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powerfunk · 25 September 2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denniswilson

Just called Rolex service center in NYC this morning. I inquired about a servicing. They said "wow....1960 Rolex GMT is a rare classic"

For vintage Rolexes, the consensus among collectors is that you don't want to send them to RSC anyway. They'll restore it to "like new" condition, which means discarding many original parts, and, in turn, decimating its character (and value). Just do a quick search on this forum for who to trust with the servicing of a vintage Rolex.

greekbum · 25 September 2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerfunk

For vintage Rolexes, the consensus among collectors is that you don't want to send them to RSC anyway. They'll restore it to "like new" condition, which means discarding many original parts, and, in turn, decimating its character (and value). Just do a quick search on this forum for who to trust with the servicing of a vintage Rolex.

There is some truth to your statement above but I figure over 99% of those cases were from owners that didn't know that originality mattered and told them to service it and make it like new. Rolex has in the past been very accommodating to me and has even sourced hard to find parts to service my watch. If you tell them what you want and don't want done they will. My good friend just got a submariner back from the heritage I think it's called division and IMHO it was awesome

Rodentman · 25 September 2012, 02:57 AM

That watch brings back memories for me. I was in college in the late 60's and had a PT job. My boss wanted a GMT so bad he could taste it. He went to Bucherer's in Switzerland and bought one. IIRC it was $195

Last I heard from him he had some issue with it many years ago and let it go for $100 not wanting to pursue getting it fixed properly.

He was so proud of it, too. I remember it well, over 40 years ago.

denniswilson · 25 September 2012, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodentman

That watch brings back memories for me. I was in college in the late 60's and had a PT job. My boss wanted a GMT so bad he could taste it. He went to Bucherer's in Switzerland and bought one. IIRC it was $195

Last I heard from him he had some issue with it many years ago and let it go for $100 not wanting to pursue getting it fixed properly.

He was so proud of it, too. I remember it well, over 40 years ago.

What do you suppose my dad paid in 1960 in NYC?

NYMike · 25 September 2012, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denniswilson

What do you suppose my dad paid in 1960 in NYC?

In 1966 my dad got his GMT. It cost $130 at the PX in germany where his brother was stationed. I imagine, in NYC in 1960 it cost about the same (considering PX was cheaper, but it was 5-6 years earlier).

denniswilson · 26 July 2014, 11:29 PM

Well I finally got around to having my Dad's GMT fixed. I had to because it was loosing too many minutes every few days that I had stopped wearing it. I went ahead and brought it in to Rolex on 5th ave. in NYC. Its nearby. It took 6 weeks. The customer service at Rolex NYC is impeccable. They said they would make it look as original as possible, but they had to polish it....that's just part of how they do a service. I was glad they replaced the dial. The original dial was so badly repainted in the 70's that upon close examination you could see that the white was too bright and you could even see spray texture from the spray paint on the nomenclature. The crystal is new and its acrylic like the original raised crystal. That's all they can fit on this old watch. A sapphire crystal would not fit....buts that with keeping like original. I'll just have to be careful not to scuff it. I do want to wear it every day and keep it running.....heck, my dad did. I'm very satisfied.
One question....How do I change the date for certain months? Can I wind the calendar backwards if I had too? What is the procedure?...Thanks

JohnBaker3 · 27 July 2014, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeuloa

I'm no expert by any means but I thought I read somewhere that some straps were manufactured in the US at some point.

The C+I bracelets were indeed made in the USA from the mid 50's til the late 70's. It cut out some of the import taxes that Rolex USA had to fork out.

Here is a link to a thread with more details.

http://www.timekeeperforum.com/forum...bracelet.4856/

Great watch; great history; treasure it for what it is: a peice of your family's history.

HERITAGE82 · 27 July 2014, 12:36 AM

Glad you have it up and running! Enjoy it!!

cajuntiger · 27 July 2014, 12:49 AM

please share a photo of the new watch

denniswilson · 27 July 2014, 01:13 AM

Here is a quick picture before and after. The only thing that puzzles me is what the original dial looked like. According to serial number charts the watch was made sometime between 1961-1963. Looking at pictures online for this model year, I see different GMT dials. Since my dad had it repainted and re-lumed in the 1970s by a hobbyist (ugh!!!) friend (ugh!!!) that I believe now may have painted it with wrong stencils, I'm wondering if the original dial was gloss and had a chapter ring

cajuntiger · 27 July 2014, 01:37 AM

Well the watch looks great now and will serve you well. Yes, the dial is not correct, its a service replacement. If you want to restore it to its original look its possible and expensive...but worth every penny.
You would need to find the right watchmaker, Rolex won't do this...and then find the correct parts.

