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68 Pete · 4 March 2014, 08:47 AM

Hi guys,

Hope you don't mind a new user asking what might be some pretty dumb questions. Feel free to shoot me down.

A couple of years ago, I managed to find a 68 Sub on eBay (my birth year), so bought it (pictured below). I got it for a reasonable price as it's not all vintage - dial changed in the mid 80's and probably other changes as well. Talking with a friendly watch dealer confirmed my thoughts that the changes were consistent with Rolex servicing procedure.

Changes aren't really important to me or any perceived loss of value, I have no intentions of selling the piece or using it as investment. It's my Rolex, I have it for keeps.

As you can see, it's not in great condition. The bezel is beat up (and doesn't rotate willingly), the dial is the infamous spider dial, and I'd ideally like a bracelet instead of the NATO. I've been looking for replacement bracelets and they're sodding expensive.

So, I thought I'd take a look at getting it serviced properly by Rolex. The question is, what kind of changes can I expect with a Rolex service? Will they only change what they feel they need to? Are there items that they may not be able to service, given the age? How much would a replacement bracelet likely set me back?

Again, if I'm an idiot, shoot me down. To be honest, the main thing for me is having a proper Rolex bracelet.

All advice gratefully received.

Pete.

southtexas · 4 March 2014, 09:19 AM

Welcome! Curious to know--what's the serial number of your watch?

I can't see from the pic anything physically wrong with the dial (hard to tell what are glass scratches and what's actually on the dial itself) but, if you don't like it, ask them to replace it. You can ask for new hands that'll match the new dial. The bezel can be repaired, if needed. The insert, as I bet you've guessed, is probably shot for your purposes, get a new one (I'd pop the old one out, even in its condition it might be worth something to someone). Get a new plexi crystal. Service the movement. If you want it shiny and like new, ask them to polish it also.

Basically they'll do as much or as little as you ask them to, for a price (and expect to wait a month or more--at least here in the States it's a long wait). I'd be curious to see what the service estimate would be for all of this. Anyone hazard a guess?

A new bracelet from Rolex will be more expensive than the ones you're finding for sale here and other sites, I'd presume. I'd find a reputable seller and buy one from them. You can find "new old stock", rebuilt, or like new, etc etc. You should be able to find a great 93150 (I think is what you need) with correct endlinks for about usd $1,000 (more or less, depending on condition).

68 Pete · 4 March 2014, 09:34 AM

Great advice, thank you!

Serial number - both on my BHI certificate and case is 24517xx with a 1520 movement.

I really don't want the movement updated as it's currently more accurate than my other more modern automatics.

It's possible to see the spidering with a loupe, but it's not easy to see with the naked eye. Certainly no danger of flaking any time soon.

The crystal has age cracking around the underside of the circumference.

I'm not too worried about the turnaround time for the service, for which I've seen 16 weeks as being typical.

Thanks for the advice about the bracelet, I'll take a look around, anyone who knows a decent dealer, please shout..!

TimeToGo · 4 March 2014, 10:17 AM

Welcome to the Forum!

If you go the Rolex Service route, it is likely they will want to replace the dial/hands, which if it is not a big deal to you (specially since it does not have the original dial), the new one (luminova) will glow in the dark. By the way, the one on your watch has a nice patina. I am not sure how they operate on your side of the pond, meaning if you wanted to keep the dial/hands that are removed, they may not return them to you. I am sure, some collector would want that set. I am not sure what a service runs on your side but I am sure someone will comment soon. In the US, a basic service is running about $750. If the dial/hands, crystal, bezel, and bezel insert need to be replaced that could run another $850+.

If the bezel is not working properly, they will most likely replace it. Doubt they will fix it (if fixable). Their job is to make it look as new.

If during the examination of your watch, they feel that something "has" to be replaced (like the dial) and you decline, they may not service your watch.

A bracelet in the secondary market could run you $700-1000. New at Rolex, probably $1,300ish.

As an option you could find a reputable watchmaker in your area.

FYI, I am going based on US prices. Not sure what the costs are in the UK.

Best of luck and let us know about your decision...

springer · 4 March 2014, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Welcome to the Forum!

