Vintage Rolex - what can you tell me?

[bernhund]

I have owned a vintage Rolex for around 25 years or so and don't really know anything about it or its worth. Currently it isn't working, but I'm in no rush to fix it right now. It had worked reliably, but just stopped one day some years back and I just put it in a drawer.
What I can tell you, if I remember correctly and if the information was right in the first place, is that it was bought in India in 1927. It was at the bottom of the fish tank the seller had to promote his product and the buyer, an ex girlfriend's grandfather, being the wily type, wanted that one as he could see it was working! That's all I know.
I have looked online for vintage Rolex images, but haven't seen one identical to this, so what do I need to know?

[fausTVR]

Sorry I cannot shed any light, but what a lovely old thing. I'd have it serviced and leave the exterior alone of course.

[fourfoldroot]

It looks very similar to the Rolex Oyster Junior Sport. Try googling that and see if anything comes up.

[Jollyclub]

Have a look at www.bubblebackclub.com

A few early Oyster variants look similar.

Whatever yo do, don't have the dial re-painted.

Original is always better.

[bernhund]

Thanks for your input chaps. I hadn't realised there were so many variants! Mine looks so much like the Juniors, except of course it says it's an Oyster Royal. I've seen the same hands on different faces, the same numbers on different faces and so on, just nothing identical. This is either good news or bad!!!

[Jollyclub]

Look at the watches sold section on the link i gave you above.


Looks identical to the middle one.

So it's an early Royal. Reference 2280.

Edited by Jollyclub on Tuesday 31st March 00:31

[bernhund]

Why didn't I spot that one! However, and I don't know how important these things are, the hands are different and the numbers. The most obvious one being no.9. It certainly suggests it's an early Royal, so could the date I was told of 1927 be correct?
There's no indication of sale price, so would you know the most reliable way to value my watch? I'd like to repair it at some point, but obviously if it's only worth £250, I don't want to be spending more to fix it.