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phillip ridley · 7 May 2020, 01:09 AM

From what I understand, Rolex made around 100 of these very unique watches before moving on to the Eagle beak.

This watch came from a different country and after the owner purchased it, he had his watchmaker take a look. To his surprise, one of the dial feet was missing. In order to protect the valuable parts, he had the dial replaced with an aftermarket and the insert replaced with a MK 3 until he was able to find a solution.

A few years passed by until he reached out to me. Realizing how rare and special this piece was, I was a little hesitant. We spoke over the phone several times so that both parties knew exactly what direction was taken.

After receiving the watch, I was very eager to bring this watch back to its glory days. After attempting and failing to add the dial foot, I went to plan B. Plus, plan B would permanently secure the foot to the dial rather than using an adhesive that could break down the road.

The dial foot was successfully laser welded back onto the dial with no damage to the face; this way I knew it would be much more secure and reliable. Polished the crystal that was already on the watch and added the butterfly rotor with the copper reverser wheels.

In the end, this watch and its history came back to life.

brandrea · 7 May 2020, 01:17 AM

That’s just incredible work Phillip

I wonder how many of these gems are out there, where the folks that own them just have no idea...

I always look forward to your posts

goldfixer21 · 7 May 2020, 01:19 AM

I would LOVE to know how that dial foot was laser welded back on without damaging the front of the dial. I have tried this numerous times, and have never been able to keep it from damaging the front. I have tried many different power settings, but any beam that that has enough power to weld it, still messes it up.

BigBlue1 · 7 May 2020, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

I would LOVE to know how that dial foot was laser welded back on without damaging the front of the dial. I have tried this numerous times, and have never been able to keep it from damaging the front. I have tried many different power settings, but any beam that that has enough power to weld it, still messes it up.

That’s one of Phillips secrets.

btinl · 7 May 2020, 01:23 AM

Wow, amazing restoration. Thanks for sharing

cowboy music · 7 May 2020, 01:33 AM

Amazing. Thanks for sharing these. I always love your posts.

Flyingpig698 · 7 May 2020, 01:32 AM

What a rare piece and great work there!

Best Regards,
Danny

214270Explorer · 7 May 2020, 01:38 AM

Thanks! Please show more of these in the future!

dbhak22 · 7 May 2020, 01:52 AM

SO COOL. Thanks (as always) for sharing these stories/examples!

TimeLord2 · 7 May 2020, 02:24 AM

What a beauty, and some incredible patina on that dial! Very nice work and as always great pictures!

subtona · 7 May 2020, 02:38 AM

SUPER SPECIAL!

beautiful to see a thoughtful restoration and preservation of a piece of history.

1675-David · 7 May 2020, 02:40 AM

WOW!! now that's something you don't see everyday, thanks Phillip for sharing.

cowboy music · 7 May 2020, 02:46 AM

Question for the experts - are the hands replaced? I am thinking that the minute hand should reach to the minute track.

phillip ridley · 7 May 2020, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy music

Question for the experts - are the hands replaced? I am thinking that the minute hand should reach to the minute track.

Correct, we put a set of 60's curved Tritium hands as we did not have the Radium set.

linesiders · 7 May 2020, 03:46 AM

Wow. Drool. Well Friekin' Done

That watch PEGS the needle, hard ; )

(I am only ascared of the level of photo detail for the fakers)

unprdctb1e · 7 May 2020, 02:58 AM

BEAUTIFUL!!!! Great work!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

iliketime · 7 May 2020, 03:42 AM

fantastic restoration work!

Styles Bitchley · 7 May 2020, 07:27 AM

Beautiful. Those crown guards are a very pleasing shape, actually.

BigBlue1 · 7 May 2020, 08:13 AM

Great work Phillip. Very cool. I had no idea of the square crown guard. That sure is a talent to weld that little foot on. Watch looks great. Is that insert original with red triangle?

phillip ridley · 7 May 2020, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

Great work Phillip. Very cool. I had no idea of the square crown guard. That sure is a talent to weld that little foot on. Watch looks great. Is that insert original with red triangle?

Yep, that was the insert that originally came on the watch.

linesiders · 7 May 2020, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

Great work Phillip. Very cool. I had no idea of the square crown guard. That sure is a talent to weld that little foot on. Watch looks great. Is that insert original with red triangle?

There are rumored to be less than 300-400 total Rolex or Tudor Square Crown Guards in existence (with most of the Tudors going to the MN). Look behind the 7922

alwayshere · 7 May 2020, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linesiders

There are rumored to be less than 300-400 total Rolex or Tudor Square Crown Guards in existence (with most of the Tudors going to the MN). Look behind the 7922

amazing LS!

linesiders · 7 May 2020, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwayshere

amazing LS!

Just Giddy

Dan Pierce · 7 May 2020, 10:14 AM

Simply sublime. Thanks for sharing, Phillip!
dP

Tom1675 · 7 May 2020, 10:18 AM

So great to see this work. thanks as always for sharing!

77T · 7 May 2020, 10:14 PM

Philip
To what do you attribute the broken jewel, scored axle and other excessive wear on the internal parts? Lack of service/lubrication over the years - or some other cause?

I think this photo best shows the reason Rolex changed the crown guard shape.

The eagle beaked ones that followed gave more finger room when winding or setting the time. A good example of form following function in the evolution of this model over time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

phillip ridley · 8 May 2020, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77T

Philip
To what do you attribute the broken jewel, scored axle and other excessive wear on the internal parts? Lack of service/lubrication over the years - or some other cause?

