1970 Red Submariner

[askeever]

Hello All,

A couple of years ago my mother informed me that she was going to pass on my late father's watch to me. I was excited and really felt pretty honored that I would be the new caretaker of something that he cherished quite a bit.

So early last year I received the watch with my mother apologizing to me about its condition, saying I would probably have to spend a couple hundred dollars getting it cleaned. I knew it was a Rolex, that they were well made and expensive but that was about it. My plan was to take it to a Rolex dealer and have it serviced.

Then I found this Rolex Forum site, and boy am I glad I did!

I have to thank all the contributors here as I have learned so much more about my particular watch as well as other Rolex models. And probably saving the history and value related to the watch.

After reading MANY posts and recommendations for watch services, I contacted Mr. Bob Ridley at International Watchmakers. We talked about what I wanted done to the watch and after listening to his thoughts and ideas, we settled on a course to bring the watch back to its former perfect running condition and beauty.

Work performed: Seals, Escapement-Calibrate Balance Wheel, Mainspring, Autowind-Rotor Axle, Case Tube, Rolex Service Crown, Rolex Period NOS Crystal. Clasp Repair, A couple new Links. Very light Buff.

Thank you, Bob, for your fantastic work!

Short watch history. Dad bought his watch in 1970 from Churchill's Jewelers in Santa Barbara, Calif. He was 38 years old. He was an avid sportsman and loved to fish, hunt, and especially dive. Per my mother, he took the watch back one time to Churchills for service in the late 1970's. I believe he had a new bracelet put on at that time, as it is not the original bracelet now. She says he never had it serviced again. He died in 2018.

He never bought a lot of fancy stuff for himself, but this is one thing he splurged on, and he really liked this watch. He hardly ever took it off.

I'm posting 'before' and 'after' pics. Again, much thanks to Bob Ridley.

Thanks for looking.

watch before.jpg

DSC_0030a.JPG

[BigBlue1]

I’m sooooo glad you did your homework before you went ahead with anything. You picked one of the best watchmakers too. Such a wonderful looking watch. Your father had great taste and sounded pretty adventurous. Enjoy, welcome and wear in good health.

[Dan S]

That's quite a dial.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum. What a fantastic treasure to remember your dad by.

[Juhuatai]

Incredible dial

[hutch300]

Love seeing a good outcome like this and a beautiful watch

[KY..]

Love it when ‘70/‘71 dials/sub-dials get to do that color change thing.
Congrats!

[joe100]

Glad you were able to do this correctly. So may amazing watches get ruined all the time.

[baumare]

Great story, you did your homework, planned and executed, no drama, and now you have your beautiful heirloom, and a “rare’ one with the meter first dial, congratulation!

[alwayshere]

what a piece!

Glad you preserved the history of it all. Wear it in good health.

[1675-David]

supernice!!!

[Singhalager]

Very nice 1680 indeed. It always nice to have a watch handed down from a loved one. Whenever you look at your wrist you will remember your father.

[FrenchBigCrown]

Very nice.

And a great reminder of your dad.

Health to enjoy.

[HL65]

What a great story and great watch. Glad you have it on your wrist!

[eatt_river]

Great watch story! Congrats on your heirloom! What a Rolex!

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by Dan S

That's quite a dial.

Nice understatement

[FrankNYC]

Such a classic! Wear it in good health!

[swaini3]

Beautiful... You need a nice insert and you're set. Enjoy

[Jessiecopeland]

That’s a fantastic watch. Congratulations.
Love the red Submariner.

However.
I think you did your watch an injustice, by bringing it to the local watchmaker.
As confident as you are with him, he cannot get genuine parts.
I’m 100% sure, that movement needed many parts.
You now have aftermarket parts in a very valuable watch.

It’s still a very nice watch. Enjoy the heck out of it.

Can you elaborate on the decision to not bring it to Rolex for service???

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Jessiecopeland

That’s a fantastic watch. Congratulations.
Love the red Submariner.

However.
I think you did your watch an injustice, by bringing it to the local watchmaker.
As confident as you are with him, he cannot get genuine parts.
I’m 100% sure, that movement needed many parts.
You now have aftermarket parts in a very valuable watch.

It’s still a very nice watch. Enjoy the heck out of it.

Can you elaborate on the decision to not bring it to Rolex for service???

He brought it to Mr Ridley

https://watchmakers.com/

Ive used him and his son in the past. Fantastic work. I use to use LAWW but after dealing with Philip, I e never went elsewhere. I’m sure he used NOS.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by Jessiecopeland

That’s a fantastic watch. Congratulations.
Love the red Submariner.

However.
I think you did your watch an injustice, by bringing it to the local watchmaker.
As confident as you are with him, he cannot get genuine parts.
I’m 100% sure, that movement needed many parts.
You now have aftermarket parts in a very valuable watch.

It’s still a very nice watch. Enjoy the heck out of it.

Can you elaborate on the decision to not bring it to Rolex for service???

Actually, he did the watch a great service by bringing it to a person who specializes in restoring/servicing and/or maintaining vintage watches in their original condition. If he had sent it to Rolex, all those original parts would have been replaced by modern service replacements which may or may not have matched the original pieces on the watch. Certainly not when it comes to the hands. And keep in mind that Rolex keeps your original parts and won't return them to you. In addition, they will polish the hell out of your case and will sell you a new service bracelet (nothing like the original) but won't refurbish your original one. They want the watch to look like a brand new example. From my experience with them, they have no patience for "difficult" customers who want to keep a vintage, heirloom in its original exterior condition. That is completely unacceptable to most people who have a family heirloom or valuable vintage piece.

Both Ridleys have access to original and New Old Stock Rolex parts that exactly replace the worn original part(s). Also, keep in mind that this watch is over a half a century in age now and Rolex has begun to stop servicing some older model watches.

You can see what I went through with my Dad's watch when I attempted to have Rolex service it recently. After following the advice here, I sent it to Phillip Ridley: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...4#post12464904

[subx]

beautiful dial and great story that ends well !

[Avs Fan]

Such a beautiful watch!

[Crown & Shield]

Congrats, it turned out beautiful
Please post more pictures when you can.

[Gaff65]

What a beauty! Congratulations!

[Ferdelious]

Great story and even better watch. I'm sure your Dad is smiling down on you.

[Proto3]

Originally Posted by Jessiecopeland

That’s a fantastic watch. Congratulations.
Love the red Submariner.

However.
I think you did your watch an injustice, by bringing it to the local watchmaker.
As confident as you are with him, he cannot get genuine parts.
I’m 100% sure, that movement needed many parts.
You now have aftermarket parts in a very valuable watch.

It’s still a very nice watch. Enjoy the heck out of it.

Can you elaborate on the decision to not bring it to Rolex for service???

RSC is where vintage rolex watches go to die. They will never touch any of my watches.

[JustinK]

Very nice watch. Love that dial!

[faimag]

so-so pretty! wear it in good health and remember your dad.

[TuRo]

Lovely brown MTRS first, that has got some fans //^\\ of this puppy for sure !

Your Dad would be both bewildered, and happy in equal measure I suspect :-}