If you go the Rolex Service route, it is likely they will want to replace the dial/hands, which if it is not a big deal to you (specially since it does not have the original dial), the new one (luminova) will glow in the dark. By the way, the one on your watch has a nice patina. I am not sure how they operate on your side of the pond, meaning if you wanted to keep the dial/hands that are removed, they may not return them to you. I am sure, some collector would want that set. I am not sure what a service runs on your side but I am sure someone will comment soon. In the US, a basic service is running about $750. If the dial/hands, crystal, bezel, and bezel insert need to be replaced that could run another $850+.

If the bezel is not working properly, they will most likely replace it. Doubt they will fix it (if fixable). Their job is to make it look as new.

If during the examination of your watch, they feel that something "has" to be replaced (like the dial) and you decline, they may not service your watch.

A bracelet in the secondary market could run you $700-1000. New at Rolex, probably $1,300ish.

As an option you could find a reputable watchmaker in your area.

FYI, I am going based on US prices. Not sure what the costs are in the UK.

Best of luck and let us know about your decision...

Well put Norm. I can't add a thing expect that I would look for an original dial to replace the current service dial.

Frosty · 4 March 2014, 10:42 AM

I have gotten two Rolexes that the bezel would not turn willingly. One would move a little bit, I fiddled with and it got loose. The other one was very tight and I used Jocke’s Tutorial to take the bezel off. It was very gritty. A few minutes with a part brush and it was clean. I blew it out with computer air to get all the debris out. I put it back together and it worked fine.

Bezel Insert replacement around $50 and a dial was around $500. I forgot what the hands cost.

The RSC had what needed to be replaced and their recommendation in the repair recommendations.

68 Pete · 4 March 2014, 06:09 PM

Many thanks again for the great advice, certainly things to think about. I'll get a quite from Rolex for a service and see where I go from there. In the meantime, I'll hunt for a bracelet....

68 Pete · 7 March 2014, 08:02 AM

Just sent the sub in for a full RSC service and quote for replacement bracelet.

Had a provisional quote of £670, but will get a more detailed quote in a couple of weeks.

Feel a bit naked without it now.

TimeToGo · 7 March 2014, 08:09 AM

Interesting, thanks..

What is a provisional quote?

68 Pete · 7 March 2014, 08:26 AM

I guess it's a ballpark quote for a major service and replacement of dial/hands/crown/bezel.

Won't know anything for certain until Rolex get their hands on it.

Tony G · 7 March 2014, 08:52 AM

Good to know.

Steve748 · 7 March 2014, 08:57 AM

Bill Rice serviced the '68 5512 I had in four weeks and it was a little over £500 and I kept the original dial hands and bezel.

TimeToGo · 7 March 2014, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68 Pete

I guess it's a ballpark quote for a major service and replacement of dial/hands/crown/bezel.

Won't know anything for certain until Rolex get their hands on it.

That is a great quote! (in comparison to the US)

Do you know what the basic overhaul service is?

68 Pete · 7 March 2014, 09:24 AM

I'll update here in the thread once I get more information.

68 Pete · 21 March 2014, 09:35 PM

Just had the estimate through from Rolex. Got a bit of thinking to do...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolex

We have today received an estimate from Rolex in regards to your watch, we sent to them on your behalf for repair. After an inspection they have deemed the following work necessary:

Full service : £670.00

A full service includes the following: Complete dismantling of the watch by highly skilled watch technicians, cleaning and inspecting the individual parts of the movement, the replacement of worn parts as necessary, on an exchange basis only, lubrication, re-assembly, timing tests and refurbishment of the case and bracelet if applicable).

New Bezel : £205.00 ( Bezel insert li-marked )
New Oscillating weight : £55.00 ( Oscillating weight damaged )
Underbezel/ securing ring : £50.00 ( Underbezel/ securing ring damaged )
Case middle/ centre : £1850.00 ( Case lug holes breaking out / scratched and marked )
New dial including hands : £405.00 ( Dial heavily damaged, surface cracking ) New dial and hands will be Morden super lumi.
New Bracelet : £885.00 .

