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Old 23 December 2017, 02:10 AM   #1
SubKing
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Incoming 6538 back from LAWW service Pic Heavy

I know the members enjoy the before and after shots of Services done by LAWW.

I was thinking about it for awhile and finally decided to send my 6538 in for the full spa treatment. The timing wasn't the issue, it was the power reserve and figured it needed a new main spring. While it was there, I decided to have the case done as well.

The lugs were well worn with rounded corners, no chamfers at all. The case however did have a lot of meat left to bring this watch back to it's factory spec former glory.

Dalton performed the service on the movement and Beau performed the case work. I was told the 1030 movement was in good shape, no worn gears or busted jewels. Just needed an ultrasonic cleaning, new main spring, seals, and a proper oiling of all components. Was told the brevet crown and tube still in great shape so did not have to replace thankfully.

According to service marks on the case back, My watch had a RCS overhaul in the late 60's, then again at rolex LA in 82. That I believe is the last time it was serviced due to the case markings.

A little about my watch.
The Dial is a late 60's Rolex tritium service dial, but still very much vintage and has aged to a beautiful dark yellow patina with tritium hands to match.
nos service steel coin bezel which are rare and much stronger than the brass counterpart, with flawless MK3 insert. (factory fitted insert, never un-mounted from bezel) I love it when something has never been messed with!

In my humble opinion, this is probably one of the most crisp (Tritium service dialed) 6538's out there.
Issues free and as clean as it can get.
Very pleased LAWW helped take it to the next level with the mov service and case work performed.

Turn around time was 12 weeks to the day, YIKES..
So glad to have it back. If anyone is has questions about service costs, feel free to shoot me a pm about it.

So without further ado, on to the pics.

Some before shots of watch and lugs.




Service pics









Cased Up pic

Back home and completed just in time for the holidays. A Christmas gift indeed!






Wrist shots

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Old 23 December 2017, 02:37 AM   #2
Blakerhodes
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Looks great , those guys do amazing work.
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Old 23 December 2017, 02:41 AM   #3
mattedialdoc
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Wow


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Old 23 December 2017, 02:44 AM   #4
greekbum
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that looks great
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Old 23 December 2017, 02:47 AM   #5
Naples09
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Great watch! Looks like they did a great job.
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Old 23 December 2017, 03:04 AM   #6
fusionstorm
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Congrats!
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Old 23 December 2017, 03:20 AM   #7
swish77
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Amazing! Looks ready for another 60 years!
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Old 23 December 2017, 03:36 AM   #8
rootbeer7
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Incredible
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Old 23 December 2017, 03:55 AM   #9
Tom1675
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Looking good!
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Old 23 December 2017, 03:58 AM   #10
jdmi32
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That's incredible! One of the nicest I've seen.
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Old 23 December 2017, 04:39 AM   #11
Richard Carver
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Magic!
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Old 23 December 2017, 05:00 AM   #12
John Ireland
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Beautiful watch and beautiful work by LAWW. Still the best Sub ever made...clean and simple.
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Old 23 December 2017, 06:05 AM   #13
PanosI
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Pure Awesomeness
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Old 23 December 2017, 06:35 AM   #14
btinl
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Wow that’s a beauty!
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Old 23 December 2017, 06:37 AM   #15
HL65
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Very nice Jordan!
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Old 23 December 2017, 06:47 AM   #16
keto9
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Any reason to not have the bracelet cleaned up at the same time?

Lovely, lovely work and watch.
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Old 23 December 2017, 06:54 AM   #17
Styles Bitchley
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Unbelievably nice, Mr. Bond.
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:07 AM   #18
droptopman
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Wow! That looks really nice. I love Subs and this is my all time favorite reference.
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:15 AM   #19
mjclark32
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Oh wow that’s nice!
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:21 AM   #20
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That is certainly a keeper! Looks awesome.
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:38 AM   #21
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Damn........vintage sub heaven right there.
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:43 AM   #22
SubKing
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Thanks everyone for the kind comments!
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:49 AM   #23
SubKing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keto9 View Post
Any reason to not have the bracelet cleaned up at the same time?

Lovely, lovely work and watch.
So that bracelet did not travel to LAWW with the watch itself.

That particular 7206 bracelet (68 date code) is actually an unpolished band.

As tight and close to nos as it gets for those. The last thing I want to do is molest an unmolested bracelet. .
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:51 AM   #24
cop414
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Simply amazing. Did I see your watch on Instagram yesterday?
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:56 AM   #25
Wesley Crusher
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Beautiful watch. With the service dial and hands, it's something that you can wear everyday as well, which is awesome.
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Old 23 December 2017, 07:56 AM   #26
SubKing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cop414 View Post
Simply amazing. Did I see your watch on Instagram yesterday?
hmm, I haven't posted it on insta lately. Just came back Tues.

You guys are the first to see it actually since it's "face lift".

Unless you're referring to the finished case work pic LAWW posted a couple weeks ago of it? but it was just the case.
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Old 23 December 2017, 08:00 AM   #27
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saw it on instagram. Given my experience, I bet you have been without for months and months
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Old 23 December 2017, 08:21 AM   #28
SubKing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher View Post
Beautiful watch. With the service dial and hands, it's something that you can wear everyday as well, which is awesome.

That was the plan for sure but since it is so crisp and virtually not one scratch or ding on the coin bezel or insert, crystal NOS t-17 dome, everything is just so mint, I would hate to ding it up. The parts on this watch including the service parts are practically irreplaceable today. Can't find em in good or bad condition, so still leaves a certain level of concern when wearing.

It took the better part of 8 years to track this particular piece down.

Cannot tell you how many fakes/frankens I came across in my hunt and how many bullets I dodged. All had some kind of issue. relumed dial, refinished dial, aftermarket bezel, "replacement custom case" etc.

All the dealers I trusted never came across any.

In my experience, if you come across a "fixer upper" BC Sub, you better be happy with it in that condition, because chances are it will stay like that due to parts availability.

So in the end, it was a waiting game until a piece came up through a trusted dealer that was honest and complete.
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Old 23 December 2017, 08:26 AM   #29
Wesley Crusher
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SubKing View Post
That was the plan for sure but since it is so crisp and virtually not one scratch or ding on the coin bezel or insert, crystal NOS t-17 dome, everything is just so mint, I would hate to ding it up. The parts on this watch including the service parts are practically irreplaceable today. Can't find em in good or bad condition, so still leaves a certain level of concern when wearing.

It took the better part of 8 years to track this particular piece down.

Cannot tell you how many fakes/frankens I came across in my hunt and how many bullets I dodged. All had some kind of issue. relumed dial, refinished dial, aftermarket bezel, "replacement custom case" etc.

All the dealers I trusted never came across any.

In my experience, if you come across a "fixer upper" BC Sub, you better be happy with it in that condition, because chances are it will stay like that due to parts availability.

So in the end, it was a waiting game until a piece came up through a trusted dealer that was honest and complete.
In that case, maybe it's best not to wear it everyday.
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Old 23 December 2017, 08:32 AM   #30
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Amazing!!
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