Please inform me

[farhmoti]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this site. I was trying to figure information on the watch below. It's in terrible shape and I was thinking about getting it fully restored but I have come across some videos that recommend leaving certain parts untouched and vintage. Any advice on how to proceed with this watch would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Tools]

It is in sad shape, but can be made to look good and maintain value.

Have a good shop, such as LA Watchworks give you an assessment on the direction you should take.

[Tom1675]

This would take a lot of work even if it runs. Is there sentimental attachment to it, did you get it for free?

[southtexas]

There are several highly recommended independent watchmakers who can clean that up for you. You might just need a service, crystal and crown. You can also find a lot of inserts on the market if you want to replace that one.

Phillip Ridley; Lawatchworks; Rik Dietel at timecareinc to name a few.


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[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by southtexas

There are several highly recommended independent watchmakers who can clean that up for you. You might just need a service, crystal and crown. You can also find a lot of inserts on the market if you want to replace that one.

Phillip Ridley; Lawatchworks; Rik Dietel at timecareinc to name a few.


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I'm sure you've forgotten more than I know about such things but don't those rust spots indicate something more (esp w/o a crown present)?

Is that the 11 o'clock lume floating by the 10?

[farhmoti]

Thanks again for the advice. I located a shop in Pasadena, CA - The Watch Buyers Group, that i'm considering to let work on my watch (strictly based on reviews on yelp/google). If you guys know anything about this, please let me know. I plan on reaching out to LA watchworks to see what services they offer.

tom1675, this watch was given to me by a friend. Not sure what a "lume" is, but there is something floating around.

southerntexas, thanks for the suggestion. I received a message from Philip Ridley and I'm sure I have you to thank for that.

Thanks again guys

[tekno]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

I'm sure you've forgotten more than I know about such things but don't those rust spots indicate something more (esp w/o a crown present)?



Is that the 11 o'clock lume floating by the 10?

That’s what I was thinking, that is a bad sign.

But you never know?


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[Dan S]

Keeping things original is a good idea as long is the original condition is acceptable. It's hard to really see the condition of the dial from that photo because of the poor lighting and scratched crystal. If it's really bad, then it's not worth preserving, but it's possible that much of the damage and discoloration is actually on the crystal. A better look is needed.

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by farhmoti

Thanks again for the advice. I located a shop in Pasadena, CA - The Watch Buyers Group, that i'm considering to let work on my watch (strictly based on reviews on yelp/google). If you guys know anything about this, please let me know. I plan on reaching out to LA watchworks to see what services they offer.

tom1675, this watch was given to me by a friend. Not sure what a "lume" is, but there is something floating around.

southerntexas, thanks for the suggestion. I received a message from Philip Ridley and I'm sure I have you to thank for that.

Thanks again guys

Take your time with choosing the right person. Ask about Watch buyer's Group here in the forum as well. Google reviews are not enough. Pls dont go with the cheapest option. I have not sent my watches to Philip Ridley myself but check out his work. There was a recent thread by him about a watch restoration. Amazing job. 'Lume' is the thing on the hour markers and the hands of your watch, like in the pic. If you get it done, pls post 'after' pictures ;)
All the best.

[phillip ridley]

I believe there is a "gem" hiding underneath that crystal and corrosion. I also believe that all the lume is attached to the markers. This GMT can be the quite transformation!

[TimeLord2]

Plenty of recommendations here for LAWW and not that many for the Watch Buyer's Group in Pasadena, but that said I have not seen anything bad either. Phillip Ridley also does outstanding work on vintage Rolex from what I have seen and heard (Yes, you do Phillip!). LAWW specializes in case work, so if your watch is corroded around the crystal (redish stains) that might be the place to start. Hopefully, like Dan said, the crystal is harboring most of the damage and it's just cosmetic. That spot at 10:00 looks like paint on the crystal to me, not a floating lume marker, and there are plenty of scratches. Maybe the redish part is just dried blood or something… Some more and better images would help but it clearly needs a service. I would also think the lume plots would not be as white as they appear if there was significant water damage. Good luck!

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

I believe there is a "gem" hiding underneath that crystal and corrosion. I also believe that all the lume is attached to the markers. This GMT can be the quite transformation!

Meant to say "quite the transformation".

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Plenty of recommendations here for LAWW and not that many for the Watch Buyer's Group in Pasadena, but that said I have not seen anything bad either. Phillip Ridley also does outstanding work on vintage Rolex from what I have seen and heard (Yes, you do Phillip!). LAWW specializes in case work, so if your watch is corroded around the crystal (redish stains) that might be the place to start. Hopefully, like Dan said, the crystal is harboring most of the damage and it's just cosmetic. That spot at 10:00 looks like paint on the crystal to me, not a floating lume marker, and there are plenty of scratches. Maybe the redish part is just dried blood or something… Some more and better images would help but it clearly needs a service. I would also think the lume plots would not be as white as they appear if there was significant water damage. Good luck!

All good points, and if that is blood, do you do the watch a disservice by removing it? Every watch tells a story and this one could have been Ozzy's!

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

All good points, and if that is blood, do you do the watch a disservice by removing it? Every watch tells a story and this one could have been Ozzy's!

You're right! Could be Bat Blood! Maybe even Tiger Blood! Oh wait that's been done…

[GGGMT]

Get this watch to Ridley or LAWW


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[farhmoti]

Here are some other views of this watch.

I have spoken with Philip Ridley and he seem extremely creditable and am considering giving him my business.

