Well I had a nice surprise today !

My Grand Uncle Sonny who passed away in 1981 had this watch.

I only found out about it today as it was in the belongings from my second cousin ( his daughter) who passed away recently and my Dad showed it to me today.

From a quick Google I found out the model name and it's year of production.

So a Rolex Ref : 912 made in 1928
Handwind of course.
Serial number is 55928
*Correct me on any of this if incorrect please*

Now it doesn't run, I did do some gentle winds and when I felt a slight resistance I stopped but the watch didn't run.
Not surprising as Sonny passed away in 1981 so hasn't been used since or maybe long before, who knows.
I love the case design and dial, the art deco numbers are very cool too.

My questions are as follows :

Has anyone got a link for a history on this model in particular ?

I'm fairly sure it won't be sold but has anyone got a very rough figure on what it may be worth as is ?

What guesstimate would you think it would cost to just get it running ?

Photos below of it, one next to my C600 Tri-Tech Elite for size reference.

Many Thanks in advance guys

To get it running an independent could perhaps do a total service for around £130.

To me it looks a bit suspicious, im not outright saying it is but that dial is a bit off. For example how the 1, 2 and 3 hug the right side of the case but the 8, 9 and 10 do not and rather hug the minute track instead?....the 10 seems to cut into it even. Just doesnt seem to use a typical Rolex font for the numbers and look at the way the minute track overruns into the seconds subdial numbers rather than stopping at a nice square border around that dial. I would say the numerals should really be gold, the hands might be wrong and that it probably shouldnt have a crown logo just plain "ROLEX" as that seems more typical of this era but I dont know, we need Bernie here.

Open the caseback if you can.

Appreciate the info Pete

Yes I have looked at other Rolex Prince 912's and the numbers are a different font, saying that none were this early.

MiniMpi wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 9:57 pm Appreciate the info Pete

Yes I have looked at other Rolex Prince 912's and the numbers are a different font, saying that none were this early.

I beleive it should look like this:



The auction estimate for the above was 7000 - 9000 CHF. It was made in 1930. Maybe the crown logo was added by 34?

Im not in any way saying it isnt a Rolex just hopefully adding an angle to the investigation

Thanks for that mate

Looks the right font going by that photo but some differences alright.
Could the dial shift slightly if dropped or something ?

MiniMpi wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:09 pm Thanks for that mate

Looks the right font going by that photo but some differences alright.
Could the dial shift slightly if dropped or something ?

I think i have seen that on some vintage watches maybe?? Having looked at it a few times it may well be an illusion brought on by the angle of the watch at the time of the picture as well as the darkened patina down that flank. Would love to see a close up, head on picture.

The problem i have with it is mainly the way the minute track wonders into the subdial like it hasnt a care in the world, that doesnt seem right at all.

Check my above posts for a few edits, its a very interesting peice and obviously has alot of history as is easy to see. Perhaps water damage inside?

Good observations mate.

Any ideas how to ope the case back ?

I assume you prise up the piece at the base of the case back ?

MiniMpi wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:30 pm Good observations mate.

Any ideas how to ope the case back ?

I assume you prise up the piece at the base of the case back ?

Yes id also assume a good caseback knife would do it but is it not silver? Looks like tarnished silver maybe. Either way id go against that idea now as the more i look into the more it seems this particular model is excruciatingly rare, there's barely any of these left by the looks of it?

Dancematt wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:36 pm Yes id also assume a good caseback knife would do it but is it not silver? Looks like tarnished silver maybe. Either way id go against that idea now as the more i look into the more it seems this particular model is excruciatingly rare, there's barely any of these left by the looks of it?

Thanks again for your help Pete

I tried a couple of goes with my 6767F there but gave up.

I would love to see inside as the movement should tell everything really.
Sadly nowhere decent in Ireland that I know of or would trust.
May send it off to a watch repair person who folk on here would recommend.

We're talking here about a 1934 watch that has been in the family for a long time.

I would suggest that this has to be an original.

Why not make an initial telephone call to Rolex Service, St. James, UK for starters?

You have absolutely nothing to lose.

+44 20 7024 7300

scooter

Thanks scooter.

I may well do that.

One things for sure: if it is genuine (I mean original condition) then it's completely justifiable spending the money on a proper Rolex service, no way to lose out. They do a great job and it will enhance any value.

If it has been tampered with, you'll need to make some difficult decisions, but in either case, Rolex is the place to start I would think.

Good luck with a great find!

H0rati0 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2019 8:03 pm One things for sure: if it is genuine (I mean original condition) then it's completely justifiable spending the money on a proper Rolex service, no way to lose out. They do a great job and it will enhance any value.

If it has been tampered with, you'll need to make some difficult decisions, but in either case, Rolex is the place to start I would think.

Good luck with a great find!

I don’t think that Rolex will service a watch of that age themselves.

Neil

Lovely find Ferg. Good too see such an old timer surviving to this day.

In addition to contacting Rolex, I would pop a post on the Rolex forum. There are some incredibly knowledgeable people there who would certainly be able to point you in the right direction.

Sent from my Redmi Note 6 Pro using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone