Reassembly: Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 / calibre 1225

Now that I have polished the case, it’s time to reassemble my Rolex Oysterdate. I’ve cleaned all the parts, rinsed and dried them, and we are ready to roll.

The gaskets (back, crown, pendant tube) were measured and I ordered generic ones, and I also ordered a new crystal for the watch as the old one has a bad chip.

I carefully run the hands over a polishing cloth

I remove any residual dirt from the jewels with a sharpened pegwood stick

I put the wheels into place. The capped jewels are oiled before putting the wheel in

The main spring is cleaned, rewound and oiled before closing the spring barrel

Before tightening the pallet fork cock, I make sure it moves freely

The balance jewels get some Moebius 9010 attention

After all the bridges are in, I mount the second wheel assembly on top of the wheel bridge

Top plate complete

Now I'm adjusting the beat error and beat rate of the watch

After mounting the date wheel, the dial and hands go on

Yes, I'm very pleased with this one. Note the spec of dirt on the glass at 9 o'clock... Yes, I take the movement out again and clean the glass

What a lovely watch - great dial colour

The original bracelet goes back on. As I have a very small wrist, this watch suits me quite well.

Oh yes, baby!

With the polishing and all, this was quite an epic task, but well worth while all the time I put in.

30 thoughts on “Reassembly: Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 / calibre 1225

  1. I have a 6694 Rolex Oysterdate precision which requires a change in bracelet as it is a bit stretched and has been slightly dented. Any indication where I can get a replacement and price?

  2. Hello

    Just a question , does this cal 1225 has quick date function ? I can wind & adjust the time but can’t set the date . Please advise … Great post by the way

  3. Nice article, indeed.

    One thought though,
    When I carry on a complete service on a watch,
    I cannot give it back all shiny and looking like a mirror,
    ( not being personal here, just rememebers me on the over-abundance
    of innecesary mirror-finishing on many serviced watches on the net,
    people from the other side of the counter says “whoa.”,
    but many a time is incorrect)
    I rather look for the original model and replicate the original finishing,
    but is just me.

    Regards

  4. Hi I have 6694 and the stem pulls out it winds but doesn’t adjust the hands.
    Could you advise is this broken or just needs re setting?
    Great site pictures are amazing.

    Kind regards

  5. Beautifully done. Out of curiosity, how much would the work you did change the value of the watch? Would changing any of the parts considerably hurt the value?

  6. Hi Christian, an wounderful article with top class photos. I am a novice in the world of collecting watches but have recently procured a Rolex 6694. It is 1979 as per Rolex Australia. Is it possible to get it serviced by you if we mail it?
    what is the approx. cost? WIll appreciate a reply.
    Cheers- aurupal, Melbourne – Australia.

  7. Yes very informative and nicely photographed – I’m just starting on a gold plated 6694 dial/hands change and clean up – Do you know where I might be able to obtain a similar dial to the beaut that you fitted?

  8. A very interesting and informative read. So nice to see so much detail on the 1225 movement. I have an Oysterdate Precision 6694, purchased brand new in August 1981 for £217 (on a black leather strap, with a Rolex buckle), although the watch serial number shows it was manufactured in 1978; wonder how many Rolex these days sit in the jewellers for 3 years unsold! The steel Oyster bracelet had to wait until 1993, and it didn’t cost that much less than the original purchase price of the watch at £187.

    The strange thing is that the cost of the watch in August 1981 wasn’t that much more than the average monthly take home pay of a first year trade apprentice at the same period of time. How times have changed!

    Are there any photographs you can add of the screw-down crown assembly? I note on the case polishing section the threaded hole for the winding stem sleave, and wonder how difficult it was to refit. Did you have to purchase a replacement screw-down crown, as this component receives a lot of wear, due to daily winding? Although my 1225 movement has a power reserve of around 50 hours, so I can get off with a rewind every second day.

    Scott

  9. Wow. Very nice work. Very classy.

    And excellent write-up. Truly a testament to the art that you took the time to walk us through it.

  10. Good job. Nice to see new content on your blog.

    Hope Ruby is being good and that your good lady is fully recovered.

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