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droptopman · 1 January 2016, 06:05 AM

Hi Guys. For anyone who does not think a Rolex is a tool watch. I have restored a bracelet that I did not think even MY could fix. Unfortunately I did not get any before pictures except the claps but it was beat worse than any I have ever seen. It looked like hammered metal on the clasp and the the first few links around the clasp on both sides. The clasp on the opposite end of the safety catch was so worn it was sharp like a razor. It clearly still has some stretch, but initially I thought it would need to be replaced. The links around the clasp were deformed from wear. Just some hard work with a dremel, some files and synthetic steel wool have brought this baby back to life. You can see I had to remove some metal on the clasp to remove the "razor", but it is still usable. Real tribute to how well a Rolex is made. I also buffed the plexi out, cleaned up the case--very little so far. Found some matching tritium hands, a tritium pearl and a aftermarket super dome. Once I have all the parts I will send the watch off to get the new parts installed. Even the initial transformation is pretty amazing IMHO.
Before:

After:

dysondiver · 1 January 2016, 06:21 AM

either your handy with a tig , or youve friends with a laser ,, either way thats a great transformation.

Lordofrolex · 1 January 2016, 06:29 AM

very nice

strafer_kid · 1 January 2016, 07:22 AM

Looks good - the way they are meant to be!

crowncollection · 1 January 2016, 08:16 AM

Nice work

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

subtona · 1 January 2016, 08:42 AM

Rock on

DJL-73 · 1 January 2016, 08:46 AM

Good job

PaulRP · 3 January 2016, 02:52 PM

Night and day difference

arsenal_hk · 3 January 2016, 04:56 PM

Good job indeed !!

droptopman · 17 January 2016, 12:14 PM

Little update. My watch maker sent me some pics I wanted to share.
So remember before:

And...added matching tritium hands, changed the insert to better mkiii with a good pearl, new super dome, full movement service, and a light brush and polish:

What a fun and rewarding project. Will post some good shots next week when she comes home👍🏻

Jfullm42 · 17 January 2016, 01:12 PM

Looks great!

bubbaK · 17 January 2016, 07:50 PM

Oh man, looks amazing! Love seeing these kinda restorations.

brandrea · 17 January 2016, 09:50 PM

Looks fantastic!

nick c · 18 January 2016, 01:20 AM

Very nice!

2ar2c1 · 18 January 2016, 04:39 AM

very nice work.

Boaters · 18 January 2016, 05:04 AM

Beautiful for sure ... Nice work!

FTX I · 18 January 2016, 07:09 AM

Wow

strafer_kid · 18 January 2016, 07:56 AM

Very nice result!

RolexJNJ · 18 January 2016, 11:39 AM

Awesome Mark! Very nicely done!!

RC2 · 18 January 2016, 12:03 PM

Omg

WhatTheDeuce · 18 January 2016, 12:12 PM

Wow, wow, wow!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

sea-dweller · 18 January 2016, 02:18 PM

Very nice!

HERITAGE82 · 18 January 2016, 10:02 PM

Amazing results!

droptopman · 20 January 2016, 09:30 AM

You guys are awesome. Thank you for all the kind words. Fed Ex will be bringing her tomorrow....

droptopman · 21 January 2016, 07:11 AM

Here is a quick pic of the finished Maxi project. I ordered this vintage "Piombo" B&S/JPM strap specifically for this watch.

05carbondrz · 21 January 2016, 07:35 AM

Very nice! Love the strap choice as well.

Aceldama · 21 January 2016, 12:25 PM

That's awesome work. Like the change in hands. Wonder what was going on with the green hue?

Nobody.Move · 21 January 2016, 04:14 PM

@ droptopman
Great diy job on your part, looks quite good.
What can you tell about your watchmaker; is it someone you'd recommend? Are they located in Washington state?

Wing Zero · 21 January 2016, 04:22 PM

Looks amazing Mark... what a transformation

By the picture, it looks like the watchmaker is Bob Ridley.

