Rolex 1675 nos case for reference ?

[chriz74]

Hello, I am thinking about having my 1675 case restored with laser welding etc. However now I am thinking if these people selling the service have really detailed information re original shapes. For example what about the faceted bevel and other shapes? How do they know what it’s supposed to be ? I am looking at many pictures of 1675 online and I can’t see any difference with mine, however the reputable watchmaker I contacted is telling me the case was buffed a lot and rounded. As said I can’t see differences with pics of same ref online.
Ideas?

[joli160]

If you can’t see the difference than why consider doing anything to it ?
Just wear and enjoy it yourself. Nobody else will notice anyway.

The real pro’s will know how to refinish your watch. Unfortunately not so many around. LAWW is a company that comes to mind.
Good thing is that from factory all cases were slightly different at the time when your 1675 was produced because of the manual finishing these days.

[TimeLord2]

A picture is worth a thousand words…

[chriz74]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

A picture is worth a thousand words…

Here some pics

https://imgur.com/a/TXhUxuu

[Dan S]

Your watchmaker is right, but as noted above, if you can't see the difference, then maybe you shouldn't worry about it.

[springer]

Some good advice so far here. Although not a deal breaker, but, did your watchmaker tell you your watch had a service dial and a service bezel insert?

[TimeLord2]

Here is a 1675 example on TRF right now in the classifieds, in "allegedly" unpolished condition. It does indeed look unpolished to me with a collection of nice dents, top and sides. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=835892

[chriz74]

Originally Posted by springer

Some good advice so far here. Although not a deal breaker, but, did your watchmaker tell you your watch had a service dial and a service bezel insert?

I know about the dial and bezel. Fine for me.

[TimeToGo]

.
It's all about what you want. Nothing wrong with this type of service.
You probably did not pay top price (hopefully) for the watch because of the obvious shortcomings: case, dial, basic insert, etc.
Is your "reputable watchmaker" known for a case refinish (US or local)? Many of these watchmakers with these type of available services have before and after examples so you can make your decision. You can request that certain "cuts" not be done, i.e. such as a deep cut for earlier 1675s, etc.

[swaini3]

It does look rounded, but there is much worse. Yours is not bad IMO but its all about what you like. I suggest you get in touch with some and ask. There's a guy in Italy that does nice work.

[chriz74]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
It's all about what you want. Nothing wrong with this type of service.
You probably did not pay top price (hopefully) for the watch because of the obvious shortcomings: case, dial, basic insert, etc.
Is your "reputable watchmaker" known for a case refinish (US or local)? Many of these watchmakers with these type of available services have before and after examples so you can make your decision. You can request that certain "cuts" not be done, i.e. such as a deep cut for earlier 1675s, etc.

I bought it in 2006 and paid nothing given today prices.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by joli160

If you can’t see the difference than why consider doing anything to it ?
Just wear and enjoy it yourself. Nobody else will notice anyway.

The real pro’s will know how to refinish your watch. Unfortunately not so many around. LAWW is a company that comes to mind.
Good thing is that from factory all cases were slightly different at the time when your 1675 was produced because of the manual finishing these days.

This is very good advise. As you have stated the watch owes you nothing; if it belonged to me I would wear it and enjoy it.

[chriz74]

Originally Posted by swaini3

It does look rounded, but there is much worse. Yours is not bad IMO but its all about what you like. I suggest you get in touch with some and ask. There's a guy in Italy that does nice work.

Who’s the guy?

[1665fan]

Being majority service parts would just leave it imho

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by chriz74

Who’s the guy?

il_menzerna on Instagram

[PVR]

il menzerna is hands down the best I have ever seen in the entire world. There may be others out there that can do it as well or better, but I haven't seen their work. Side note: il menzerna charges minimum of $1000 to refinish a SS case and takes 3 months. Shipping to and from Italy is risky.

Zimmerman is a great choice. He charges about $500 and takes 3-4 months. He is extremely professional and detail oriented, but for many the turnaround time is excessive. He will also minimally build up lugs, but nothing major.

LAWW is great. $450 and 2 month turnaround. They will not build up lugs.

Rollieworks is about $650 and they have recently moved to Florida so they haven't been accepting work for the last 2 months. They are about ready to start taking work now. They will build up the lugs as thick as you want and their turnaround may be the shortest being that they are ramping up now.

I see the OP lives in Italy so il mezerna should be your choice. As far as the angles and chamfers, they all do it differently, but I have seen so many untouched factory cases that are cut differently so its a matter of how you want it to look.

[1675-David]

pendulum_lab (Instagram) is also an option

[chriz74]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Being majority service parts would just leave it imho

What majority service part? Dial and bezel? I don’t care about the dial. Recently I had fitted a Pepsi bezel (new one at Rolex paid 60 euros). I like the look of it a lot better than those faded overpriced bezels.

[MrChamfers]

I can see wanting to get that case back to NOS look without spending a ton making the watch vintage "correct".
Spend the money on what will give you the most satisfaction.

[TuRo]

Utter waste of money buttoxing this watch imho. Just wear it as it is. Don't be put out if it's a lot of service parts - THEY ARE GENUINE Rolex 'upgrades' in the 80s 90s many got converted when they were £1000 - but I'd suggest not throwing good money after bad on the watch, with a facelift!

Ps bit like Twitter - always worth remembering that all we bods on here represent less than 1% of the buying public. As such, we tend to fetishise over micro-nuance, when perhaps we (me included) should be getting out more often ;-} !!

[chriz74]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Utter waste of money buttoxing this watch imho. Just wear it as it is. Don't be put out if it's a lot of service parts - THEY ARE GENUINE Rolex 'upgrades' in the 80s 90s many got converted when they were £1000 - but I'd suggest not throwing good money after bad on the watch, with a facelift!

Ps bit like Twitter - always worth remembering that all we bods on here represent less than 1% of the buying public. As such, we tend to fetishise over micro-nuance, when perhaps we (me included) should be getting out more often ;-} !!

I agree on the service parts.

[KY..]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Ps bit like Twitter - always worth remembering that all we bods on here represent less than 1% of the buying public. As such, we tend to fetishise over micro-nuance, when perhaps we (me included) should be getting out more often ;-} !!

Hugh point above IMO.
You will see a lot more criticism here for minor defects than 99% of people in the world will ever even understand, including yourself most of the time before coming here.
Yes many of us may be somewhat OCD but at what point do we stop chasing down the rabbit hole of a perfect 50+ yr old watch?
If you buy a watch because you like it then just leave well enough alone and enjoy it.
To me even with the replacement parts your watch is plenty good enough to wear as-is and not worry too much about bumping it.

[chriz74]

That guy (pendulum_lab) seems capable. Price is low.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by chriz74

What majority service part? Dial and bezel? I don’t care about the dial. Recently I had fitted a Pepsi bezel (new one at Rolex paid 60 euros). I like the look of it a lot better than those faded overpriced bezels.

Service hands, probably service date wheel…… enjoy your watch

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by chriz74

Hello, I am thinking about having my 1675 case restored with laser welding etc. However now I am thinking if these people selling the service have really detailed information re original shapes. For example what about the faceted bevel and other shapes? How do they know what it’s supposed to be ? I am looking at many pictures of 1675 online and I can’t see any difference with mine, however the reputable watchmaker I contacted is telling me the case was buffed a lot and rounded. As said I can’t see differences with pics of same ref online.
Ideas?

Good example and one, if not, my favorite

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=498144

[chriz74]

Wonder why the guy who posted it was banned