Thoughts on vintage for daily driver?

[kip595]

Hi guys,

So, to give some background, for many years working (in school, early career, etc) I worked in bars, nightclubs, etc, and always wore a heavy, albeit 'nice' tool watch, usually an Omega or sometimes Tag Heuer.

Then when I moved to the corporate side of things, slacks and coat, etc, I had much freer reign to wear whatever, which is part of what led me to really getting into vintage.

Fast-forward a few years to now: I'm an early 30s American male who has only recently gotten the chance to run his own business. I still have a small board to answer to, but I'm 'top banana' - however, for my line of work, this also means I'm no longer just in an office, but also often around industrial machinery including heavy presses and pressurized steam lines.

Here's my question and/or idea: I've grown very used to my vintage-for-daily routine, but don't want to risk anything 'too' nice. Which brought to mind, I do have an older 1500 model, possibly early service dial, probably service hands, and moderately polished, but it does function well and present nicely. I picked it up unexpectedly and planned to flip eventually. I was considering, however, having it sent to Rolliworks or Bob Ridley's folks in TX for a full service and proof check to make it suitable in my new work environs.

What do the experts here say? Fool's errand, just flip it and put towards a new OP? Or worthwhile?

Thanks for any input!

P.S. I have no reason to doubt the case of the 1500, though I'm sure it needs new gaskets. (Will try to post pics soon)

[HERITAGE82]

Get it serviced and you can wear it without concern in any environment.

[77T]

Get it fixed - the Ridleys are great choices.

Then expand...

Like your earlier experience with brands other than Rolex, keep an open mind.

A DD with unique dial (wood, stone, Buckley etc)

A PP Calatrava (36mm or smaller if you have small wrists)

Just a couple of examples for your “quest list”


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[Dan S]

I think a service with new seals and a pressure check would be a great idea to make it into a daily wearer. Oyster cases are quite robust in general (unless they have been badly compromised by salt water, etc.), and very likely you will find that it passes a 50m pressure test, which will give you more confidence.

[1665fan]

Vintage can always be a daily or in a rotation with a few pieces of properly serviced!

[kip595]

That sounds great guys - and it allows me a little more wiggle room to grab some 'showcase' pieces, as suggested above.

My next hopes are, in no real order:
Pre-69 Speedy or IF modern, a date-automatic to use similarly to the 1500
PP Gondolo (IDK why, but my wrist seems to love these)
A 1987 5513 - my birth year grail :)

Much obliged again for the input guys, I've always heard good things about well restored/maintained Oysters, which is great now that I'm both doing 'field' work again and living on a river by the Atlantic!

Cheers all!

[996marty]

Definitely get a service and then you never know what might come up in the future to add to the collection

[chinaski]

I used a 6426 as a Daily when I was in my 20's. This was 20 years ago, but I had no issues.