The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 26 June 2019, 01:45 PM   #1
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Michael Young bracelet service before and after

I came into possession of this rather sad looking 1991 Rolex Submariner a few months ago. My watch maker gave it an overhaul and it is running beautifully. It is a full set with box papers and accessories along with the original sales receipt.

However..

As you can see the bracelet is utterly ruined and the case back has been engraved. I have just sent both to Michael Young in Hong Kong for an extreme make over. So I thought I would start this thread so you can see just how good he is. He has quoted around $400USD for the bracelet and $250 for the case back as both require laser welding.

The price is ok by me as I got this watch for a great price, so there is plenty of wiggle room to have her tidied up.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20190619_150623.jpg (55.9 KB, 1946 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_150642.jpg (47.9 KB, 1934 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_150645(0).jpg (46.5 KB, 1935 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_150645.jpg (42.6 KB, 1935 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_150654.jpg (45.7 KB, 1931 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141917.jpg (49.2 KB, 1925 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141919.jpg (44.3 KB, 1920 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141920.jpg (46.7 KB, 1922 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141924.jpg (45.0 KB, 1927 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141926.jpg (38.1 KB, 1902 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141928.jpg (41.8 KB, 1922 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141930.jpg (35.3 KB, 1909 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141932.jpg (31.1 KB, 1915 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141934.jpg (43.5 KB, 1902 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141945.jpg (44.0 KB, 1910 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_150625.jpg (60.2 KB, 1907 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_150630.jpg (73.3 KB, 1903 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141940.jpg (27.9 KB, 1900 views)
File Type: jpg 20190619_141942.jpg (31.0 KB, 1908 views)
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 02:20 PM   #2
Kingface66
2024 Pledge Member
 
Kingface66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: The Empire State
Watch: 1966 Rolex 5513
Posts: 3,407
Man, that is heartbreaking to see. A sweet gift from someone’s mom & dad not only having been sold, but then purchased, and then to have that sweet engraving lasered away.
Not blaming you, of course, but sad all the same.
Kingface66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 02:24 PM   #3
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingface66 View Post
Man, that is heartbreaking to see. A sweet gift from someone’s mom & dad not only having been sold, but then purchased, and then to have that sweet engraving lasered away.
Not blaming you, of course, but sad all the same.
I know right, I was tempted just to leave the 'love mum and dad' and pretend my folks bought it for me in 1992 (instead of a Pulsar Quartz....)

Seriously though, I would not only keep a gift like this for life, I would also look after it. The watch has to be the most abused example of a 16610 I have encountered. I felt compelled to rescue it. Also the person I got it off was not the AJR on the case back, I believe he was the third owner, so Mr AJR flipped this a while ago.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 03:02 PM   #4
mcbain
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Toronto
Posts: 24
Dude nice story and I'm real interested in how it all turns out. But man, please find a better background for some of those pics. They had got my trypophobia kicking in!
mcbain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 03:15 PM   #5
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcbain View Post
Dude nice story and I'm real interested in how it all turns out. But man, please find a better background for some of those pics. They had got my trypophobia kicking in!
lol, you wouldnt want to work where I do then, those rubber mats are everywhere, even on the walls.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 10:18 PM   #6
77T
2024 Pledge Member
 
77T's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 40,570
Thanks for the first chapter and look forward to see the second part of the story when it comes back.

The caseback engraving is rather deep. Michael is laser filling all of that? Or just grinding?

If only grinding, a serious compromise methinks.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
__________________


Does anyone really know what time it is?
77T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 10:25 PM   #7
Lgear080
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 3,506
Mike is a baller and your bracelet will return in 99.9% perfect shape. May take a couple weeks, but rest assured you’ll be thrilled. You can find a new case back for like $150-200.
Lgear080 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 11:09 PM   #8
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by 77T View Post
Thanks for the first chapter and look forward to see the second part of the story when it comes back.

The caseback engraving is rather deep. Michael is laser filling all of that? Or just grinding?

