Stabilize hands on this 5513 or not?

[mountainjogger]

This is my late R Series 5513. The dial, hands and bezel insert are original. What appear to be dial scratches in the photo are scratches on the acrylic crystal.

I purchased this watch over six years ago and have not had it serviced. It recently stopped running.

I decided to send it to RSC Dallas for service. Unfortunately, they refused to service the watch unless I allowed them to replace all three hands. I declined and asked RSC to send the watch back to me (when I have more time I will try and post about my interaction with RSC; it was interesting).

It is now in for service at a local watchmaker who has a Rolex parts account and is CW21 certified and is considered the best in the area. Should I have him stabilize the hands or not?

I wore this watch as my daily wearer for the last six years and the tritium has held up pretty well. I am in the process of getting another daily wearer and will retire this watch to special occasions only. So, it should not see much abuse.

As you can see, there are some light racks and crazing. But so far, no major chunks have fallen out.

So, to stabilize or not. My gut tells me no. I am interested in your opinions.

Thanks,

[exador]

Some macro shots would help. If just cracked, stabilise absolutely. That can be done invisibly from the rear of the hands.

[mountainjogger]

Sorry about the pic, but it is at the watchmakers' and I negligee to take more pics before dropping it off.

Thanks,

Howard

[mountainjogger]

"neglected"

[Vincent65]

Well, if you're not going to wear it daily any more - no.

No 'you with negligee' pics either, thanks!

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Well, if you're not going to wear it daily any more - no.

No 'you with negligee' pics either, thanks!

The mind is the first thing to go.

Thanks!

[Sky21]

Went through this myself recently, suggest you try to stabilize if you plan on wearing the watch at all. With the hands cased inside the watch the lume probably won't just keep falling out unless you bang into something with it, but how often does that happen?

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Went through this myself recently, suggest you try to stabilize if you plan on wearing the watch at all. With the hands cased inside the watch the lume probably won't just keep falling out unless you bang into something with it, but how often does that happen?

Not too often, but Murphy's law has a way of getting me. Still pondering. . .

Thanks for the input.

[FTX I]

What harm could come out of stabilizing the hands?

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by FTX I

What harm could come out of stabilizing the hands?

Don't have a clue? My knowledge base is limited on this. But I am always reluctant to change stock.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Well, if you're not going to wear it daily any more - no.

No 'you with negligee' pics either, thanks!

Just curious, are there any cons for stabilizing?

[springer]

I would definitely stabilize the hands. No harm at all.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by springer

I would definitely stabilize the hands. No harm at all.

Was hoping to get some expert advice. Thanks!

[toxicavenger]

I won't change the look. If you dont' stablize the hands and the lume is cracked then usually within no time you will be getting it opened again for get rid of chunks of lume floating around.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I won't change the look. If you dont' stablize the hands and the lume is cracked then usually within no time you will be getting it opened again for get rid of chunks of lume floating around.

Thanks.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Just curious, are there any cons for stabilizing?

Possible risk of damage during the process itself, and/or risk of discolouration.
If they change colour, IMO, what's the point? May as well leave them and get them re-lumed IF they fall apart. Just my take on it.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

Possible risk of damage during the process itself, and/or risk of discolouration.
If they change colour, IMO, what's the point? May as well leave them and get them re-lumed IF they fall apart. Just my take on it.

Good points. So, now I am still undecided. A lot of knowledible people here with differing opinions.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by FTX I

What harm could come out of stabilizing the hands?

They can change color. Anywhere from "just a bit" to "OMG what happened". Everything I've read suggests there's randomness in how it turns out. Bob Ridley has posted about it on here in the past.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

They can change color. Anywhere from "just a bit" to "OMG what happened". Everything I've read suggests there's randomness in how it turns out. Bob Ridley has posted about it on here in the past.

[Jp28]

I would go for it.
If there ends up being no big difference, thats a great result.
If there is a big difference then get them resumed before they put the watch back together. With the cracks the lume will drop out before long and then you are going to have the cost of another clean/service.
I therefore do not see a downside with trying to stabilise the,.

[mountainjogger]

[Vincent65]

So what have you decided?!

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

So what have you decided?!

I have not completely decided but I am leaning to leaving it alone for now. And if I don't call soon, my watchmaker will have it ready so the decision will be made for me.

My concern is a bad result and then trying to get the hands re-lumed to match the dial. And if I ever traded it, I would need to disclose the re-lume. Not everyone would care, but I would.

Lot of great advice and opinions. And I appreciate everyone's input. This forum is great.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

So what have you decided?!

So, I am probably taking the advice from your prior post. As you said, if I wind up with non matching hands, "what's the point."

