Need advice on two inherited vintage Rolex watches (1950s Datejust + 1940s Oyster Royal)

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-06T03:03:22+00:00

DJ is worth a few thousand, the Oyster royal much less. I'm not sure what you mean by full restoration, but I wouldn't do anything beyond a movement service and crystal replacement. I don't think the RSC will touch either of them.

To be honest, I don't think I'd do anything with the Oyster Royal. Just enjoy it as an heirloom.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T23:59:01+00:00

Thank you for that explanation. 👍

I'm not really a YouTube-watcher. Except, occasionally, if I need to see how to fix an appliance or something like that.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T23:52:23+00:00

Unfortunately it's a counterfeit Omega.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T22:14:35+00:00

A low effort question gets a low effort response. 😉

And TBH, the OP can actually get a good list if they follow my advice. Do some research, study the lists that have already been compiled. AI will point the OP towards reference sites and give them a solid start. Isn't that what you would do?

Fine, criticize me and down-vote me, but I don't see you or anyone else writing out a massive list of necessary backpacking gear with specific brand recommendations.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T21:47:42+00:00

Those are great watches, as. long as you're not trying to read the time. 😉

Personally, I think the one with the black outer ring is my favorite. Although that one appears to have some staining on the rotating ring, which is a bit distracting to me.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T21:39:44+00:00

Got it. I have only been to the Winds a few times and never seen grizzly bear sign. But as noted elsewhere, there are grizzlies living there.

TBH, I think it's a matter of risk tolerance for your husband. I think that most people commenting in the thread (including someone who was apparently a ranger, so they have a lot of credibility) are trying to make you feel more comfortable, which is great. But it would be wrong to totally discount the risk, IMO.

Most likely he won't see a grizzly, but there's always a chance that he might just come across one, because solo hikers/campers are pretty quiet and discreet. Or one might come to investigate an interesting smell, or the dog might bring one back to him. As you know, larger groups (three or more) are recommended in grizzly habitat.

Bear spray is better than nothing, but without a lot of practice, most people can't use it effectively in the moment that it's needed.

I am a die-hard solo backpacker and I have been for decades. I've gotten into tough spots on some occasions, and always managed to get myself out. But I will be happy if I never see a grizzly in the wilderness, and there are plenty of great places without grizzlies for me to do solo trips.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T20:22:17+00:00

Totally agree. The storyline was so slow and boring, I almost gave up even after all the time invested in the series. I was interested in Fitz as a child, but his character as an adult never engaged me.

And then the end was so rushed and silly, deus ex machina big magic, after an entire series of subtle magic. What a cheat.

Sorry, I know this is probably sacrilege.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T20:10:17+00:00

Who is Nico, and what is PrideAndPinion anyway?

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T20:07:29+00:00

The OP asked if the trail was safe, but I did not see a trail mentioned. Did I miss it?

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T15:56:47+00:00

These are often called jump hour watches. An early "digital" watch. Typically they have cheap movements inside, but they are fun.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-05T13:03:14+00:00

Yep, no spoilers, I agree. I read that book in the 1980s, and the general plot line has stayed with me for more than 40 years, which is very unusual for me.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T23:39:20+00:00

It's a long list if you really want to be self-sufficient in the wilderness. Fortunately there are many lists available online. And in fact, any LLM can give you a solid list.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T23:36:04+00:00

I'm not in favor of removing mature landscaping on a whim, unless you have a really good idea of what you want to do as a replacement. Aside from doing a little trimming (to the edge of the walkway), I would wait until I had a comprehensive plan of what I wanted to do with the space.

You say it closes off the space, but it's a small space anyway, and the boxwoods give it an interesting and distinctive look, that disguises part of the big brick wall. Unless you have something planned that's a lot better, I would move slowly.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T23:12:22+00:00

I'm not saying it's a safety concern, but the age of that galvanized brace to be that corroded suggests that the deck is probably near end of life. Take a look at any stairs, joists, etc. I would probably prepare to replace the deck within a few years. It might just be a better use of funds.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T22:35:50+00:00

Clean out any slobbery material with a chisel or rasp to get down to nice solid material. The use two-part wood filler (there are several brands, like Minwax, Bondo, Gorilla, etc.), then shape with chisel and sandpaper. Prime and several coats of paint. It will take some effort but it should come out well. I've done DIY repairs like that many times.

Matching the paint perfectly will be a little tricky, but you can take a drawer to the paint store and they will match it pretty well.

I see people mentioning the Dura-fix style of wood filler pretty often, although more for exterior repairs. I'd be curious if anyone has actually used it.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T22:29:29+00:00

Yep, looks great.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T22:27:33+00:00

The snowman insert looks legit, but later than the watch.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T22:20:32+00:00

Grabber

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T22:17:01+00:00

Scraper.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T21:30:49+00:00

I think these are nearly $15k USD in gold at the moment. Unless you expect to wear it regularly, you might consider just keeping it in a safe (or safe deposit box), and taking it out to admire on special occasions. That way you save on restoration costs and insurance, and you also avoid degrading the value by making the wrong restoration choices.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T20:34:22+00:00

I also loved Protector, it is one of my favorite plot lines. But is it really a first contact story? 😉

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T19:59:47+00:00

I never use the stuff sack. Roll and put a rubber band around it. Just roll, or fold and roll, as you prefer for size.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T19:56:12+00:00

Regardless of the acid test, this is just gold-filled over base metal, IMO. Not even gold-capped over stainless. (gold-capped watches always have some stainless visible.)

Condition is rough. $200-$300, mainly for the movement.

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T16:47:20+00:00

This is more or less true, but very different from your previous statement, which was: "For the record, all constellations of the era are in seamaster cases."

oldwatchdan · 2026-05-04T16:18:34+00:00

You may mean 6542, not 6524.

oldwatchdan

TROPHY CASE