16610 T<25 Dilemma

[Halfpint]

Hi everyone, I’m a newbie here.
I’ve been a Rolex owner for many years. I own a 1500 Date bought for my 21st Birthday by my parents, a 16610LV bought new in 2005 as a reward to myself, a 2010 Polar 16570 and just recently a 1993 Submariner Date 16610 - because I couldn’t resist the opportunity at the price I paid.

The 16610 has a Tritium dial, and is in a well used condition. I bought it from the family of the original owner who had worn it daily since new. It is a little bashed about and has no box or papers, but I love it.

The 93150 bracelet in particular needs some love. It’s quite stretched and I’m anxious not to use it in case a pin breaks and it falls off. I have cleaned the watch up, replaced the bezel spring and it looks amazing on a NATO or Zealande rubber strap.

The bezel insert is a little scratched, the pip is a bit dinged and the lume has obviously faded.

What do I do?
If I send it to an RSC they will want to sell me a new bracelet, new hands, dial and insert. I’m not really sure I want any of these things. I’d quite like to keep the “old” look of the watch but get it serviced and the bracelet repaired.

Any ideas? I’ll try to upload some photos if I can work out how to do it.

Thanks

[Halfpint]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum, and I’m looking for some advice.
I lucky enough to own several Rolex watches, bought over many years.
1500 Date bought for me by parents for my 21st Birthday
16610LV Submariner Kermit bought new by me in 2005
16570 Explorer 2 Polar dial, 2010 3186 movement

Recently I bought a 1993 Submariner 16610. No box or papers, but bought from the family of the original owner who had worn it in his workshop daily since new.

It’s a little bashed about, but I love it.
The bracelet is well worn and definitely needs some love. I’m wearing it on a rubber strap or nato as I don’t want a pin in the bracelet to fail.

It needs a service, but a RSC will want to sell me a new bracelet, hands, dial and insert. I’m not keen on any of these ideas, but I’m not sure who I should take the watch to for some attention. It runs fine.

Any ideas?

[Mr Perfect]

Originally Posted by Halfpint

It needs a service, but a RSC will want to sell me a new bracelet, hands, dial and insert

Don't believe the nonsense spouted by many on here. Have the watch sent to RSC for a quotation - there will be no requirement for a new bracelet, hands, dial or insert and they will be quite happy to service the movement, light refurbishment to case and probably a clean of the bracelet only as it's quite worn.

[Halfpint]

Thanks for your help.
If they do offer me a new dial, hands and insert with Superluminova should I go for it?

[THC]

Rolliworks will do the bracelet and the service in the USA or Michael Young in Hong Kong..

[Halfpint]

I’m in the UK. I have found couple of companies on-line who do bracelets but I’m not sure who to send it to.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Halfpint

Thanks for your help.
If they do offer me a new dial, hands and insert with Superluminova should I go for it?

They always offer to change tritium dials and hands as they no longer glow in the dark.

If they are recommendations, you do not have to agree, and I would urge you to keep your original dial and hands.

If the tritium is degrading and falling apart they will require a change at service. If you decline then you will need to find a watchmaker who can stabilize the existing lume to keep it from falling apart.

[In-Cog-Neeto]

Don’t change to newer superluminoa parts bud - keep it original would be my route

I found this thread

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=516908

[NKflyer]

RSC won't replace anything without your approval and I doubt they would require you to replace the dial, hands, or bezel unless they were a hazard to the operation of the watch. For example, if the tritium luminous material is flaking and could migrate into the movement. But otherwise, while they might suggest you to replace the appearance parts, but you can refuse and still have the movement serviced.

As far as the bracelet, you can send it to one of the handful of companies worldwide that rebuild them or buy a brand new one from RSC during service.

[Kliminator]

Find an independent watchmaker if you're looking to service. For case or bracelet stretch repair - Michael young in HK and Rolliworks in California are highly recommended

Good luck

[papapastorius]

Leave the watch as it is. In original state is better than refinished.