Did you by chance keep the original dial and hands??
I wonder if it could be restored?

btw- it looks like they replaced the date wheel too...you might try to get the parts back.

Here is a borrowed image of what it may have looked like originally.

But honestly the watch looks great as-is and should last another 40+ years, so don't worry about the past...enjoy it.

roh123 · 27 July 2014, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denniswilson

Here is a quick picture before and after. The only thing that puzzles me is what the original dial looked like. According to serial number charts the watch was made sometime between 1961-1963. Looking at pictures online for this model year, I see different GMT dials. Since my dad had it repainted and re-lumed in the 1970s by a hobbyist (ugh!!!) friend (ugh!!!) that I believe now may have painted it with wrong stencils, I'm wondering if the original dial was gloss and had a chapter ring

It probably looked a lot like Nikos GMT from this thread. 622xxx would be a scoc dial if I'm not totally off.

Wear it in good health!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekbum

The dial and hands have been re finished at some point. Depending on the serial number it would either have come with 1 of several dial variations of a gilt dial. A chapter ring occ or scoc dial or a non chapter ring version. If you care to share the 1st 2 numbers of your serial number we can make a suggestion of what would have been the correct dial. If you are out to restore it as close to it was when it was new you will need to find the right dial and hands. If not a service dial will also work.
Here is 1 of mine for my 5000 post on trf

ExplorerChris · 27 July 2014, 02:03 AM

Sad story indeed
But you have an heirloom that got a lifetime of memories packed into it
Good luck in your quest to find a watchmaker that can restore your Dad's watch to its original glory.
Post pics of the after for us all

GB-man · 27 July 2014, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExplorerChris

Sad story indeed
But you have an heirloom that got a lifetime of memories packed into it
Good luck in your quest to find a watchmaker that can restore your Dad's watch to its original glory.
Post pics of the after for us all

Already done by rsc

Enjoy your gmt!

denniswilson · 27 July 2014, 02:39 AM

Thanks very much for all the good wishes from everyone! I am very pleased. I will wear the watch everyday just like my Dad did.

RC2 · 27 July 2014, 04:29 AM

Much better. Mine says hello

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

denniswilson · 27 July 2014, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC2

Much better. Mine says hello

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey...looks exactly like mine

Very,very nice!!
Is yours also a 1675/0 1961-1963?

RC2 · 27 July 2014, 04:42 AM

1960 1675 yup

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RC2 · 27 July 2014, 04:43 AM

Thanks! Yours does too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

denniswilson · 27 July 2014, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC2

Thanks! Yours does too

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks !!!
I'm very happy.

joli160 · 27 July 2014, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffy

Leave it!!!!

So so so much PERSONAL history!!!!

Just a service under the hood, not the perfect dial, but it is the one your father was looking at for many years, I would never ever change it.

Tools · 27 July 2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denniswilson

Thanks very much for all the good wishes from everyone! I am very pleased. I will wear the watch everyday just like my Dad did.

You should be pleased, it looks great and is ready to last you a lifetime.

There was absolutely no point in keeping the original butchered dial as that devalued it more than a proper service dial. Since you would have had to source a proper era dial and hands for an era "correct" watch, it still would not have been original.

Tudor Fan · 27 July 2014, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffy

Leave it!!!! So so so much PERSONAL history!!!!

That!

Oops, never mind. Didn't read the thread to the end....

denniswilson · 27 July 2014, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tools

You should be pleased, it looks great and is ready to last you a lifetime.

There was absolutely no point in keeping the original butchered dial as that devalued it more than a proper service dial. Since you would have had to source a proper era dial and hands for an era "correct" watch, it still would not have been original.

Thanks! It makes sense for me.

watchcrank · 27 July 2014, 12:05 PM

Very nice classic and wearable for another fifty years. m

Woody · 27 July 2014, 06:55 PM

I think it looks great and you now have a watch that you can wear and enjoy for the next 40+ years.

sea-dweller · 28 July 2014, 01:08 AM

Sorry to hear about your Dad. That is a fine GMT!

