Analyze the condition of your vintage Rolex!

In this RPReport I share my extensive checklist so you can learn to analyze your vintage Rolex condition correctly!

Since I receive many emails from around the world with questions if their Rolex are original or not, I started to write a checklist so you can start evaluating most of the condition by yourself. Questions like: What are the exact points you have to look for, which little detail is important and has influence on the price are important questions I’m gonna try to explain to you in this RPReport. So lets start to learn to understand your vintage Rolex better…
Before even considering zooming in on details, your first look should always be if thepatina is matching all over! If a certain part of the watch, e.g. the case, shows clear traces of wear and tear, this should match with the condition of the watch in other places such as the dial, inlay, etc. If something is not correct, appearance wise, then this is a clear giveaway the watch has been serviced or has been messed with to cover up its flaws in the authenticity and originality. To make your assessment easier, I’ve composed a checklist of things to look out for when analysing a vintage Rolex. The list is broken down in case, dial and bezel parts.
If you systematically work through the list of details below, you should be able to come up with a straightforward conclusion on the condition and originality of the watch at hand. 
Determining originality
Let’s take a closer look at the case to determine the originality of the watch and its condition. Many factors may influence if a case is still in an original state and what has been done to it by wearing and/or servicing it. Eying the case and comparing it with the rest of the watch, the challenge is to spot any discrepancies in the story the watch might tell you. Experience over the years has taught me that even a heavily worn watch always keeps its original shape. Obviously, there will be traces of wear at the edges but in general the shape should still be ok.
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It’s all about the polish
An unpolished case is more and more becoming a rare find these days, because it means the watch most likely has never been serviced. Polishing was part of service maintenance and as each watch officially had to be serviced regularly due to the replacement of lubricating oil inside the movement, many watches probably will have been serviced at one point in time. The purpose of servicing a watch was also to maintain the high standard Rolex always aimed for. Nowadays professional watchmaker ateliers with modern computer can almost copy the original Rolex polish and make your case looks new again.  Nevertheless, priority for your analyse is that by examining the case condition you generally know if a watch has been worn a lot so:
CASE 
  • Magnify the matt parts of the case
  • Magnify lugs, front and back side
  • Missing straight fine lines
  • Missing sharpness on edges of lug holes
  • Feel the edges with your fingers if they are sharp or rounded by wear
  • Magnify bevelled edges between matt part and middle case
  • Magnifying rims of case back to see if it has been opened more often
  • Hallmarks with gold cases on back of lugs worn out but fresh case
  • Case back engravings worn out or have disappeared completely
  • Satin polish: difference case back inner circle and outer rim

 rpr_how_to_polish_rolex

Unpolished

If you are not sure how a certain reference should look like unpolished, take a close look at the matte part of the watch with a suitable magnifier. The matte parts will tell you if a watch has been polished or not. Generally i’m from a collectors point of view m ore interested in the fact that the watch is all original then if the case is unpolished or not. Let be clear for once and for all, the many times I read unpolished online when they’re clearly not is concerning. My bet is that 95% of the Rolex that are 50-60 years old have been services and then automatically got a polish. Below I will post some pictures from unused vintage Rolex so you can compare yours with. Here’s a unpolished like new small crown Ref 5508. Focus on the edges…

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Every angle is still sharp, the side from the bezel, no marks on the crown or side of the case and also not on chamfer of the bevel.

rpr_smallcrown_5508_unpolished_rolex

Analyse the spots like bezel, lugs. crown that normally have the most signs of wear….

rpr_unpolished_5508_submariner_rolex

A unused bracelet is stiff, you need to bend the links. When removing the band with the push pins before polishing, it will always leave trace marks on the case. That is why the lugs are often sealed with tape before band removal. But you can see it anyways on the inside of the lug where the pushpin goes into the hole, there you will see scratches made by the push pin. A clear sign of a service polish are the drilled lug holes, or better yet the sharpness of the lug hole edges. Because once polished, these lug holes will lose the original sharp edges.

