'67 5513 - Bezel has not faded in 52 years?

[bobafett]

Hey everyone,

I was curious if anyone had any insight on why the bezel on my '67 5513 has not faded AT ALL over 50+ years of fun in the sun.

(My grandfather purchased this watch new in '67, then passed it on to my father, then to me - so I'm sure of it's authenticity)

Just curious if anyone knows about if only certain bezels fade etc...this watch has seen a lot of time in the sun over its lifetime and I was just wondering.

Thanks!

(it wont let me post a photo cause I only have 8 posts)

[jaisonline]

Try to post again.

[bobafett]

Extra post!

[bobafett]

[springer]

While the insert might well be original to the watch, the pearl with the metal base is not original or correct.

As far as the insert not fading, not inserts fade the same or fade at all.

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by springer

While the insert might well be original to the watch, the pearl with the metal base is not original or correct.

As far as the insert not fading, not inserts fade the same or fade at all.

Copy that...I just didn't know if some materials faded and others didn't. I don't love the full ghost bezels, but as a patina lover I do enjoy some sign of its age.

Yes that pearl was replaced - this isn't a watch that will ever be for sale so I wasn't worried about keeping that perfectly accurate.

My next problem is abandoning the riveted bracelet due to it's fragile nature...I had it overhauled once which fixed a lot of the stretch, but it's just showing it's age these days and I want a more secure option...not really sure what I should do there.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by bobafett

Copy that...I just didn't know if some materials faded and others didn't. I don't love the full ghost bezels, but as a patina lover I do enjoy some sign of its age.



Yes that pearl was replaced - this isn't a watch that will ever be for sale so I wasn't worried about keeping that perfectly accurate.



My next problem is abandoning the riveted bracelet due to it's fragile nature...I had it overhauled once which fixed a lot of the stretch, but it's just showing it's age these days and I want a more secure option...not really sure what I should do there.

Bracelet- you can get it back to ‘like-new’ by sending it to Rolliworks in San Fran, or buy a newer solid oyster 93150 with 580 endlinks.


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[bobafett]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Bracelet- you can get it back to ‘like-new’ by sending it to Rolliworks in San Fran, or buy a newer solid oyster 93150 with 580 endlinks.


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Thanks for that, I had not heard of them - will check out.

I really wish there was a way to get a locking clasp on a jubilee bracelet (for security reasons). I don't think that combo exists and I know people may think it sacrilegious but I like the look of jubilee + locking clasp.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by bobafett

Thanks for that, I had not heard of them - will check out.

I really wish there was a way to get a locking clasp on a jubilee bracelet (for security reasons). I don't think that combo exists and I know people may think it sacrilegious but I like the look of jubilee + locking clasp.

Yes, do a search on this forum for Rolliworks and you will find a thread with Michael showing repairs on the same band you have with before and after shots. It's quite interesting and quite amazing what they can do. Just got my TT jubilee bracelet back from them 2 months ago and before it went in you could just about fit another link between gaps.

[Dan S]

It’s your watch so you can put whatever clasp on whatever bracelet you prefer. Just hold onto the originals.

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by Dan S

It’s your watch so you can put whatever clasp on whatever bracelet you prefer. Just hold onto the originals.

Yes of course I was mostly asking if anyone knew of a locking bracelet jubilee hack job...I am not confident in the aftermarket versions to not fail on me...

[Glosstritium]

Get a nice leather vintage brown NATO would look badass

[Dan S]

It’s trivial to install a Rolex flip lock on a jubilee. You just need to buy them. eBay is your friend.

[athom]

Here is mine, nothing - fortunately - fadded !

[athom]

Just your pearl looks a bit strange?!

[Gmt21]

Originally Posted by bobafett

Have you had this serviced? Looks like you've had lume loss and/or water intrusion at some point. If that luminous material has migrated into your movement you may be damaging it by running the watch.

