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tickton · 18 June 2016, 05:46 AM

Qualifier: I know less than my chickens about Rolexes, so be gentle...

My dad's Explorer II 1655 has been neglected for a years and doesn't seem to run all the time. It's generally beat-up, but not in horrible condition. I'm considering sending it to RSC for overhaul. Can I get someone to make it work again without Rolex turning it into a new watch? I hear that's pretty much what they do and I'm afraid that will hurt the vintage-ness of it?

MonBK · 18 June 2016, 05:47 AM

Send it to Rik in Florida.

harry in montreal · 18 June 2016, 06:32 AM

Can you take a pic. I live for seeing rare watches that were worn and enjoyed

77T · 18 June 2016, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

Send it to Rik in Florida.

+1 if you want to keep it vintagey but running strong.

tickton · 18 June 2016, 12:11 PM

thanks, been reading lots of praise for his work

tickton · 18 June 2016, 12:13 PM

is he blessed by rolex or a freelancer? i've seen lots of good posts about him either way.

tickton · 18 June 2016, 12:15 PM

sure, standby...

tickton · 19 June 2016, 02:02 AM

Pics

Gina Marie · 19 June 2016, 02:23 AM

Awesome!!!! Replace the crystal, clean the case (please do not polish), repaint the numbers on the bezel, service it, wear in great health!

Gina Marie · 19 June 2016, 02:24 AM

Abc watchwerks in LA is not cheap but they know what they are doing.

tickton · 19 June 2016, 03:31 AM

great, thanks Gina Marie! i don't want to overdo it, right?

BNA/LION · 19 June 2016, 03:35 AM

Beautiful! Looking forward to the before/after thread!!!

avilhena · 19 June 2016, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BNALION

Beautiful! Looking forward to the before/after thread!!!

Me too

Gina Marie · 19 June 2016, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickton

great, thanks Gina Marie! i don't want to overdo it, right?

You got it brother. Leave the case alone. Wear and battle scars should be honored and not polished away. A watch is only unpolished with a virgin case once....keep it that way. Great example. Well done. You came to the right group for guidance. Abc will do a sympathetic restoration to clean the case and repaint the bezel.....all you need with a movement service!

Gina Marie · 19 June 2016, 04:43 AM

They may even talk to you about resuming the 24 hour hand.....I would resist and keep it original....original is best!

1675-David · 19 June 2016, 06:45 AM

wow!! lovely example of a very sought after reference.

harry in montreal · 19 June 2016, 07:31 AM

It's such a gem
I like watches that have wear like yours. I think I would not wear it as is if the crown doesn't lock down. I like the patina and discolouration on the hands. It looks good to me

offrdmania · 19 June 2016, 08:24 AM

If it were mine I would only disassemble it to clean off the dirt out of the nooks and crannies, polish the crystal with toothpaste leaving the bigger scratches, service the movement, reassemble it and wear it in pride. I love its worn patina.

Edit: New crystal, just saw the crack at 5pm

tickton · 19 June 2016, 09:57 AM

thanks to all, i really appreciate the help and kind words about the watch!!

218225 · 21 June 2016, 05:33 AM

In december I had mine serviced by an AD after almost 15 years . It still kept perfect time but would after 24 hours in the safe. It did need a lot of new parts, so maybe 15 years without a service is overdoing it:)

The AD said that plexis are always changed at a service or when the bezel was unscrewed because they deform under pressure and reusing them would not ensure a watertight watch.
As for all advise, indeed no polish, no dial replacing if possible.

.But I do wonder what your father did with his watch to get it so scratched.

18 June 2016, 05:46 AM	#1
tickton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8	Explorer II 1655 needs help! Qualifier: I know less than my chickens about Rolexes, so be gentle... My dad's Explorer II 1655 has been neglected for a years and doesn't seem to run all the time. It's generally beat-up, but not in horrible condition. I'm considering sending it to RSC for overhaul. Can I get someone to make it work again without Rolex turning it into a new watch? I hear that's pretty much what they do and I'm afraid that will hurt the vintage-ness of it?

19 June 2016, 03:35 AM	#12
BNA/LION 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,608	Beautiful! Looking forward to the before/after thread!!! __________________ ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron.

19 June 2016, 08:24 AM	#18
offrdmania 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Matt Location: Wine Country, Ca Posts: 5,990	If it were mine I would only disassemble it to clean off the dirt out of the nooks and crannies, polish the crystal with toothpaste leaving the bigger scratches, service the movement, reassemble it and wear it in pride. I love its worn patina. Edit: New crystal, just saw the crack at 5pm __________________ TRF Member 11738

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18 June 2016, 05:47 AM	#2
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	Send it to Rik in Florida.

18 June 2016, 06:32 AM	#3
harry in montreal "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal Watch: The Habs pick 1st! Posts: 3,589	Can you take a pic. I live for seeing rare watches that were worn and enjoyed

18 June 2016, 12:11 PM	#5
tickton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8	thanks, been reading lots of praise for his work

18 June 2016, 12:13 PM	#6
tickton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8	is he blessed by rolex or a freelancer? i've seen lots of good posts about him either way.

18 June 2016, 12:15 PM	#7
tickton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8	sure, standby...

19 June 2016, 02:23 AM	#9
Gina Marie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: USA Baby! Posts: 1,068	Awesome!!!! Replace the crystal, clean the case (please do not polish), repaint the numbers on the bezel, service it, wear in great health!

19 June 2016, 02:24 AM	#10
Gina Marie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: USA Baby! Posts: 1,068	Abc watchwerks in LA is not cheap but they know what they are doing.

19 June 2016, 03:31 AM	#11
tickton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8	great, thanks Gina Marie! i don't want to overdo it, right?

19 June 2016, 04:43 AM	#15
Gina Marie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: USA Baby! Posts: 1,068	They may even talk to you about resuming the 24 hour hand.....I would resist and keep it original....original is best!

19 June 2016, 06:45 AM	#16
1675-David "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockholm Posts: 6,060	wow!! lovely example of a very sought after reference.

19 June 2016, 07:31 AM	#17
harry in montreal "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal Watch: The Habs pick 1st! Posts: 3,589	It's such a gem I like watches that have wear like yours. I think I would not wear it as is if the crown doesn't lock down. I like the patina and discolouration on the hands. It looks good to me

19 June 2016, 09:57 AM	#19
tickton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8	thanks to all, i really appreciate the help and kind words about the watch!!

21 June 2016, 05:33 AM	#20
218225 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Netherlands Watch: 1655+216570 Posts: 497	In december I had mine serviced by an AD after almost 15 years . It still kept perfect time but would after 24 hours in the safe. It did need a lot of new parts, so maybe 15 years without a service is overdoing it:) The AD said that plexis are always changed at a service or when the bezel was unscrewed because they deform under pressure and reusing them would not ensure a watertight watch. As for all advise, indeed no polish, no dial replacing if possible. .But I do wonder what your father did with his watch to get it so scratched.

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