Case restoration opinions

[Zz101]

Looking for opinions on whether this ( or any case) should be restored and then also who’d be the best place to do the work. I’ve heard good things of LAWW and I think there’s a few other good ones too.

My issue with it isn’t that it has marks or dulled or even has much metal loss. I’d much rather have a completely unpolished watch with all the natural marks it’s acquired however that’s not this. Before I got it it was IMO poorly polished and rounded the edges.

Let me know what y’all think!

[karleone]

The dial is stunning but unfortunately the case has been polished many times and we can see it (no more chamfers / bevels, brushing on lugs not near Rolex factory finish). I think LAWW is the way to go.

[karleone]

I would refinish the case if that was my watch.

[Dan S]

Totally a matter of personal preference. You should do whatever will help you enjoy the watch more. As noted, there are a few places that can do good restorations.

[RedSub]

That purple dial is STUNNING!

[swish77]

I'd definitely try to correct a bad polish, and would do so if this were my watch. It's never gonna be factory again, of course, but it could certainly be improved.

LAWW does good work, as mentioned, but you could also try Zimmerman in York, Pa., which has done a couple of jobs for me in the last year with excellent results.

[TimeLord2]

Yes! That is a beautiful dial and a beautiful watch. I would be quite satisfied just having it but I do understand the case dilemma. I have asked the exact same question of this forum with surprisingly different results. In the end it really comes down to what you want to do with it. It has been polished in the past and you would like to see something approaching the original chamfers but at the same time, are wondering if it will diminish the value if you have it polished professionally by LAWW and maybe even have a little laser welding done to preserve as much of the material as possible before polishing. My advise is to just let it be for a few months or years and if it still bothers you, get it done. It has been a few years for me and I am still on the fence. AT the same time, the only person who would ever notice would be you… Here is a link to my "should I refinish" thread for some other observations and opinions, that said your watch is stunning, literally stunning! Just beautiful! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=823343

[joli160]

That case needs a re-cut. The results will be amazing.

[Bestdj777]

It’s a beautiful watch. I’m sure people with knowledge and experience can see what you mean by the over polishing, but I’m sure I’m not alone at just looking at the watch and seeing a thing of beauty.

[Jamiewabbit]

Beautiful dial for sure

[Zz101]

Thanks so much for all the great feedback. It seems the general consensus matches mine that the case should be restored.

Honestly on my wrist only a select few would ever spot the polish but I notice it very clearly and I would definitely get more joy from a corrected case.

I’ll reach out to LAWW and Zimmerman on Monday to see what they think on doing the job.

[joli160]

The examples I have seen here from LAWW are stunning. Hope you share yours once done

[1665fan]

Needs laser welding to bring back the lugs….then recut.

[Woody]

That is the problem with vintage/older watches, they are never perfect. Some people view the imperfections as part of the attraction and uniqueness of the watch. Others see the flaws, try to convince themselves otherwise but usually end-up chasing their tails to get their watch “fixed”…..a process which nearly always ends in disappointment. The advice you have been given is all excellent, but my sense is that whatever you decide this is unlikely to be the watch for you…..but I hope (and probably am) wrong. Good luck with your decision and I hope the outcome is to your liking.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

My advise is to just let it be for a few months or years and if it still bothers you, get it done.

This. There's no need to rush into anything - there will always be people able to restore a case. Sit on it for a while and see how you feel.

That dial is divine, BTW.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Woody

That is the problem with vintage/older watches, they are never perfect. Some people view the imperfections as part of the attraction and uniqueness of the watch. Others see the flaws, try to convince themselves otherwise but usually end-up chasing their tails to get their watch “fixed”…..a process which nearly always ends in disappointment. The advice you have been given is all excellent, but my sense is that whatever you decide this is unlikely to be the watch for you…..but I hope (and probably am) wrong. Good luck with your decision and I hope the outcome is to your liking.

Yep, this, unfortunately. I'd leave it alone or sell it.

[Zz101]

Originally Posted by Woody

That is the problem with vintage/older watches, they are never perfect. Some people view the imperfections as part of the attraction and uniqueness of the watch. Others see the flaws, try to convince themselves otherwise but usually end-up chasing their tails to get their watch “fixed”…..a process which nearly always ends in disappointment. The advice you have been given is all excellent, but my sense is that whatever you decide this is unlikely to be the watch for you…..but I hope (and probably am) wrong. Good luck with your decision and I hope the outcome is to your liking.

