Look at this attic find !

[anglykos]

I was talking to my father the other day about his watch. You might remember in a previous post that he wanted a replacement dial that he could read easily as his eyesight is not what it used to be.

Parenthesis here: I got thinking that maybe I should get him a new watch period as the bracelet links are very loose and it has not been serviced in God knows how many years. I was thinking about a Sub, as it is a tough watch and has a very legible dial. Perhaps his old one should be retired after some TLC from Rolex.

At this point I would like your opinion if I should replace the dial - keeping the old one of course - or just leave it as it is for authenticity's sake. Some would argue that there is plenty of life in this watch yet, but I am more concerned about the watch being easy to tell time from as far as my father is concerned. I am not sure if the bracelet looseness can be fixed or if it will need replacing.

Back on the subject he says "I found the original box amongst some old stuff whilst looking for some [ancient] Xmas decorations" and after disappearing for what seemed to be an eternity he comes back with the original box.

I opened it up as if it were a treasure chest and looked inside. He says "unfortunately it's just the box" but something was not quite right. I had been under the impression that the wood backing should be visible. Instead there was green leather padding, so I carefully eased it out with a wooden paper cutter and out pops a leather Rolex folder. Inside were all the papers including original purchase receipt! The watch was a gift from the company he worked for in the Middle East and they had given him the receipt in case he wanted to change it for a different model.

Here are the photos that I wanted to share with you. Look at what it says in the warranty card about what you should use the box for afterwards....SACRILEDGIOUS OR WHAT???

Have a great Xmas and please don't forget to give me your opinion regarding the dial.

Thank you and best wishes, Manos.

[mike]

What a wonderfull find! I would certainly have the watch serviced and in no way would have the dial replaced. It's so rare to find one with it's packaging and paperwork-- collectors live for this.

LOL! Back in the day nobody could have forseen the direction vintage would take. Many simply threw the box (and paperwork) away. Rolex did indeed recommend using the box in that fashion.

[Lol-x]

I'd keep it all original (as mike says).
It is a fantastic find to have the original cosc timing results, you can't get those these days.
I would just get your father a new Rolex something with a maxi dial so he can see it better.

[Otto]

That is a real treasure trove; amazing stuff. I agree with Mike. I'd be in favor of keeping the original dial and buying him a new watch; mainly because the watch appears to be in such good shape and you have the original papers, etc. Also, it might be difficult to find the correct replacement dial (even a different color) and hands for that watch from Rolex. I have a friend whose wife had a DJ from the early 80s with a beautiful blue dial. The dial had some moisture damage, but Rolex no longer had the same dial in stock; so she had to go for a more modern dial. If your father doesn't want a new watch, however, and really wants to keep this one with a new dial, I'd change the dial to a more legible one, but I'd condition that on Rolex giving me the original dial and hands back with the serviced watch; and, if Rolex would not do that, I'd try to find a watchmaker who could find a replacement dial for the watch and return the old dial and hands to me after overhauling the watch.

[Dan Pierce]

What a great find. That's cool.
dP

[T_T]

Originally Posted by mike

What a wonderfull find! I would certainly have the watch serviced and in no way would have the dial replaced. It's so rare to find one with it's packaging and paperwork-- collectors live for this.

LOL! Back in the day nobody could have forseen the direction vintage would take. Many simply threw the box (and paperwork) away. Rolex did indeed recommend using the box in that fashion.

[frostie]

nice find

[Solar]

Originally Posted by mike

Back in the day nobody could have forseen the direction vintage would take. Many simply threw the box (and paperwork) away. Rolex did indeed recommend using the box in that fashion.

Rolex included cards with the old boxes that encouraged the customer to use the box that the watch came in as a cigarette case!

Imagine that now............

C

[marshallr47]

Wow! Truely an amazing find. Congrats. There's nothing wrong with changing the dial IMO but just make sure to keep the original dial. Your father is going to be the one wearing it. If that is what he wants then do it. Then you'll know he will at least wear it. Also the band can be changed but again, if you can keep it, do so. Good luck.

[robrtx]

very nice

[Tools]

That's a find that makes your heart race and your knees weak...

[ohlins]

haha....... literally treasure as i can see....... :)

[BuffaloRolex]

Wow, what an incredible find. And chalk in another vote for leaving the dial as-is.

[JJ Irani]

WOW! What an incredible find!!

And just look at that price, guys - 42 Pounds - you can't get one bloody SS link for that price today!!

[f16570]

What a find and great post.
Leave this as is.

f

[kcmo]

Very cool!

[Wolfgang427]

Excellent find. This is why I like to keep everthing my watches came with. Enjoy.

[Perdu]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

WOW! What an incredible find!!

And just look at that price, guys - 42 Pounds - you can't get one bloody SS link for that price today!!

I met a guy in a coffee shop who had a SD Double Red I think they are valued at about $26,000. He bought it for less than $300 when he left college.

If you change the dial for your dad (I think you should if he can't read the existing dial), be sure to keep the original so you can restore the watch to it's original state at some stage, or the watch may lose significant value. It should not be retired. Age makes it better. Interesting to see that Rolex used to provide the original COSC certificate - I did not know that, and seems the results were written by hand.

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Tools

That's a find that makes your heart race and your knees weak...

No doubt about it! Beyond awesome!

[GoldenBear]

What, did someone just put it away and forget about it? I know my mom used to do stuff like that. Christmas present, bought in May and tucked away...

[CoopJr]

Thanks for sharing!

[problmchylde]

OMG....OMG.......OMG.....AWESOME.......:clap :

[Transient]

Very cool story...

[East Bay Rider]

I wouldn't change it. I'd get him another watch and put that away as it is getting more valuable as time goes on.

[anglykos]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have decided not to retire the watch. I'll take it to the AD and see what can be done. Dial & hands are definite keepers anyway. As soon as it comes back I will post photos.

[Alex Stylianou]

WOW ! , My Inherited Rolex is from Aden , but four years earlier (1960) it is probably from the same shop ! , Good find !

[frostie]

Wish i could find things like this in my attic

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by frostie

Wish i could find things like this in my attic

I wish I had an attic!! On second thoughts, I think I'm happy I don't!!

[steel4me]

dude,

Get it appraised ... yeah it is all rare and all, but once it stops ticking, it is just a piece of metal. And this is an old watch and the older something is, the more likely it is to die on you. So get rid of it before it stops ticking and with the $$ you get, buy a couple of LV SUBS and at least 2 or 3 SEA DWELLERS... Nice find though!!

[anglykos]

I took it to the AD service center yesterday who were [genuinely] very happy to see it as well as being extremely courteous. They were also surprised when I showed them the box & paperwork. I chose a very nice ivory dial for my father and they explained in detail what they would do and what it would cost - which was very reasonable. It's all about making my father happy and that's what matters to me.