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Old 1 September 2012, 05:29 AM   #1
Tim Brennan
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To Repair or Not To Repair...5512

So I have received a call from my authorized Rolex Repair facility.
My Father's 1969 Model 5512 needs some work. It needs:

Crystal serviced
Bezel replacement (optional)
Minute hand replaced (finish)
Basic Overhaul

I would really appreciate the input of the forum on this. I have no intentions of selling my father's first Rolex, but instead pass it down to my sons.

Thank you in advance for the direction and advice.
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Old 1 September 2012, 08:20 AM   #2
mrbill2mrbill2
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For the age of the watch the repairs are minimal.

I say go for it, wear it, enjoy it, and hand it down when it's the right time.

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Old 1 September 2012, 09:20 AM   #3
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I'm not sure I would do anything other than service the movement......I kind of like keeping everything else all original......if you could post some pictures, that might help folks assess the watch's "needs".........

Enjoy wearing your dad's watch.....A nice way to keep him close to you!
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Old 1 September 2012, 09:29 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Brennan View Post
So I have received a call from my authorized Rolex Repair facility.
My Father's 1969 Model 5512 needs some work. It needs:

Crystal serviced
Bezel replacement (optional)
Minute hand replaced (finish)
Basic Overhaul

I would really appreciate the input of the forum on this. I have no intentions of selling my father's first Rolex, but instead pass it down to my sons.

Thank you in advance for the direction and advice.
Well all acrylic crystals are always replaced at service anyway,the rest if you can live without the changes just have the movement serviced.
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Old 1 September 2012, 09:42 PM   #5
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Got a pic of the dial and hands?

I'd just get the movement serviced and the plexi replaced. (won't hurt the value either)
The hands would have to be totally stuffed for me to change them.....and then only for a matching set of tritium hands (which RSC won't do)
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Old 1 September 2012, 09:44 PM   #6
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Service the movement and replace the crystal&seals ,please leave the rest as it is


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Old 1 September 2012, 09:53 PM   #7
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I wouldn't change the hands or bezel. The rest (if they'll do partial work) would be fine.

Personally, I would find a vintage specialist and have them do it vs. RSC. There are many good ones listed in a thread in this vintage section.

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Old 1 September 2012, 10:22 PM   #8
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You have some pics?
Crysal,yes
Movement service, yes
Hands, no
Bezel insert, depends but if it's not broken, no
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Old 1 September 2012, 11:44 PM   #9
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need pictures!
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Old 2 September 2012, 12:36 AM   #10
harry in montreal
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No hands . No bezel.

Replace these parts and many view that you have ruined the watch. Keep original.
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Old 2 September 2012, 12:38 AM   #11
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Get it repaired !

I would love to own a watch from my dad . . .

HAGWe

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Old 2 September 2012, 01:11 AM   #12
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I say to repair and replace as much as you want since its going to the next generation anyway don't worry about "value".
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Old 2 September 2012, 02:07 AM   #13
harry in montreal
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Regarding Marcus' comment, he has a point. however, if you also have a picasso htat you intend to pass on to your heirs, dont touch it up with sharpie.

so marcus is wrong. eventually, an heir will get the watch and understand that having a mix of new and original parts is not a good thing. now is the time to preserve it properly.
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Old 2 September 2012, 02:26 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harry in montreal View Post
Regarding Marcus' comment, he has a point. however, if you also have a picasso htat you intend to pass on to your heirs, dont touch it up with sharpie.

so marcus is wrong. eventually, an heir will get the watch and understand that having a mix of new and original parts is not a good thing. now is the time to preserve it properly.
With all due respect, I think saying Marcus is wrong is a bit extreme as he has a valid opinion. A Picasso is not comparable in anyway to a Rolex that will be worn everyday. I appreciate vintage watches and originality but I must confess that sometimes I find it a bit extreme.

