Well this is possibly the jewel in the crown of my collection. My first and possibly my only Rolex I will own. This is my Rolex Oysterdate Precision.
Its dating around 1959/60 and is running a hand wound only movement calibre 1215.
In all my watch restoration, service and collecting this was the first Rolex to pass over my bench after nearly 9 years of working on watches! I have avoided them for the most part and this is because of the value of them, parts costs and my nerves to work on one. This is because I could not really afford one to buy (or so I thought) I had no desire to own one but had been asked many times by people for me to service their watches. I have always been reluctant because of all of the above. I don’t want expensive watches that are not my own in my house.
This one came to me from a friend Andy who I have done business with in my day job for the last 30 years. He had picked it up for little money at his golf club and actually sent it to someone to improve the case and crystal as they were both quite scratched.
He was then watching TV one night and I popped up on “Would I Lie To You” a comedy panel show here in the UK where I was on as a friend / mentor to a comedian Lee Mack who had got into watch repair and had got stuck on a watch and reached out to me for help. One thing lead to another and there I was on a TV show where the opposite panel had to guess who I was from 3 comedians with different stories about me. You can watch it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKDvl-4sY-0&t=102s
Andy rang me the next day saying he had seen me and that he had a watch… A Rolex, and would I look at it for him. I hesitated and then said okay and I will also make a video of it on my channel! You can see that video here!
I was nervous to work on this but figured as a hand wind movement it would not be complicated plus I had also been told they are actually easy to work on.
As you can see its a lovely looking movement, I was very impressed with the finish on the screws too. It came apart easy and to put it back together was no challenge really as the plates just fell right into place. My only worry was damaging or losing a part and if I would even be able to get a replacement. Well I am happy to say it never came to that.
I was so pleased with myself on this watch and then went on to fit a new crystal along with more improvements to the finishing of the case and bracelet. Where ever Andy had sent it they just brushed it with some Scotchbrite and badly in my opinion.
I sourced a genuine crown for it as the one on it was aftermarket and didn’t have the Rolex crown motif on it.
I was smitten with this little watch with its 35mm case size. I had worn it a few times and enjoyed it but I had to speak to Andy and this would be the hard part.
I stated my intention that if he didn’t want it then I would be more than happy to purchase this as I was attached to it given it was my first Rolex service. Andy was non committal but said he would think about it but I could wear it until we next met.
What I like so much about this piece is that its totally understated and flies well under the radar. Its a Rolex from before they came a commodity, an investment or a status symbol. I never never wanted the modern stuff, always had an eye on ad 1980s Datejust for nostalgic reasons. This watch came from when they were just a decent brand, a watch you could go into the shop and actually buy. It would be reliable and accompany you for life if you looked after it. I also liked it is hand wind. Meaning you have to interact with it every other day. Manual makes a watch thinner so nicer to wear and winding gives me satisfaction. I can genuinely feel the quality on winding it up.
This is the Rolex for me, a keeper and something I would wear for any reason and for memorable occasions. I also wanted to commemorate the passing of my parents who died in the same year as this was on my wrist. ( this blog should have been written in 2024)
A whole year passed before I met with Andy and his son Joe. We went out for an evening meal to talk business and life. I had the watch with me ready to see what deal I could do.
Andy is a great guy, very dry sense of humour and has never minced his words! the wine and conversation flowed until it was time to get the watch out. He and Joe had a good look at it, admired my work and said I had improved it no end. He then turned to me and gave it me back. He asked how long I had known him, 30 years was my reply. He said thank you for all your business and friendship, consider this your 30 year service gift! I was genuinely speechless. I was not expecting this at all, I was ready to pay. No one has ever been so generous to me, especially in a work context. I was well and truly blown away.
Andy went on to say he had offered it to his wife, daughter and Joe but all declined. Its old and small and not to their taste. He was pleased I was so enthusiastic. He hardly paid anything for it as it was in a mess and that my work, had I charged him would have been more than he paid.
I will be forever thankful of this moment and this watch will be an all time keeper in my collection and an heirloom to my daugher.
What a story. Thank you Andy.
