Dad's 5513----Restoration

[Wacker23]

Repolishing the case is a bad choice but its your watch and your never going to sell it.

[strafer_kid]

Once you get it serviced, maybe get the existing bracelet 'tidied up a bit' and then just wear it as it is and enjoy it. Super watch and really great history!

[Dalton]

Originally Posted by Dalton

its gonna look amazing I'm sure. Beau is a master, and I've met another like him.

Correction:And I've never met another like him. Anyway, recutting the case is no big deal since its being done by the right guy. There are those who just believe that you should never polish a vintage watch but I believe that some watches do benefit from it. You chose well. No loss of value... I guarantee that if you posted it up for sale, it would sell for what its worth. The fact you're not selling makes it even more desireable. I doubt a member will turn their nose up unless all they bought was untouched watches, and untouched unpolished is something that gets thrown around, because I've seen watches that are basically unpolished since the last time it was polished. Time can fool some into believing that a case has never seen a refinish, even though it has been, it was done long ago though. So enjoy it! Don't fret too much about it.

[CrownMe]

Beau the master will be polishing my Gmt. Can't wait to get it back and see it

[jatco]

...Great story.. and look forward to the results.
Alot of thought/preperation and feedback came from this beautiful piece of yours, especcially with its history..
Love it and wear it in good health...
Look forward to the 'new' pics..(..tho I love the originals... ).
and

[up2nogood]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

Wearing white gloves and carrying a sword. This must have been a ceremony.

I'd take odds, with the three folded flags, that his crew had a very bad day.

Awesome watch and good to hear you aren't just going to flip it on the 'bay. Looking forward to the reveal!

[jatco]

Originally Posted by up2nogood

I'd take odds, with the three folded flags, that his crew had a very bad day.

.
Needless to say...!!

Originally Posted by up2nogood

Awesome watch and good to hear you aren't just going to flip it on the 'bay. Looking forward to the reveal!

IF, you even dare to flip-it, This community would on you like a fly on ....you know what.???
We know, that is not going to happen...
You have a 'Gem' there my friend. Be thankful..!!

[springbar]

Originally Posted by acftmech

I know many here said dont touch the watch except for getting it functional but I told the to go ahead and refinish the case. From what I have seen they do a pretty good job bringing the watch back to its original look.

I wouldn't have. Patina is what makes your 5513 special.

[acftmech]

Originally Posted by springbar

I wouldn't have. Patina is what makes your 5513 special.

The dial and hands will be original. The case and bracelet are all that will be "refinished". The watch had been serviced before. There were tool marks on the back and it looks like it had been polished. The bracelet had a dented/ deformed link that is to be replaced, it only makes sense to refinish the bracelet to match the new link.
After all, if you were fortunate enough to get a dented, repainted classic car, it wouldn't be wrong to have it refinished to its original color....
Although "patina" is okay too.
Either way, if it's old-and still going -its cool.
Attachment 535016

[jatco]

/\.. A Buick Electra...'64'ish..thereabouts..!!! WOW..!!- Memories..
Need 'skirts' ...

[acftmech]

I spoke to ABC. They pointed out the bracelet isn't period correct (and it needs work as mentioned)I have options:

• A correct Swiss riveted bracelet.
• A correct American riveted bracelet.
• A heavy oyster modern replacement.
• Fix the incorrect bracelet it has.

Decisions.....

[ROGERB]

Personally I think that beauty deserves a correct Swiss riveted bracelet!
R

[jatco]

You've gone this far with the restoration.. Time to finish the job..., IMO..!!
Go for what was authentic...!!

[007Sub]

Depends on if you want to enjoy wearing it a lot. If so I would look for a tight 93150 with 580 endpieces. If you want to keep it period correct then get a rivet 7206 with 80 end pieces. Don't do the C&I. They feel like junk.


Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk

[acftmech]

Originally Posted by 007Sub

Depends on if you want to enjoy wearing it a lot. If so I would look for a tight 93150 with 580 endpieces. If you want to keep it period correct then get a rivet 7206 with 80 end pieces. Don't do the C&I. They feel like junk.

I spoke with ABC again. I think this is the plan. As beautiful as the rivet bracelet is, I prefer something a little more secure for frequent use. The bracelet is a wear item. I don't want to start with something that's 50 years old.
If you think about it, a tight vintage ss bracelet is probably the rarest part of an old watch since it wears out with normal use and like a motorcycle chain isn't worth the meticulous process of building up worn links and replacing all the hinge points. (Although there are probably a few precious metal bracelets out there that would justify such labor intensive service, I don't believe a stainless bracelet would)
I can hear the purist collectors screaming already. I'm sorry. But I want the watch to be a functional heirloom. That's the beauty of a Rolex. I hope future generations keep the watch in good useable order and don't get all caught up in collect ability.
It's almost ready. I'm excited to see the final results.

[cop414]

Roger, thanks for keeping us updated on this amazing journey, I can't wait to see the end result. You have to know that your father is smiling down on you right now!

[jyan212]

Excellent choice, Roger. Looking forward to the pics!

[EEParker]

Agree on your bracelet choice. Original is only good if you like it/use it. Your father wore his watch all the time and now it is yours- the bracelet should be whatever you'll want on your wrist every day.

I got a leather band and a few NATO straps for my 5513 and wear those more often than the original bracelet because of comfort reasons. A watch is a tool- and tools are best when they are in use!

[acftmech]

Well the watch is finished. Its home... but I am not. Here are a few pics from ABC.
Before:

[acftmech]

......and after:

[acftmech]

I will post some more with the bracelet when I get home. I asked for some pics of the internals too. Hopefully they got some.

[Dokbrick]

Looks fantastic. Great call on how much refinishing to do. I hate seeing these nasty beat up all watches that are scratched to shit just because they are trendy. Enjoy your marvelous piece.

[jyan212]

Looks great!

[elcompa]

Great job!!!!!

[JCW1980]

I missed this whole thread until just now. Busy at work.

VERY nice 5513, and 10x as cool for you since it's an heirloom!!

You obviously did some great research concerning proper restoration of a vintage Rolex. There are just so many miss-steps that can really tank the value of a piece, but you did great! The final product looks amazing!!

Just a note for the future, since no one mentioned it previously in the thread - a huge amount of the value of a vintage Rolex is in the dial, especially for this one, since it's gilt. Never, never, never replace, refinish, or relume that dial (or the hands for that matter - "matching" dial and hands lume is also worth a premium)!! Gilt dials are a rare breed of 5513 and changing that dial could easily cut the value of the watch in half. That and the gilt is just so cool too!!

Thanks a ton for taking us all on this journey with you!

Congrats on a very cool watch with the extra bonus of the personal sentiment attached. Wear it in the best of health!

[JCW1980]

Also, if you're looking for bracelet/strap options, a light tan distressed leather strap would look great and make that patina'd lume pop. :)

Hodinkee and TheTimeTraveller sell some great ones.

If you go with a newer bracelet for daily wear as you mentioned (I agree with you there and would probably do the same thing) definitely keep the original bracelet tucked away.

Thanks again, and enjoy!

[PoderEsBueno]

Wear in good health

[acftmech]

Originally Posted by JCW1980

If you go with a newer bracelet for daily wear as you mentioned (I agree with you there and would probably do the same thing) definitely keep the original bracelet tucked away.

I did purchase a used heavy oyster. Its on the watch now. I will post pics tomorrow.

[Loevhagen]

Fantastic thread, story and photos. :) The case refurbishment looks good. Like it.

[jdmi32]

That is beautiful. Wonderful dial. You certainly picked the right folks to polish the watch.