritium is ok. Then there is the physical inspection a few more p...
Thank you Bill for these helpfull details as infos about this part are very scarce.
As the pce is with me for +- more than 30 years ( without me knowing ), Looking at it's state of conservation, for a part that's supposedly to be from before 1960, and that it might ( unlikely) have been someday mounted on a watch for some short time befo...
Several things, my friend.
We have two things... The original strontium bezel. The one which has been changed by Rolex since 1960: The original has a lighter blue, the one changed by Rolex in 1960 has a darker blue. No more strontium, which was super radioactive. Replaced by what I...
Now I'm a bit confused
I did months of research about this thing and for the various versions... If I'm good, so there are 2 ( or 3 ) different make of this bakelite insert ! - a radium with strontium activator "original" ( radio active ) soon replaced by - a service with zink ...
YESSS this is likely the same bezel !
but the insert looks quite different : - numbers seems whiter ! ( color temp difference in ambiant lighting ? ) - numbers seems less in "3d" fx ! I compared another one with the same differences b4. (from sotheby's sale) is this an original radium insert ...
Nice & very much full original I suppose ?
Why are the dots between the numbers more yellowish than the numbers seemingly clearer, and more contrasted in the red section ?
So I did what I had to ! ( #bakelite #6542 #Rolex #gmt master #vintage )
After wondering the means to get a definitive answer, finding a potential amateur.. I visited a Rolex collector/specialist in Rivoli ( it ). He seems to know a lot about Rolex. Then, he measured all the insert + bezel kit in all possible ways ( UV, IR, Ge...
Thanks 4 the compliment ! :-) any advise ?
It's requesting a 6542 missing it's insert or with a broken one ! any clue ? btw I also found some complementary documents ... Rolex Genève in the early GMT times ! ...
With an aftermarket insert, a missing one, or even an aluminum insert.
As for the brochure, the one till 1958 is this one, And this one is... 1959. ...
a kind of milky way !!! looking amazing in the binocular deep and starry ! this image in 2d, does not reflects it's deepness and dimensions !
It looked like a defect ! & I wanted to have a close look with a microscope. what a space deep wonder ! Next try will be with UV, might surprise ! ...
No, the dial... The skirt under the dial, all around. Here is a photo:
You should also check the case number and quartal year... Just to be sure it is not a reassembled one. ...
this is the back face of the 6542 original dial, correct ? not another part positioned below it to hold it ?
Now that cleared, where can I find an original 6542 without it's bezel ? ( I've kind of looked around yet, but no success : c24, ebay, rpm, ... only recent mostly >1965 )
I think I have the watch for you
I recently inherited some watches from an uncle who sold high end jewelry in manhattan and this was in a box of watches a 1956 6542 with broken Bakelite bezel I’m not an expert but I’m going to go to Rolex tomorrow and have it checked I believe it’s legit...