Rolex oysters

[Midget]

I'm getting more and more into watches.

Sometimes, I don't understand my dad. He has a rolex, passed down to him from his brother, passed down from their father. For years, he wore it everywhere. To the field, to the clinic, to the farm. I actually think he wore it to the Gulf in desert storm.

Anyhow, now, it's sitting in a drawer, and he wears a 18.00 watch with the calculator and the tiny buttons on it.


Anyhow.

I was inspecting that piece of work last night. There are chips in the glass, the case is well scratched up, the band is not the original, etc., etc. Bummer.

So.. Why does Rolex call it "oyster perpetual?" What the hell do oysters have to do with anything?

 

[Blue Jays]

Good Afternoon All-

Midget, before using the Rolex or even winding it, take it to a qualified watchmaker to be opened, cleaned, lubricated, buffed, and have its water-resistance checked.

Ensure all parts are factory OEM. There is forum specific to Rolex at TimeZone.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[fishbulb]

The "Oyster" is Rolex's name for their water resistant cases.

They were the first company to really start selling watches with screw down casebacks AND screw down crowns.

The name comes from the fact that when everything is that with everything screwed down the watch is as sealed up and at home in the water as an oyster.

 

[BobHWD]

Your dad's Rolex can be serviced to look and function as well as new or nearly so. Here's my 5512 from the 1960's. It has a timeless appearance that I think is as fresh as when it was new.

Bob

 

[fracmeister]

Make sure yours wasn't made in a month that didn't have an "r" in it.... the oysters from those months aren't always good you know....

 

[Bobby B]

The oyster cases are machine from 1 piece of metal (mine is steel) and the mechanisms are set into it (IIRC). The perpetual means it is self winding (again IIRC). They should be taken apart and refurbished/overhauled every 3-5 years I've been told. THAT normally costs as much as a decent watch... mine is due again.
BTW the bands CAN be obtained... a friend had his father's refurbished. Rolex had to tool up the old band... I can't remember how much that cost (he probably didn't tell me), but the watch lives, and looks fantatsic. It is worth getting it done, it seems to be an heirloom.
If not, I'll trade 'ya for it....????

 

[fracmeister]

Trade for it, eh? Good idea. I have a nice Robert Hankins custom Bowie that I would trade for that beat up old Rolex if it is in any sort of condition....

 

[Midget]

hmm... trade the family rolex...

you know, my dad is old. but somehow, i get the feeling he'd find a way to have me shot, dismembered, and turned into dog food.

so..... naw.




I'll look into the refurbishing, although yesterday I checked the local jeweler, and the closest authorized Rolex dealer seems to be in Springfield, MO (far, far away).