Restoring a vintage Oyster Perpetual Date 34mm

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

Totally makes sense, thanks for clarifying. One other question... earlier it was asked if all RSCs had laser welders and you said some do, but not all. I have always assumed you worked at an RSC (versus an AD or independent repair shop) and it kind of sounded like you confirmed that with this statement, but I didn't want to read into something

The real reason I ask is because I have always read that really old watches will be refused for service by RSC and a person must seek out an independent watchmaker. If you are in fact at an RSC, can you shed any light on the parameters here? For example, I have a 1974 GMT. My brother has a 1956 OP. I had assumed that I could not send either of them to an RSC for service. Is that not true? Or does it just depend on which location and which exact year/model/issue?

Thank you!

There's a cutoff for models we are allowed to work on, it's not a specific year, but a little vague somewhere in the middle to late 1950s, depending on model and caliber.
The really old stuff has to go to HQ in Geneva to the restoration department, these services can get extremely expensive. We've had estimations of over 15k CHF from them, for 'basic' watches like a bubbleback. But what you get back is basically a true NOS condition watch.

Now it is a little different in the US, I've heard from a lot of folks across the US that it is even getting hard to service a simple 15×× caliber at RSC. And they generally don't offer to send it to Geneva if it's too old for some reason.

[kegan]

Wow! What a beautiful and worthy project. It’s the rare really awesome thread like this that keeps me around. The old OP Date sure has a simple beauty that is somewhat diminished with the modern references. Nice work!

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by SearChart

There's a cutoff for models we are allowed to work on, it's not a specific year, but a little vague somewhere in the middle to late 1950s, depending on model and caliber.

The really old stuff has to go to HQ in Geneva to the restoration department, these services can get extremely expensive. We've had estimations of over 15k CHF from them, for 'basic' watches like a bubbleback. But what you get back is basically a true NOS condition watch.



Now it is a little different in the US, I've heard from a lot of folks across the US that it is even getting hard to service a simple 15×× caliber at RSC. And they generally don't offer to send it to Geneva if it's too old for some reason.

Thanks so much for the extra info!

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

[Boopie]

That looks amazing! Fantastic work!

[Laszlo]

That’s really beautiful.

[Rafeeq]

Wow, Bas, that is incredible!

[LegB4Wicket]

Originally Posted by SearChart

And done! New bracelet almost makes it look like a NOS example

Brilliant job! Bravo!

Where did you get the bracelet from? I'm trying to find one for a 34mm 1501 that was made in 1971.

[KeithP]

Love these posts - thank you!

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by LegB4Wicket

Brilliant job! Bravo!

Where did you get the bracelet from? I'm trying to find one for a 34mm 1501 that was made in 1971.

Bracelet is the current replacement 19mm oyster.
Any AD or RSC should be able to order one for you, but you'll probably have to get the watch serviced.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by SearChart

There's a cutoff for models we are allowed to work on, it's not a specific year, but a little vague somewhere in the middle to late 1950s, depending on model and caliber.
The really old stuff has to go to HQ in Geneva to the restoration department, these services can get extremely expensive. We've had estimations of over 15k CHF from them, for 'basic' watches like a bubbleback. But what you get back is basically a true NOS condition watch.

Now it is a little different in the US, I've heard from a lot of folks across the US that it is even getting hard to service a simple 15×× caliber at RSC. And they generally don't offer to send it to Geneva if it's too old for some reason.

AD here in the UK told me about the Rolex restoration department as he arranged for one of his clients to get an old Cosmograph Daytona restored by them. I think he said work came to about £15,000 but if the watch is worth £100K it probably makes sense :)

Out of interest (and maybe it's related to that vague cut-off year you mentioned) do you know if they take issue with radioactive dials?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by drrd

AD here in the UK told me about the Rolex restoration department as he arranged for one of his clients to get an old Cosmograph Daytona restored by them. I think he said work came to about £15,000 but if the watch is worth £100K it probably makes sense :)

Out of interest (and maybe it's related to that vague cut-off year you mentioned) do you know if they take issue with radioactive dials?

The replacement dials will not contain any radioactive material.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by SearChart

The replacement dials will not contain any radioactive material.

I understand they stopped manufacturing radium dials a long time ago and a service dial will never be radioactive.

I was wondering if you get a piece in that has a radium dial and the client wants it kept is that one that will go to Geneva or do even they have a problem with the old radium dial pieces?

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by drrd

I understand they stopped manufacturing radium dials a long time ago and a service dial will never be radioactive.

I was wondering if you get a piece in that has a radium dial and the client wants it kept is that one that will go to Geneva or do even they have a problem with the old radium dial pieces?

Not sure what the restoration department would do.
Here we are not allowed to put radium dials back into a watch after service, and Köln RSC even goes as far and refuses to put tritium dials back.

[GolfJunkie]

Really impressive work! Thanks for sharing

[drrd]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Not sure what the restoration department would do.
Here we are not allowed to put radium dials back into a watch after service, and Köln RSC even goes as far and refuses to put tritium dials back.

Ok that’s very interesting.

Thanks very much for your reply Bas, much appreciated

[TomLou]

Top execution
I would only consider the humongous cost of repair, service and parts replacement
if there were sentimental reasons for such restoration.

[Gazoak]

An incredible job and as you say looks NOS.

[Murph1119]

great work man! I love seeing others who like to give some love to an aged piece!

[soflonative]

Nice work, my very first Rolex was a Date in 1978, I wore it everyday for 40 years it now needs some TLC. Thanks for posting.

[Richard Carver]

Done with love, talent and understanding. Thanks for saving the old soldier. :)

[173rdabn]

Great job! One of my favorite watches. Wore a non-date white dial when I was in the army. Great field watch.

[LegB4Wicket]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Bracelet is the current replacement 19mm oyster.
Any AD or RSC should be able to order one for you, but you'll probably have to get the watch serviced.

Thanks! I've been planning to enquire at an authorized dealer, but I've just not had the time to get to one.

[SearChart]

Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by TomLou

Top execution
I would only consider the humongous cost of repair, service and parts replacement
if there were sentimental reasons for such restoration.

This watch was owned by an older gentleman who had it since the mid 70s, bought it new. He wanted it to be fully restored to former glory

If it were my own watch I'd probably have made a new dial feet/pin and soldered it on carefully to keep the watch as original as possible, but since this was official RSC work I was not allowed to do that.

[Speeding911]

Magnificent restoration. It was my first Rolex. My wife claimed it as I added to my collection. A classic that stands the test of time. Great thread. Much appreciated.

[jatco]

Wow...Great job there Bas. Looks fabulous. and

[Johny]

Great job Baz. You definitely saved that one.

[Brian Page]

That's awesome.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

[SearChart]

Thanks guys!!

Originally Posted by Johny

Great job Baz. You definitely saved that one.

Thanks bud!