However, I have a friend who is insisting that I only take the watch to a Rolex Store, "because they'll know best what to do with it and you'll get the proper paperwork back making it easier to sell." At this moment I'm NOT looking to sell the watch, but if I do sometime down the line, I know having official paper would make the process easier. But is it worth it? What are the benefits of going with a private watch maker vs sending in to Rolex to have it serviced? I'm guessing getting it serviced by Rolex will be more expensive. Are there any other aspects to be concerned about when taking a watch to Rolex??

Thanks again, guys, for the advice.

[tekno]

Your friend doesn’t know what he is talking about.

Restore the watch = independent watchmaker

Replace all the parts with new ones that will ruin resale value = Rolex

The warranty card means very little. I would buy a watch with a recent Phillip R service over Rolex.

I think most people here shy away from watches serviced by Rolex


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[Blueline226]

I’m a +1 for Ridley. He currently has my 5513 and has been phenomenal throughout the process. He broke everything down and explained my options. For a person new to watches, he’s your guys! I can’t wait to get mine back.

[tekno]

He will give you options on how to approach the restore.

It’s like bringing your wrecked 198X Ferrari to the dealer who will do a fine job, or a old Ferrari mechanic who fixes only 1980’s Ferrari’s.

Or going to a clinic or a specialist. The end result will be fine, one result will be better.


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[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by tekno

Your friend doesn’t know what he is talking about.

Restore the watch = independent watchmaker

Replace all the parts with new ones that will ruin resale value = Rolex

The warranty card means very little. I would buy a watch with a recent Phillip R service over Rolex.

I think most people here shy away from watches serviced by Rolex


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Heed this man if you value the watch. It is pure sense what he has wrtten.

[TimeLord2]

I take it back, definitely something floating around under the crystal given it switched locations from 10:00 to 6:00. From an angle the dial does look spotty too and not surprising given the lack of crown. This is a 16750 (I think…) so Rolex might not have you authenticate it. You live in SoCal like me, so you should check out these places first hand. Rolex in Beverly Hills. Took mine there, they insisted on authenticating it before they would touch it or allow me to buy anything for it. Cost was $260, that could have gone into a service but I still felt like it was a good place to start and I now have paperwork from Rolex authenticating it. One of the Required things I had to do as part of the service (I declined) was replacing the Bezel ring which was badly worn plus an insert, which also increased the cost of the service by about $1200 (Gold bezel ring). My insert while genuine is not the correct one for my watch, aside from that all good.

So, my point. It depends on your budget, as I'm ready for a service but don't want to fix the bezel yet. All of that said, I will go with a specialist in vintage. I was not impressed with the service I got from Rolex and their inability to show the defects to me they mentioned in their estimate. I found that part to be just ridiculous, not to mention the invoice did not note the movement number, had my phone number wrong, mentioned nothing of the co-branding on the dial, mis-identified the bracelet as 18K when it's 14K, did not even look at the other two service receipts I gave them which the sales associate diligently copied on my arrival commenting how nice it was that I still had them. They did offer me water and a Swiss chocolate though. The case is a little worn too, so going to LAWW but that said Phillip was my close second but I live 45 minutes from Pasadena and can drop off and pick up. I really like the way Phillip documents the restoration process with lots of photos, which I believe to be a huge plus, especially for the future provenance of the watch if your documentation is limited. That would be aside from his obvious skills which are showcased in many threads. You definitely will not get that from Rolex. Sorry to those of you who may have already read my rantings.

[chinaski]

You really need to listen to the advice in this thread, as the people here are real enthusiasts that literally live for Rolex watches.

[Redmy]

Originally Posted by farhmoti

Thanks again for the advice. I located a shop in Pasadena, CA - The Watch Buyers Group, that i'm considering to let work on my watch (strictly based on reviews on yelp/google). If you guys know anything about this, please let me know. I plan on reaching out to LA watchworks to see what services they offer.

tom1675, this watch was given to me by a friend. Not sure what a "lume" is, but there is something floating around.

southerntexas, thanks for the suggestion. I received a message from Philip Ridley and I'm sure I have you to thank for that.

Thanks again guys

Definitely take it to LAWW if you're in Socal.

[BNA/LION]

It's gonna need some TLC and I think you will be very happy if you have it restored. I would Not send it to the RSC! IMHO

Please keep us posted on your decision and post lots of pictures too!

[JustinK]

If it was me I would order a tube of polywatch, polish the crystal and pry off the bezel to see what Ive got. Take off the band and see what the serial is to know if the watch is currently correct. It might be worth restoring and might not.

If you do have it restored Phillip or LA Watchwerks are solid choices. Rolex will charge you a fortune and devalue the watch.

[farhmoti]

Chinaski: to get advice from Rolex enthusiasts is why I am here ;)

Tekno: you're right in suggesting that my friend doesn't know anything about watches. But to be fair, it's a pretty logical starting point for anyone wanting to fix anything; you go to the manufacturer because they made it and they'll know how to fix it. That said, from what I've gathered - from all you fine folks here - is that taking the watch to Phillip Ridley or LAWW, I'll get a better job done.

With regards to LAWW, I gave them a call to schedule a appointment but they told me they were not doing in-person consultations at the moment due to the ongoing pandemic. I'm in no hurry for the restoration so I think try them again in week or so.

[Blueline226]

Good luck with whatever you decide. Please document it regardless of what you decide so we can see the transformation.