Explorer 1016 Bracelet Advice

[Black Bay Dan]

Some advice please. I have just been to my local AD and my Explorer is back from Bexley. The watch looks amazing however the bracelet has not been touched and looks in need of some tlc. I have told the AD to order a new bracelet which they have now done, however my quandary is what to do with the old one. As it is the bracelet that my late father wore, I am loathed to sell it so would prefer to get it refurbished and save it for prosperity. It is not the original bracelet but a Service replacement, so is it worth getting it refurbished? If anyone can recommend someone who could do this for me it would be much appreciated (don't mind if it is in US). Many thanks you very helpful TRF people!

Dan

[agw2872]

Up until 3 weeks ago I used to refurb all makes of watch and managed to get them almost like new again. At the time I was charging £30-£45. Some ADs have watch makers on the premises. I would phone round and get some prices.

[Black Bay Dan]

Thanks Andy - so you not doing them anymore?

Dan

[Black Bay Dan]

Now that our friends in North America are waking up, is there any advice from their side of the pond? Cheers.

Dan

[BeeMee]

email Michael Young at enquiry@classicwatchparts.com

He is based in Hong Kong and has restored many bands for members on this forum. You can check on his company at www.classicwatchparts.com

He recently restored my President Bracelet for my Bark finish Day-Date.

He may take a few days to reply to your email, but he will reply.

[JPersat]

If you do get a new bracelet, I would definately keep the old one for sentimental reasons. Any jewelry professional can polish your old bracelet and make it look like new. Just make sure they are very careful with it.

[agw2872]

Hi Dan, sorry not replied sooner been cutting the bl@@dy grass. Was thinking about still doing refurbs but would have to buy the bits to do it. If you dont want to send it abroad give me a shout and I will see what I can do.

[Black Bay Dan]

The old bracelet definately needs refurbishment as it is stretched and needs some attention. Thanks.

Dan

[agw2872]

I probably couldn't do anything about the stretch but if you were not going to wear it anyway no big deal. I would brush finish and high polish all areas that required it. Is the edge of yours high polish or brushed?

[Black Bay Dan]

So is it not possible to replace the items that cause the stretch? Sorry for being a complete numpty but I do not understand the inner workings of an Oyster bracelet. Thanks.

Dan

[agw2872]

Dan, I have never been able to tighten the links on an oyster, I know someone who can but it wasn't a very good job to be honest. I tried to tighten my own rivit b/let but because it had links that could be removed I replaced the worst and than refurbed it. I would leave yours as is but just refurb it. Shows that it was worn and loved by the original owner.

[Black Bay Dan]

Okay I have calmed down now due the helpfulness of the ladies in the Service Department @ Bexley. My late father's Explorer was sent to Bexley at the end of May and was returned to my local AD last week. The watch was as good as new and I was really pleased however I needed a new bracelet. I asked the AD if I should just send the watch back to Bexley and get them to fit a new bracelet, however they said no it will take much longer, and if they ordered a new bracelet it would be there before the end of following week. I went along with this and yesterday received a call that the bracelet had arrived, and that I should come in for a fitting. They adjusted the bracelet and fitted it to the watch, however due to the age of the Explorer, and the fact that this was a brand new bracelet, the spring bars poked through the hole in the lugs and were not flush with the case. I went home and collected the spring bars that worked with the old bracelet and returned to the AD to fit them. After what seemed an eternity the AD held their hands up, admitting that they could not fit the new bracelet with the original spring bars, and that the watch would need to go back to Bexley. When I picked the watch up I noticed that there were scratches on the lugs. At this point I felt sick to the core. I had waited all this time, shelled out over £500, and now my beautiful watch was all scratched and had to go back to Rolex.

24 Hours later I called Bexley. They went to their post room and located the watch, and assured me that they would put it to the top of the pile, the bracelet would be fitted and any scratches would be polished out. I feel much better now although I know my lugs are getting ever more thin with each polish.

Dan

[Black Bay Dan]

I received my Explorer back from Bexley on Saturday and I am very pleased with it. They had to take the movement out and refurbish the case (once again), and also replace the bracelet with a brand new one (the first new one was also scratched, so I asked that the AD authorise the supply of a new item). Rolex also adjusted the bracelet to fit my wrist so it was good to go when I picked it from the AD. Watch looks beautiful so will post some photos shortly next to my also serviced Air-King. I am now just waiting for the Datejust to be returned!

Dan

[Lol-x]

I second BeeMee's advice.
From what I have heard classicwatchparts do a great job and are at a price point you just cannot go past

Hey dude where are the 1016 photos, you owe me that

[Black Bay Dan]

Hi Stevo,

I sent the original bracelet to Classicwatchparts two weeks ago, so I am happy with that decision. I will try and take some photographs tonight.

Dan

[Black Bay Dan]

I have finally taken some photographs of the finished result from Bexley.

Dan

[maverick]

That's a great 1016 looking great with a lot of sentimental value.

It looks like all your work paid off in the end. =) maverick

[Black Bay Dan]

Thanks Maverick - much appreciated.

Dan

[greekbum]

Stunning

[Tools]

Great look..........

[Black Bay Dan]

Originally Posted by greekbum

Stunning

Originally Posted by Tools

Great look..........

Thanks guys - I am very happy with the results, although in future I will definitely deal with Bexley directly, so as to avoid any disappointment!

Dan

[Black Bay Dan]

I have just received the original Bracelet back from Michael @ Classic Watch Parts and could not be happier. I don't know how they do it but this old Oyster Bracelet now does not appear to have any stretch at all, and looks like new. If I knew it would have turned out like this I would have sat on my hands and not sprung for a new one. Anyway this was the Bracelet that my late father wore so I am happy to put it away for posterity. Cheers Michael.

Dan

[YuppieKid]

[Oysterx]

Hi Dan

Couple of questions regarding the service if you don't mind...do you have any before pics, and what was replaced by Rolex for the £500 service? crystal, crown & tube etc...

The reason I ask is I've just bought one in good condition but would like to be able to make a comparison against yours to determine whether it would come back as nice.

Thanks v much
Fraser

[Black Bay Dan]

Hi Fraser,

I don't have any before photographs unfortunately (it was very scruffy externally), but for the Service Charge of around £260, they replaced the crystal, crown & tube. I asked them to leave the dial and hands alone. I bought another Oyster Bracelet which I paid £260 for (should have been £300). Cheers.

Dan

[Oysterx]

Thanks Dan - so the lug regraining and polish comes up like a new watch?
And what was the turnaround time.

Cheers
F

[Black Bay Dan]

Yes the case will look like new, however unfortunately Bexley are running at around 12 weeks from approval of quote at the moment (I am told this will improve when they move into their new premises). Cheers.

Dan

[datejust1]