The 5512 is not one of a kind or the OP's the last specimen on earth (as a Picasso would be). It is a nice watch with a great history from his father which he wants to keep in great shape for the next generation, and is not interested in resale value. Therefore I don't see the crime in replacing dial, hands, bezel, etc if it looks like crap to the vintage-untrained eye.
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Old 2 September 2012, 02:38 AM   #15
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I'd get it back from RSC and send it to Bob Ridley to have it serviced and if anything needs replacing he will find matching, period correct parts to do it with.
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Old 2 September 2012, 02:46 AM   #16
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imho most importantly, be very clear on what repairs and/or alterations you would like done to the watch, with whichever watchmaker you use.
i would also verify the watchmakers abilities to service truly vintage pieces.

probably a good idea to take lots of pics before the work is done.

for me, i would leave as original as possible, especially the bezel along with the dial and hands!



ps. cant personally recommend bob ridley as i have never used him (i have nothing vintage), but his name comes up here a lot and everything i have read has always been positive.
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Old 2 September 2012, 03:05 AM   #17
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take a look:)

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=252250

other than movement service, please don't let em change anything else, well i guess plexiglass has to be changed.
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Old 2 September 2012, 04:06 AM   #18
harry in montreal
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i read your comment Jose. So, you think that i am wrong that an original watch is more desirable than one that has a new bezel and reworked hands ? i would gladly make this trade with you if you want.

have you ever givena vintage watch to a RSC? i have. its horrifyng what they wanted to replace... a perfectly good dial and insert on my 16750.

let me explain the picasso analogy. its different, but the message is common. you can restore a picasso and remove sloppy repairs. you can also spend months and hundreds of dollars trying to find an original bezel and hands
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Old 2 September 2012, 04:08 AM   #19
harry in montreal
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my apologies if i have offended anyone. i just dont like to see non-collectors get taken for a thosand dollars and get a watch back worth less money than when it was broken.
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Old 2 September 2012, 04:09 AM   #20
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love to seem some before pics!
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Old 2 September 2012, 04:30 AM   #21
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Movement and plexi for sure,..keep the rest genuine.

...and don't get it polished if it doesn't have major dings.
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Old 2 September 2012, 08:00 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grissom View Post
I'm not sure I would do anything other than service the movement......I kind of like keeping everything else all original......if you could post some pictures, that might help folks assess the watch's "needs".........

Enjoy wearing your dad's watch.....A nice way to keep him close to you!
Plastic crystals are replaced automatically at service time (part of the basic service charge) and should be. The hand and bezel replacement are your choice (assuming we're talking bezel insert and not the whole bezel), and if you don't like the looks-- change them.
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Old 2 September 2012, 08:11 AM   #23
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There are some vintage watchmaker options for service shown here, than TRF members have used:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...=182662&page=3

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Old 2 September 2012, 12:06 PM   #24
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Tim, I'm with Pete and the "send it to Bob Ridley" guys on this. There are other good restore/service guys in the states for vintage Rolex, but arguably none better. He restored my reference 1675 GMT-Master Rolex and has the reputation of being "the man" for vintage Rolex here in America. Since it is an heirloom piece, he'd be my first choice.

When you get a little more experience and want to branch out some, you can look around more but for this first one...Bob is the no-brainer. (And a gent to deal with, seriously.) I'd also concur that movement service and plexiglass crystal replacement is all that is desirable or necessary. Any more and you stand to lose value and the history of the watch.
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Old 2 September 2012, 09:56 PM   #25
Tim Brennan
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Ahh.... This is why I've been a loyal reader of "The Forum" since 2009!

I thank you all, so very much, for your input. It is decided. My next step is to have the watch returned and to submit photos on this thread.

Again, I know this watch is not a Picasso :-), but it was my Dad's first Rolex, so I want to make the well informed decision for the sake of authenticity, correctness, etc. as well as what my sons will some day hopefully enjoy and appreciate.

Back soon with pictures and until then will enjoy reading the updates!
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Old 30 August 2014, 12:52 AM   #26
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5512 Back from Mr. Ridley!

I received my 5512 back from Mr. Ridley's today. Extremely satisfied!
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Old 30 August 2014, 12:55 AM   #27
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Nice job! Restored the best way
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Old 30 August 2014, 01:13 AM   #28
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I received my 5512 back from Mr. Ridley's today. Extremely satisfied!
Now that is a beauty and well worth keeping and handing down to another generation..

With care it will continue to look this good..
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Old 30 August 2014, 02:25 AM   #29
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Wow, am I reading the dates of the posts correctly? Two years later!? Worth the wait, I'd say. Looks like you've got a complete set, too. Beautiful. Congrats!
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Old 30 August 2014, 02:54 AM   #30
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I received my 5512 back from Mr. Ridley's today. Extremely satisfied!
Now that's how you do it....Bravo!
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