I think this photo best shows the reason Rolex changed the crown guard shape.

The eagle beaked ones that followed gave more finger room when winding or setting the time. A good example of form following function in the evolution of this model over time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Simply put...abuse and lack of service.

The bluish coloration on the mainplate I believe was due to heat. In the past when the movement was cleaned then dried - I believe it was left in the solution/dryer too long.

Tools · 8 May 2020, 01:49 AM

Great job.

That's one ready for a museum before it's lost to the rest of us.

mountainjogger · 13 September 2020, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

Great job.

That's one ready for a museum before it's lost to the rest of us.

Agreed.

77T · 8 May 2020, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Simply put...abuse and lack of service.

The bluish coloration on the mainplate I believe was due to heat. In the past when the movement was cleaned then dried - I believe it was left in the solution/dryer too long.

Thanks much

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

7 May 2020, 01:38 AM	#8
214270Explorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: United States Watch: me buy Watches Posts: 3,955	Thanks! Please show more of these in the future! __________________ “The display of actual intelligence terrifies much of mankind” Rolex "some" Tudor "some" Damasko "some" Misc Pieces "some" Marathon "some" GS Spring Drive "some" Hamilton "some" Findeisen "some"

7 May 2020, 01:52 AM	#9
dbhak22 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Real Name: Daniel Location: PNW Watch: ♛ Posts: 3,063	SO COOL. Thanks (as always) for sharing these stories/examples! __________________ GMT II (16710) \| Explorer I (1016) \| Datejust I (116234) \| Submariner (1680) \| Day-Date (1803) \| Royal Oak (25594) \| FOIS (2998 spec) \| Submariner (16808)

7 May 2020, 02:38 AM	#11
subtona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: gus Location: East Coast Watch: APK & sometimes Y Posts: 26,407	SUPER SPECIAL! beautiful to see a thoughtful restoration and preservation of a piece of history. __________________

7 May 2020, 03:46 AM	#15
linesiders 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: RedSox Nation Watch: U Talkn Bout Wilis Posts: 5,487	Wow. Drool. Well Friekin' Done That watch PEGS the needle, hard ; ) (I am only ascared of the level of photo detail for the fakers) __________________ I'm a sailor peg. And I've lost my leg. Climbing up the top sails. I've lost my leg!

7 May 2020, 08:13 AM	#19
BigBlue1 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Real Name: Webmaster Location: Space Watch: it pal ! Posts: 2,956	Great work Phillip. Very cool. I had no idea of the square crown guard. That sure is a talent to weld that little foot on. Watch looks great. Is that insert original with red triangle? __________________ " Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford". Cindy Crawford Hypochondria is the only disease I haven't got RIP Mikey

7 May 2020, 01:17 AM	#2
brandrea 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 77,299	That’s just incredible work Phillip I wonder how many of these gems are out there, where the folks that own them just have no idea... I always look forward to your posts

7 May 2020, 01:19 AM	#3
goldfixer21 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 799	I would LOVE to know how that dial foot was laser welded back on without damaging the front of the dial. I have tried this numerous times, and have never been able to keep it from damaging the front. I have tried many different power settings, but any beam that that has enough power to weld it, still messes it up.

7 May 2020, 01:23 AM	#5
btinl 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: . Watch: on my wrist Posts: 1,954	Wow, amazing restoration. Thanks for sharing

7 May 2020, 01:33 AM	#6
cowboy music "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Texas Watch: 5513 Posts: 134	Amazing. Thanks for sharing these. I always love your posts.

7 May 2020, 01:32 AM	#7
Flyingpig698 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Real Name: Danny Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 141	What a rare piece and great work there! Best Regards, Danny

7 May 2020, 02:24 AM	#10
TimeLord2 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Valencia, CA Watch: GMT Master 1675/3 Posts: 2,178	What a beauty, and some incredible patina on that dial! Very nice work and as always great pictures!

7 May 2020, 02:40 AM	#12
1675-David "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm Posts: 6,060	WOW!! now that's something you don't see everyday, thanks Phillip for sharing.

7 May 2020, 02:46 AM	#13
cowboy music "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Texas Watch: 5513 Posts: 134	Question for the experts - are the hands replaced? I am thinking that the minute hand should reach to the minute track.

7 May 2020, 02:58 AM	#16
unprdctb1e 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Tony Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 674	BEAUTIFUL!!!! Great work!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

7 May 2020, 03:42 AM	#17
iliketime "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Real Name: Jack Location: NYC Watch: 16570, 16710 Posts: 1,535	fantastic restoration work!

7 May 2020, 07:27 AM	#18
Styles Bitchley "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Canada Watch: 1680 Posts: 1,398	Beautiful. Those crown guards are a very pleasing shape, actually.

7 May 2020, 10:14 AM	#24
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,098	Simply sublime. Thanks for sharing, Phillip! dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

7 May 2020, 10:18 AM	#25
Tom1675 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Real Name: Tom Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,185	So great to see this work. thanks as always for sharing!

7 May 2020, 10:14 PM	#26
77T 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 41,777	Philip To what do you attribute the broken jewel, scored axle and other excessive wear on the internal parts? Lack of service/lubrication over the years - or some other cause? I think this photo best shows the reason Rolex changed the crown guard shape. The eagle beaked ones that followed gave more finger room when winding or setting the time. A good example of form following function in the evolution of this model over time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

8 May 2020, 01:49 AM	#28
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,457	Great job. That's one ready for a museum before it's lost to the rest of us. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

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