Jubilee Bracelet Restoration Trouble

[Randhj]

I sent my early 80s Two Tone Bracelet to Michael Young Classic Watch Repair for restoration. I did not think the stretch was that bad but noticed one cracked gold link so I wanted to have it restored for preventative purposes. They disassembled the bracelet and found the components to be corroded beyond repair. They reassembled and are sending it back to me. Due to this he waived the service fees which I am very appreciative of as I am certain they must have time into the bracelet.

What are my alternatives? I do not mind purchasing a high quality bracelet (gold and stainless parts) that is not authentic if the savings are substantial. I can not imagine there is anyone that can repair this bracelet if Michael Young was unable to.

[BisonHead]

Rolliworks, worth speaking to them. They have done some miracle work, showcased on the forum here from customers.

[Randhj]

Thanks for the recommendation. Just sent them a quote request

[Lgear080]

Just buy a used 62523 and call it a day...

[goldfixer21]

It's not a matter of a repair not being possible, it's probably just not cost effective to do it. If the cost of the repair exceeds the cost to replace it, you're better off replacing it.

[cpefy3]

If you did replace it, I would suggest keeping the clasp and trying to reuse it to keep the date marks matching. Just a thought. Good Luck!!

[TimeLord2]

I am wondering what this bracelet looks like, pics please. Mine was quite baked (early 70s jubilee TT oval link) and I sent it to Rolliworks. It's not perfect but it was pretty far gone and they did an excellent job with what I provided. this is before and after.

[kwcsports]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

I am wondering what this bracelet looks like, pics please. Mine was quite baked (early 70s jubilee TT oval link) and I sent it to Rolliworks. It's not perfect but it was pretty far gone and they did an excellent job with what I provided. this is before and after.

They did a great job, looks very nice

[Yzord]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

I am wondering what this bracelet looks like, pics please. Mine was quite baked (early 70s jubilee TT oval link) and I sent it to Rolliworks. It's not perfect but it was pretty far gone and they did an excellent job with what I provided. this is before and after.

That's a nice job they did there. Still wondering how they managed that. Are they using other links? Or do they fix your links?

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Yzord

That's a nice job they did there. Still wondering how they managed that. Are they using other links? Or do they fix your links?

As I understand it, there are two bars between each link with the center gold links riding on the bars. They replaced all, or most of the bars which connect the two little stainless caps on each end of each link. They may have replaced one or two gold links as well (just the gold ring thing). The stainless pins get deep gouges over time from dirt and debris that acts like sandpaper between the pins and the gold links riding them. Said they had to charge me a bit extra because it is a USA Jubilee and has welded pins instead of the Swiss version which apparently has a different construction…

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by kwcsports

They did a great job, looks very nice

They did. Thank you.

[BNA/LION]

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis on the bracelet . It looks like it has had some good experiences through its life. Good Luck getting it repaired if not as mentioned buy and older bracelet and put the end-links and clasp on it.

[Randhj]

Unfortunately rolliworks is unable to work on it based of the Michael Young corrosion report. I am afraid to buy a used bracelet now and then possibly see the same result by sending off to a bracelet restoration facility and finding it to be too corroded.

My bracelet was not nearly as far gone as the one pictured above.

Obviously buying a $7000 new datejust is not in my budget if I’m trying to get a bracelet restored, thanks for the thought though. At that point I would try to find a used gold president for 10-11k (definitely not ready for that).

Is there a reputable place that sells restored bracelets or high quality aftermarket bracelets?

[TimeLord2]

I would still love to see some pics of your unrestorable bracelet Randhj but I can tell you that probably the most reputable place to buy a vintage bracelet is in the classified on this forum, here: https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37 Aside from that EBAY but buyer beware or at the very least do a lot of research first. Good luck!

[Styles Bitchley]

Any photos of the watch head? Would probably look pretty slick on a high quality leather strap!

[Randhj]

I may have to go the leather strap route depending how this turns out.

Forum rules require 10 posts before uploading links. I’m only 4 posts in including this one.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by Randhj

I may have to go the leather strap route depending how this turns out.



Forum rules require 10 posts before uploading links. I’m only 4 posts in including this one.

I’m sure you could put together six comments pretty quickly.

[Randhj]

You were right here’s a link to the pics before I sent to MY. Waiting for the return of the bracelet and pics of the corrosion.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d0gzbnk27...obLHyN6Fa?dl=0

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by Randhj

You were right here’s a link to the pics before I sent to MY. Waiting for the return of the bracelet and pics of the corrosion.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d0gzbnk27...obLHyN6Fa?dl=0

Not sure where the corrosion is, and you're right, looks much better than mine did prior to getting rebuilt. I am not sure if you sent pics to Rolliworks but if you did not then perhaps you should. I'm not sure why this was irreparable.

[Randhj]

On a follow up email rolliworks requested pictures and I forwarded. I imagine the corrosion was not visible until disassembly. I just now received pictures of the corrosion from MY.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfsfzfeqyc...%20PM.jpg?dl=0

[Lgear080]

The cost of a used two tone 62523 is roughly $1k even less if you don’t need the clasp...

[TimeLord2]

That's too bad. Perhaps sell it for parts and get a used one like @Lgear080 suggested. Or new. Of course, you might want to see if a RSC might give you a discount on a new one if you turn this one in. Not sure if they do that anymore...