Restoring/Servicing a 1978 GMT Master Ref 1675

[swaini3]

[QUOTE=SearChart;10725840]It is not in the quote because a plexi crystal is a standard replacement anyway and is included in the service cost.


I see. Thanks. They quoted me for mine but that was a glass crystal for a 16660. Obviously different.

[cam182uk]

Thanks for the help everyone. I've decided to get the watch back from Rolex and go to an independent watchmaker (Steven Hale / shwr).

It would have been interesting to see the result of the Rolex work had i given them the go ahead. I assume the watch with that many replacement parts would have looked brand new and similar to what it would have looked like when my dad purchased it in the 1970s. However i want to keep as much history as possible and as many of the parts i can that were my dads.

I'm going to go with Steven Hale for a couple of reasons. Firstly because so far the service has been great. A couple of emails and a phone call with Jubal has been super insightful and helpful. They are Rolex accredited so any new parts i do need they will be able to source. If the watch is as damaged as Rolex says, then it will be the same result as going to Rolex with all the replacements. It sounds silly but the fact they also have an address also gives me comfort. Another recommendation on this forum, didn't have a street address and when i tried calling they didn't pick up. On googling them i came across another watch forum raising doubts over them so that put me off trusting them with my watch. I don't want to put names here in case i'm wrong but it raised doubts and pushed me towards going to Steven Hale.

Its been a super interesting process so far and i've learnt a lot. Will share updates here once i get updates from Steven, although the wait time is over 25 weeks so it could be a while...

[twnturbo]

Nice watch & congrats i have a minty fresh "78" Gmt full set myself but 6 months wait time seems way to long of a time to have to wait .

[swaini3]

Apparently, he's one of the best ones in London. Good luck with your watch. Enjoy...

Originally Posted by cam182uk

Thanks for the help everyone. I've decided to get the watch back from Rolex and go to an independent watchmaker (Steven Hale / shwr).

It would have been interesting to see the result of the Rolex work had i given them the go ahead. I assume the watch with that many replacement parts would have looked brand new and similar to what it would have looked like when my dad purchased it in the 1970s. However i want to keep as much history as possible and as many of the parts i can that were my dads.

I'm going to go with Steven Hale for a couple of reasons. Firstly because so far the service has been great. A couple of emails and a phone call with Jubal has been super insightful and helpful. They are Rolex accredited so any new parts i do need they will be able to source. If the watch is as damaged as Rolex says, then it will be the same result as going to Rolex with all the replacements. It sounds silly but the fact they also have an address also gives me comfort. Another recommendation on this forum, didn't have a street address and when i tried calling they didn't pick up. On googling them i came across another watch forum raising doubts over them so that put me off trusting them with my watch. I don't want to put names here in case i'm wrong but it raised doubts and pushed me towards going to Steven Hale.

Its been a super interesting process so far and i've learnt a lot. Will share updates here once i get updates from Steven, although the wait time is over 25 weeks so it could be a while...

[cam182uk]

So i realised i never replied with after photos.

After many many months my watch is finally restored. It wasn't cheap but can highly recommend Steven Hale / shwr.

Very happy so thanks for the recommendations.

[narembeen]

very very nice!

[Jackie Daytona]

Very nice. Congrats. It’s a great feeling getting these older ones all fixed up with the old parts still and see them functioning and working properly in that state.

[harry in montreal]

Nice watch !
You should make a donation and become a pledge member. We saved you like thirty five million pounds on the restoration plus she is worth more as all-original!

[Styles Bitchley]

Lovely. Did they colour match the hands? Hard to tell from this single far away shot. Are you going to source a correct insert or just leave it?

[214270Explorer]

You are being smart by avoiding RSC with a vintage item.

[swaini3]

Well done. Enjoy it

[jhew]

very nicely restored. Beautiful.

[Woody]

That looks great - hope it gets lots of wear in the coming years

[athom]

Originally Posted by roh123

Go to an independant watchmaker and have him service the movement. If anything ask him to source a pair of matching tritium hands. That and a new crystal (or just polishing the old crystal) and you will have a more valuable, more beautiful and more fun watch to wear and enjoy.

+1000 !

[Stan Cooper]

It looks fantastic. What did he do, or not do, about the condition of the case?

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by cam182uk

After many many months my watch is finally restored. It wasn't cheap but can highly recommend Steven Hale / shwr.

Beautiful. You absolutely made a good choice by not sending it to the RSC.

It's always nice to see somebody asking the right questions and then making the right decisions. You've done your father proud.

How about some more detailed pics?

[VanPatten14]

Looks amazing!!!