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alaaeldin99 · 20 August 2015, 07:29 PM

Hello everyone,

I would like to show you my father's old ROLEX that in extreme need of repair. The movement is working perfectly and keeps good time,but the exterior of the watch (case, bracelet, Dial, etc) is in very bad shape. Can you please recommend me a repair center in the US that transfer the watch to "almost" new?

Thank you very much

R.W.T. · 21 August 2015, 12:06 AM

You are going to spend a ton of money doing that.

The watch may be keeping good time...but if the rest of the watch is any indication...it's been a long time since it was properly cleaned and lubricated.

You need a complete service.

The bracelet can be restored. The dial can be sourced....hands....crystal...case recut. etc.

But this is not going to be inexpensive.

I have a very good silver doorstop dial and matching handset. Slightly different markers but probably more desirable. I'm sure I could source various dials for it I have a colleague that has literally 1000 dials of various models.

It is impossible to diagnose the internals without having the watch in hand.

It's doable but you are looking at a considerable expense.

Completely understandable if it is your father's and a keepsake or heirloom.

You will likely end up spending over half of what the watch is worth finished to put it like you want it.

tucsonrick · 23 August 2015, 07:20 AM

I had one just like it serviced recently at the RSC in Dallas including new bracelet. It was not inexpensive but not as bad as I had expected, and to me well worth it.

R-H · 23 August 2015, 08:15 AM

ABC Watchwerks, Los Angeles, they do amazing work when it comes to case work and restoration of vintage watches, also great group of people to deal with, give Edvi a call or email, let him know what you would like to do. I just had my 67 5513 done there, I was asking the same questions myself 3 months ago, dealing with a watch that has family history, you don't want anything to go wrong. You may want to avoid RSC on vintage repairs, just my opinion.

P.S. the bracelet, you may want to check out Michael Young, Classic Watch Repair, in Hong Kong, many forum members use him, and it looks like he works magic on a worn out Rolex bracelet.

Good luck with your father's watch and may it stay in your family for many more generations.

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hillstreetwatchco · 26 August 2015, 04:11 AM

Yup agreed ABC does great vintage restoration!

joe100 · 26 August 2015, 06:20 AM

Night and day there Robert, and in a good way

alaaeldin99 · 30 August 2015, 06:47 PM

Thank you very much guys for your help. Special thanks for Robert.
Alaaeldin

23 August 2015, 08:15 AM	#4
R-H "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2015 Real Name: Robert Location: Palm Springs CA. Watch: 1967 5513 Posts: 385	ABC Watchwerks, Los Angeles, they do amazing work when it comes to case work and restoration of vintage watches, also great group of people to deal with, give Edvi a call or email, let him know what you would like to do. I just had my 67 5513 done there, I was asking the same questions myself 3 months ago, dealing with a watch that has family history, you don't want anything to go wrong. You may want to avoid RSC on vintage repairs, just my opinion. P.S. the bracelet, you may want to check out Michael Young, Classic Watch Repair, in Hong Kong, many forum members use him, and it looks like he works magic on a worn out Rolex bracelet. Good luck with your father's watch and may it stay in your family for many more generations. SAM_0248 (2).jpg SAM_0155 (2).jpg Last edited by R-H; 23 August 2015 at 08:25 AM.. Reason: add more info

26 August 2015, 06:20 AM	#6
joe100 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,753	Night and day there Robert, and in a good way __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

21 August 2015, 12:06 AM	#2
R.W.T. "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,973	You are going to spend a ton of money doing that. The watch may be keeping good time...but if the rest of the watch is any indication...it's been a long time since it was properly cleaned and lubricated. You need a complete service. The bracelet can be restored. The dial can be sourced....hands....crystal...case recut. etc. But this is not going to be inexpensive. I have a very good silver doorstop dial and matching handset. Slightly different markers but probably more desirable. I'm sure I could source various dials for it I have a colleague that has literally 1000 dials of various models. It is impossible to diagnose the internals without having the watch in hand. It's doable but you are looking at a considerable expense. Completely understandable if it is your father's and a keepsake or heirloom. You will likely end up spending over half of what the watch is worth finished to put it like you want it.

23 August 2015, 07:20 AM	#3
tucsonrick "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 106	I had one just like it serviced recently at the RSC in Dallas including new bracelet. It was not inexpensive but not as bad as I had expected, and to me well worth it.

26 August 2015, 04:11 AM	#5
hillstreetwatchco "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Los Angeles Watch: Rolex 6538 Posts: 99	Yup agreed ABC does great vintage restoration!

30 August 2015, 06:47 PM	#7
alaaeldin99 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2	Thank you very much guys for your help. Special thanks for Robert. Alaaeldin

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