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26 June 2019, 01:45 PM | #1 |
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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. |
26 June 2019, 02:20 PM | #2 |
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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. |
26 June 2019, 02:24 PM | #3 | |
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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. |
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26 June 2019, 03:02 PM | #4 |
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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!
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26 June 2019, 03:15 PM | #5 |
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lol, you wouldnt want to work where I do then, those rubber mats are everywhere, even on the walls.
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26 June 2019, 10:18 PM | #6 |
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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
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26 June 2019, 10:25 PM | #7 |
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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.
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26 June 2019, 11:09 PM | #8 | |
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26 June 2019, 11:11 PM | #9 |
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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.
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26 June 2019, 11:25 PM | #10 |
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I get my vintage Grand Seikos serviced there, and they always come back running great.
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27 June 2019, 01:55 AM | #11 |
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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. ;)
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27 June 2019, 03:19 AM | #12 |
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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.
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27 June 2019, 03:29 AM | #13 |
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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.
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27 June 2019, 03:33 AM | #14 |
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Cool pick up I'm sure it will come back looking great. Now the hard part... waiting
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27 June 2019, 09:32 AM | #15 | |
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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. |
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27 June 2019, 09:34 AM | #16 |
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Really good trade, IMO
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27 June 2019, 10:13 PM | #17 |
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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. |
27 June 2019, 11:32 PM | #18 | |
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27 June 2019, 11:34 PM | #19 |
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I’d keep it in a ziplock and tuck it away.
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28 June 2019, 03:41 AM | #20 | |
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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. |
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28 June 2019, 10:04 AM | #21 | |
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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. |
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28 June 2019, 10:05 AM | #22 |
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28 June 2019, 01:50 PM | #23 | |
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28 June 2019, 09:29 PM | #24 |
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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.
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29 June 2019, 12:41 AM | #25 | |
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29 June 2019, 07:37 AM | #26 |
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1 July 2019, 08:54 AM | #27 |
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1 July 2019, 10:15 AM | #28 | |
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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.
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1 July 2019, 10:22 AM | #29 | |
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1 July 2019, 10:32 AM | #30 | |
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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.
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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. |
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