27 July 2014, 12:36 AM	#38
HERITAGE82 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,443	Glad you have it up and running! Enjoy it!! __________________ - Rolex Explorer - 214270 - Tudor Black Bay - 79230B - Tudor Chronograph - 79270P - Breitling Chronomat - 10th Anniv. - Huguenin Freres Speedmaster Prototype

27 July 2014, 01:13 AM	#40
denniswilson "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 32	Here is a quick picture before and after. The only thing that puzzles me is what the original dial looked like. According to serial number charts the watch was made sometime between 1961-1963. Looking at pictures online for this model year, I see different GMT dials. Since my dad had it repainted and re-lumed in the 1970s by a hobbyist (ugh!!!) friend (ugh!!!) that I believe now may have painted it with wrong stencils, I'm wondering if the original dial was gloss and had a chapter ring Attached Images

27 July 2014, 01:37 AM	#41
cajuntiger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Who Dat Location: USA Watch: 5512 Posts: 1,149	Well the watch looks great now and will serve you well. Yes, the dial is not correct, its a service replacement. If you want to restore it to its original look its possible and expensive...but worth every penny. You would need to find the right watchmaker, Rolex won't do this...and then find the correct parts. Did you by chance keep the original dial and hands?? I wonder if it could be restored? btw- it looks like they replaced the date wheel too...you might try to get the parts back. Here is a borrowed image of what it may have looked like originally. But honestly the watch looks great as-is and should last another 40+ years, so don't worry about the past...enjoy it. Attached Images

27 July 2014, 02:03 AM	#43
ExplorerChris "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Real Name: Chris Location: Ontario, Canada Watch: Explorer II 16550 Posts: 1,401	Sad story indeed But you have an heirloom that got a lifetime of memories packed into it Good luck in your quest to find a watchmaker that can restore your Dad's watch to its original glory. Post pics of the after for us all __________________ There's a crown for every achievement A Watch Is Just A Watch A Rolex Is A Timepiece

27 July 2014, 04:29 AM	#46
RC2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: NC Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 2,359	Much better. Mine says hello Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97

25 September 2012, 02:57 AM	#33
Rodentman Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Real Name: ACCT CLOSED Location: - Posts: 1,497	That watch brings back memories for me. I was in college in the late 60's and had a PT job. My boss wanted a GMT so bad he could taste it. He went to Bucherer's in Switzerland and bought one. IIRC it was $195 Last I heard from him he had some issue with it many years ago and let it go for $100 not wanting to pursue getting it fixed properly. He was so proud of it, too. I remember it well, over 40 years ago.

26 July 2014, 11:29 PM	#36
denniswilson "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 32	Well I finally got around to having my Dad's GMT fixed. I had to because it was loosing too many minutes every few days that I had stopped wearing it. I went ahead and brought it in to Rolex on 5th ave. in NYC. Its nearby. It took 6 weeks. The customer service at Rolex NYC is impeccable. They said they would make it look as original as possible, but they had to polish it....that's just part of how they do a service. I was glad they replaced the dial. The original dial was so badly repainted in the 70's that upon close examination you could see that the white was too bright and you could even see spray texture from the spray paint on the nomenclature. The crystal is new and its acrylic like the original raised crystal. That's all they can fit on this old watch. A sapphire crystal would not fit....buts that with keeping like original. I'll just have to be careful not to scuff it. I do want to wear it every day and keep it running.....heck, my dad did. I'm very satisfied. One question....How do I change the date for certain months? Can I wind the calendar backwards if I had too? What is the procedure?...Thanks

27 July 2014, 12:49 AM	#39
cajuntiger 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Real Name: Who Dat Location: USA Watch: 5512 Posts: 1,149	please share a photo of the new watch

27 July 2014, 02:39 AM	#45
denniswilson "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 32	Thanks very much for all the good wishes from everyone! I am very pleased. I will wear the watch everyday just like my Dad did.

27 July 2014, 04:42 AM	#48
RC2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: NC Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 2,359	1960 1675 yup Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97

27 July 2014, 04:43 AM	#49
RC2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: NC Watch: Rolex 1675 Posts: 2,359	Thanks! Yours does too Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97

27 July 2014, 12:05 PM	#55
watchcrank "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: michael Location: Florida Watch: explorer II cream Posts: 1,664	Very nice classic and wearable for another fifty years. m

27 July 2014, 06:55 PM	#56
Woody "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Africa Posts: 1,129	I think it looks great and you now have a watch that you can wear and enjoy for the next 40+ years.

28 July 2014, 01:08 AM	#57
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Sorry to hear about your Dad. That is a fine GMT!

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