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Barra1023 · 25 June 2018, 10:26 PM

Hey Guys,

Im new to the forum. About 8 years back I was given my grandfathers Rolex after he passed away. I took it to a watch store and they told me it was a cheap rolex worth about $500.00. A few years ago I removed the band, googled the model and realized that was not the case. The watch functions perfectly but it definitely need some restoring and from the looks it seems to have some water damage. I know very little and close to nothing about rolexes let alone vintage watches. So any help and advise on how i should go about restoring this watch would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Bran.

1675-David · 26 June 2018, 04:41 AM

great looking 5513!! Bracelet insert and dial all look really nice from what I can see, a sympathetic tune up, maybe find some replacement hands and a new crystal and you'll have a great watch to wear. Plenty of recommendations will be forthcoming I'm sure as to who and where to send your watch, just don't sell it for 500 bucks without letting me know first!!

05carbondrz · 26 June 2018, 04:53 AM

$500 huh? The greed that others have never ceases to amaze me.

cda555 · 26 June 2018, 05:16 AM

Send it to a place that specializes in vintage restoration. If you poke around a bit I'm sure you will find some highly recommended shops.

05carbondrz · 26 June 2018, 05:23 AM

Just be prepared to spend 2x what the Dealer said your entire Watch was worth for a proper service.

spoilsofwar01 · 26 June 2018, 05:32 AM

a solid looking 5513, not sure about water damaged

it looks more like a naturally aged dial and hands, Do Not...... Repeat Do Not do anything ...let alone replace any parts until others have passed on comments and recommendations, all in all look after it you have a real treasure,

dhknola · 26 June 2018, 05:58 AM

That $500 number was a bum hoping you would accept that offer. To parrot others, AMAZING WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably worth north of 10k today; peruse the forum for options of vintage specialists to get that baby right.

05carbondrz · 26 June 2018, 07:07 AM

I would for sure source period correct Hands that match the Dial.They will run $500+ but will be worth every penny.

Filipão · 26 June 2018, 09:46 AM

Wow!

Beelzy · 26 June 2018, 11:04 AM

Water damaged yes, it would be prudent to take the caseback off and examine the
movement. You can see rust spots under the crystal at the 20 and 35 minute marks.
Nice piece!

Tom1675 · 26 June 2018, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzy

Water damaged yes, it would be prudent to take the caseback off and examine the
movement. You can see rust spots under the crystal at the 20 and 35 minute marks.
Nice piece!

x2 but great piece, I love it! Don't send to Rolex, have a trusted watchmaker (there's a list on this forum) do the work. Get it cleaned up/serviced and enjoy it and pass on to your family!

watchtabs · 26 June 2018, 11:24 AM

You might want to get it serviced by a RECOMMENDED WATCHMAKER! NOT RSC! If you send to Rolex Service Center they will replace the original pieces.

Whoever said 500 bux, deserves a telling off..

Barra1023 · 26 June 2018, 10:44 PM

Thanks for the input guys! After some research I decided upon sending it to Bob Ridley to have it checked out and restored. From the looks of it, he seems to be the guy for this kind of work.

linesiders · 26 June 2018, 11:30 PM

Get ready for all the offers from people

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1675-David

great looking 5513!! Bracelet insert and dial all look really nice from what I can see, a sympathetic tune up, maybe find some replacement hands and a new crystal and you'll have a great watch to wear. Plenty of recommendations will be forthcoming I'm sure as to who and where to send your watch, just don't sell it for 500 bucks without letting me know first!!

^^^^^ This

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

I would for sure source period correct Hands that match the Dial.They will run $500+ but will be worth every penny.

A nice set of hands (keep the originals) and a good service is all this piece needs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beelzy

Water damaged yes, it would be prudent to take the caseback off and examine the
movement. You can see rust spots under the crystal at the 20 and 35 minute marks.
Nice piece!

The "rust spots" under the crystal may not be rust at all but likely tiny bits of grime that get magnified and refracted up the crystal edge

Ridley is good, not cheap, but very good.

cpefy3 · 27 June 2018, 12:49 AM

Can't wait to see the finished product!! Keep us updated!!

Barra1023 · 27 June 2018, 01:37 AM

I took some better pictures of the watch since the first one was kind of crappy. As advised by you guys ill probably get a tune up, see if theres anything that can be done about the hands and remove the scratched from the crystal. Thanks for the recommendations!Ill definitely put up some progress pictures of how its coming along.

1675-David · 27 June 2018, 01:55 AM

chrome polish works wonders on a plexi crystal

ReturningSon · 27 June 2018, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

Just be prepared to spend 2x what the Dealer said your entire Watch was worth for a proper service.

Even at 3X, it would be worth every single red cent!

That 5513 is exactly how it should look. Rode hard and put away wet. Very definition of a tool watch IMO

spoilsofwar01 · 27 June 2018, 05:05 AM

light clean, and a service, the rest.......leave,

05carbondrz · 27 June 2018, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReturningSon

Even at 3X, it would be worth every single red cent!

That 5513 is exactly how it should look. Rode hard and put away wet. Very definition of a tool watch IMO

Until you decide to sell that is! The Guys with the Money demand perfection and won’t “settle” for anything less no matter the price.

037 · 27 June 2018, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barra1023

I took some better pictures of the watch since the first one was kind of crappy. As advised by you guys ill probably get a tune up, see if theres anything that can be done about the hands and remove the scratched from the crystal. Thanks for the recommendations!Ill definitely put up some progress pictures of how its coming along.

Get a hold of Rik Dietel at Time Care Inc. He's in Seminole, Florida and highly recommended for vintage Rolex servicing. He's a member here on TRF under the username of "Rikki". His site is timecareinc.com

Personally, I would get the movement serviced, polish the crystal and leave the rest. The beauty in that watch is the wear.