[Halfpint]

I’ve sent it to RSC for a quote. But, I have specified that I do not want a new dial, hands or bezel. They should be getting back to me any day with a price for the service.

[Halfpint]

OK, so I have had the quote back from RSC.
They have commented on the hands, dial, bezel, insert, crown, case and bracelet !
£550 for a service plus £100 for glass and £900 (+vat) for new bracelet.
Bracelet is very worn, so I think I’ll go for a new bracelet and glass.
Is this appropriate ?
Thanks

[Fire bloke]

It's the proper price and at the end you will have a servced watch with service papers watch with a bracelet that will last 20 years. A watch that will run for 10 that will look great and not fall off your wrist

It's Worth getting the glass changed as it forms part of the water tight integrity . So with new seals you can swim with it no problem, they will clean your dial hands etc and the watch will look superb

I have just sent my GMT for a new jubilee (£900) and bezel insert.. can't wait to get it back.

If you look after your Rolex it will look after you

Very nice watch..it will look superb when back from RSC

[ratty]

That’s a really nice watch, I’m sure you will enjoy it when it comes back home.

[Halfpint]

Thanks for all the messages.
Watch has been gone for almost 8 weeks now. Spoke to the AD a couple of weeks ago, and hopefully I’ll get the watch back by Christmas.
Can’t wait to see it again....

[Halfpint]

Had the call from the AD to collect the watch a couple of days ago.
Delighted with it.
Rolex did as I asked and left the hands, bezel insert and dial alone. They had wanted to replace with newer Superluminova items, but I decided to stick with the originals.
New bracelet and glass. Bracelet is original type hollow end links - although different from the old bracelet (which they returned to me untouched). The newer bracelet end links stick out (like SEL ones) rather than hanging straight down. This gives the effect of a longer lug to lug distance like the SEL bracelet.
Case has been refinished, bevels intact and looks fantastic.
Kind of wish my bezel insert wasn’t so knocked about, but I’ll live with it.

[Kliminator]

Originally Posted by Halfpint

Had the call from the AD to collect the watch a couple of days ago.

Delighted with it.

Rolex did as I asked and left the hands, bezel insert and dial alone. They had wanted to replace with newer Superluminova items, but I decided to stick with the originals.

New bracelet and glass. Bracelet is original type hollow end links - although different from the old bracelet (which they returned to me untouched). The newer bracelet end links stick out (like SEL ones) rather than hanging straight down. This gives the effect of a longer lug to lug distance like the SEL bracelet.

Case has been refinished, bevels intact and looks fantastic.

Kind of wish my bezel insert wasn’t so knocked about, but I’ll live with it.

Congrats on getting your watch back. Enjoy!

[Billfish]

Originally Posted by Halfpint

Thanks for your help.
If they do offer me a new dial, hands and insert with Superluminova should I go for it?

$700 for service (not including bracelet but bet they are expensive)
$86.00 for hands
$36.00 for second hand
$510.00 for new dial...........Been there and it was well worth it to get your watch looking nice

[Nickotime]

Looks great! I don't think you will be sorry by replacing the bracelet.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Halfpint

Had the call from the AD to collect the watch a couple of days ago.
Delighted with it.
. . .
Case has been refinished, bevels intact and looks fantastic.
Kind of wish my bezel insert wasn’t so knocked about, but I’ll live with it.

Looks Great.

You can always take the watch in to the RSC and have the insert swapped out for around 75 pounds. No need to hurry.

[BisonHead]

Looks great, i think that was a good price for a new bracelet. Thought they would have been a bit more expensive.

Great that they returned the old one. Send it off to Rolliworks in the States, then you have a spare bracelet in minty minty condition for a few hundred or sell it on and recoup some of your costs.

Anyways looks like a great job done by RSC. Wear it well.

[Liam4L]

Welcome on here

[Liam4L]

Find an independent watchmaker if you're looking to service

[Liam4L]

They always offer to change tritium dials and hands as they no longer glow in the dark.