Vintage Rolex

[louie]

Hi fellow vintage Gurus! Falling in luv with old watches now,after gotten my submersibles. One nob question,does it makes significant difference in collectivity/resale value if old Rolex watch parts been replaced by the service parts?

[mike]

Hey Louie,

Some more than others. Replacement of dials and to a lesser extent can have a big impact on the valuation of a given vintage reference.

Some collectors prefer "all original", but I think we have to consider the affect on the watch in the real world. Replacement of parts like the crown and stem, seals, etc... preserve the integrity of the watch (WR) protecting the movement and dial and in my view have little to no impact on value. The same can be said of the crystal. Over time acryllic can and does develop stress cracks compromising the water resistence. Certainly a reference that was originally equipped with a superdome crystal is stunning to behold, but caution has to excersized as to water (and humidity is another issue).

More than one example has become flooded even after the crystal was replaced by an NOS superdome (cracks can occur on or off the watch).

I would say bracelets are another area where some effect on valuation can occur. A reference originally equipped with a revited bracelet for example would IMO retain more of it's value with the original (again condition).

Of course parts replaced in the movement as part of normal service are non issues in my view.

One area that often gets overlooked is case condition. The best dial in the world is handicapped if the case/lugs have been the victum of over polishing.

Best IMHO to tread cautiously around the polishing wheel.

[springer]

Originally Posted by mike

Hey Louie,

Some more than others. Replacement of dials and to a lesser extent can have a big impact on the valuation of a given vintage reference.

Some collectors prefer "all original", but I think we have to consider the affect on the watch in the real world. Replacement of parts like the crown and stem, seals, etc... preserve the integrity of the watch (WR) protecting the movement and dial and in my view have little to no impact on value. The same can be said of the crystal. Over time acryllic can and does develop stress cracks compromising the water resistence. Certainly a reference that was originally equipped with a superdome crystal is stunning to behold, but caution has to excersized as to water (and humidity is another issue).

More than one example has become flooded even after the crystal was replaced by an NOS superdome (cracks can occur on or off the watch).

I would say bracelets are another area where some effect on valuation can occur. A reference originally equipped with a revited bracelet for example would IMO retain more of it's value with the original (again condition).

Of course parts replaced in the movement as part of normal service are non issues in my view.

One area that often gets overlooked is case condition. The best dial in the world is handicapped if the case/lugs have been the victum of over polishing.

Best IMHO to tread cautiously around the polishing wheel.

Good response Mike.

[louie]

thanks Mike,lesson learnt...thank you. Mike,you were rite abt the riveted bracelet too.I have seen them been replaced by the new oyster bracelet. (some still have the older clasp on the new oyster bracelet)

*I have seen the original riveted bracelet,they feel very "loose" can understand due to its design...