[Old Expat Beast]

I got mine (L serial) completely overhauled by the RSC, though it already had a water damaged service dial when I bought it (cheap). Now it has new dial, hands, crown and pearl and is great for daily wear.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I got mine (L serial) completely overhauled by the RSC, though it already had a water damaged service dial when I bought it (cheap). Now it has new dial, hands, crown and pearl and is great for daily wear.

That is a great daily wearer. And if I was in your shoes I would have done the same.

But my 5513 is otherwise in very good condition. Also, my experience with RSC Dallas was different.

The estimate they emailed me noted "damaged" to the dial and all three hands. However, my opinion is that this is their pro forma approach.

When I spoke with three different service reps's I was told that the dial was in beautiful shape but for some loss at the 10:00 dot and it did not need replacing. After further query, that advised me that they did not have a replacement dial that was appropriate for the 5513.

They also wanted to put a new tritium second hand on and new lume hour and minute hands. So, I would have paid for the privilege of having new but not matching hands and an old creamy tritium dial. I understand their approach; and it is understandable from their perspective - bringing the watch back to spec. and reducing the possibility of future damage from cracking lume. But not from my perspective of having a vintage watch. So I instructed them to send the watch back.

In my opinion, putting new hands on this watch with an aged dial would have looked bad and reduced the value. The service reps conceded both points, but their hands were tied.

On the upside, at least the case, back, movement and band were authenticated by Rolex. Something which I always wanted. So, it was a learning experience with at lease the benefit of authentication.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I got mine (L serial) completely overhauled by the RSC, though it already had a water damaged service dial when I bought it (cheap). Now it has new dial, hands, crown and pearl and is great for daily wear.

And another thing. If I ran across a water damaged L series "cheap," I would snap it up in a heartbeat and get it overhauled. A new L series you can use as a daily wearer that should last your lifetime. How can you beat that! In my opinion, you can't.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

I have not completely decided but I am leaning to leaving it alone for now. And if I don't call soon, my watchmaker will have it ready so the decision will be made for me.

My concern is a bad result and then trying to get the hands re-lumed to match the dial. And if I ever traded it, I would need to disclose the re-lume. Not everyone would care, but I would.

Lot of great advice and opinions. And I appreciate everyone's input. This forum is great.

I can usually spot re-lumed/colour-matched hands immediately anyway, so, for me at least, that kills it. The texture and colour is never the same as the original Tritium, however hard they try. Some sellers seem to like doing it to a great many of their wares, and I always think... "Oh, but why?" Why not at least let prospective buyers see them in their original state first, and then decide, before just going ahead with it and spoiling the original integrity of the watch? Of course, some are likely very necessary to 'repair' before any presentation, but my guess is a good few get done when they needn't have been.

There's also - again IMHO - an irrational fear of 'what if particles of loose lume fall in the movement?' OMG! Alert the media! I doubt it will destroy the movement, in the short term. It wouldn't be long before the offending missing chunks of lume made their absence known to the passionately enthusiastic - 'obsessed'? and I speak for myself, too - owner, noticed. It would survive a crumb or two of ancient Tritium, before being sped away to the nearest emergency watch-doctor. They're largely made of Swiss steel, not Swiss chocolate... or cheese...

[toxicavenger]

I had Spencer Klein do a Seiko 6159 and it turned out perfect. Also he patched up the hands and matched the lume on it.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

I can usually spot re-lumed/colour-matched hands immediately anyway, so, for me at least, that kills it. The texture and colour is never the same as the original Tritium, however hard they try. Some sellers seem to like doing it to a great many of their wares, and I always think... "Oh, but why?" Why not at least let prospective buyers see them in their original state first, and then decide, before just going ahead with it and spoiling the original integrity of the watch? Of course, some are likely very necessary to 'repair' before any presentation, but my guess is a good few get done when they needn't have been.

There's also - again IMHO - an irrational fear of 'what if particles of loose lume fall in the movement?' OMG! Alert the media! I doubt it will destroy the movement, in the short term. It wouldn't be long before the offending missing chunks of lume made their absence known to the passionately enthusiastic - 'obsessed'? and I speak for myself, too - owner, noticed. It would survive a crumb or two of ancient Tritium, before being sped away to the nearest emergency watch-doctor. They're largely made of Swiss steel, not Swiss chocolate... or cheese...

I appreciate everyone's input. While I see the other argument, and while I can certainly appreciate vintage sellers stabilizing so as not to be repeatedly called on the carpet by purchaser whose lume is falling off, I will just cross that bridge if an when there is a problem. It might be different if this was my only watch and it was a daily wearer. But I am fortunate enough for that not to be the cae. And if I ever decide to trade the watch, then the new owner can make his or her call on the issue.

Update, my watchmaker just called and my 5513 is ready. It is running +-2 even though it is not a certified chron; not bad for a 40 year old watch. I will pick up it later in the week and post pictures when I can.

Thanks all.