Could use some help identifying/repairing my grandfathers Rolex...

[TheRolexKingofLV]

The value is "priceless"...it was your grandfathers!

[cdmorenot]

Welcome Back! How wonderful would it be to wear a Rolex that belonged to my grandpa at some point! Lucky man you are, regardless of the expense of getting it back in good shape. Please let us know how it all works out!

[DaytonaOriginal]

I would love to see a picture of the restored version....to me a Rolex has even more importance if there is some sort of story to go with it....priceless is the correct word

[aliasneo07]

I agree. Priceless. So I want to send it to the best to have it restored. It's been four years since I asked, but is Bob Ridley still the guy to send it to?

Thanks

[CrossThread]

Post a pic of the leather straps that are inspiring you. I'm interested to see where you're going with this.

[CrossThread]

Wondering because I have a couple laying around.

[landroverking]

Welcome back

[RazorD]

Welcome back. How small is the bracelet on you? Maybe you just need to buy an extra link or two.

[Ritch99]

Try sending it to VanessaCW21, she just finished a full service on a 1971/72 sub ref 5512 for me. And she takes care of TRF members.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Ritch99

Try sending it to VanessaCW21, she just finished a full service on a 1971/72 sub ref 5512 for me. And she takes care of TRF members.

X2 Vanessa is an incredible watch maker

[padi56]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

Hey guys. Well, it is four years later and I am finally willing to part with enough money to have this thing restored. It has been sitting in my safe. I admire it from time to time just based on its history, but I'd like it around my wrist sometimes.

Is Bob Ridley still the man for the job? It's been a few years since I asked.

Also, I'd like to get a leather strap for it. How can I tell what size leather strap it uses?

And does Mr. Ridley restore bracelets or just watches? I'd like the bracelet restored even though I probably will not use it, but a cheaper brown leather strap instead.

Thanks everybody :-)

Just measure between the lugs for strap size expect its 19mm or 20mm and Bob does very fine work but not 100% sure he restores bracelets.

[Old Expat Beast]

Moving this over to the vintage forum for some more perspective, advice, etc.
Did you ever find the numbers between the lugs? Looks like an early 1960s 6426 to me.

[aliasneo07]

Originally Posted by InfernoPhil

Post a pic of the leather straps that are inspiring you. I'm interested to see where you're going with this.

Well, I hadn't narrowed down a strap but something like this maybe? http://www.crownandbuckle.com/straps...rown-calf.html

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Moving this over to the vintage forum for some more perspective, advice, etc.
Did you ever find the numbers between the lugs? Looks like an early 1960s 6426 to me.

Thanks, I should have done it when I posted this thread years ago

I believe he told me he purchased the watch while in was in the navy in the 50's. My recollection (though I was a kid at the time) was that he said he purchased it on the a ship. I don't know whether they sold rolex's to officers on ships 60 years ago or if that is me misremembering.

My dad says he thinks it was passed from my great grandfather to my grandfather, but given the date of the watch that doesn't seem to fit.

I'm going to call up my grandmother and see if she remembers

If Vanessa is the one to send it to nowadays, I'll shoot her a PM. Thanks everyone

[R-H]

Great to see your restoring this family heirloom, I just went through the same experience a few months ago, I took mine to ABC Watchwerks Los Angeles, Ca. they did a fantastic job, also every thing I've seen on Venessa's work is outstanding, she at Jewelers on Time, New Port Beach, Ca., Bob Ridley now with his son Phillip, Watchmakers International out of Arlington, Texas, you couldn't go wrong with them either. Just a few options for you to run with, and see who you feel most comfortable with, it seems there are only a hand full of watchmakers in the country you would want to trust a vintage watch to. Good Luck and post before and after shots of the watch you can also ask who ever does the job to take a few photos as the work progresses.

[statsman]

I'd like to share my experience with Philip Ridley. I had a neglected 1016 Explorer from my dad and wanted to restore it right. Philip did a great job. I especially appreciated the care he took in communicating with me- the state of my watch, the options, insight into vintage that I lacked. He was patient and then he delivered to me exactly what he promised, with the work done superbly.

I guess what I'm saying is that there won't be any (bad) surprises with him.

[andromeda160]

I agree with Adam, 6426 likely from 64-66 in really good shape, I'd just take it to a decent independent with a Rolex parts account. I was quoted $4-450+ parts from the ones I spoke with for an automatic, I know it's much cheaper than Ridley, not sure what ABC charges anymore but it would be a fairly significant savings over them as well. they're quite easy to work on from what i've heard as well. avoid case polishing, and i'd keep the original crystal too, but if you do decide to get it replaced, i'd be interested in your old one lol.

