1642 GMT late 1950s need advice

[capt bill]

I just signed up and hope I'm on the correct forum.
I have had this GMT 1642 since the early sixties and have worn it all that time.Some Time ago it was overhauled and a submariner face was installed and the original bezel was replaced. The band is not original but the rest is all there. I have seen these watches sell for big bucks and I would like to find the original style parts; GMT face and Bezel . I'm in the Philadelphia area. Can anyone give me some advice.

[mike]

First of all welcome.

I moved your thread to the Rolex forum in the hope that someone in your area may be able to help.

To be honest it sounds like someone has done some major damage to the watch.

I'm trying to figure out how a Submariner dial was fitted to the watch. The 6542 (correct reference number) was a bit smaller watch than the GMTs that followed. Any dial used would have to reflect the difference in size or be extensively modified. Secondly, the dial used on the 6542 "snaps" in with the date window, it has no dial feet.
Some have used newer GMT dials by shaving the feet and glueing the dial to the movement, but that's not a good way to go about things.

I'm unclear if by bezel you mean the complete assembly ot just the insert. Again the bezel is different on the 6542. Original bakelite inserts (perhaps what your watch came with) certainly experienced problems, and a correct metal replacement was used by Rolex, but many aftermarket inserts abound.

I guess my thoughts are were any aftermarket parts used in the movement? Parts for the 6542's 10xx movement are very hard to source.

Value certainly has been impacted .... a lot.

Can you post some good photos (front , back, dial, etc...) to give some idea where you're at on the watch?

[capt bill]

Originally Posted by mike

First of all welcome.

I moved your thread to the Rolex forum in the hope that someone in your area may be able to help.

To be honest it sounds like someone has done some major damage to the watch.

I'm trying to figure out how a Submariner dial was fitted to the watch. The 6542 (correct reference number) was a bit smaller watch than the GMTs that followed. Any dial used would have to reflect the difference in size or be extensively modified. Secondly, the dial used on the 6542 "snaps" in with the date window, it has no dial feet.
Some have used newer GMT dials by shaving the feet and glueing the dial to the movement, but that's not a good way to go about things.


I'm unclear if by bezel you mean the complete assembly ot just the insert. Again the bezel is different on the 6542. Original bakelite inserts (perhaps what your watch came with) certainly experienced problems, and a correct metal replacement was used by Rolex, but many aftermarket inserts abound.

I guess my thoughts are were any aftermarket parts used in the movement? Parts for the 6542's 10xx movement are very hard to source.

Value certainly has been impacted .... a lot.

Can you post some good photos (front , back, dial, etc...) to give some idea where you're at on the watch?

Thanks for the reply Mike.Thr bezel and insert are missing and I'm not really sure about the face, it does say Submariner. I'll get some pics and post them. Again Thanks for the advise. Bills