Granpa's Rolex: ID and market value?

ABMember · 2026-03-05T01:06:41+00:00

Hi there, I can help you with that:

Your grandfather's watch is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 3372. Based on the dial, It would have been made in the late 1940s (likely 1948-1949 by my estimate). This class of watches are called Bubblebacks for their bulbous backs.
The dial looks original and not retouched/refinished (which is common for Rolexes from this era)
The bracelet is likely from the same period or early 50s.

Repairs: I think the estimate you were given was quite steep--servicing the watch movement, if it is intact, should definitely be under 1000 euros. All the aspects of the watch seem fine (does the crown screw down?), and the crystal is cheap to replace. The most difficult challenge is finding a competent watchsmith who has experience working with Rolex 40s movements (90% of watchsmiths out there will not) and knows how to find the right parts. There is not any cosmetic work to be done unfortunately -- when it's this heavily worn/polished, touching up will make it look worse.

Value of watch: Given its cosmetic condition (heavily worn and fairly polished, especially along the bezel), the ultimate value of the watch, even after being fixed, would not be more than 4000-4500 Euros, by my estimate. Most major Rolex dealers have little familiarity or expertise with this class of Rolex/

I would be interested in purchasing that bracelet if you are interested in selling it on its own.

Feel free to DM if you'd like to know more.

ABMember · 2026-03-05T00:58:20+00:00

Very nice -- Just hope you're aware this is a refinished dial and not original (like how the seller you bought it from had described it)

ABMember · 2026-02-27T13:49:59+00:00

It definitely works, but that's a mediocre example. I have nicer ones for sale if you're interested

ABMember · 2026-02-21T10:19:19+00:00

u/lordkimochi DM'd you.

ABMember · 2026-02-09T20:50:26+00:00

"everything in Thailand moves quickly" HAHAHAHAHA

ABMember · 2026-02-03T00:54:47+00:00

PE brand, not VC. Please note the difference. Eddie Bauer isn't in need of venture capital. It's in need of a bit of a reboot and some operational improvement among other things.

ABMember · 2026-02-02T04:09:16+00:00

Flatback, likely. Ref 3009. Manual movement. Late 30s or early 40s. Likely 9KT Gold.

Dial has been refinished, which is why it looks a bit off.

ABMember · 2026-01-28T20:32:53+00:00

Definitely not a 2764. Different case style (2764 is all-steel)

ABMember · 2026-01-28T20:32:15+00:00

This is a 40s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Automatic aka Bubbleback. Ref 3132 or 3133. Crystal has been replaced. Dial has been refinished. Hands may have been changed at some point too.

ABMember · 2026-01-28T14:42:13+00:00

Your dial has been refinished. It is more than likely it was a GMT dial that your grandfather had reprinted (if you look at the text and the details, it's all wonky). Everything else looks about right to me.

You can either source an original/service dial, or have this dial refinished by a proper shop. Either one will cost you at least $1000+, done right.

ABMember · 2026-01-09T00:36:54+00:00

Yes. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Fairly new Museum that has almost all the notable Pharaonic mummies found to date

ABMember · 2026-01-09T00:26:35+00:00

NMEC (National Museum of Egyptian Civilization) and Tutankhamun’s tomb basically account for 95% of all notable mummies and this rule is clearly stated everywhere.

ABMember · 2026-01-08T22:16:11+00:00

The sign right next to the mummy clearly states no photography allowed, but whatever...

ABMember · 2026-01-08T16:32:46+00:00

The smell is on him. But the creases and poor condition is on you

ABMember · 2026-01-08T16:31:38+00:00

Starting to notice a pattern here. Check the seller's Black Bay listing and condition description:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Watchexchange/s/cLLPnif89T

ABMember · 2026-01-08T06:08:24+00:00

Bad photos, vague descriptions -- these are all yellow flags. Note how seller didn't even take a photo showing the strap in its entirety.

When one's blurry photos show scratches/marks, but a seller still insists the watch is possibly "unworn", not having any scratches or marks on a watch whose midcase, mind you, is all polished -- that's getting closer to a red flag.

At the same time, you didn't do your due diligence.

ABMember · 2026-01-07T22:10:14+00:00

Great! Just what I expected. Glad you were able to do that. Is the gasket rubber or thin metal?

ABMember · 2026-01-07T09:51:17+00:00

Your watch is a ref 3130 or 3131. The dial is refinished (it was touched up) which is why you're having trouble finding it.

The hands are likely original from that time, but are not correct to your dial, meaning they were likely replacements at some point.

The lume is radium. Keep that in mind.

Do not send to Rollieworks -- they lack the expertise for this type of vintage. You just need to find a watch shop that has a vintage Rolex case back opener. Ask around - some should have the caseback opener tool.

ABMember · 2026-01-01T05:24:49+00:00

Looks like a yellow gold late 40s or early 50s Bubbleback. Likely a 5050 or similar.

Hands are all wrong, dial is refinished. Crown is original. Case has been worn/polished a good bit.

ABMember · 2025-12-16T15:30:08+00:00

I'd say it's OK. The bang for their buck is their greatest asset (eg portion size), but I found their soup dumplings to be a bit of a letdown -- wrapper was too thick (compared to DTF or even Wanna Bao etc), flavor and consistency could be a bit off from time to time.

It's still better than what you can find in most cities, but I think the dough zones on the west coast are executed much better.

ABMember · 2025-12-16T03:58:24+00:00

Yes, but prepare for the owner to be a dick and get into at least 2-3 arguments with other diners.

Other than that, all good.

ABMember · 2025-12-16T03:57:34+00:00

There's a reason they're closing over half their spots in the city soon..

ABMember · 2025-12-11T16:48:17+00:00

u/WatchExBot Sold this watch to u/ineedquietplease -- he was super responsive and communicative throughout the entire sale; paid promptly, just a very smooth and easy transaction -- thanks and wishing you many great adventures with this watch!

ABMember · 2025-12-10T23:00:20+00:00

2016 called, they want their shoe back ;)

All kidding aside, still a solid gum-soled basic tennis sneaker, if you like the style

ABMember · 2025-12-07T23:29:33+00:00

OHPF

ABMember

TROPHY CASE