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Old 20 February 2017, 01:51 PM   #1
KingNabu
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Beaten 6542

Hello everybody. Thank you for accepting me in this forum. As my first post, let me introduce my beaten 1959 Rolex GMT 6542 given by my father. Ugly but well used.

6542.jpg

Issues:

1. Broken Bakelite bezel insert
2. Chapter ring dial marked SWISS T<25. Gilted? Reflects light in a golden hue.
3. Second hand running on time but minute and hour hands lagging
4. Corroded hands (from Tritium?)
5. very hard to wind.

Plan: Will bring to RSC for servicing. Don't know where to source original internal parts if needed. This will be a WIP.

Please tell me what you think. Thanks for viewing.
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Old 20 February 2017, 02:33 PM   #2
jedy617
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Very cool. Welcome. If you do send straight to Rolex, know that they will most likely replace the bezel, dial, hands, etc. If you want to keep any of these parts original, better send it to a vintage rolex specialist.
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Old 20 February 2017, 03:54 PM   #3
Runnin' Rebel
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Oh wow..

Don't send to Rolex Service Center. That'll cut the value by Perhaps possible 50%. Find a very good, well regarded specialist in vintage Rolex.

Congratulations that's nice well used
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Old 20 February 2017, 04:12 PM   #4
HunterST
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Please don't send this project to Rolex. They will butcher it.
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Old 20 February 2017, 04:23 PM   #5
tjbender
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Welcome to the forum and good thing you joined. Awesome piece you have and even cooler being that it was your fathers. DO NOT SEND TO RSC! I'd recommend someone like LA Watchworks.
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Old 20 February 2017, 05:40 PM   #6
onthedial
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@KingNabu
This timepiece looks like it has some stories to tell...
Anything you can share with us forum members?
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Old 20 February 2017, 05:42 PM   #7
GeorgeK
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Is the bezel an assembly of several parts?
The watch has great potential, *as long as it does not go to the AD*
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Old 20 February 2017, 07:44 PM   #8
yannis
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I think you should enquire about well known watch-makers/specialists in the region you reside (Far East)
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Old 20 February 2017, 09:09 PM   #9
KingNabu
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onthedial View Post
@KingNabu
This timepiece looks like it has some stories to tell...
Anything you can share with us forum members?
__________
Instagram: @onthedial
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.

@onthedial

My father bought this in 1959 while working as a seafarer apprentice based in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands for $130. He used it mainly as a chronometer for ship navigation. He claims that it was better than the ship's timer. In 1962, it was sent to Rolex Switzerland for servicing after a fishing accident broke the bracelet (the watch protected my father's wrist from injury). No internal damage was seen. Rolex checked the timing and replaced the bracelet. That was the last time it was serviced. This watch has served my father well in his profession until his retirement in the 80s.
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Old 20 February 2017, 09:17 PM   #10
KingNabu
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeK View Post
Is the bezel an assembly of several parts?
The watch has great potential, *as long as it does not go to the AD*
@GeorgeK

The bezel Bakelite insert is broken with only 3 pieces remaining. I think it is not well placed and never attempted to remove them.
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Old 20 February 2017, 09:21 PM   #11
KingNabu
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lume shot...also showing the broken pieces of the Bakelite bezel insert

Lume.jpg
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Old 20 February 2017, 10:47 PM   #12
Gaijin
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Wow. I am speechless. That is a beauty. Here's to having that restored properly back to its original glory.
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Old 21 February 2017, 01:20 AM   #13
saskmh
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That's an amazing piece. I'll mirror what everyone else has said and don't send it to RSC. If you do replace anything like the dial, hands or bezel insert then make sure you keep the originals tucked away somewhere. A huge part of the value is in those original pieces.
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Old 21 February 2017, 01:25 AM   #14
roh123
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Are you missing a big chunk of the bakelite or do you still have the lose part somewhere?
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Old 21 February 2017, 06:21 AM   #15
Vincent65
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Great family piece - make sure to get it into the right hands for restoration.
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Old 21 February 2017, 06:24 AM   #16
sitka39
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And look at that lume. It's almost like new!
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Old 21 February 2017, 06:25 AM   #17
crowncollection
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Nice piece ensure you choose the right person to restore it nor rsc


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Old 21 February 2017, 07:00 AM   #18
onthedial
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingNabu View Post
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.

