Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, Is it worth restoring?

[mikestang05]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if you could help me out. My grandfather gave me an old Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date which is working but seems pretty beat up. It also has a leather belt on it which I am sure doesn't belong to it. I don't see any additional marks or numbering in the watch case.

Would it be worth it to have it restored and somehow find the bracelet that goes with it originally? Would the restoration cost more than what the watch is worth? Thanks in advanced!

[Etschell]

if it is sentimental do it. if you are talking about money, nope.

[HogwldFLTR]

A servicing shouldn't be too bad. Bracelets too on the used market are out there. Personally go for it if you plan on keeping it.

[jmolsberg]

For sure!

[Exploradori]

Definitely restore it! You won't believe how good it comes out. You'll enjoy it greatly.


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[MILGAUSS88]

Doesn't look to bad except for the crystal. Which is the cheapest thing to remedy.

[bdex75]

Pretty hard to see but other than the crystal it looks to be in ok shape. I would recondition if it had sentimental value. Service should be reasonable if you use an independent.

Try getting some toothpaste and a rag and giving the crystal a good rub and then wipe off. That is a great dial color IMHO. New leather strap and you she good for white a while.


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[natosub]

It's your grandfather's watch; absolutely my worth servicing for the sentimental value alone!

[alexkarbo]

The watch dial looks nice and clean...A new crystal and movement servicing is perhaps all it needs.

[GMT Aviator]

Maybe this can help you decide.

My father gave me his circa 1950 Longines. The first watch he bought after coming out of the RAF as a pilot in 1945 at the end of WW2. He worked as head of engineering for West Africa Airways from about 1947 because he was a qualified A&C licence holder and the only engineer on the planet at the time to have a licence on every model of Rolls Royce Merlin Engine in service at the time. So this Longines saw some heavy handed use in the sweltering heat of West Africa changing and servicing aero engines out in the field. He never took it off. He continued to wear it when he later returned to flying aeroplanes rather than fixing them and this little watch went on to circumnavigate the planet numerous times.

Fast forward to 2016, dad gives me the watch. He's now 91 years of age. He stopped wearing this Longines in 1972 when he replaced it with a Rolex Datejust, which he still wears today.

Now, the Longines unbelievably still ran, although the dial was unreadable due to its hard life and the passage of time.

I took it to a very good watch maker I know and the decision was made to have it restored. The dial was sent to the best dial restorer in the country and my watchmaker himself serviced the movement and case and put in a new acrylic crystal.

It now winds and runs like the day it was new, with the dial sympathetically restored back to it's new condition using the original colours. The hands were left untouched to retain a semblance of its age.

Did it cost a bit to get it done? Yes it did.

The look on my dads face when I gave it back to him once it had been restored....PRICELESS!!

[JnmEaton]

AMAZING RESTORATION. I bet Dad was truly at a loss. Wonderful gesture.

[Verdi]

The watch only needs a service.
Keep the dial, hands and everything else. Change the glass only.


Service around 500-600 usd. Enjoy the watch. Keep on a leather band.

[Tools]

Almost any Rolex is worth restoring to somebody.

In the case of the Date in question, a good service would get it looking like new. I might continue to wear it on leather or find a good stainless bracelet as a new/used TT bracelet may well cost more than it is worth.

[mikestang05]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Where would it be a good place to hace it serviced? Rolex directly? Is there a way to know what bracelet originally came with the watch?

[onthedial]

@mikestang05
It's worth contacting Rik at Time Care, Inc in Florida. Be very direct with what you want done. Don't sink a lot of money into your watch. Like others have suggested, have it serviced and get a new crystal installed. Afterward, you'll be good to go for many years and your watch will look great. Also, you can buy a leather strap from many quality makers/suppliers, there's a high number to choose from. Show us pics when everything's said and done!
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