Rolex Red Submariner Age? Value?

[rolexbound]

Thank you mate! I think this watch will need a few magicians to work their magic. Really appreciate it :)

[springer]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

Great case and rest looks fine. Replace the insert if you want. I think you scored on that purchase.

X2. It would be nice to have a Mark II insert. The one in there is much later than the watch.

[rolexbound]

The impression I get looking at the watch and speaking to the previous owner, this was a daily wearer from around 1979 until quite recently. It has taken a slight beating and has had at least one service, possibly more. I am going to weigh up how much I want to spend on it and how authentic I want it to be, however, can I pose a question...how much would it set me back to obtain all the original items I need (rough estimate) and how much would that in turn increase the value of the watch?

Thanks again for all of your contributions, I love this forum.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by rolexbound

Thanks for the comments guys! I was worried I was a little hasty with this impulse purchase, but it looks like I at the very least havent made a fool of myself.

The case does have some marks on one side. Would this decrease its value?

In the strange world of Vintage Rolex those marks actually INCREASE the Value as the Case looks unpolished since new.

[goldfixer21]

Originally Posted by rolexbound

I got a little bit more information from the seller. He told me he bought it new in 1979 and he doesnt recall when it was last service.

I agree with you all though, a service has taken place.

Can someone tell me where I can obtain a pin for the bracelet on this watch? It has gone missing whilst in transit it to me.

All that is missing is a solid stainless steel wire, any competent watchmaker/jeweler can replace it easily.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

All that is missing is a solid stainless steel wire, any competent watchmaker/jeweler can replace it easily.

I had a pin in my 9315 bracelet replaced by a competent uk Watch maker £160 , Michael Young would have refurbished the whole bracelet for $300 ,

[rolexbound]

Hi, I am still tossing up if I get the watch polished. In person it really isnt that bad and I like the aged look it has. If I send the bracelet away, is it polished as a part of the refurbishment?

[sdimi]

I too live in Australia and know how hard it is to source watches locally and have them serviced. A lot of the USA and UK centric members won't understand how much of a colonial outpost it really is down here! I've had Michael Young restore bracelets and am very happy with his work, price and turn around time. I think you got a great watch for the price.

[rolexbound]

Thank you mate. I have been in touch with Michael and he responding promptly, great sign.

Yes I have found it challenging locally too, there is no way I will send the watch to RSC.

[rolexbound]

The watch has a lot of pitting and small deep marks. If I do get it polished, would the repairer simply fill those pits with metal and polish over them?

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by rolexbound

The watch has a lot of pitting and small deep marks. If I do get it polished, would the repairer simply fill those pits with metal and polish over them?

For the love of God,PLEASE DO NOT POLISH this Watch....They are only original Once.

[rolexbound]

Hi, I know I know...

I wont polish it, I like the scuffs on it, its just this pitting...would that effect value at all?

[05carbondrz]

Maybe a tad but having them laser welded will hurt the value more as well as being out the repair costs.

[rolexbound]

Cool good enough for me, thanks for the feedback (again) guys. I will leave it as is.

Cheers

[rolexbound]

Bracelet was shipped and received by Michael in Hong Kong. I will post some photos when I receive it back, hopefully it turns out ok.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by rolexbound

Bracelet was shipped and received by Michael in Hong Kong. I will post some photos when I receive it back, hopefully it turns out ok.

He did my 9315 earlier this year. You will not be disappointed! Take note, however, that the refurbishment will take the years of stretch out of the links and the bracelet will be smaller as a result. In my case, it was so small I needed to send it back to HK to get another link put in. An additional expense for the link but also customs fees x2 and another long wait.

[rolexbound]

Thanks for that, luckily this 1680 bracelet doesnt have much stretch so it should be ok. The 16610 bracelet I also sent however will definitely be way shorter as it is so stretched its obscene. When I first approached Michael about this bracelet he said he would rather not work on it, thats how bad it was!

I have a few spare links on hand and really for deployment.

[alwayshere]

great little pick up.

