Dead Rolex--need help!

[GregStevens]

Watch belongs to my neighbor. Long story short, it originally belonged to his father, Chuck "Black Bart" Bartholomew, who was a Navy underwater salvage expert--acutually led up the salvage mission for the first space shuttle disaster back in the 80's. Anyways, he died in a diving accident several years ago and his son inherited the watch and promptly went swimming with it while the crown was open. When he first noticed the moisture inside he took it to an AD but didn't want to spend the $500 or so to fix it. That was probably 15 years ago. Here's the deal. His wife wants to fix it up for him and give it to him for his 40th birthday as a surprise. So, my questions are:

1) Since the movement is pretty much dead--where can I pick up another 5512 or 5513 movement? How much do those go for? And,
2) Who can I trust to get the watch up and running again? I'm located in the US--California specifically. And,
3) What would be the estimated cost range for a project such as this?

We'd like to keep everything looking the way it looks now and just want it to work. Does that make sense? I personally think it looks great and has some history so I wouldn't want to lose any of that. Just get it running! Anyways, thanks for your help.

Greg Stevens
gregstraps@gmail.com

[Lol-x]

Welcome, great vintage watch, but it will need a 'little' work.
I'm sure there are many who can help you out

[Tombstone]

Welcome to the forum that Rolex has an awesome history, I know of a very popular Rolex expert, John B. Holbrook, II he writes reviews, stories, and takes amazing photos of Rolex watches he recently brought a Double Red Sea-Dweller back from the dead and did a very good job. Drop him a line at john@rolexreferencepage.com I am sure he would be able to give you outstanding advice on whom to contact, who knows he may even do a story about the Rolex, its first owner, and the history behind the watch. Welcome to the forum and good luck to you.

[Alcan]

Hi Greg, welcome aboard!

You're probably going to be into replacing the dial as well due to concerns about rust from it finding it's way into the new movement.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Phew!

Nice Rollie, but it does need some TLC (or is it TRF ).

I'd send it to Nick (hour resident watch maker). If he can't fix it, no one can.

"Nick Hacko" is his nick here on TRF

[ian.thomas]

Very nice watch, but I'm afraid it's gong to cost a bunch to get it back to life.

The only people I can think of (and trust) would be Nick or Rolex.

Expensive, yes; worth it, yes yes!

[nko51]

There is no sense in fixing something for sentimental value if everything in the watch will be a replacement parts.

[Alex Stylianou]

Send It To Nick Or Rolex . But Try To Keep The Old Parts , Just For The Sentimental Part Of Things.

[Tools]

I'm not a watch expert:

The corrossion sems to be mainly from the screw heads. Most else is surface discoloration from those screws. A few pieces, springs, pins, screws, expendibles, may need to be replaced, but it appears that much of it is just clean-up.

Of course the dial is corroded too, or is that just flakes from the works..

Still, it might be more salvageable than it at first looks.

Of course, if you don't want it, send it to me. I'll pay USPS shipping. :)

[leopardprey]

Even if all parts inside are replaced, will still be the same serialed numbered watch and have sentimental value. Like an old car, that has a new engine put inside it.

[Nick Hacko]

Looks like bit of challenge but definitely repearable. The worst case scenario
is new balance complete, auto rotor wheels and train wheels, new barrel and mainspring (give or take few parts). Lets say US$600 worth of movement parts.

Try Rolex first, if they reject it as being beyond repair, I'll fix it for
cost of parts plus $1 for labor charge ( and return postage at actual cost).

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Looks like bit of challenge but definitely repearable. The worst case scenario
is new balance complete, auto rotor wheels and train wheels, new barrel and mainspring (give or take few parts). Lets say US$600 worth of movement parts.

Try Rolex first, if they reject it as being beyond repair, I'll fix it for
cost of parts plus $1 for labor charge ( and return postage at actual cost).

You can't say fairer than that.

$1 labour charge.

I would take Nick up on his generous offer while he is still drunk on fermented raspberry wine.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Looks like bit of challenge but definitely repearable. The worst case scenario
is new balance complete, auto rotor wheels and train wheels, new barrel and mainspring (give or take few parts). Lets say US$600 worth of movement parts.

Try Rolex first, if they reject it as being beyond repair, I'll fix it for
cost of parts plus $1 for labor charge ( and return postage at actual cost).

Nick, you are a gentleman beyond my wildest dreams!!

[roadcarver]

Nick, words can't describe your generosity!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Looks like bit of challenge but definitely repearable. The worst case scenario
is new balance complete, auto rotor wheels and train wheels, new barrel and mainspring (give or take few parts). Lets say US$600 worth of movement parts.

Try Rolex first, if they reject it as being beyond repair, I'll fix it for
cost of parts plus $1 for labor charge ( and return postage at actual cost).

Nick, it's gentlemen like you that make this such a fun hobby.

[BLSampson]

Nick,
You are a true gentleman. Thank you.

[leopardprey]

That is such a good deal, makes me want to take a hammer to one of my Rolex watches just so I can send to Nick for him to fix!! LOL

That is really great of you Nick, I am sure you will find it a very rewarding and challenging project.

[mcubed]

WOW...watch looks pretty rough, but given the personal family history I would say it is pretty priceless, and worth whatever it costs to restore.

[Goldeneye]

Nice gilt dial 5512! I think at one point the actual owner of this watch posted the same question on TZ vintage forum awhile back. I would think a good watchmaker can bring that back to life. The movement can be fixed, parts will have to be replaced but it can be fixed. DO NOT REPLACE IT, it came with the watch. The dial may be gone but DO NOT REPLACE IT. Try to have it CLEANED as best as possible, but leave it intact as much as possible. The watch is worth more in many ways with a damaged dial than a redial. The most I would do to wear the watch it try to find a 5512 dial to put on it to wear, but KEEP THAT DIAL. Even in poor condtion, the dial that is, the watch is worth much more kept intact.

[Goldeneye]

Too bad he didn't get it fixed when he had a chance. They probably could have rinsed the salt water and saved the dial. That $500 could be worth close to 10K now. Oh well, who knew?

[Ragu]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

You can't say fairer than that.

$1 labour charge.

I would take Nick up on his generous offer while he is still drunk on fermented raspberry wine.

WOW, just stumbled onto this thread.

Nick is a very generous man and I would like to try the "fermented raspberry wine", please pass me the bottle.

[Gaijin]

Amazing offer Nick!

[Rubenonfire]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Try Rolex first, if they reject it as being beyond repair, I'll fix it for
cost of parts plus $1 for labor charge ( and return postage at actual cost).

Wow.
That's as class as it gets right there, guys.

[Solo118]

What ever happened? This was about a month ago...

[Ronnie Rolex]

I think Nick was on vacation for a while.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Rubenonfire

Wow.
That's as class as it gets right there, guys.

Class personified.