If only grinding, a serious compromise methinks.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Laser, its deep. My watch maker didnt want to risk grinding it down.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 11:11 PM   #9
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lgear080 View Post
Mike is a baller and your bracelet will return in 99.9% perfect shape. May take a couple weeks, but rest assured you’ll be thrilled. You can find a new case back for like $150-200.
I wanted to keep the watch as original as possible. I did look into buying another caseback a few times and perhaps I could have been patient and waited for the right deal, but the bracelet was going and I threw the caseback in at the last minute.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2019, 11:25 PM   #10
Old Expat Beast
TRF Moderator & 2024 Patron
 
Old Expat Beast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Adam
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: SEIKO
Posts: 28,264
I get my vintage Grand Seikos serviced there, and they always come back running great.
__________________
_______________________
Old Expat Beast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 01:55 AM   #11
Racer X
"TRF" Member
 
Racer X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: Dave
Location: Unknown
Posts: 999
Don't remove the dedication on the case back! It is now part of the history of the watch, and is pretty cool IMO. Feel the same way about polishing off deeper scratches. If you want a completely new looking watch, get a new one. ;)
Racer X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 03:19 AM   #12
Woody
"TRF" Member
 
Woody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Africa
Posts: 1,117
Personally I would keep the inscription......I don't like scratches and am not keen on banging the drum for originality, but I like to see inscriptions on watches.
Woody is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 03:29 AM   #13
GrandCanyon
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Alfred
Location: California
Watch: 16750 116660
Posts: 46
Back in the mid 80's a Rolex reseller in Beverly Hills, Marcus and Sons, had an 18K DD for $3800.00. New ones were in the $5000.00 range. I went to see it and it had a similar engraving on the case back. I passed on it. At the time, I thought it was kind of sad that an individual would let something like that go. Nice Sub though.
GrandCanyon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 03:33 AM   #14
mjclark32
"TRF" Member
 
mjclark32's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: MJC
Location: PHL USA
Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP
Posts: 29,232
Cool pick up I'm sure it will come back looking great. Now the hard part... waiting
__________________
mjclark32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 09:32 AM   #15
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjclark32 View Post
Cool pick up I'm sure it will come back looking great. Now the hard part... waiting
Thanks, I got it in a trade for an old datejust, so I think I did alright.

I like caseback engravings if they are for retiree and cite a duration of employment and perhaps an interesting work place. For personal engravings, they can go.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 09:34 AM   #16
mjclark32
"TRF" Member
 
mjclark32's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: MJC
Location: PHL USA
Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP
Posts: 29,232
Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000 View Post
Thanks, I got it in a trade for an old datejust, so I think I did alright.

I like caseback engravings if they are for retiree and cite a duration of employment and perhaps an interesting work place. For personal engravings, they can go.
Really good trade, IMO
__________________
mjclark32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 10:13 PM   #17
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
As you know I have sent off the case back for this 16610. I have been given a turnaround time of eight weeks by Michael. Thats fine.

My question is, can I leave the watch with its case back off for that long? Will it do any harm? It is in an airtight clean sealed container. I have made sure not to open it.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 11:32 PM   #18
goldfixer21
2024 Pledge Member
 
goldfixer21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 769
Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000 View Post
As you know I have sent off the case back for this 16610. I have been given a turnaround time of eight weeks by Michael. Thats fine.

My question is, can I leave the watch with its case back off for that long? Will it do any harm? It is in an airtight clean sealed container. I have made sure not to open it.
As long as it's not being exposed to dust or moisture it'll be fine
goldfixer21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 June 2019, 11:34 PM   #19
Lgear080
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 3,506
I’d keep it in a ziplock and tuck it away.
Lgear080 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 June 2019, 03:41 AM   #20
swish77
2024 Pledge Member
 
swish77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,772
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lgear080 View Post
Mike is a baller and your bracelet will return in 99.9% perfect shape. May take a couple weeks, but rest assured you’ll be thrilled.
I've had mixed results with MY. His shop ruined the clasp on an old 93150 Oyster bracelet of mine with very aggressive polishing. They virtually removed the crown. All I asked for was a tightening and a light refinish.

The bracelet tightening is like a magic trick, I agree, but I would never, ever let him polish/refinish anything again. Just one man's opinion/experience.
swish77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 June 2019, 10:04 AM   #21
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
I've had mixed results with MY. His shop ruined the clasp on an old 93150 Oyster bracelet of mine with very aggressive polishing. They virtually removed the crown. All I asked for was a tightening and a light refinish.

The bracelet tightening is like a magic trick, I agree, but I would never, ever let him polish/refinish anything again. Just one man's opinion/experience.
Hi, I had a 9315 bracelet done a while back I wasnt happy with. I asked for to not be polished and it was polished to remove tool marks.