Also the Hands can change to that shade of green when you have water ingress and the moisture is absorbed by tritium.

droptopman · 22 January 2016, 02:08 AM

Thank you for all the nice comments!
@Nobody, Move @Wing Zero. Not Bob Ridley but I and my watchmaker will surely take that as a compliment. It is a friend in NY who is very good at what he does but likes to fly under the radar.
Yes, we initially thought the hands were a result of water damage, but could not find any on the dial and none on the case or movement. Movement was actually in pretty good shape and still keeping good time. He did replace a "gear" or two and give her a full service just for good measure. But no case rot or pitting which was surprising. Watch came from Ohio, maybe humidity somehow damaged the hands but not the rest of the watch. I have never seen it before without some other damage present.
I have had other 5513's but this one will always hold special value because of the story behind it.

1 January 2016, 06:05 AM	#1
droptopman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Mark Location: Washington State Watch: SUBS and GMT's! Posts: 9,664	Rolex truly is a tool watch! Hi Guys. For anyone who does not think a Rolex is a tool watch. I have restored a bracelet that I did not think even MY could fix. Unfortunately I did not get any before pictures except the claps but it was beat worse than any I have ever seen. It looked like hammered metal on the clasp and the the first few links around the clasp on both sides. The clasp on the opposite end of the safety catch was so worn it was sharp like a razor. It clearly still has some stretch, but initially I thought it would need to be replaced. The links around the clasp were deformed from wear. Just some hard work with a dremel, some files and synthetic steel wool have brought this baby back to life. You can see I had to remove some metal on the clasp to remove the "razor", but it is still usable. Real tribute to how well a Rolex is made. I also buffed the plexi out, cleaned up the case--very little so far. Found some matching tritium hands, a tritium pearl and a aftermarket super dome. Once I have all the parts I will send the watch off to get the new parts installed. Even the initial transformation is pretty amazing IMHO. Before: After: __________________ Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today? Ty: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score. Judge Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers? Ty: By height.

1 January 2016, 06:29 AM	#3
Lordofrolex "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Brandon Location: Los Angeles, CA Watch: Yes Please! Posts: 6,690	very nice __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN Panerai PAM 359 Audemars Piguet RO 15300OR Follow me on Instagram: @b_jakobovich

1 January 2016, 08:16 AM	#5
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,157	Nice work Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ watches many

1 January 2016, 08:42 AM	#6
subtona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: gus Location: East Coast Watch: APK & sometimes Y Posts: 25,997	Rock on __________________

17 January 2016, 12:14 PM	#10
droptopman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Mark Location: Washington State Watch: SUBS and GMT's! Posts: 9,664	Little update. My watch maker sent me some pics I wanted to share. So remember before: And...added matching tritium hands, changed the insert to better mkiii with a good pearl, new super dome, full movement service, and a light brush and polish: What a fun and rewarding project. Will post some good shots next week when she comes home👍🏻 __________________ Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today? Ty: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score. Judge Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers? Ty: By height.

1 January 2016, 06:21 AM	#2
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	either your handy with a tig , or youve friends with a laser ,, either way thats a great transformation.

1 January 2016, 07:22 AM	#4
strafer_kid "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Kenny Location: northern ireland Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs Posts: 5,127	Looks good - the way they are meant to be!

1 January 2016, 08:46 AM	#7
DJL-73 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Dave Location: UK Watch: Sub & GMT Posts: 26	Good job

3 January 2016, 02:52 PM	#8
PaulRP "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Watch: Rolex & Cartier Posts: 413	Night and day difference

3 January 2016, 04:56 PM	#9
arsenal_hk "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 12	Good job indeed !!

17 January 2016, 01:12 PM	#11
Jfullm42 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Jeff Location: Seattle, WA Watch: 16600 Posts: 4,065	Looks great!

17 January 2016, 07:50 PM	#12
bubbaK "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Real Name: Neven Location: Twin Peaks, WA Watch: Serpico Y Laino Posts: 127	Oh man, looks amazing! Love seeing these kinda restorations. __________________ The owls are not what they seem.

