I was gifted this and wanted to learn more

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Like roh123 said, it's an almost impossible project. It would be a real struggle to find a decent dial and insert for this. Top examples are approaching half a million USD now. You'd need to get one of those for the parts, but stripping it of the parts to fix this one would be pointless.

This watch just needs to be enjoyed for what it is. Or send it to Rolex and let them restore it, then at least it will be "correct." The vintage value is gone anyway.

I think with B & P it's a possible project - you just have to buy a complete watch, trade the parts you need, then sell the donor watch as a project watch for someone else.

Would cost a pretty penny, but with B&P etc, could be worthwhile.

If keeping it, I would just enjoy as is.

[supernova]

I’m more intrigued by this recommendation by Rolex!

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by supernova

I’m more intrigued by this recommendation by Rolex!

And smoking was so popular in the day that many people did just that—turned the box into an ash tray! I couldn't see my Dad doing that but I could see my Mom doing that… Fond memories of many a smoke-filled room.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by supernova

I’m more intrigued by this recommendation by Rolex!

Do a Google image search for Rolex Cigarette Card.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

And smoking was so popular in the day that many people did just that—turned the box into an ash tray! I couldn't see my Dad doing that but I could see my Mom doing that… Fond memories of many a smoke-filled room.

Not an ash tray, a cigarette box

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

And smoking was so popular in the day that many people did just that—turned the box into an ash tray! I couldn't see my Dad doing that but I could see my Mom doing that… Fond memories of many a smoke-filled room.

Not an ashtray (it’s made of wood!), but a cigarette holder, as cigarettes were the same length of the width of the box.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by interestedwatcher

I think with B & P it's a possible project - you just have to buy a complete watch

If you're going to buy a complete watch, which will be around 400,000 USD, just keep the complete watch and sell this one on for its case/movement/bracelet/hands.

Box and papers are a very small percentage of the value here.

It's a non-starter as a project at this price level. Might be a project if it were a Datejust.

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by zapokee

"Just have to buy a complete watch " @ 400,000 USD...

This is already the donor watch. It's pointless to buy another good one and then swap its parts into this one. Just buy the good one and keep it, if you must have one. Box and papers are a very small percentage of the value here.

I would have thought vintage, B + P would add a significant amount of value?
Enough to make it worth this one the donatee watch, rather than the donor?

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by interestedwatcher

I would have thought vintage, B + P would add a significant amount of value?
Enough to make it worth this one the donatee watch, rather than the donor?

Yes, they might add a bit, but I don't think B&P count for much when you get into the hundreds of thousands, which is what this would be in original condition (but not in this condition).

[roh123]

On a watch like this condition counts way more than papers. The missing parts are nowhere to be found. Trust me when I say that. The value here is the parts that are correct.

I don’t know the exact numbers but I would guess around 3-400 Milgausses were ever made in 1958. And very few have survived. It is a grail reference for most high-end collectors where condition is the only thing that matters. Finding an insert might be possible for a lot of money. Finding a dial is not. Therefore this is just a parts watch for someone that either wants to gamble and try to sell the parts or someone that has a watch with a small issue that could be corrected by it. Let’s say one without the lightning seconds hand or with a non-readable serial case. Still; very few potential buyers even with a project. That said this is still a very, very valuable watch.

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by thisismyrolly

"the face refinished with the same original color"

This likely caused a 200K+ USD damage.

[Verdi]

Quite remarkable the survival of the box and papers....along with the original bracelet.

What messes up this watch is that completely wrong bezel. It makes it a franken watch and that is a pity, knowing how valuable it is in the right configuration. Finding the right bezel is the key.....and as others have said, that is a hard job to say the least.

These early Milgauss watches are a niche, because of their rarity and high prices they commend. I am guessing some big players have held on to some parts when they came across them and they’ll be interested in the watch.

[supernova]

What would RSC do to this if OP were to send it in for service and overhaul?

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by supernova

What would RSC do to this if OP were to send it in for service and overhaul?

Maybe they'll have service dials and service bezels left over - that would be a cool ending.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by supernova

What would RSC do to this if OP were to send it in for service and overhaul?

It is worth a try, I would say! A service dial and insert would be amazing in this case.

[supernova]

Originally Posted by Verdi

It is worth a try, I would say! A service dial and insert would be amazing in this case.

They can't really say no they won't work on it if the base watch is authentic right?

Would they not create a service dial and bezel for this, just charge the extra? Must be cheaper then paying the crazy grey prices for these parts.

[Verdi]

Originally Posted by supernova

They can't really say no they won't work on it if the base watch is authentic right?

Would they not create a service dial and bezel for this, just charge the extra? Must be cheaper then paying the crazy grey prices for these parts.

They can say that those parts are no longer available.
But you can try, it is worth getting in touch with RSC.

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by Verdi

They can say that those parts are no longer available.
But you can try, it is worth getting in touch with RSC.

I believe I have read people mentioning an actual department dedicated to true vintage watches, that is in Geneva, that is where you'd need to get the watch to.

[thisismyrolly]

you all are such a helpful community i appreciate everyone's responses.

i have already received offers for it as well but i want to get in touch with rolex regarding this as suggested.

I will continue to update this post and answer questions as i learn more, i plan to grab everything from its safekeeping and head to rolex sometime soon

[roh123]

Originally Posted by interestedwatcher

I believe I have read people mentioning an actual department dedicated to true vintage watches, that is in Geneva, that is where you'd need to get the watch to.

And pay 10k+ chf for a 500chf service. :)

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by roh123

And pay 10k+ chf for a 500chf service. :)

[crowncollection]

Send it to Geneva. Imho get the parts made if necessary. This watch is worth it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by crowncollection

Send it to Geneva. Imho get the parts made if necessary. This watch is worth it

Yes. The options, in order of my preference, are:

1. Send it to Rolex for restoration.
2. Sell it for parts.
3. Keep it as it is and wear it.

[Erpin]

Originally Posted by supernova

What would RSC do to this if OP were to send it in for service and overhaul?

I sent my Rolex GMT 6542 with the rare red writing to the Rolex Heritage Department in Geneva for inspection and repair. My instruction was not to touch the dial, hands and bezel.

When they saw my watch it was disassembled by a tecnhician who checked all the parts. After which, they accepted it for a service estimate which cost me 2000 swiss francs. After the service estimate came out which took A few months, i gave the go signal for the repair which will take a minimum of 36 months at a minimum cost of 8000 swiss francs. Watch is still being repaired to date. Below is the link to the thread i started on my 6542 GMT.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=646877

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Erpin

...for the repair which will take a minimum of 36 months

How TF does a service take 36 months??

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by zapokee

How TF does a service take 36 months??

I read in Erpin’s original thread that it was a minimum of just 8 months.

[Johny]

Could the dial be re-finished to a better standard? It would make it look a lot better.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by roh123

And pay 10k+ chf for a 500chf service. :)

500chf service People want expensive watches but the watchmaker shouldn't be allowed a decent wage. Insulting.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by SearChart

500chf service People want expensive watches but the watchmaker shouldn't be allowed a decent wage. Insulting.

So 500chf for a nornal service is not a decent wage?

Sounds pretty normal to me but maybe my watch maker is cheap. Point was that Rolex Heritage department isn’t.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by roh123

So 500chf for a nornal service is not decent wage?

We're talking about a restoration, not a regular service.

For a modern watch, 500chf is still cheap.