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Old 6 August 2020, 09:07 AM   #1
Cloudchaser
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Vintage Project - 6536/1

Lucked upon a 6536/1 in decent condition (aside from that atrocious dial, I know) recently. I know that this will be quite an endeavor, but I'm aiming to make this a wearable Submariner in the near future.

This will be the first real "project" watch I've taken on. I'm told that I'll end up chasing parts for the rest of my life on this watch, but Phillip Ridley has agreed to make it operational and looking nice in the meantime. I'd like a dial that does the model better justice, but I'm not going to pour too much money into this (famous last words?)...

I'd love to know the stories behind this watch but based on the bezel insert alone, I think they'd be good!

Here's a few "before" pictures of my intriguing new vintage watch; I'll post the "after" photos when I get it back from Phillip. Anyone have any input or opinions on this type of project? Anyone out there do one of this restorations with an older sub?

Looking forward to this!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 6536.jpg (138.0 KB, 487 views)
File Type: jpg 6536-1.jpg (134.9 KB, 479 views)
File Type: jpg 6536-2.jpg (132.9 KB, 468 views)
File Type: jpg 6536-3.jpg (138.4 KB, 479 views)
File Type: jpg 6536-4.jpg (139.9 KB, 477 views)
File Type: jpg 6536-5.jpg (175.7 KB, 478 views)
File Type: jpg 6536-6.jpg (174.2 KB, 473 views)
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Old 6 August 2020, 10:26 AM   #2
J!m
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The case looks surprisingly good. I think it’s worth the effort.

As for finding a proper dial for it... that may take some doing, and waiting, and paying when one pops up.

But i think if you look in the usual places, and network with other owners, you’ll find one.

That’s going to be sweet once it’s done.
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Old 6 August 2020, 10:36 AM   #3
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Can't wait to see the finished product.
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Old 6 August 2020, 11:18 AM   #4
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Awesome
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Old 6 August 2020, 02:46 PM   #5
zapokee
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That's quite a challenge as an initial project. Like climbing Everest as your first mountaineering endeavor.

Good luck with it - suspect it's going to be awesome!
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Old 6 August 2020, 03:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zapokee View Post
That's quite a challenge as an initial project. Like climbing Everest as your first mountaineering endeavor.

Good luck with it - suspect it's going to be awesome!
Agreed! Thanks. Quick start, as it goes to Phillip tomorrow! Should be interesting.
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Old 6 August 2020, 09:37 PM   #7
Styles Bitchley
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This will be fun to watch. What vibe are you going for? Are you fine with all service parts?
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Old 6 August 2020, 09:45 PM   #8
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Wow, what a beauty. I love the bezel wear. To be honest, what can you do? Each fix will destroy its uniqueness.
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Old 6 August 2020, 11:05 PM   #9
zapokee
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I love the bezel wear.
Looks like it's been in a motorbike accident and scraped along a road for 100 yards. That's going to take some replacing...
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Old 6 August 2020, 11:22 PM   #10
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No way! I'd leave the bezel totally alone. That version is incredibly rare. A polished plexi and service dial will bring this watch to life IMO.

It's hard to believe how poor that redial is, how could you make the chapter ring so much smaller than the minute hand radius
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Old 6 August 2020, 11:44 PM   #11
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Big job ahead, but best of luck!

The bezel inserts on these do seem to have been rather soft and vulnerable to sleeve wear, like contemporary Milgauss 6541s, but the red triangle / no-hash-marks-for-first-15-minutes variant is prized.





Those two images show my one of my 6536-1s.

The following one cost someone at Bonhams yesterday over £81,000 GBP...

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25956/lot/44/

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Old 7 August 2020, 12:39 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley View Post
This will be fun to watch. What vibe are you going for? Are you fine with all service parts?
I'm sure I'll end up settling in areas, but I'm willing to spend some $$$ if certain original parts emerged.

Hoping for an operable Sub that looks the period (not looking to submerge it or anything).
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Old 7 August 2020, 12:42 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Yzord View Post
Wow, what a beauty. I love the bezel wear. To be honest, what can you do? Each fix will destroy its uniqueness.
Absolutely right! I mostly want a different dial that will do the model justice. It will be a fine line to both protect and improve it!
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Old 7 August 2020, 12:44 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
Big job ahead, but best of luck!