[eightbore]

I would not polish anything but the crystal. Every scratch on that watch is part of its history and your grandfathers. Polish the crystal and get the insides serviced. Then throw it on a leather strap with a Rolex buckle, stashing the bracelet in a safe place, and wear the hell out of it.

[aliasneo07]

Ugh. Trying like hell to get this band off so I can send it to Vanessa. Got the 6 oclock side off, can't get the 12 oclock side off to save my life.

Advice?

Its a Rolex 7205 bracelet.

[aliasneo07]

Screw it, I'm just going to send it to Vanessa with the bracelet.

So, any of you recommend a bracelet? I'm looking for a brown leather one, and since someone mentioned a Rolex emblem on it, that would be even better. Do I have to use the original endlinks (#60) or are bands sort of universal, and come with these things?

Thanks for helping the newbie!

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

Screw it, I'm just going to send it to Vanessa with the bracelet.

So, any of you recommend a bracelet? I'm looking for a brown leather one, and since someone mentioned a Rolex emblem on it, that would be even better. Do I have to use the original endlinks (#60) or are bands sort of universal, and come with these things?

Thanks for helping the newbie!

brown leather straps don't use endlinks. just put the springbar through it and you're good.

[aliasneo07]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

brown leather straps don't use endlinks. just put the springbar through it and you're good.

Oh. cool. So I guess I can just order generic 19mm springbars and then find me a 19mm brown leather rolex strap and be good to go. Thanks.

Sent the watch off today to Vanessa. But now you guys got me thinking about whether to polish the case and replace the crystal or not. I figured I'd have it totally overhauled but keeping the original hands, etc. I didn't think it really took away from the sentimental value, as it was still on my grandfather's wrist for decades. But now you all have got me thinking about what I should and should not do, other than get the internals serviced.

hmmm...

[R-H]

It will all turn out great, your watch is in very good hands with Vanessa. To polish or not is a personal choice, the crystal, if it can be polished out is great, an old crystal may not be as waterproof as a new one, so don't swim, shower, or wash with it on. Every little dent, and scratch was put on by your Grandfather, it's like a timeline of his life and in several years when it needs it's next service, if you think I should have polished the case it can be done then.

No Worries, wear it often and enjoy
Also post photos when it gets back

[aliasneo07]

Vanessa should have the watch by tomorrow, and I am ordering a strap from Hamilton Leather Works.

The last piece of the puzzle (hopefully) is spring bars. I need spring bars for a Rolex 6426 which I believe is 19mm. Any recommendations for good, quality spring bars to use with this leather strap? I don't mind paying more for durability--it's a family heirloom I don't want it falling off my wrist.

Thanks!

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by aliasneo07

Vanessa should have the watch by tomorrow, and I am ordering a strap from Hamilton Leather Works.

The last piece of the puzzle (hopefully) is spring bars. I need spring bars for a Rolex 6426 which I believe is 19mm. Any recommendations for good, quality spring bars to use with this leather strap? I don't mind paying more for durability--it's a family heirloom I don't want it falling off my wrist.

Thanks!

ask Vanessa for some, or go to an AD and buy some, I believe they're $10 ea. I get mine replaced every year or so at the kiosks in the mall for $2 ea and have never had a problem quality wise with them.

[aliasneo07]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

ask Vanessa for some, or go to an AD and buy some, I believe they're $10 ea. I get mine replaced every year or so at the kiosks in the mall for $2 ea and have never had a problem quality wise with them.

Thanks. How do I know how thick to get them? I found some 19mm ones but they can be x 1.8mm, 1.5mm, etc

[aliasneo07]

Just spoke with Vanessa (very nice by the way, and extremely professional!)

So apparently the model # and serial # are still very visible. One of them was under the end link that I couldn't get off, that is why I didn't see it. She said it was so stuck that it took two of them to get it off! It is indeed a 6426, probably from around 1960. Movement is 1215.

Should be back to me in a few weeks hopefully. Can't wait to see it!

[SLS]

That's great! Pretty cool to have a watch that has a history. I look forward to the after pictures!
Scott

[hdrazor251]

Can't wait for the finished product. Thanks for bringing TRF along for the ride.

[aliasneo07]

Vanessa with Jewelers on Time in Newport Beach, CA (forum name "Vanessa CW21") has been incredible to deal with. I'll make a separate thread when I have the watch back in hand, but some of you seem interested in the process, so I figured I'd do an update.

Vanessa has been really communicative and takes pictures and sends them to me along the way, so I can see what is going on with the watch. This makes the experience (especially when repairing a family heirloom) so much more enjoyable and special.

Anyway, here are some pics

[laminads]

i really enjoyed reading through this thread. thank you for sharing the experience with us and i can't wait to see the finished product.