I was also watching this auction and agree with Ed that it was impossible to get a hold of the seller. Sh1tty pictures - out of focus - it was in my opinion too big of a leap of faith. I passed on it and in hindsight don't think it'll change my mind around bidding on items with sht pictures / description.

Mind you, there was a guy in S.A trying to sell a 16610 but only accept bank transfer and I quickly expose that he was a scammer when he couldn't send me updated photos with request time and date. This is after having a phone conversation with him as well - some people have absolutely no shame - I hope karma comes around and bites them!

Wear it well!

[Toronto Soup King]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

customs fees x2 and another long wait.

What? I don't remember customs fees on my MY repair jobs?!?! I sure hope CBSA doesn't try to ding me for importing the YG jubilee I sent out to MY a few months ago, he's sending it back to me this week and 18% on that item will be quite a few bucks...I suppose I can prove I bought the thing from a Canadian seller, but I hope they don't bill me first and invite me to sue them for it.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

What? I don't remember customs fees on my MY repair jobs?!?! I sure hope CBSA doesn't try to ding me for importing the YG jubilee I sent out to MY a few months ago, he's sending it back to me this week and 18% on that item will be quite a few bucks...I suppose I can prove I bought the thing from a Canadian seller, but I hope they don't bill me first and invite me to sue them for it.

Yeah. It wasn't a lot because MY marked on it watch parts with a nominal value, but enough to be annoying. Purolator paid for it up front and then I ended up getting a bill from them a few weeks after it arrived. I'm actually not clear on what the duties should be for this (if any) because you're actually buying a service, rather than a good.

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Yeah. It wasn't a lot because MY marked on it watch parts with a nominal value, but enough to be annoying. Purolator paid for it up front and then I ended up getting a bill from them a few weeks after it arrived. I'm actually not clear on what the duties should be for this (if any) because you're actually buying a service, rather than a good.

Usually when you send stuff abroad for repair you make a temporary export of the goods. There should be standard forms for this at your customs office. When the goods come back you pay customs on the cost of the repair since what you are importing is the enhanced value of your stuff.

Anyway, this is how it works were I live, it should be similar where you live. My experience with customs throughout the world is that they are usually fine to deal with if you just fill out the forms in the first place!

Uh, Brazil and Norway can be difficult...

[rolexbound]

Thanks I will. This was a massive gamble which paid off, however I will never do it again.

After I won the auction the seller told me they were leaving the country on the Tuesday so I had to pay on the Monday. I managed to pay him however the money didnt clear until the Tuesday morning. The whole thing was a massive stress. Anyway, I have it now and I dont intend to do anything but wear it on special occasions.

[rolexbound]

So, would anyone happy to know exactly which box I should buy that goes with this watch? I Believe it is the 10.00.1 Seahorse box, but whenever I perform searches I see a myriad of different boxes touted to be for the 1680 Red Submariner.

[rolexbound]

Thanks for the advice guys, the top hat was cleaned up with a small amount of Polywatch and the bracelet is on its way back to me. I will post some photos of the finished piece in a few days hopefully.

[rolexbound]

Bracelet has been returned from Hong Kong (Michael Young). It is very very tight now and looks fantastic. I specifically requested that the bracelet not be polished, so it is still scratched up but thats the way I like it.

[springer]

Originally Posted by springer

X2. It would be nice to have a Mark II insert. The one in there is much later than the watch.

My post should have read . . . It would be nice to have a Mark III insert and not Mark II. Sorry for any confusion.

[springer]

So you prefer a nice tight bracelet - restored - but prefer to leave the scratches.

Personally, I'd polish the bracelet and finish the job. Trust me, it won't hurt it at all - especially of done properly.

[rolexbound]

When the watch is overhauled in a few years I may consider a complete polish. Despite only ever having one recorded service it still runs beautifully, on full wind it runs for over two days and loses around 10 seconds each day. Not bad at all.

[daydatepiepan]

Hi, did you end up getting this polished? A beautiful watch

[mrN]

Congrats! Looks amazing.