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The following twelve photographs show an older gents Rolex, Reference 745. The 18kt. gold case is a registered design 6105. The first four photographs show the oscillating weight assembly and the barrel bridge. The oscillating weight is removed by removing three blue screws that hold it into place. There is a cutout on the flange that exposes the serial number on the movement. It is easy to place the weight assembly into the proper position where this cutout goes.





These pictures show the mainspring barrel and its associated parts. Notice the barrel arbor. These are much longer than on later models. This is because the ratchets stack onto the arbor. The second picture shows these parts. The three screws in the upper left corner of the picture shows the screws that hold the barrel bridge in place. The shorter screw goes to the inside of the plate while the two longer ones fit on the outer edge of the bridge. The fine tooth gear is what drives the second hand. This gear must be removed when servicing the watch in order to remove the barrel plate. This is a very delicate gear and the proper tool must be used to pull it. The third and fourth pictures show the placement of the gears on the barrel bridge and the installed sweep second hand drive gear.





After all of the parts have been installed as shown in the first picture below, the oscillating weight can then be attached to the movement. This is a very simple process. The weight assembly is held in with the three blue screws that go to the outside edge of the plate. Replacement mainsprings are a little difficult to insert into the barrel as the inside of the barrel has a lip that holds the barrel cap in place. The best way to insert the new mainspring is by using a Master Craft mainspring winder specifically designed for automatic watch mainsprings. These winders have four gauges that fit each barrel along with the four transfer plates. Using this tool will make the job of installing a new mainspring very easy.

Later model Rolex watches have barrels with straight internal sides which allows the new mainspring to be inserted directly from the retainer ring that the new spring comes coiled in. Each ring is marked with the diameter of the barrel in millimeters. This allows easy determination as to what size of mainspring inserter to use.



These older Rolex models are very nice to work on and are actually very simple in design and construction. The date change mechanism is very simple and will perform its function for many years. The most common problem with these older Rolex movements usually presents itself in the form of oscillating weight problems. The older watches have a more complex system wherein the weight will only wind the watch in one direction only. The newer watches use reverser gears in tandem that winds the watch no matter which direction the weight is traveling. With regular service intervals these watches will last for many years.

For more pictures of this Rolex watch be sure to visit our web site at Rolex Reference Information.