@onthedial

My father bought this in 1959 while working as a seafarer apprentice based in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands for $130. He used it mainly as a chronometer for ship navigation. He claims that it was better than the ship's timer. In 1962, it was sent to Rolex Switzerland for servicing after a fishing accident broke the bracelet (the watch protected my father's wrist from injury). No internal damage was seen. Rolex checked the timing and replaced the bracelet. That was the last time it was serviced. This watch has served my father well in his profession until his retirement in the 80s.
@KingNabu
...and I'm sure story-wise that's barely scratching the surface. Take care of this wonderful treasure.
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Old 21 February 2017, 09:43 AM   #19
KingNabu
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Thank you all for your advice. Will keep you posted in its journey to restoration. As we all know, it has good genes ....

roll.jpg
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Old 21 February 2017, 12:40 PM   #20
harry in montreal
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That is not beaten. That is beautiful. Originality is the most beautiful aspect of any antique. Do not send to Rolex!
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Old 21 February 2017, 12:56 PM   #21
TheRolexKingofLV
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Nice piece of Rolex history tight there!

Congrats on family heirloom

RSC is a no-no
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Old 21 February 2017, 02:53 PM   #22
Tom1675
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that's an amazing piece!
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Old 21 February 2017, 05:06 PM   #23
themaninblack
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Okay I'll be the mean one! A 6542 from 1959 with a SWISS T<25 dial? What's going on there?
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Old 21 February 2017, 05:19 PM   #24
D.F.C
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingNabu View Post
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.

@onthedial

My father bought this in 1959 while working as a seafarer apprentice based in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands for $130. He used it mainly as a chronometer for ship navigation. He claims that it was better than the ship's timer. In 1962, it was sent to Rolex Switzerland for servicing after a fishing accident broke the bracelet (the watch protected my father's wrist from injury). No internal damage was seen. Rolex checked the timing and replaced the bracelet. That was the last time it was serviced. This watch has served my father well in his profession until his retirement in the 80s.
Cool story!

Though the bracelet and dial has ben changed after 1962.
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Old 21 February 2017, 05:23 PM   #25
D.F.C
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingNabu View Post
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.

@onthedial

My father bought this in 1959 while working as a seafarer apprentice based in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands for $130. He used it mainly as a chronometer for ship navigation. He claims that it was better than the ship's timer. In 1962, it was sent to Rolex Switzerland for servicing after a fishing accident broke the bracelet (the watch protected my father's wrist from injury). No internal damage was seen. Rolex checked the timing and replaced the bracelet. That was the last time it was serviced. This watch has served my father well in his profession until his retirement in the 80s.
Interesting story!

Though in my opinion the bracelet and dial has been changed after 1962.
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Old 21 February 2017, 05:30 PM   #26
D.F.C
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingNabu View Post
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.

@onthedial

My father bought this in 1959 while working as a seafarer apprentice based in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands for $130. He used it mainly as a chronometer for ship navigation. He claims that it was better than the ship's timer. In 1962, it was sent to Rolex Switzerland for servicing after a fishing accident broke the bracelet (the watch protected my father's wrist from injury). No internal damage was seen. Rolex checked the timing and replaced the bracelet. That was the last time it was serviced. This watch has served my father well in his profession until his retirement in the 80s.
Interesting story!

Though the braceletal has been changed after 1962.

Quote:
Originally Posted by themaninblack View Post
Okay I'll be the mean one! A 6542 from 1959 with a SWISS T<25 dial? What's going on there?
TS states that it was serviced in 1962, the service dials from the early 60's had T<25 print -both with and without gilt if i remeber correctly. A bit later the chapter ring was removed from the service dials.
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Old 21 February 2017, 05:52 PM   #27
onthedial
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I saw that too. The likely explanation is that the original Swiss dial was replaced during the service in '62. Also the date wheel was probably replaced, and the original crystal may not have had the cyclops lens--many of late 50s 6542s were sans magnification.
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Old 22 February 2017, 01:24 AM   #28
subx
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awesome 6542, I like vintage watches in "as found condition" so much charm
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Old 22 February 2017, 04:12 AM   #29
saskmh
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I noticed the tritium dial too. The hands look like original old radium ones however.
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Old 22 February 2017, 07:23 AM   #30
themaninblack
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It's interesting that Rolex chose to replace the original radium dial way back then.
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