The total cost of the above work will be £4120.00 (inc VAT) and will take approximately 8-9 weeks to complete (from the date of procedure) and return your repair to our store for collection.

NukeMan · 21 March 2014, 10:58 PM

Good they didn't demand your left hand as well...

I would just service it off Rolex (including a polish and a glass change) and buy a used bracelet to match. The watch is still going to outlive you.

James 45 · 22 March 2014, 12:36 AM

Hello Pete,
Like your watch. I was going to buy that one myself. It can be hard to find a 68. I want one too (birth year)

So if you want a new watch with that service I guess you could do that but, why not just buy one and sell that that one to me!! lol.

Sounds like they will replace the case 1850 then you 1968 watch is really just a service watch.
I would look for the right dial and hands as a set and find good use band and wear it.

I am sure you can find someone to do a simple service on the movement and a new super doom for under $350 then $500-800 (cad$) for a band.

Then wear it any where. you wont be scared to scratch it or get it wet.Lol

That is what I would do. WEAR THAT THANG!!

4 March 2014, 08:47 AM	#1
68 Pete Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: UK Posts: 15	68 Sub Service - What to Expect? Hi guys, Hope you don't mind a new user asking what might be some pretty dumb questions. Feel free to shoot me down. A couple of years ago, I managed to find a 68 Sub on eBay (my birth year), so bought it (pictured below). I got it for a reasonable price as it's not all vintage - dial changed in the mid 80's and probably other changes as well. Talking with a friendly watch dealer confirmed my thoughts that the changes were consistent with Rolex servicing procedure. Changes aren't really important to me or any perceived loss of value, I have no intentions of selling the piece or using it as investment. It's my Rolex, I have it for keeps. As you can see, it's not in great condition. The bezel is beat up (and doesn't rotate willingly), the dial is the infamous spider dial, and I'd ideally like a bracelet instead of the NATO. I've been looking for replacement bracelets and they're sodding expensive. So, I thought I'd take a look at getting it serviced properly by Rolex. The question is, what kind of changes can I expect with a Rolex service? Will they only change what they feel they need to? Are there items that they may not be able to service, given the age? How much would a replacement bracelet likely set me back? Again, if I'm an idiot, shoot me down. To be honest, the main thing for me is having a proper Rolex bracelet. All advice gratefully received. Pete.

4 March 2014, 09:19 AM	#2
southtexas 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Great State of TX Posts: 5,761	Welcome! Curious to know--what's the serial number of your watch? I can't see from the pic anything physically wrong with the dial (hard to tell what are glass scratches and what's actually on the dial itself) but, if you don't like it, ask them to replace it. You can ask for new hands that'll match the new dial. The bezel can be repaired, if needed. The insert, as I bet you've guessed, is probably shot for your purposes, get a new one (I'd pop the old one out, even in its condition it might be worth something to someone). Get a new plexi crystal. Service the movement. If you want it shiny and like new, ask them to polish it also. Basically they'll do as much or as little as you ask them to, for a price (and expect to wait a month or more--at least here in the States it's a long wait). I'd be curious to see what the service estimate would be for all of this. Anyone hazard a guess? A new bracelet from Rolex will be more expensive than the ones you're finding for sale here and other sites, I'd presume. I'd find a reputable seller and buy one from them. You can find "new old stock", rebuilt, or like new, etc etc. You should be able to find a great 93150 (I think is what you need) with correct endlinks for about usd $1,000 (more or less, depending on condition). __________________ Forty six & 2 are just ahead of me. Follow me on Instagram @ccrolex

4 March 2014, 09:34 AM	#3
68 Pete Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: UK Posts: 15	Great advice, thank you! Serial number - both on my BHI certificate and case is 24517xx with a 1520 movement. I really don't want the movement updated as it's currently more accurate than my other more modern automatics. It's possible to see the spidering with a loupe, but it's not easy to see with the naked eye. Certainly no danger of flaking any time soon. The crystal has age cracking around the underside of the circumference. I'm not too worried about the turnaround time for the service, for which I've seen 16 weeks as being typical. Thanks for the advice about the bracelet, I'll take a look around, anyone who knows a decent dealer, please shout..!

