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Old 31 March 2017, 09:57 PM   #1
phillip ridley
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Watch of the Month #5 Tropic!!!

This month, W.I. is showcasing this 1959, Rolex 6542 GMT with a true tropic dial. I chose this watch after reading an interesting article in the “rolexpassionreport,” their point being that the word “tropic” is being used out of context. Examples: water damage leaving the dial slightly lighter in color than its original black or no lacquer at all taking away the shiny gloss.

To read the article, visit http://rolexpassionreport.com/23316/...term-tropical/

Per the pictures below, you can see that this watch has been out of commission and stored away waiting for its master to show some “love”. The bracelet was in pieces, horrible aftermarket bezel and the movement was unable to function.

After understanding the direction of our client, I was able to restore the movement, rebuild the riveted bracelet and provide the correct end-pieces. The other issue was the Bake-lite bezel, we were able to source a nice (manufactured) a 3rd generation bezel. This is a great idea for those that would like to preserve their original Bake-lite bezel and not worry about the accidental drop.

Lastly, to complete the restoration, I used a tropic 38 crystal to magnify the beauty of this tropic dial.

Phillip Ridley CW,21
Attached Images
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File Type: jpg DSC_2042.jpg (83.2 KB, 864 views)
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Old 31 March 2017, 10:04 PM   #2
SPARTAN2161
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Fantastic!
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Old 31 March 2017, 10:19 PM   #3
SeaDweller50
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Wow, what a great restoration on a magnificent GMT reference.
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Old 1 April 2017, 12:02 AM   #4
offrdmania
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An amazing restore!! A tiny wrist that watch is going on
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Old 1 April 2017, 01:40 AM   #5
JnmEaton
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I love seeing these restorations!
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Old 1 April 2017, 01:54 AM   #6
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That bracelet had a lot of stretch !!
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Old 1 April 2017, 02:14 AM   #7
Ben.McDonald7
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Nice pics and it looks great! Thanks for sharing.

You did a great job on my 16013 a couple of months ago. Not nearly in that kind of shape but did just the right amount of a light polish and it's been running at -1 to +1 per day since. Great work!
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Old 1 April 2017, 02:39 AM   #8
kilyung
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Very nice!
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Old 1 April 2017, 02:49 AM   #9
mjclark32
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Awesome, thanks for sharing
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Old 1 April 2017, 03:41 AM   #10
Tom1675
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Quote:
Originally Posted by offrdmania View Post
An amazing restore!! A tiny wrist that watch is going on
HA! yeah, the owner may need to source some more links.

But what a beautiful restoration for my favorite reference. Thanks much for sharing!
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Old 1 April 2017, 04:07 AM   #11
sensui
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Wow.. Beautiful.
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Old 1 April 2017, 04:26 AM   #12
phillip ridley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom1675 View Post
HA! yeah, the owner may need to source some more links.

But what a beautiful restoration for my favorite reference. Thanks much for sharing!
Yes indeed the bracelet is small, sized it directly to the owners wrist.
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Old 1 April 2017, 04:32 AM   #13
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WOW! Wonderful Restoration!!! Thanks for sharing...
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Old 1 April 2017, 05:05 AM   #14
phillip ridley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben.McDonald7 View Post
Nice pics and it looks great! Thanks for sharing.

You did a great job on my 16013 a couple of months ago. Not nearly in that kind of shape but did just the right amount of a light polish and it's been running at -1 to +1 per day since. Great work!
Ben, thanks for the update and I am glad your watch is running great.
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Old 1 April 2017, 05:07 AM   #15
phillip ridley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thuilln View Post
That bracelet had a lot of stretch !!
This bracelet looks to have a lot of stretch due to it missing the springs that were inside each link holding it together...another words, stretch bracelet. Once installed, she's ready to go.
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Old 1 April 2017, 05:18 AM   #16
GB-man
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Sweet! I would love to have one in my house under a glass case!
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Old 1 April 2017, 05:25 AM   #17
SubmarinerSA
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Awesome restoration ! Bet that watch has some stories to tell. Would be very cool to know what they are
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Old 1 April 2017, 05:31 AM   #18
Cryten
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Nice job
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Old 1 April 2017, 05:34 AM   #19
jinikari01
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wrist shot please!
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Old 1 April 2017, 08:08 AM   #20
Dr.Smellody
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Amazing. Beautiful watch.
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Old 1 April 2017, 08:36 AM   #21
saskmh
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Old 1 April 2017, 01:02 PM   #22
mattedialdoc
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Watch of the Month #5 Tropic!!!

Can you tell us more about the replacement bezel/insert? Is it an aftermarket homage to a Bakelite?


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Old 1 April 2017, 02:26 PM   #23
phillip ridley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattedialdoc View Post
Can you tell us more about the replacement bezel/insert? Is it an aftermarket homage to a Bakelite?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This replacement was designed from a family in whom have had 3 generation to perfect their bezels. It's design is to replicate the original bake lite, and through our years of watchmaking, they have provided the most stable, reliable and accurate bezels.
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Old 1 April 2017, 02:53 PM   #24
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Great job!
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Old 1 April 2017, 10:02 PM   #25
emersm
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Very nice, Phillip!
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Old 1 April 2017, 10:09 PM   #26
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Nice work Phillip
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Old 2 April 2017, 09:31 AM   #27
phillip ridley
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An amazing restore!! A tiny wrist that watch is going on
Absolutely.
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Old 2 April 2017, 12:38 PM   #28
jban5
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That is a perfect restoration. What a beauty and how pleased the owner must be.
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Old 3 April 2017, 12:09 AM   #29
subx
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FAN tas tic watch and work !!!
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Old 3 April 2017, 12:32 AM   #30
Vincent65
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Originally Posted by phillip ridley View Post
Yes indeed the bracelet is small, sized it directly to the owners wrist.
Would that be Honor Blackman?!
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