Dompropat · 27 June 2018, 08:41 AM

Beautiful piece! A good service and you'll be set to wear that for years.

I'm actually pretty bothered somebody told you it was worth $500...

Bxtek · 27 June 2018, 08:51 AM

Beautiful watch! Being that it was your Grandfather's makes it that much more special too. I'm on board with others on here and would just have the movement serviced, crystal polished and wear it as it is. Maybe replace the pearl too if desired. Looks great with the patina it has, and I personally feel that it would be a bit of a shame to restore it. I'm thinking that each one of those scratches and dings have a story about your Grandfather to go with it.

Gnis · 7 August 2018, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

$500 huh? The greed that others have never ceases to amaze me.

That just makes me freaking angry: where they trying to buy it off from you by low balling you this way?

rolexbrand · 9 August 2018, 09:45 AM

500 Dollars was a bad price for a rolex watch

Kingface66 · 9 August 2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolexbrand

500 Dollars was a bad price for a rolex watch

Did you even read the thread?

Cloudhopper · 9 August 2018, 11:08 AM

Any updates?

26 June 2018, 05:32 AM	#6
spoilsofwar01 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: "H" Location: England Watch: ing Rainclouds Posts: 1,437	5513 a solid looking 5513, not sure about water damaged it looks more like a naturally aged dial and hands, Do Not...... Repeat Do Not do anything ...let alone replace any parts until others have passed on comments and recommendations, all in all look after it you have a real treasure, __________________ "H" 5513 Submariner 1968 114270 Explorer 2005 Smiths W10 1968 Tissot Seastar 2011

26 June 2018, 11:24 AM	#12
watchtabs "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Charlie Location: Miami Posts: 1,534	You might want to get it serviced by a RECOMMENDED WATCHMAKER! NOT RSC! If you send to Rolex Service Center they will replace the original pieces. Whoever said 500 bux, deserves a telling off.. __________________ I have all the grails I could ever want, but the hunt will always continue .

27 June 2018, 05:05 AM	#19
spoilsofwar01 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: "H" Location: England Watch: ing Rainclouds Posts: 1,437	light clean, and a service, the rest.......leave, __________________ "H" 5513 Submariner 1968 114270 Explorer 2005 Smiths W10 1968 Tissot Seastar 2011

26 June 2018, 04:41 AM	#2
1675-David "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm Posts: 6,010	great looking 5513!! Bracelet insert and dial all look really nice from what I can see, a sympathetic tune up, maybe find some replacement hands and a new crystal and you'll have a great watch to wear. Plenty of recommendations will be forthcoming I'm sure as to who and where to send your watch, just don't sell it for 500 bucks without letting me know first!!

26 June 2018, 04:53 AM	#3
05carbondrz Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,030	$500 huh? The greed that others have never ceases to amaze me.

26 June 2018, 05:16 AM	#4
cda555 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: USA Watch: GMT IIc and PO Posts: 1,638	Send it to a place that specializes in vintage restoration. If you poke around a bit I'm sure you will find some highly recommended shops.

26 June 2018, 05:23 AM	#5
05carbondrz Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,030	Just be prepared to spend 2x what the Dealer said your entire Watch was worth for a proper service.

26 June 2018, 05:58 AM	#7
dhknola "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,153	That $500 number was a bum hoping you would accept that offer. To parrot others, AMAZING WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably worth north of 10k today; peruse the forum for options of vintage specialists to get that baby right.

26 June 2018, 07:07 AM	#8
05carbondrz Banned Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,030	I would for sure source period correct Hands that match the Dial.They will run $500+ but will be worth every penny.

26 June 2018, 09:46 AM	#9
Filipão "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Real Name: Filipe Location: Lisbon & Wadesdah Watch: Never too many Posts: 1,898	Wow!

26 June 2018, 11:04 AM	#10
Beelzy "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Chris Location: Cen-Cal Watch: 16610 Posts: 869	Water damaged yes, it would be prudent to take the caseback off and examine the movement. You can see rust spots under the crystal at the 20 and 35 minute marks. Nice piece!

26 June 2018, 10:44 PM	#13
Barra1023 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Miami FL Watch: 116500LN Posts: 73	Thanks for the input guys! After some research I decided upon sending it to Bob Ridley to have it checked out and restored. From the looks of it, he seems to be the guy for this kind of work.

27 June 2018, 12:49 AM	#15
cpefy3 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2016 Real Name: Collin Location: Raleigh, NC Watch: 16014, 16600 Posts: 344	Can't wait to see the finished product!! Keep us updated!!

27 June 2018, 01:55 AM	#17
1675-David "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm Posts: 6,010	chrome polish works wonders on a plexi crystal

27 June 2018, 08:41 AM	#22
Dompropat "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: CT Watch: Sub Posts: 357	Beautiful piece! A good service and you'll be set to wear that for years. I'm actually pretty bothered somebody told you it was worth $500...

27 June 2018, 08:51 AM	#23
Bxtek "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: CA Posts: 2,549	Beautiful watch! Being that it was your Grandfather's makes it that much more special too. I'm on board with others on here and would just have the movement serviced, crystal polished and wear it as it is. Maybe replace the pearl too if desired. Looks great with the patina it has, and I personally feel that it would be a bit of a shame to restore it. I'm thinking that each one of those scratches and dings have a story about your Grandfather to go with it.

9 August 2018, 09:45 AM	#25
rolexbrand Banned Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: USA Posts: 99	500 Dollars was a bad price for a rolex watch

9 August 2018, 11:08 AM	#27
Cloudhopper "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: California Posts: 2	Any updates?

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