Can Someone Help Me Out??

[elake0778]

I've just recently inherited my father's old Rolex watch. He was 86 when he passed this past Sept. I'm 37 years old and can remember trying to put on this watch when I was just a little boy. I'm not sure if it's a fake or not.

What are some of the things I need to look for to distinguish between the fake and real Rolex. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some pics of my father's watch......


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0121-00750.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0121-00751.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0121-00752.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0121-00753.jpg

[sleddog]

Welcome to the forum!!!

Your dads watch appears to me to be authentic and a classic at that.

Enjoy the boards and I hope you stick around to appreciate the watch and the brand!!!
Hold on tight to that one, it has lots of your fathers character in it!

[Beaumont Miller II]

Congratulations your father left you a great watch. I agree, it looks correct to me as well. It is a 5513 with a Mk II maxi dial. They are known as maxi dials because the hour lume plots are larger than in previous years. These models have become very popular recently.

[elake0778]

Thanks for the great feedback. I really appreciate it.

The watch has seen better days. The bezel won't turn. And I can't set the time. I'm going to get the watch sent off to Rolex to have them take a look at it.

Other than repairing it, what else can they do. Can they replace/restore the watch cover? What does the average repair cost?

Sorry about the "Noob" questions....but I'm on uncharted ground here.

Again, any info. is greatly appreciated.

[vmm]

Beautiful watch. I'm also a newbie here but there are some experts on here with amazing knowledge. I would think that they'll tell you to not send it to Rolex as they will replace everything indiscriminately (i.e. service dials, luminova hands, polishing). You'd be better off sending it to an indie like Bob Ridley who will work with you to keep the watch as original as possible and get it running at the same time. Just search this forum and you'll find stories on both ends of the spectrum. Good luck.

[Bdevenney]

Do not let the service center change out the dial or hands!!!!!!

This act on the watch will ruin the value!

[HL65]

Very nice and great watch! Welcome to the forum.

[Welshwatchman]

Once again, insist on a movement-only service and only let Rolex or a trusted watchsmith touch the watch.

Welcome to TRF.

[dddrees]

Welcome to TRF.

Great looking watch.

[pdoukas]

Welcome to the forum, you have inherited a great watch! One thing I have learned from this forum is that an original dial and hands is the primary single most important feature of a vintage watch. That being said, if you decide to send it to the RSC, above all, explicitly demand that they only do a movement service and do not replace the dial and hands. I have heard horror stories from members who have sent in their vintage watches before they become members in here only to regret sending in the watch realizing that the provenance of their great inheritance has been lost forever in the vaults of the Rolex Service Center.

With that said, if you want Rolex Service papers, contact Giovanni at the Independently owned and operated Rolex Service Center in San Francisco. He will work with you and only service what you'd like to have serviced. Also, if you do not need papers, then Bob Ridley is one of the most respected Rolex specialist in the US. You can get the contact information for both in the sticky in the Vintage forum. Lastly, there are a number of folks in that sticky that have been recommended by users in the forum. Call a few and get some answers and make a decision then.

The folks in here will assist you greatly.

Wear it in great health!

Pete

[mike]

Originally Posted by elake0778

Thanks for the great feedback. I really appreciate it.

The watch has seen better days. The bezel won't turn. And I can't set the time. I'm going to get the watch sent off to Rolex to have them take a look at it.

Other than repairing it, what else can they do. Can they replace/restore the watch cover? What does the average repair cost?

Sorry about the "Noob" questions....but I'm on uncharted ground here.

Again, any info. is greatly appreciated.

I see nothing that would give me pause. An RSC is going to want to change the hands at least. Think about if you really want to do that.

Personally I'd find a good watch repairman with a parts account and keep everything as original as possible given the special history of the watch.

[93 Turbo]

Sorry for your fathers passing, great watch and heaps of excellent advice above. Wear it in good health.

[RC2]

I would listen to the above experts and be careful what u have done. Get her ticking but don't loose the look or feel of the watch. Rich

[mjclark32]

Very nice, welcome to trf!

[lhanddds]

Don't send to Rolex and do not change the dial and hands. Congrats on a great watch.

[hatidua]

BE CAREFUL with what you let Rolex do. You might want to consider using a capable watchmaker not associated with Rolex.

[Jagatai]

Bob Ridley!

[Z-Sub]

RSC San Francisco works on vintage watch and is a great place to send it in addition to a reputable watchmaker

[Andad]

Nice Rolex.

You have all the correct information.

Enjoy wearing it and welcome to the Forum.

[sailmed]

Bob Ridley

[Dan Pierce]

Always nice to see another member from The Bluegrass State!
dP

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by Jagatai

Bob Ridley!

Absolutely! He will clean it up and get it working perfectly and leave all the original parts in place.

www.WatchMakers.com

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by mike

I see nothing that would give me pause. An RSC is going to want to change the hands at least. Think about if you really want to do that.

Personally I'd find a good watch repairman with a parts account and keep everything as original as possible given the special history of the watch.

Definitely this!

Good luck OP! Beautiful watch!