I think 93150's are their sweet spot tbh, they always come back looking new. I do also always ask that they not polish the crown on the clasp at all. The last few times they have just polished around it.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 June 2019, 10:05 AM   #22
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lgear080 View Post
I’d keep it in a ziplock and tuck it away.
OK excellent, thanks for letting me know. I was getting slightly worried about it!
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 June 2019, 01:50 PM   #23
TimeLord2
2024 Pledge Member
 
TimeLord2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Valencia, CA
Watch: GMT Master 1675/3
Posts: 2,030
Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000 View Post
Hi, I had a 9315 bracelet done a while back I wasnt happy with. I asked for to not be polished and it was polished to remove tool marks.

I think 93150's are their sweet spot tbh, they always come back looking new. I do also always ask that they not polish the crown on the clasp at all. The last few times they have just polished around it.
Rolliworks does an excellent job. I had my TT Jubilee, oval link bracelet from my 1972 GMT 1675 refurbished and it was quite far gone but came out great. They offer a polish on a scale of 1-10.
TimeLord2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 June 2019, 09:29 PM   #24
Lgear080
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 3,506
That’s unfortunate and out of character for him. I’ve done a bunch of bracelets with him over the years. Never asked for a polish, nor recd one. That’s a shame. Agreed that 93150 is his jam, but have had great success w 92150, 92153, 93253, many presidents, etc.
Lgear080 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 June 2019, 12:41 AM   #25
swish77
2024 Pledge Member
 
swish77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Aaron
Location: CT/NYC
Watch: ing the time!
Posts: 6,772
Quote:
Originally Posted by swish77 View Post
I've had mixed results with MY. His shop ruined the clasp on an old 93150 Oyster bracelet of mine with very aggressive polishing. They virtually removed the crown. All I asked for was a tightening and a light refinish.

The bracelet tightening is like a magic trick, I agree, but I would never, ever let him polish/refinish anything again. Just one man's opinion/experience.
To be fair, let me add that many years ago when MY first came on the scene he tightened an old Rolex USA rivet bracelet of mine and did an amazing job. I didn't ask for the bracelet to be refinished/polished, thank goodness, and I'd still avoid doing that with him.
swish77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29 June 2019, 07:37 AM   #26
Kingface66
2024 Pledge Member
 
Kingface66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: The Empire State
Watch: 1966 Rolex 5513
Posts: 3,407
Quote:
Originally Posted by dnc09c View Post
A perfect job was done on this dial.
Not sure what you mean. He’s sending off the case back and the bracelet for work. The dial hasn’t been worked on.
Kingface66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 July 2019, 08:54 AM   #27
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by dnc09c View Post
A perfect job was done on this dial.
What do you mean? The dial is perfectly fine
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 July 2019, 10:15 AM   #28
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lgear080 View Post
Mike is a baller and your bracelet will return in 99.9% perfect shape. May take a couple weeks, but rest assured you’ll be thrilled. You can find a new case back for like $150-200.
What's your definition of baller? To me, if referring to M Young as a baller, it must mean his work is hit-and-miss which it is based on my experience and many others that have sent watch related items to him.

I have quit using or recommending his services to others a few years ago.

As far as the case back engraving goes, I never remove case back engravings. That is part of the watch's history that is worth saving for me.
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 July 2019, 10:22 AM   #29
oysterquartz17000
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: AWOL
Watch: Submariner 16803
Posts: 487
Quote:
Originally Posted by springer View Post
What's a baller? To me, if referring to M Young as a baller, it must mean his work is hit-and-miss which it is based on my experience and many others that have sent watch related items to him.

As far as the case back engraving goes, I never remove case back engravings. That is part of the watche's history that is worth saving for me.
Do you think case back engravings effect the value of the watch? For example, I was able to talk this seller down a few thousand because of the engraving and he seemed prepared for this based on feedback from other buyers that had seen the watch prior to me.
oysterquartz17000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 July 2019, 10:32 AM   #30
springer
2024 Pledge Member
 
springer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,157
Icon9

Quote:
Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000 View Post
Do you think case back engravings effect the value of the watch? For example, I was able to talk this seller down a few thousand because of the engraving and he seemed prepared for this based on feedback from other buyers that had seen the watch prior to me.
I can't answer your concern for sure, but, if it does affect the value, it couldn't be more than a couple hundred dollars. Engravings are easy to remove.

I prefer the provenance from the engraving. I think it is a nice added touch. The engraving can also be moved but the next buyer - or the case back can be swapped for one that isn't engraved.
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990.

INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP
Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.
springer 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.