rpr_nos_5508_submariner_rolex

Following is a GMT Ref 6542 in also unpolished and unused. Hard to believe that these almost 60 year old Rolex have been tucked away and now see the daylight. In a scale of impossible to find these unused miracles are listing top position. A real collectors grail….

rpr_6542_nos_bevelAnother part to check if a watch has been polished are the chamfers, the bevelled edges between the matte part and the middle case. Tool watches like the Daytona or dresswatches like the DateJust and Daydate did not have chamfers. You will only find them on the Submariner , Milgaus, GMT-Master and Explorer II. Perhaps because of this rarity and value, the condition of the bevels are particularly loved by vintage collectors. A bevel was merely for esthetical purposes. Each model had its own shape of bevel, the bevel on the GMT-Master was a bit smaller than the Submariner one. This has to do with the fact that the Submariner model was thicker for deeper waterproofness than the GMT-Master and the Submariner winding crown was also larger.

rpr_polished_rolexLittle less rare are those unused, NOS (New Old Stock) Rolex from the 70-80-ids. Here’s a NOS Ref 6263 Daytona. Note the sharp bezel and all edges. There are professional polishers who take the whole watch apart when trying to polish it back to Rolex standard. This will inevitably cause loss of material, unless the polishing has been done very lightly. Not easy, as it requires highly developed polishing skills because you only get one shot. If it goes wrong, the transition in polish is clearly visible. But if you get it right, it is harder to detect with the naked eye. This ref 6263 Big Red Daytona is still as it left the company, unworn…

rpr_unpolished_rolex_cosmograph_6263Another indicator if a watch has been polished or not, is by looking at the fine lines on a watch. If these are not straight, the polishing has been done by hand. Unpolished watches only have a manufacture polish, meaning the case has a satin polish that was done at the Rolex factory before all parts were assembled and is therefor hard to reproduce…rpr_6263_rolex_daytona_unpolishedEvery place where wear and tear could happen is still unused, the crowns, the case back, the lugs, the sides, bracelet, crystal. If you compare the case with the band, you will often see a difference in finish because the band is easier to polish than the case. The lugs are especially difficult to handle, so this is an area that requires extra attention with your magnifier. While attempting to make the case matte again, there will always be a 1mm spot against the edge, impossible for a polishing machine to reach…

rpr_6263_unpolsihed_rolex_daytonaWear indicators case side

  • Original crown or replacement
  • Replacement crown periodically correct
  • Magnify pushers
  • Magnify top left lug for heaviest wear (left wrist watch wearers)
  • Magnify below lugs for end link scratches
  • Magnify below lugs for dirt/dust and traces of the end links

16808_nos_06A used but unpolished gold Rolex Submariner Ref 1680 nipple dial. With gold cases it’s very easy to see if they are polished or not. One complicating factor in assessing the polishing of a case, is that the satin factory polish has become more coarse over the years, if you compare models of the 1950s/1960s/1970s. I believe this has to do with the fact that production numbers rose rapidly and less time was spent on the finish of a watch due to the introduction of machine polish and laser check.

16808_nos_02When polished, the back of the lugs will often have the same round finish as the case. You would expect this finish on the inner circle of the case back as well, but this will be sealed with tape during polishing. Still, you can always feel the difference between the factory satin polish and service polish if you go from the inner circle to the outer polished rim.

Wear indicators case back

  • Magnify screw thread for frequent opening of case
  • Original rubber sealing ring present
  • Original rubber sealing ring or replacement
  • Tarnish on screw thread
  • Magnify case back for service codes

rpr_img_3638In below ref 6200 Big Crown case back you don’t find any little service marks engraved as you see above, instead you see that the automatic rotor left a circled mark in the case back.