[lupus66]

67 insert too
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrSLE2VHRkV/
they dont fade much

[Christophe_CM2]

Great to,see how it goes from father to son

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by Gmt21

Have you had this serviced? Looks like you've had lume loss and/or water intrusion at some point. If that luminous material has migrated into your movement you may be damaging it by running the watch.

Yes it has been recently serviced. I traveled to Colorado and it fogged up pretty badly inside...got it into service within 12 hours and found out the the crystal was cracked apparently on the perimeter...I'm assuming that's why the lume looks dirty and splotchy now. Thankfully the movement is fine and the moisture damage was not serious. Keeps perfect time still.

As mentioned earlier I did have the pearl replaced as the original had fallen out long ago - hence why it looks a little off.

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by Christophe_CM2

Great to,see how it goes from father to son

Yea it's an incredible testament to Rolex build quality that it can be as old as it is and still function perfectly. A well spent $300 back when new! (or whatever they cost back then)

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by lupus66

67 insert too
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrSLE2VHRkV/
they dont fade much

I'm bummed my lume hasn't gone golden like that one, i love that look...

[circles]

Originally Posted by bobafett

I really wish there was a way to get a locking clasp on a jubilee bracelet (for security reasons). .

Huh? Its not like if it becomes unclasped it is going to fall off your wrist. Don't worry about it.

[77T]

Originally Posted by circles

Huh? Its not like if it becomes unclasped it is going to fall off your wrist. Don't worry about it.

If that was the case, Rolex would not have put a locking clasp on Oyster bracelets.



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[circles]

Originally Posted by 77T

If that was the case, Rolex would not have put a locking clasp on Oyster bracelets.



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Malarkey. If when unclasped your watch will slide right off your wrist you must have very small hands or you're wearing it too lose.

[Dan S]

The watch is unlikely to come off your wrist if the clasp opens, but it could certainly cause problems or become damaged.

True story here. Last Fall, I helped someone replace a GMT-Master that had been stolen off of his wrist while traveling. As we were looking at watches online, he told me that he really wanted a bracelet with a flip-lock clasp. I told him that GMTs didn't come with flip-lock clasps originally, so that he might need to buy a second bracelet and make a swap. I was curious why it mattered to him, and he told me a story. During a firefight in Vietnam, the original 7206 bracelet clasp popped open. He didn't lose the watch, but the bracelet was damaged and obviously it was an unfortunate distraction at that moment. So he replaced it with a bracelet that had a flip-lock clasp. He held onto the damaged 7206, which is now all that he has left of that watch, but to this day he remains leery of the standard clasps.

So the flip-lock clasp makes sense while diving, and possibly in some other scenarios.

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The watch is unlikely to come off your wrist if the clasp opens, but it could certainly cause problems or become damaged.

True story here. Last Fall, I helped someone replace a GMT-Master that had been stolen off of his wrist while traveling. As we were looking at watches online, he told me that he really wanted a bracelet with a flip-lock clasp. I told him that GMTs didn't come with flip-lock clasps originally, so that he might need to buy a second bracelet and make a swap. I was curious why it mattered to him, and he told me a story. During a firefight in Vietnam, the original 7206 bracelet clasp popped open. He didn't lose the watch, but the bracelet was damaged and obviously it was an unfortunate distraction at that moment. So he replaced it with a bracelet that had a flip-lock clasp. He held onto the damaged 7206, which is now all that he has left of that watch, but to this day he remains leery of the standard clasps.

So the flip-lock clasp makes sense while diving, and possibly in some other scenarios.

Interesting story...I just like the added protection (even if placebo-esque) that a fliplock affords me.

[oysterquartz17000]

That is a marvelous watch, you are very lucky

[circles]

Originally Posted by bobafett

Interesting story...I just like the added protection (even if placebo-esque) that a fliplock affords me.

That I totally understand

[bobafett]

Originally Posted by oysterquartz17000

That is a marvelous watch, you are very lucky

Thank you!

[bobafett]

Does anyone know why the lume looks like it's dirty...I know that lume can fade and golden...but I don't really understand why mine looks dirty - most dramatically on the 11 and 12 markers...