The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 10 December 2018, 08:01 PM   #1
Evoss
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: London - UK
Posts: 24
Rolex Air King 5500 - Servicing Advice

Hello all,

This weekend I visited my Grandfather and discussed the love for watches. To my surprise he said "I think I've got an old Rolex" and came back with a Rolex Air King 5500 which was my Great Grandfathers.

The watch is still ticking but it is in need of some love and care as I doubt its had a service in around 50 years.

My question I pose to you is what directions should I give to the RSC? Obviously it needs some replacement parts, but I would like to keep it as original as possible.

Damaged parts:
- Watch crystal is cracked and scratched
- Second hand looks like it has corroded slighty, I cant tell if this is rust or not.
- Crown tube has corroded
- Bracelet is very flimsy
- Bracelet clasp is deformed

What would be the best action to take for:
- Case polishing
- Bracelet polishing/replacement
- Dial/hands- I assume this used tritium for the lume

Photos (click for larger image):
Evoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 December 2018, 02:51 AM   #2
214270Explorer
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Watch: me buy Watches
Posts: 3,956
Rolex may or may not not service a watch as old as this one seems to be. And for the most part they will "want" to push for a complete restoration, IF they have the parts and are actually willing to work on it.

Best bet is to go to an independent Rolex service person who at the very least has a good reputation for vintage Rolex. An independent will push less for complete restoration and should do only what you want done. Such as servicing the movement, NO case polishing if you do not want that. Your crystal definitely allowed entry of moisture, being cracked as it is.

An evaluation is needed along with a repair estimate.

I cannot recommend an independent service, but others can chime in here with that.
__________________
The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind

Rolex "some"
Tudor "some"
Damasko "some"
Misc Pieces "some"
Marathon "some"
GS Spring Drive "some"
Hamilton "some"
Findeisen "some"
214270Explorer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 December 2018, 07:17 AM   #3
Frank80
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: St.PeteBeach, FL
Watch: u talkin' bout
Posts: 90
The watch may have been serviced more recently as the bracelet is screw type. I'd take it to an independent with a rolex account and have them do a service with maybe a light polish.
Frank80 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 December 2018, 12:31 AM   #4
Evoss
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: London - UK
Posts: 24
Thanks for all your comments.

I'm going to look at getting it serviced at William Rice from the positive feedback received on these forums.
Evoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 December 2018, 12:45 AM   #5
powerfunk
"TRF" Member
 
powerfunk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,779
RSC serviced my 5500 a couple years ago. It's running great. When I send in my vintage pieces I simply include in my note instructions not to replace the dial or hands, and not to polish the watch (unless I want it polished). I know there are tons of "RSC vintage horror stories" on here but they've always done exactly what I asked. They are expensive though; nothing wrong with a good independent. Good luck!
powerfunk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 05:23 AM   #6
brand_c
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 187
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerfunk View Post
RSC serviced my 5500 a couple years ago. It's running great. When I send in my vintage pieces I simply include in my note instructions not to replace the dial or hands, and not to polish the watch (unless I want it polished). I know there are tons of "RSC vintage horror stories" on here but they've always done exactly what I asked. They are expensive though; nothing wrong with a good independent. Good luck!


How much did that cost ya? I too have a pool dial 5500 that I’m thinking about sending in...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
brand_c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 05:41 AM   #7
dhknola
"TRF" Member
 
dhknola's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,152
Dial looks perfect to me, just some surface scratches to crystal. Really nice watch btw!
dhknola is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 05:44 AM   #8
powerfunk
"TRF" Member
 
powerfunk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,779
Quote:
Originally Posted by brand_c View Post
How much did that cost ya?
$868

powerfunk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 05:53 AM   #9
TheGRman
"TRF" Member
 
TheGRman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Real Name: Troy
Location: Ames, Iowa
Watch: 1981 AK 5500
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhknola View Post
Dial looks perfect to me, just some surface scratches to crystal. Really nice watch btw!
Same here.
TheGRman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 03:02 PM   #10
brand_c
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 187
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerfunk View Post
$868

Thanks Rob! oof not cheap indeed....Was that your Pool Dial air king?
brand_c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 04:14 PM   #11
powerfunk
"TRF" Member
 
powerfunk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Rob
Location: Boston, MA
Watch: 1530
Posts: 3,779
Quote:
Originally Posted by brand_c View Post
Thanks Rob! oof not cheap indeed....Was that your Pool Dial air king?
Yup! Still running excellently

Sent from my SM-J337P using Tapatalk
powerfunk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 December 2018, 04:19 PM   #12
brand_c
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 187
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerfunk View Post
Yup! Still running excellently

Sent from my SM-J337P using Tapatalk


Awesome! Glad they didn’t swap the dial!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
brand_c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 December 2018, 01:10 AM   #13
Evoss
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: London - UK
Posts: 24
Mine is now in for service/restoration and should have it back early 2019, very exciting!
Evoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.