The bezel inserts on these do seem to have been rather soft and vulnerable to sleeve wear, like contemporary Milgauss 6541s, but the red triangle / no-hash-marks-for-first-15-minutes variant is prized.





Those two images show my one of my 6536-1s.

The following one cost someone at Bonhams yesterday over £81,000 GBP...

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25956/lot/44/

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex
Wow...great looking examples!
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Old 7 August 2020, 01:00 AM   #15
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Man that is an awesome project. Good luck on obtaining all the part and can;’t wait to see the finish product.
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Old 8 August 2020, 12:34 PM   #16
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How does one “luck upon” a 6536/1 with red truangle insert and original hands?!

Did you pay under $8k for it?


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Old 8 August 2020, 03:36 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by southtexas View Post
How does one “luck upon” a 6536/1 with red truangle insert and original hands?!

Did you pay under $8k for it?


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I guess I consider finding watches lucky; new or vintage, buying worthy examples in this market is at least some part luck. Less than $8k, BTW.

I basically bought it because the case seemed solid even if I had misgivings about the dial, hands, and insert. The lucky part for me is that this is one of the rare models where nobody expects you to have the right dial! "Who knew," as they say.
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Old 8 August 2020, 03:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
Big job ahead, but best of luck!

The bezel inserts on these do seem to have been rather soft and vulnerable to sleeve wear, like contemporary Milgauss 6541s, but the red triangle / no-hash-marks-for-first-15-minutes variant is prized.





Those two images show my one of my 6536-1s.

The following one cost someone at Bonhams yesterday over £81,000 GBP...

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25956/lot/44/

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex
Great pics! I wish it could end up looking like that!
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Old 8 August 2020, 05:02 PM   #19
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That will be a fascinating project and can’t wait for further photos
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Old 9 August 2020, 05:32 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloudchaser View Post
I guess I consider finding watches lucky; new or vintage, buying worthy examples in this market is at least some part luck. Less than $8k, BTW.

I basically bought it because the case seemed solid even if I had misgivings about the dial, hands, and insert. The lucky part for me is that this is one of the rare models where nobody expects you to have the right dial! "Who knew," as they say.

Well done, sir! I hope you’re able to bring it back...it will be supremely costly but you will be ahead without doubt.


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Old 11 August 2020, 04:07 AM   #21
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Well done, sir! I hope you’re able to bring it back...it will be supremely costly but you will be ahead without doubt.


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Thanks!

The earliest conundrum is what to do about the bezel insert. Is it original? Without the classic red triangle, it doesn't appear so. But if it is original, then it changes how I approach this restoration.

I'm willing to spend on this, just want to spend intelligently. Someone upthread said to put a service dial and new plexi and call it good. I tend to agree...if the bezel insert is worthy.

Basically, if the insert is original, I'd spend on the right dial. If the insert isnt original, then I will settle on a lesser dial. Hope my eyes aren't bigger than my stomach here.
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Old 11 August 2020, 01:53 PM   #22
Styles Bitchley
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On a related note, does anyone restore inserts like one would a dial? Never heard of it but someone must be doing this.
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Old 11 August 2020, 03:43 PM   #23
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On a related note, does anyone restore inserts like one would a dial? Never heard of it but someone must be doing this.
Was wondering the same after I learned definitively that the insert is authentic/original. I bought it despite the insert...as it turns out, most of the value is in the bezel assembly (because you don't want to damage the insert, the bezel and insert on these are essentially one piece).

The bezel insert is original, as are the hands. Great little piece of Rolex history. The dial is basically impossible, though...
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Old 11 August 2020, 08:16 PM   #24
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On a related note, does anyone restore inserts like one would a dial? Never heard of it but someone must be doing this.
For what its worth, I asked Michael Young once if he can help with an insert and said he cant. I hope someone does....
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Old 12 August 2020, 01:41 AM   #25
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Restoring the insert is certainly possible, it's painted aluminum so the technique would be similar to auto body work on a fine scale. The issue is the same with restoring a dial, that you'd be killing its collector value as an original piece. You're much better off getting a beat up mkIII or a later service insert if you plan to wear it often.
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