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Slimpee · 9 February 2024, 01:55 AM

OP, that is a stunning watch! I hope you wear it in good health and that it brings fond memories.

A few years ago, I inherited my grandpa's yellow gold 1803. When I received it, the bracelet was badly stretched and was too short anyway (links had been removed as he got frail and were "lost").

I cannot recommend Rolliworks enough. They answered my questions, communicated well, and the work was great. You can read about my experience here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=796242

A few pointers:
-repairing the bracelet will not be cheap. In fact, for the money, you could buy a pretty decent watch outright. But it will be worth it.

-If the bracelet fits well as it is, budget money for additional links. RW told me ahead of time how many they thought i'd need and I purchased the links from them. I needed an additional link after I received the watch and had to source it locally. I spent something like $200/link or thereabouts. Your white gold links may be pricier.

-They will give you the option of which polishing level using a numerical level. I chose something like a "2, light vintage" polish. They told me that it would be good to do at least a light polish to match the added links to the rest of the bracelet.

-You can send the bracelet only (probably preferred) or the full watch. I sent the full watch so that the polishing could match the head as best as possible without polishing the head.

-They also do vintage servicing. If the watch hasn't been serviced in a while, or you're unsure as to when it was last serviced, you may consider sending the full watch and having it serviced at the same time. Again, it's not cheap but, in my opinion, worth it.

-Shipping was easy. They sent me an insured label and I dropped it off. Super easy. They returned it to a local Fedex distribution center and I picked it up. Also super easy.

-I was impressed enough with RW that this past fall, I purchased an inexpensive 6719 for my wife and sent the two-tone jubilee bracelet to RW for a rebuild. They did a great job. You can read about that experience here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=922445

-Bottom line: It will not be cheap to repair the bracelet, add links, have the watch serviced, etc. But if you can swing it, you will be adding your own chapter to the watch's history and it will keep on ticking for decades to come!

9 February 2024, 01:55 AM	#27
Slimpee 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Midwest, USA Watch: DJ 41; 1803; BB Ch Posts: 1,291	OP, that is a stunning watch! I hope you wear it in good health and that it brings fond memories. A few years ago, I inherited my grandpa's yellow gold 1803. When I received it, the bracelet was badly stretched and was too short anyway (links had been removed as he got frail and were "lost"). I cannot recommend Rolliworks enough. They answered my questions, communicated well, and the work was great. You can read about my experience here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=796242 A few pointers: -repairing the bracelet will not be cheap. In fact, for the money, you could buy a pretty decent watch outright. But it will be worth it. -If the bracelet fits well as it is, budget money for additional links. RW told me ahead of time how many they thought i'd need and I purchased the links from them. I needed an additional link after I received the watch and had to source it locally. I spent something like $200/link or thereabouts. Your white gold links may be pricier. -They will give you the option of which polishing level using a numerical level. I chose something like a "2, light vintage" polish. They told me that it would be good to do at least a light polish to match the added links to the rest of the bracelet. -You can send the bracelet only (probably preferred) or the full watch. I sent the full watch so that the polishing could match the head as best as possible without polishing the head. -They also do vintage servicing. If the watch hasn't been serviced in a while, or you're unsure as to when it was last serviced, you may consider sending the full watch and having it serviced at the same time. Again, it's not cheap but, in my opinion, worth it. -Shipping was easy. They sent me an insured label and I dropped it off. Super easy. They returned it to a local Fedex distribution center and I picked it up. Also super easy. -I was impressed enough with RW that this past fall, I purchased an inexpensive 6719 for my wife and sent the two-tone jubilee bracelet to RW for a rebuild. They did a great job. You can read about that experience here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=922445 -Bottom line: It will not be cheap to repair the bracelet, add links, have the watch serviced, etc. But if you can swing it, you will be adding your own chapter to the watch's history and it will keep on ticking for decades to come!