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Cdumi96 · 12 April 2014, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Holgate

Since my father died in the early nineties, I left the watch in a drawer and basically forgot all about it. I did send it to Rolex about 15 years ago but they returned it without any repair. I suppose because they didn't have the parts or maybe because the serial number has been removed. Then last week I decided to send it to a place in America, TNS diamonds, who said they could repair it so i put it in a uninsured box and went to the post office. Later that night I thought I had better check to see what it really was and , over a few hours, began to realize it may have some value. So, the next morning I sat outside the post office and retrieved the package and posted my question on this forum. I am very grateful for all the help and am glad to receive such enthusiastic responses from you all. It's been really good fun and has been very exciting. It's quite a bizarre story but that's how life is :)

wonderful piece. if you dont mind me asking whats your plans with it. are you going to keep it or sell it.

strafer_kid · 12 April 2014, 07:57 AM

Surely a keeper and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Good luck!

CrownMe · 12 April 2014, 10:02 AM

I still have much to learn. I thought for sure the dial was fake. The Coronet is very odd to say the least.

Congrats on the find.

Jeff Holgate · 13 April 2014, 01:50 AM

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. The watch obviously has sentimental value to me but, if I can't get to restored to original conditions, or at least to a wearer condition that does not make things worse than they are now, then I really don't want to just having sitting in a box in a drawer for another 30 years. I'm of the opinion that things like this are better enjoyed by people with a passion for them.
Laings in Edinburgh suggested I should have it appraised by Sothebys, perhaps with a view to placing it an important watch auction. I'm in no hurry, so I'll probably gather as much info as I can and try and make an informed decision. I think, regardless of the cost, my first instincts are to try as hard as I can to have it restored.

southtexas · 13 April 2014, 02:49 AM

I don't know if Mike wood does restoration, but I'd bet he knows who will take care of it if he can't/doesn't do it. You should give him a shout. Good luck with whatever you decide.

marcello pisani · 13 April 2014, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Holgate

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. The watch obviously has sentimental value to me but, if I can't get to restored to original conditions, or at least to a wearer condition that does not make things worse than they are now, then I really don't want to just having sitting in a box in a drawer for another 30 years. I'm of the opinion that things like this are better enjoyed by people with a passion for them.
Laings in Edinburgh suggested I should have it appraised by Sothebys, perhaps with a view to placing it an important watch auction. I'm in no hurry, so I'll probably gather as much info as I can and try and make an informed decision. I think, regardless of the cost, my first instincts are to try as hard as I can to have it restored.

Christies'

Jeff Holgate · 13 April 2014, 04:33 AM

If I had to put a replacement bezel on this watch, given that finding an original bezel may be impossible, which one would be the most appropriate?

Mark020 · 13 April 2014, 05:22 AM

Assuming the size is the same a 6538 one. Which is expensive btw :-)

The_Walrus · 13 April 2014, 06:30 AM

Great story Jeff, the story of the lost bezel made my heart sink......
Hope you can restore this fantastic piece

Mike Wood · 13 April 2014, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark020

Assuming the size is the same a 6538 one.

Sadly, it's not. It's unique to the A6538. Which makes an original even more expensive. And rarer than rocking horse droppings.

MW

jedly1 · 13 April 2014, 08:32 AM

For the uk , bonhams are by far your best bet , avoid Sotheby's like the plague, and now Aurel has left Christies if wait and see how things go there.

Jeff Holgate · 15 April 2014, 12:49 PM

Yeah Jed, you were right. Sotheby's were most unhelpful. Contacted Bonhams as you suggested.

Jeff Holgate · 7 May 2014, 04:54 AM

Well on the advise of forum members I decided that it restoring it was not the best of ideas. So, I've had an offer for the watch and my adventure in the Rolex world seems like it's coming to an end. Thanks again for all the advice, I can't tell you how helpful and encouraging I've found the members and I just want to say thanks again :)

I would like to replace the watch with another vintage submariner so if anyone has some advice or has one they are looking to sell I'd appreciate a PM.

