The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Vintage Rolex Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 26 September 2018, 09:30 AM   #1
mrj115
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SF
Posts: 39
1680 - to cut or not recut?

Howdy all -

I have my MKIV 1680 at LAWW for a mechanical service and am on the fence about having the case refinished. It's been polished over the years and the dial has a couple of spots so it's by no means a perfect example. That being said it's nearly 50 years old and shouldn't look like a new watch. What do you think about the attached photos? Leave it as is or give it a fresh look?






mrj115 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 09:39 AM   #2
subtona
"TRF" Member
 
subtona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Real Name: gus
Location: East Coast
Watch: APK & sometimes Y
Posts: 25,958
I would address any issues that might present problems as far as maintaining water resistance.
I also might knock down any agregious dings with very light polish.
Otherwise I would have the movment serviced and leave the case alone.
__________________
subtona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 10:01 AM   #3
Just_Watch
"TRF" Member
 
Just_Watch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Real Name: Mike
Location: USA
Watch: 114270
Posts: 120
Leave it, it's just going to get scratched up again when you wear it and the lugs will be that much thinner.
Just_Watch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 11:53 AM   #4
Richard Carver
"TRF" Member
 
Richard Carver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 2,237
Those springbar ends are getting very close to the hole, don't take any more metal off that case.
Richard Carver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 12:04 PM   #5
wjviper
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: West Texas
Posts: 1,023
No!
wjviper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 12:33 PM   #6
thomaspp
"TRF" Member
 
thomaspp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N/A
Posts: 11,136
leave it
__________________
Instagram: @watches_anonymous
thomaspp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 01:10 PM   #7
btinl
2024 Pledge Member
 
btinl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: .
Watch: on my wrist
Posts: 1,938
It depends on how the rest of the watch and case look.
btinl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 03:23 PM   #8
R.O.L.E.X
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: N/A
Posts: 213
I wish people like yourself didn't collect vintage watches. This site is full of people unnecessarily replacing/refurbishing vintage watch parts for their own entertainment.
R.O.L.E.X is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 03:37 PM   #9
omitohud
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Sam
Location: los Angeles
Posts: 2,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by btinl View Post
It depends on how the rest of the watch and case look.


I agree with this statement. It all depends on the overall look of the watch. If it’s beat up but looks “proper”, then no. But if the case is deformed from previous bad job to the point that it doesn’t even resemble the original profile, then why not? I would want to see the case from the top, bottom n face on to give a more informed suggestion.


I blame it on autoconnect.
omitohud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 03:38 PM   #10
omitohud
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Sam
Location: los Angeles
Posts: 2,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by R.O.L.E.X View Post
I wish people like yourself didn't collect vintage watches. This site is full of people unnecessarily replacing/refurbishing vintage watch parts for their own entertainment.


Having a bad day? It’s a little harsh, no? He can do whatever he wants with his watch imo.


I blame it on autoconnect.
omitohud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 06:02 PM   #11
joli160
2024 Pledge Member
 
joli160's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,280
I don't like the craters around the lug holes and would have that fixed
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.
joli160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 06:46 PM   #12
roh123
"TRF" Member
 
roh123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Per
Location: Sweden
Watch: Gilt Rolex
Posts: 2,946
Leave it. If you can’t live with the condition I think it is easier, better and in the end cheaper to sell it and buy one with a case condition you would be happy with.
__________________
Instagram: @perj123
roh123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 07:48 PM   #13
gr4ndp4
"TRF" Member
 
gr4ndp4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Real Name: Alistair
Location: Hexham UK
Watch: Submariner Red
Posts: 31
I've recently had my Red Sub serviced after asking a similar question in this forum. The movement was serviced, perspex replaced, tube seals replaced and successfully pressure/vacuum tested. While my watch has not been so heavily polished in the past it does carry quite a few scratches and dings. Ultrasonic cleaning and a new crystal make the watch look very well, the surface condition of the case is cast into shadow by the clarity of the face and removal of grime. If in doubt I suggest you refrain from polishing, see how you like it after the service and if you need to, return it for a polish.
Cheers
gr4ndp4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 08:21 PM   #14
theflywrist
"TRF" Member
 
theflywrist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Stratosphere
Posts: 1,990
Quote:
Originally Posted by roh123 View Post
Leave it. If you can’t live with the condition I think it is easier, better and in the end cheaper to sell it and buy one with a case condition you would be happy with.
This is what I would do/suggest.
Easier to sell it if it bugs you, as I'm sure somebody else could easily live with it that way.
theflywrist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 September 2018, 08:37 PM   #15
exador
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NZ
Posts: 2,600
Can we see the dial and insert? IMHO nothing looks stranger than a freshly cut case with heavily patinated dial/hands and faded insert. Should be all or nothing.
exador is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 12:42 AM   #16
htbilgic
"TRF" Member
 
htbilgic's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Chicago
Watch: Doxa Pro 300 NoT
Posts: 535
Just leave it as it is. It's a great looking watch!
htbilgic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 02:50 AM   #17
R!$
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,405
Let LAWW give it a fresh look

