The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 15 April 2017, 08:48 AM   #1
DBakes
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Wales
Posts: 10
Vintage Seadweller - Rail Dial?

Hello,
Just signed up, and looking for advice/confirmation on a Rolex I've recently inherited.

I believe it's a 77 Seadweller Rail Dial? I also believe it's due a service but I'd like to know the best way to go about it. Is there is anything to be aware of when having it serviced? From what I've read here I can request the dials/hands etc remain untouched, is this correct?

https://imgur.com/gallery/WUIvs

Many thanks.

DBakes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 April 2017, 12:45 PM   #2
datejust24
"TRF" Member
 
datejust24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Real Name: Chris
Location: Cincinnati,Ohio
Watch: Rolexssss
Posts: 3,504
It does look to be a nice example from the not so super clear pics....looks like a service insert I believe, could be wrong but other than that it's solid .. congrats she's a beauty
datejust24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 April 2017, 01:29 PM   #3
crowncollection
"TRF" Member
 
crowncollection's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: David
Location: australia
Posts: 20,152
yep
__________________
watches many
crowncollection is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 April 2017, 05:51 PM   #4
Haywood_Milton
"TRF" Member
 
Haywood_Milton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Yes, it is !
Location: Cheshire & Mersey
Watch: Military issue Sub
Posts: 1,319
This appears to be correct, yes. Were you even luckier - did it come with any papers, box or accessories? If there is diving history related to your benefactor, many here would usually be most interested to read that, too. Back in the 1970s a Sea-Dweller was a specialist watch and many were bought by those who needed them professionally.

Do you happen to know the seven-digit case number, at the six o'clock end of the watch? This requires that the bracelet be removed, a simple task if you know how but perhaps best not attempted if it is an unfamiliar one.

If you'd like it serviced by Rolex themselves, you can save a lot by sending it directly to Rolex UK rather than through a main agent, who will apply a mark-up. I'm based in North West England and can help you do so if you wish. Yes, if you specify clearly enough what you wish not to be touched, they usually follow instructions.

I am sorry for the circumstances in which you acquired it...but congratulations on your good fortune that your benefactor chose so well!

Haywood M
__________________
*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
Haywood_Milton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 April 2017, 07:15 PM   #5
DBakes
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Wales
Posts: 10
Thank you all for your responses, a very friendly forum this seems to be.

I'll attempt to attach more photos, how can you tell that it is a service dial? I have also considered insurance although the value isn't really important as the watch is irreplaceable to me.

I inherited from my grandfather who recently passed, he would always say "This will be yours one day" but you never pay much attention growing up. He dived a lot in the 60's and 70's with his brother-in-law, salvaging old wrecks I believe. He never took the watch off according to my dad, and I never recall seeing him without it. There may be papers but they are yet to be found. We do have a service receipt from 2004, I think.

The crystal is pretty beaten up, is this easy to remedy?

Many Thanks again. @Haywood_Milton I would appreciate your assistance to get it serviced when the time is right

Failed to add the pictures, I'll just link the gallery here and read up a bit more later - http://imgur.com/a/lDqjC

Last edited by DBakes; 15 April 2017 at 07:31 PM.. Reason: Pics
DBakes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 April 2017, 07:31 PM   #6
Haywood_Milton
"TRF" Member
 
Haywood_Milton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Real Name: Yes, it is !
Location: Cheshire & Mersey
Watch: Military issue Sub
Posts: 1,319
It is the bezel insert --- the black ring (painted aluminium) running around the edge of the glass --- which appears to be a service replacement part. The dial appears to be original, which is far more important.

The story of your grandfather is exactly what we might have hoped....and just perfect for this watch at that time. Many will agree this is a lovely story and exactly the sort of provenance that we all enjoy reading about.

Which part of Wales was he in? I cannot help but think of the wreck of the Royal Charter off Moelfre, but am well aware our often-savage coast has many more sites. I write from Trearddur Bay, Anglesey at this moment :-)

HM
__________________
*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
Haywood_Milton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 April 2017, 07:44 PM   #7
DBakes
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Wales
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
It is the bezel insert --- the black ring (painted aluminium) running around the edge of the glass --- which appears to be a service replacement part. The dial appears to be original, which is far more important.

The story of your grandfather is exactly what we might have hope....and just perfect for this watch at that time. Many will agree this is a lovely story and exactly the sort of provenance that we all enjoy reading about.

Which part of Wales was he in? I cannot help but think of the wreck of the Royal Charter off Moelfre, but am well aware our often-savage coast has many more sites. I write from Trearddur Bay, Anglesey at this moment :-)

HM
I'm in the South Wales Valleys, Llynfi to be exact. I'll find more info about his diving history to share. He was up your way when he passed actually, 80 years old and still riding his BMW R1200GS!
DBakes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 April 2017, 02:38 PM   #8
prolle
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: The Bahamas
Watch: Sea Dweller 1665
Posts: 52
I own a Rolex 1665 which I had refinished by lawatchworks take a look at my thread on the forum and you can see for your self what can be accomplished. You have great watch that needs a little TLC
prolle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 April 2017, 02:43 PM   #9
U5512
"TRF" Member
 
U5512's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,125
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickey® View Post
It is a known issue that all of the SubC and GMTIIC's movement have reliability issues. Something to do with a spring that was introduced. I expect this to further increase the value of older Submariners and GMTIIs.
Heck why can't I start my own internet rumor and raise the prices of MY WATCHES!!!!
U5512 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Coronet

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.