I totally get it and respect the opinion. As we all know finding the perfect vintage is nearly impossible. Usually gonna have to compromise somewhere whether parts, damage, stretch, polish etc. This one I absolutely love the dial, hand set, bezel and with an unstretched bracelet it was and still is a no brainer for me. It’s usually easier to deal with an over polished case than find the dial you want.

[scat]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'd definitely try to correct a bad polish, and would do so if this were my watch. It's never gonna be factory again, of course, but it could certainly be improved.

LAWW does good work, as mentioned, but you could also try Zimmerman in York, Pa., which has done a couple of jobs for me in the last year with excellent results.

I'm also in favor of refinishing a case to correct a bad polish.

In my case, I purchased a Tudor Jumbo who's case was still in relatively good shape. Not over-polished, but definitely not the *correct* polish as the chamfers were dulled, for example. I could have left it as is, and would have been perfectly happy with the watch.

However, the watch was already going in for a service so I decided to go ahead and get the case refinished properly. For me, the marks on the case and the dulled chamfers had no connection with me (I'm not the original owner) - the imperfections didn't have a "story to tell" about the history of the watch. Also, I tend to service my watches only when they need to, so it would probably be another 5-10 years before I would service again. I may as well get everything done now (including the case refinish) and be done with it.

[Nunez. Jacob]

Originally Posted by timelord2

yes! That is a beautiful dial and a beautiful watch. I would be quite satisfied just having it but i do understand the case dilemma. I have asked the exact same question of this forum with surprisingly different results. In the end it really comes down to what you want to do with it. It has been polished in the past and you would like to see something approaching the original chamfers but at the same time, are wondering if it will diminish the value if you have it polished professionally by laww and maybe even have a little laser welding done to preserve as much of the material as possible before polishing. My advise is to just let it be for a few months or years and if it still bothers you, get it done. It has been a few years for me and i am still on the fence. At the same time, the only person who would ever notice would be you… here is a link to my "should i refinish" thread for some other observations and opinions, that said your watch is stunning, literally stunning! Just beautiful! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=823343

love your rootbeer

[Nunez. Jacob]

Originally Posted by zz101

thanks so much for all the great feedback. It seems the general consensus matches mine that the case should be restored.

Honestly on my wrist only a select few would ever spot the polish but i notice it very clearly and i would definitely get more joy from a corrected case.

I’ll reach out to laww and zimmerman on monday to see what they think on doing the job.

laww is great they did my dads rootbeer and blue face ym

[The_Datta]

Originally Posted by Nunez. Jacob

laww is great they did my dads rootbeer and blue face ym

Do you know how much it cost you for the case restoration? Thank you

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by The_Datta

Do you know how much it cost you for the case restoration? Thank you

Contact the shop by phone for up-to-date pricing information. They will give you an base price estimate, but the final price may depend on how much laser welding is done, if any.

[TimeLord2]

Would love to find out if the OP ever had the work done. Zimmerman seems to be an excellent option too based on some more recent threads. https://www.facebook.com/ZimmermanWatchRepair/

[TuRo]

Looks fine to me. Please remember, any restoration of a soft metal only makes it smaller, as it's very tricky to build up and then recut successfully ! Lovely, lovely dial... bracelet has soft edges so in keeping imho. I'd spend my money on a faded purple insert c £400-500 that would make it look amazing !!

[tekno]

I think Beau is the most consistent, he may not cut huge chamfers or add large amounts of metal but he’s cut three watches for me & every one was perfectly proportioned. The most recent he recut my fathers 16013 and bezel and it’s truly unreal.

I was recommending Zimmerman for the more worn cases I saw because I thought he would add more material & cut more chamfer but I’ve seen a few that made me wonder.

Plus he just hammered a buddy for a work on a 1601, no recut only brushing top of lugs. No Bracelet work. $500 just to brush the top of the lugs, no laser, no recut.

[HK_Expat]

Beautiful watch and dial

I have no problem in restoring a case, I just started a thread on the subject earlier.
I can’t make an opinion based on a photo. I would need the watch in hand.

Do what makes you happy

[tekno]

Beau killed it with my 86 DJ, he had to weld the edge up then recut the case & bezel. It was a bit sad looking before.

It’s hard to show the work in photos, but the lug holes were dished out originally too. It had been over polished over the years.







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[996marty]

To me looking at your watch I’d say it looks beautiful and just leave it as it is, obviously people see things differently and only you can decide if it’s going to annoy you every time you look at it

[tekno]

Recut it, send to LAWW. The dial is killer.


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[antiquesguy36]

Hi there, just a plug for Rolliworks. A quick search of this forum will reveal a plethora of good reviews, pictures, and comments. I’ve personally sent three watches to them with brilliant results.