BaltimoreBrian · 7 May 2014, 06:33 AM

Jeff, thank you for keeping us up to date and please continue to do so. Having both Jed and Mike helping you, is tops! Congrats again on all of your new found discovery in this special piece.

datejust24 · 7 May 2014, 07:03 AM

I have a feeling that after selling that you could get pretty much any vintage sub you wanted..would that be accurate guys?

Mark020 · 7 May 2014, 11:01 PM

We have an expert here! Care to elaborate?

BaltimoreBrian · 9 May 2014, 11:35 PM

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/on-the-...underline-dial

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

13 April 2014, 02:49 AM	#35
southtexas 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Great State of TX Posts: 5,795	I don't know if Mike wood does restoration, but I'd bet he knows who will take care of it if he can't/doesn't do it. You should give him a shout. Good luck with whatever you decide. __________________ Forty six & 2 are just ahead of me. Follow me on Instagram @ccrolex

12 April 2014, 07:57 AM	#32
strafer_kid "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Kenny Location: northern ireland Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs Posts: 5,147	Surely a keeper and don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Good luck!

12 April 2014, 10:02 AM	#33
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	I still have much to learn. I thought for sure the dial was fake. The Coronet is very odd to say the least. Congrats on the find.

13 April 2014, 01:50 AM	#34
Jeff Holgate "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 16	I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. The watch obviously has sentimental value to me but, if I can't get to restored to original conditions, or at least to a wearer condition that does not make things worse than they are now, then I really don't want to just having sitting in a box in a drawer for another 30 years. I'm of the opinion that things like this are better enjoyed by people with a passion for them. Laings in Edinburgh suggested I should have it appraised by Sothebys, perhaps with a view to placing it an important watch auction. I'm in no hurry, so I'll probably gather as much info as I can and try and make an informed decision. I think, regardless of the cost, my first instincts are to try as hard as I can to have it restored.

13 April 2014, 04:33 AM	#37
Jeff Holgate "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 16	If I had to put a replacement bezel on this watch, given that finding an original bezel may be impossible, which one would be the most appropriate?

13 April 2014, 05:22 AM	#38
Mark020 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,145	Assuming the size is the same a 6538 one. Which is expensive btw :-)

13 April 2014, 06:30 AM	#39
The_Walrus "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: George Location: Sydney Watch: 5513 Posts: 1,104	Great story Jeff, the story of the lost bezel made my heart sink...... Hope you can restore this fantastic piece

13 April 2014, 08:32 AM	#41
jedly1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk) Posts: 1,929	For the uk , bonhams are by far your best bet , avoid Sotheby's like the plague, and now Aurel has left Christies if wait and see how things go there.

15 April 2014, 12:49 PM	#42
Jeff Holgate "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 16	Yeah Jed, you were right. Sotheby's were most unhelpful. Contacted Bonhams as you suggested.

7 May 2014, 04:54 AM	#43
Jeff Holgate "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 16	Well on the advise of forum members I decided that it restoring it was not the best of ideas. So, I've had an offer for the watch and my adventure in the Rolex world seems like it's coming to an end. Thanks again for all the advice, I can't tell you how helpful and encouraging I've found the members and I just want to say thanks again :) I would like to replace the watch with another vintage submariner so if anyone has some advice or has one they are looking to sell I'd appreciate a PM.

7 May 2014, 06:33 AM	#44
BaltimoreBrian "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Brian Location: Towson, MD Watch: iZ Posts: 2,224	Jeff, thank you for keeping us up to date and please continue to do so. Having both Jed and Mike helping you, is tops! Congrats again on all of your new found discovery in this special piece.

7 May 2014, 07:03 AM	#45
datejust24 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Chris Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Watch: Rolexssss Posts: 3,504	I have a feeling that after selling that you could get pretty much any vintage sub you wanted..would that be accurate guys?

7 May 2014, 11:01 PM	#46
Mark020 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,145	We have an expert here! Care to elaborate?

9 May 2014, 11:35 PM	#47
BaltimoreBrian "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Brian Location: Towson, MD Watch: iZ Posts: 2,224	http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/on-the-...underline-dial Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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