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swish77 · 18 April 2013, 07:58 AM

Just got back my Submariner's rivet bracelet (USA C & I, stamped "I 73") from Michael Young, and WOW! The thing is now tight as a drum, with no gaps. It had moderate stretch before (sorry no "before" photos), but has been transformed to like-new condition. It's like a magic trick, and there's no visible trace of bends you might expect from opening and closing the rivet links to tighten them. What's especially great about it is the fit of the end pieces to the case is now virtually perfect. Before there were a lot of gaps around the lugs, and the end pieces flopped and rattled around. Now they are flush and firm with no rattle, although getting the end pieces reattached to the case was difficult because of the tightness of the end-piece to bracelet connection. Anyway, I was skeptical of this process, especially on a rivet bracelet, but I feel the bracelet is now pretty close to the way it probably was when it left the factory. Best $150 (including shipping) that I've spent in this crazy hobby.

Jason71 · 18 April 2013, 08:10 AM

That looks AWESOME!!! I have a 9315 bracelet that I really do need to send to Michael. Congrats

etp095 · 18 April 2013, 09:04 AM

Looks great,I also have a 9315 that I want to send him.How long did the entire process take?

swish77 · 18 April 2013, 09:15 AM

I sent it on Feb. 19 and got it back April 15. Great communication along the way.

etp095 · 18 April 2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swish77

I sent it on Feb. 19 and got it back April 15. Great communication along the way.

10-4,thanks.

RC2 · 18 April 2013, 12:24 PM

I need to send mine in too

Vincent65 · 18 April 2013, 05:40 PM

looks good - he does great work

crowncollection · 18 April 2013, 05:44 PM

Great stuff :thumbup:

crowncollection · 18 April 2013, 05:44 PM

Great stuff :thumbup:

Robbyvm · 18 April 2013, 06:44 PM

i'm convinced now.... was thinking of sending in my 20mm C&I bracelet but for this money and that result, my decision is made !

could you send me the adres where the bracelet has to be shipped to ?
do you send a mail in advance or how did you proceed ?

HL65 · 18 April 2013, 07:55 PM

Great work--looks fantastic!!

Darlinboy · 18 April 2013, 08:13 PM

Bracelet looks great.

That Sub ain't half bad either!

SUBversive · 18 April 2013, 09:01 PM

Looks great!

zapokee · 18 April 2013, 09:15 PM

Very nice. It's good to know that there's such a trusted restorer within the reach of the community. Thanks for posting the excellent pics. Stunning piece too!

cop414 · 18 April 2013, 09:22 PM

Wow, that looks amazing, like new. You've got to be delighted with that kind of work!

swish77 · 18 April 2013, 11:44 PM

Many thanks, all. Yes, extremely happy with it. I know the rivet bracelets are a little flimsy, but they scream "vintage" and seem so appropriate on certain Rolexes. The bracelet seems a lot sturdier now, too.

As for contacting Michael, I had good email communication with him during the process. I'd recommend emailing him first for details about where to send your bracelet, etc ...: michael_ck_young@hotmail.com.

Robbyvm · 19 April 2013, 12:30 AM

i've got a very quick reply on my mail "how to proceed"
my rivet C&I will leave from europe to HK next week !

Porsche958 · 27 June 2013, 12:59 AM

Your rivets appears to have a dimple in them where mine do not, were yours like this before you sent it to Michael, or did they use some newer/different rivets? Mine are more round and full in the center, as mine is a 7206 style bracelet. Thanks!

Hooguru · 27 June 2013, 01:27 AM

Thanks for all the pics. Looks terrific & I now have a new appreciation for that bracelet!

swish77 · 27 June 2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche958

Your rivets appears to have a dimple in them where mine do not, were yours like this before you sent it to Michael, or did they use some newer/different rivets? Mine are more round and full in the center, as mine is a 7206 style bracelet. Thanks!

Yes, the rivets on my bracelet were like this before I sent it to Michael for the restoration work. (I just double-checked some old photos of the bracelet.) Perhaps there were different types of rivets Rolex used through the years. My bracelet is a USA-made version stamped for '73. Perhaps yours is older?

Frogman4me · 27 June 2013, 06:35 AM

Very nice! Another great job :)

Robbyvm · 27 June 2013, 06:37 AM

The C&I rivet bracelets have holow rivets, the Rolex 7206 bracelets don't that is the difference

Porsche958 · 27 June 2013, 09:35 AM

Awesome, thanks for the clarification guys! I was just making sure I would get the original rivet style back after I sent my 7206 to him, and yes mine is from '68 so it's a bit older. Thanks again!