17 January 2016, 09:50 PM	#13
brandrea 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 73,715	Looks fantastic!

18 January 2016, 01:20 AM	#14
nick c Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 26,846	Very nice!

18 January 2016, 04:39 AM	#15
2ar2c1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in a house Posts: 537	very nice work.

18 January 2016, 05:04 AM	#16
Boaters 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2015 Real Name: Mike Location: Pacific Northwest Watch: 116610LV 16710 SD Posts: 10,649	Beautiful for sure ... Nice work!

18 January 2016, 07:09 AM	#17
FTX I "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Flavio Location: N/A Posts: 14,652	Wow

18 January 2016, 07:56 AM	#18
strafer_kid "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Kenny Location: northern ireland Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs Posts: 5,127	Very nice result!

18 January 2016, 11:39 AM	#19
RolexJNJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: Chicago Posts: 5,036	Awesome Mark! Very nicely done!!

18 January 2016, 12:03 PM	#20
RC2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: NC Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 2,359	Omg __________________ Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97

18 January 2016, 12:12 PM	#21
WhatTheDeuce "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Kyung Location: Anywhere? Watch: cha want... Posts: 4,487	Wow, wow, wow!!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ Instagram: @whatthedeuce_

18 January 2016, 02:18 PM	#22
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Very nice! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

18 January 2016, 10:02 PM	#23
HERITAGE82 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,419	Amazing results! __________________ - Rolex Explorer - 214270 - Tudor Black Bay - 79230B - Tudor Chronograph - 79270P - Breitling Chronomat - 10th Anniv. - Huguenin Freres Speedmaster Prototype

20 January 2016, 09:30 AM	#24
droptopman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Mark Location: Washington State Watch: SUBS and GMT's! Posts: 9,664	You guys are awesome. Thank you for all the kind words. Fed Ex will be bringing her tomorrow....

21 January 2016, 07:11 AM	#25
droptopman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Mark Location: Washington State Watch: SUBS and GMT's! Posts: 9,664	Here is a quick pic of the finished Maxi project. I ordered this vintage "Piombo" B&S/JPM strap specifically for this watch. __________________ Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today? Ty: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score. Judge Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers? Ty: By height.

21 January 2016, 07:35 AM	#26
05carbondrz Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,030	Very nice! Love the strap choice as well.

21 January 2016, 12:25 PM	#27
Aceldama "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Central Cal Watch: Dads Omega Cal 601 Posts: 707	That's awesome work. Like the change in hands. Wonder what was going on with the green hue?

21 January 2016, 04:14 PM	#28
Nobody.Move "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 266	@ droptopman Great diy job on your part, looks quite good. What can you tell about your watchmaker; is it someone you'd recommend? Are they located in Washington state?

21 January 2016, 04:22 PM	#29
Wing Zero "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: JC Location: Earth Watch: 1680 ~ 16610LV Posts: 811	Looks amazing Mark... what a transformation By the picture, it looks like the watchmaker is Bob Ridley. Also the Hands can change to that shade of green when you have water ingress and the moisture is absorbed by tritium. __________________ ********************** **********************

22 January 2016, 02:08 AM	#30
droptopman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Mark Location: Washington State Watch: SUBS and GMT's! Posts: 9,664	Thank you for all the nice comments! @Nobody, Move @Wing Zero. Not Bob Ridley but I and my watchmaker will surely take that as a compliment. It is a friend in NY who is very good at what he does but likes to fly under the radar. Yes, we initially thought the hands were a result of water damage, but could not find any on the dial and none on the case or movement. Movement was actually in pretty good shape and still keeping good time. He did replace a "gear" or two and give her a full service just for good measure. But no case rot or pitting which was surprising. Watch came from Ohio, maybe humidity somehow damaged the hands but not the rest of the watch. I have never seen it before without some other damage present. I have had other 5513's but this one will always hold special value because of the story behind it.

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