They do an outstanding job!
R!$ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 02:56 AM   #18
Pureform
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Florida
Posts: 278
Quote:
Originally Posted by R!$ View Post
Let LAWW give it a fresh look

They do an outstanding job!
I called laww and Rikk... I wanted to refresh my case... Laww quoted $600 and Rikki $200 for the exact thing... Whys that and they are considered the best...
Pureform is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 03:39 AM   #19
214270Explorer
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Watch: me buy Watches
Posts: 3,956
Only service the movement, and keep the rest of the watch as is- beautiful, aged, well loved and showing its "life" so to speak.

"Restoring" it would be an insult to it.

(And possibly a felony in the watch-collecting world.)
214270Explorer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 04:01 AM   #20
Grandcrew
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: In Da States!
Posts: 129
Is the condition the case is in now holding you back from enjoying your watch?
I kind of view the case recutting trend as horological plastic surgery. While you can appreciate the work of the person doing it, often times the finished product ends up looking worked on. I doubt a nose job has ever saved a marriage.
Grandcrew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 04:08 AM   #21
CPRWATCH
"TRF" Member
 
CPRWATCH's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Real Name: Paul
Location: Chester UK
Watch: Rolex GMT Master
Posts: 4,589
As the Beatles sang ,speaking words of wisdom , Let it be , let it be . Just do what needs doing & leave it at that , your watch , your shout though .
CPRWATCH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 08:37 AM   #22
cajunron
2024 Pledge Member
 
cajunron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Ronnie
Location: Southeastern USA
Watch: Omega Seamaster PO
Posts: 3,841
Quote:
Originally Posted by omitohud View Post
Having a bad day? It’s a little harsh, no? He can do whatever he wants with his watch imo.


I blame it on autoconnect.
I know, right? Some people!
__________________
cajunron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 12:47 PM   #23
southtexas
2024 Pledge Member
 
southtexas's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Great State of TX
Posts: 5,670
Quote:
Originally Posted by R.O.L.E.X View Post
I wish people like yourself didn't collect vintage watches. This site is full of people unnecessarily replacing/refurbishing vintage watch parts for their own entertainment.


Aren’t you a ray of sunshine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Forty six & 2 are just ahead of me.

Follow me on Instagram @ccrolex
southtexas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 12:53 PM   #24
omitohud
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Sam
Location: los Angeles
Posts: 2,051
Quote:
Originally Posted by cajunron View Post
I know, right? Some people!


Tiger?


I blame it on autoconnect.
omitohud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 01:50 PM   #25
mrj115
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SF
Posts: 39
Thanks for all of the advice. I’m going to leave it as is.
mrj115 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27 September 2018, 11:44 PM   #26
Dr.Smellody
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 5,183
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrj115 View Post
Thanks for all of the advice. I’m going to leave it as is.
Best news of the day. It is only 6 am though.

Good choice!
Dr.Smellody is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 28 September 2018, 01:18 AM   #27
Kingface66
2024 Pledge Member
 
Kingface66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: The Empire State
Watch: 1966 Rolex 5513
Posts: 3,408
Quote:
Originally Posted by R.O.L.E.X View Post
I wish people like yourself didn't collect vintage watches. This site is full of people unnecessarily replacing/refurbishing vintage watch parts for their own entertainment.
Imagine that. These selfish people who spend thousands of dollars of their own money on a decades-old watch and have the gall to act like it's THEIR watch to do with it as they please. And to even go so far as to seek the wisdom and guidance from fellow-collectors.

I wish people like you didn't didn't collect vintage watches, with this self-righteous attitude that suggests only certain people are worthy to collect them.
Kingface66 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 28 September 2018, 04:26 AM   #28
116710er
"TRF" Member
 
116710er's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 'murica
Watch: yer six.
Posts: 576
Dunno, those holes are pretty bowled out. I'd just do enough laser welding and re-profiling in order to correct the geometry of the case. No need to go full faux-NOS, just some over-polish correction.
116710er is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28 September 2018, 06:13 AM   #29
sensui
2024 Pledge Member
 
sensui's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 12,344
I always lean on the side of not touching it. Little point in having a vintage watch look brand new.
sensui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 September 2018, 06:55 PM   #30
tekno
2024 Pledge Member
 
tekno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Texas
Watch: Tudor Snowflake
Posts: 1,036
Tempting on certain watches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
tekno 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

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*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.