RPR_6200_caseback_RPRWear indicators glass

  • Original crystal?
  • If original, is there any ‘icing” visible
  • Is it a later service crystal with sharp edge
  • Correct crystal type corresponds with model

rpr_6200-pst-lr-25Above original Crystal on the left with lots of radium dust in there, be careful!

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See the different shapes of the crystals below. From super domed to domed and service edge…

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In below A/6538 Military Bg Crown you see the ‘icing’ in the crystal..

RPR_Iced_A6538Wear indicators movement

  • Patina movement corresponds with patina watch
  • Magnify screw near crown for damage, those are often used to get the movement out of the case
  • Magnify the screws that hold the movement in it’s place, in below example at the edge in the middle of the lugs.
  • Magnify small screws for tarnish and if they have been used. Often a used one will show you burr on the screw.
  • Examine the screw thread. Often the rubber seal shows you wear. Also salt water will leave marks clearly visible.

rpr_6542_nosAbove the unused Ref 6542 case back inside and movement, which still looks like new. Below a patinated and used movement..

RPR_6200_movement_RPRSerial Number

  • Serial Number present
  • Magnify Serial Number for clear engraving
  • Worn out Serial Number corresponds with worn out case
  • Serial Number matching with model
  • Serial Number matching with production date inside case back

rpr_1665_serialnumberReference Number

  • Reference Number present
  • Magnify Reference Number for clear engraving
  • Worn out Reference Number corresponds with worn out case
  • Reference Number inside case back matching with number in between lugs
  • Reference Number matching with model

rpr_img_5440DIAL

Luminous

  • Type of luminous matching with period of model:
    • Swiss print with Radium luminous
    • Swiss + ! with lower Radium luminous
    • Swiss + _ with Tritium luminous
    • Magnify for Golden Swiss, white Swiss, double Swiss corresponds with period of model
    • Swiss – T<25 / T-Swiss-T / T-Swiss-T<25 corresponds with period of model
  • UV-lamp test luminous glow for several minutes
  • Overall matching luminous in colour and fluffiness on dial, hands and markers
  • Colour of luminous matches period of model (<1964 cappuccino vs yellow)
  • Colour of luminous greenish indication for water damage
  • Stains on dial due to damage Radium luminous
  • Luminous paint completely inside surrounds

rpr_double_swiss_gmtrpr_doubleswissAbove clearly visible are the 2 generation luminous stamps, the one below, swiss only and the one above, stating now that the luminous is of new generation, < 0.25MSv. Below interesting close up that shows the swiss has been reprinted over the lume.

swiss_lume_rolexThen a close up of the compound of the luminous. It always make me feel like a cappuccino..

rpr_img_7561Composition

  • Cracked dial when tilted in light
  • Magnify gilt lettering for correct application
  • Glossy dial corresponds with period of model
  • Matte dial corresponds with period of model
  • Tropical dial corresponds with period of model
  • Tropical dial with intact luminous
  • Rolex print under/over lacquer layer

rpr_6542_nos_dialAbove flawless glossy gilt radium dial and below a sunburned cracked spider dial…

rpr_spider_smallcrown_rolex_5508BEZEL

  • Ribbed edge of fluted bezel matches period of model
  • Is the inlay original and matching the all over patina.
  • Faded inlay matches dial and luminous, often inlays get changed.

rpr_6542_nos_insertBezel, insert, red triangle, bevel, crown guards, big, small crown…

rpr_redtriangle_rolexThe flat bezel for the Ref 6541 has specially been made for the U.S. market

6541Milgauss_flatbezel_tropicalBracelet

  • Is the bracelet having any stretch?
  • Have any links been removed?
  • Is the inside of each rivet in the bracelet un bended?
  • Are the screws used on the side to remove the link?

rpr_6542_nos_braceletHow do the bevels look? Round, worn, polished? If the bevel looks brand new, while the dial is not, something is wrong. If it is polished, then by whom? Rolex during service or an independent watchmaker? Certainly a trigger to look for replacement parts. Check below the stunning work LA Watch Works did…

rpr_polished_unplishedHere’s a summery from the checklist to determine the condition of your vintage Rolex:

Case Condition

  • Magnify the matt parts of the case
  • Magnify lugs
  • Magnify bevelled edges between matt part and middle case
  • Case back engravings worn out
  • Hallmarks on back of lugs worn out but fresh case
  • Satin polish: difference case back inner circle and outer rim
  • Missing straight fine lines
  • Missing sharpness on edges of lug holes

 Wear indicators case side

  • Original crown or replacement
  • Replacement crown periodically correct
  • Magnify pushers if present
  • Magnify top left lug for heaviest wear (left wrist watch wearers)
  • Magnify below lugs for end link scratches
  • Magnify below lugs for dirt/dust

Wear indicators case back

  • Magnify screw thread for frequent opening of case
  • Original rubber sealing ring present
  • Original rubber sealing ring or replacement
  • Tarnish on screw thread
  • Magnify case back for service codes

Wear indicators glass

  • Original crystal?
  • If original, is there any ‘icing” visible
  • Is it a later service crystal with sharp edge
  • Correct crystal type corresponds with model

Wear indicators movement

  • Patina movement corresponds with patina watch
  • Magnify screw near crown for damage, those are often used to get the movement out of the case
  • Magnify the screws that hold the movement in it’s place, in below example at the edge in the middle of the lugs.
  • Magnify small screws for tarnish and if they have been used. Often a used one will show you burr on the screw.
  • Examine the screw thread. Often the rubber seal shows you wear. Also salt water will leave marks clearly visible.

Serial Number

  • Serial Number present
  • Magnify Serial Number for clear engraving
  • Worn out Serial Number corresponds with worn out case
  • Serial Number matching with model
  • Serial Number matching with production date inside case back

Reference Number

  • Reference Number present
  • Magnify Reference Number for clear engraving
  • Worn out Reference Number corresponds with worn out case
  • Reference Number inside case back matching with number in between lugs
  • Reference Number matching with model

DIAL 

Luminous

  • Type of luminous matching with period of model:
    • Swiss print with Radium luminous
    • Swiss + ! with lower Radium luminous
    • Swiss + _ with Tritium luminous
    • Magnify for Golden Swiss, white Swiss, double Swiss corresponds with period of model
    • Swiss – T<25 / T-Swiss-T / T-Swiss-T<25 corresponds with period of model
  • UV-lamp lest luminous glow for several minutes
  • Overall matching luminous in colour and fluffiness on dial, hands and markers
  • Colour of luminous matches period of model (<1964 cappuccino vs yellow)
  • Colour of luminous greenish indication for water damage
  • Stains on dial due to damage Radium luminous
  • Luminous paint completely inside surrounds

Composition

  • Cracked dial when tilted in light
  • Magnify gilt lettering for correct application
  • Glossy dial corresponds with period of model
  • Matte dial corresponds with period of model
  • Tropical dial corresponds with period of model
  • Tropical dial with intact luminous
  • Rolex print under/over lacquer layer

BEZEL

  • Ribbed edge of fluted bezel matches period of model
  • Is the inlay original and matching the all over patina.
  • Faded inlay matches dial and luminous, often inlays get changed.

Bracelet

  • Is the bracelet having any stretch?
  • Have any links been removed?
  • Is the inside of each rivet in the bracelet un bended?
  • Are the screws used on the side to remove the link?

In my extended  “Vintage Rolex Buyers Guide” you find all details per categorie.

checklist_determin_rolex_originality

Check also following studies:

Many more interesting articles I have shared with you in the past you find in my RPR Archive. rpr_2508_black

I hope my checklist to determine the condition of your vintage Rolex has helped you. If you have any questions, please send some pictures by my RPR Contact button so I can do my best to answer your questions.

Cheers, Philipp