007Sub · 27 June 2013, 12:06 PM

Gorgeous!

lmcgbaj · 27 June 2013, 01:25 PM

Very nice. Good job.

drainaps · 30 June 2013, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche958

Your rivets appears to have a dimple in them where mine do not, were yours like this before you sent it to Michael, or did they use some newer/different rivets? Mine are more round and full in the center, as mine is a 7206 style bracelet. Thanks!

At the time, Rolex made some bracelets in the US. US-made rivet bracelets had the dimples you mention (hollow rivets) while European-made did not.

18 April 2013, 08:10 AM	#2
Jason71 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: USA Watch: Rolex/Tudor Divers Posts: 7,973	That looks AWESOME!!! I have a 9315 bracelet that I really do need to send to Michael. Congrats __________________ Best Regards, Jason Just Say "NO" to Polishing Card-Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch Curmudgeons LIfe is too short to wear inexpensive watches PLEXI IS SEXY

18 April 2013, 09:04 AM	#3
etp095 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: rudolph Location: chicago burbs Posts: 2,026	Looks great,I also have a 9315 that I want to send him.How long did the entire process take? __________________ tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D)

18 April 2013, 12:24 PM	#6
RC2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: NC Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 2,359	I need to send mine in too __________________ Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97

18 April 2013, 05:44 PM	#8
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,215	Great stuff :thumbup: __________________ watches many

18 April 2013, 05:44 PM	#9
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,215	Great stuff :thumbup: __________________ watches many

18 April 2013, 09:15 AM	#4
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,984	I sent it on Feb. 19 and got it back April 15. Great communication along the way.

18 April 2013, 05:40 PM	#7
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	looks good - he does great work

18 April 2013, 06:44 PM	#10
Robbyvm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,239	i'm convinced now.... was thinking of sending in my 20mm C&I bracelet but for this money and that result, my decision is made ! could you send me the adres where the bracelet has to be shipped to ? do you send a mail in advance or how did you proceed ?

18 April 2013, 07:55 PM	#11
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 63,989	Great work--looks fantastic!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

18 April 2013, 08:13 PM	#12
Darlinboy 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: DB Location: :noitacoL Watch: :hctaW Posts: 6,701	Bracelet looks great. That Sub ain't half bad either! __________________ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

18 April 2013, 09:01 PM	#13
SUBversive Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: ri Watch: Sun Dial Posts: 14,346	Looks great!

18 April 2013, 09:15 PM	#14
zapokee "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Japan Posts: 4,366	Very nice. It's good to know that there's such a trusted restorer within the reach of the community. Thanks for posting the excellent pics. Stunning piece too!

18 April 2013, 09:22 PM	#15
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,135	Wow, that looks amazing, like new. You've got to be delighted with that kind of work! __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

18 April 2013, 11:44 PM	#16
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,984	Many thanks, all. Yes, extremely happy with it. I know the rivet bracelets are a little flimsy, but they scream "vintage" and seem so appropriate on certain Rolexes. The bracelet seems a lot sturdier now, too. As for contacting Michael, I had good email communication with him during the process. I'd recommend emailing him first for details about where to send your bracelet, etc ...: michael_ck_young@hotmail.com.

19 April 2013, 12:30 AM	#17
Robbyvm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,239	i've got a very quick reply on my mail "how to proceed" my rivet C&I will leave from europe to HK next week !

27 June 2013, 12:59 AM	#18
Porsche958 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: Joel Location: Atlanta, Ga Watch: 1655 Posts: 866	Your rivets appears to have a dimple in them where mine do not, were yours like this before you sent it to Michael, or did they use some newer/different rivets? Mine are more round and full in the center, as mine is a 7206 style bracelet. Thanks!

27 June 2013, 01:27 AM	#19
Hooguru "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: Chris Location: VA Watch: 1675 Posts: 62	Thanks for all the pics. Looks terrific & I now have a new appreciation for that bracelet!

27 June 2013, 06:35 AM	#21
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Very nice! Another great job :)

27 June 2013, 06:37 AM	#22
Robbyvm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,239	The C&I rivet bracelets have holow rivets, the Rolex 7206 bracelets don't that is the difference

27 June 2013, 09:35 AM	#23
Porsche958 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Real Name: Joel Location: Atlanta, Ga Watch: 1655 Posts: 866	Awesome, thanks for the clarification guys! I was just making sure I would get the original rivet style back after I sent my 7206 to him, and yes mine is from '68 so it's a bit older. Thanks again!

27 June 2013, 12:06 PM	#24
007Sub "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Greg Location: USA Watch: Milsub Posts: 1,635	Gorgeous! __________________ @true_patina @true.dome

27 June 2013, 01:25 PM	#25
lmcgbaj "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: G Location: Canada Watch: es are FUN!!! Posts: 1,979	Very nice. Good job. __________________ "Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.* "*

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