4 March 2014, 10:17 AM	#4
TimeToGo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,713	Welcome to the Forum! If you go the Rolex Service route, it is likely they will want to replace the dial/hands, which if it is not a big deal to you (specially since it does not have the original dial), the new one (luminova) will glow in the dark. By the way, the one on your watch has a nice patina. I am not sure how they operate on your side of the pond, meaning if you wanted to keep the dial/hands that are removed, they may not return them to you. I am sure, some collector would want that set. I am not sure what a service runs on your side but I am sure someone will comment soon. In the US, a basic service is running about $750. If the dial/hands, crystal, bezel, and bezel insert need to be replaced that could run another $850+. If the bezel is not working properly, they will most likely replace it. Doubt they will fix it (if fixable). Their job is to make it look as new. If during the examination of your watch, they feel that something "has" to be replaced (like the dial) and you decline, they may not service your watch. A bracelet in the secondary market could run you $700-1000. New at Rolex, probably $1,300ish. As an option you could find a reputable watchmaker in your area. FYI, I am going based on US prices. Not sure what the costs are in the UK. Best of luck and let us know about your decision...

4 March 2014, 10:42 AM	#6
Frosty 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: So Cal Watch: Rolex GMT 1675 Posts: 5,087	I have gotten two Rolexes that the bezel would not turn willingly. One would move a little bit, I fiddled with and it got loose. The other one was very tight and I used Jocke’s Tutorial to take the bezel off. It was very gritty. A few minutes with a part brush and it was clean. I blew it out with computer air to get all the debris out. I put it back together and it worked fine. Bezel Insert replacement around $50 and a dial was around $500. I forgot what the hands cost. The RSC had what needed to be replaced and their recommendation in the repair recommendations.

4 March 2014, 06:09 PM	#7
68 Pete Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: UK Posts: 15	Many thanks again for the great advice, certainly things to think about. I'll get a quite from Rolex for a service and see where I go from there. In the meantime, I'll hunt for a bracelet....

7 March 2014, 08:02 AM	#8
68 Pete Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: UK Posts: 15	Just sent the sub in for a full RSC service and quote for replacement bracelet. Had a provisional quote of £670, but will get a more detailed quote in a couple of weeks. Feel a bit naked without it now.

7 March 2014, 08:09 AM	#9
TimeToGo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,713	Interesting, thanks.. What is a provisional quote?

7 March 2014, 08:26 AM	#10
68 Pete Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: UK Posts: 15	I guess it's a ballpark quote for a major service and replacement of dial/hands/crown/bezel. Won't know anything for certain until Rolex get their hands on it.

7 March 2014, 08:52 AM	#11
Tony G "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NYC Watch: GMT Posts: 235	Good to know.

7 March 2014, 08:57 AM	#12
Steve748 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Steve Location: San Diego Watch: GMT2c & LVc Posts: 220	Bill Rice serviced the '68 5512 I had in four weeks and it was a little over £500 and I kept the original dial hands and bezel.

7 March 2014, 09:24 AM	#14
68 Pete Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: UK Posts: 15	I'll update here in the thread once I get more information.

21 March 2014, 10:58 PM	#16
NukeMan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Jonas Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 988	Good they didn't demand your left hand as well... I would just service it off Rolex (including a polish and a glass change) and buy a used bracelet to match. The watch is still going to outlive you.

22 March 2014, 12:36 AM	#17
James 45 Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: USA Watch: No date Sub 14060M Posts: 432	Hello Pete, Like your watch. I was going to buy that one myself. It can be hard to find a 68. I want one too (birth year) So if you want a new watch with that service I guess you could do that but, why not just buy one and sell that that one to me!! lol. Sounds like they will replace the case 1850 then you 1968 watch is really just a service watch. I would look for the right dial and hands as a set and find good use band and wear it. I am sure you can find someone to do a simple service on the movement and a new super doom for under $350 then $500-800 (cad$) for a band. Then wear it any where. you wont be scared to scratch it or get it wet.Lol That is what I would do. WEAR THAT THANG!!

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