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TXranger1837 · 25 March 2013, 04:26 PM

Hello, everyone! I hope I don't ask too many dumb questions.

The watch I am inquiring about is a 1991 Datejust. It's my dad's watch. He received it as a gift from IBM for his 25th anniversary with the company in 1992. That was the last year IBM offered a Rolex as a gift option. He wore it for a couple of years before the winding stem broke completely off. It hasn't been used since.

I pulled it out today to look for any bad scratches, other than the stem damage. There are a few wear marks on the bracelet (especially the bottom of the clasp). I noticed some more surface scratches on the body of the watch, but not the crystal.

I'm not in a position in my career where I would be able to purchase one of these fine watches, but would like to get it in working order, at least.

For standard maintenance plus replacing those damaged parts, does anyone have a guess at the cost of sending it to Rolex Dallas? I know standard is about $500, but this is obviously going to be more.

Also, the back of the watch is engraved with my dad's name and the IBM crest. Will they be able to freshen it up without removing the engraving?

Would it be a bad idea to take it to a local certified Rolex jeweler and get it in working order? The idea is pay less now, but get it working and enjoy it for awhile before biting the bullet on the bigger payment. I know this may not be the preferred option.

Here are a couple of photos I took tonight. Sorry about the cell phone shakiness in some of them.

TXranger1837 · 25 March 2013, 04:53 PM

Hello, everyone! I hope I don't ask too many dumb questions.

The watch I am inquiring about is a 1991 Datejust. It's my dad's watch. He received it as a gift from IBM for his 25th anniversary with the company in 1992. That was the last year IBM offered a Rolex as a gift option. He wore it for a couple of years before the winding stem broke completely off. It hasn't been used since.

I pulled it out today to look for any bad scratches, other than the stem damage. There are a few wear marks on the bracelet (especially the bottom of the clasp). I noticed some more surface scratches on the body of the watch, but not the crystal.

I'm not in a position in my career where I would be able to purchase one of these fine watches, but would like to get it in working order, at least.

For standard maintenance plus replacing those damaged parts, does anyone have a guess at the cost of sending it to Rolex Dallas? I know standard is about $500, but this is obviously going to be more.

Also, the back of the watch is engraved with my dad's name and the IBM crest. Will they be able to freshen it up without removing the engraving?

Would it be a bad idea to take it to a local certified Rolex jeweler and get it in working order? The idea is pay less now, but get it working and enjoy it for awhile before biting the bullet on the bigger payment. I know this may not be the preferred option.

Here are a couple of photos I took tonight. Sorry for the shakiness in some of them.

padi56 · 25 March 2013, 10:52 PM

The crown tube and very often the winding crowns are replaced as part of normal so should not add a huge cost to normal service as long as there is no movement damage.

You could try one of the in forum Rolex certified watchmakers like Bob Ridley in TX, Dalton at ABC Watchwerks in L.A. or Rikki in FL all highly recommended.

Lol-x · 26 March 2013, 02:16 AM

Welcome.
Nice DJ.

Riki is your man on maintenance

TXranger1837 · 26 March 2013, 05:42 AM

Sorry for the double post. The first time I posted, I didn't see the quick message that a mod had to ok it, so I sent it again. haha

I just dropped the Rolex off at David Throckmorton's in Austin to get its maintenance. I felt more comfortable handing it over rather than mailing it. Also get to support a local business.

He found a bit of rust when he took the back off. Nothing too bad, but it'll up the cost a bit. It'll be about 3-4 weeks. Can't wait to get back a new watch and take some pics for y'all.

mrbill2mrbill2 · 26 March 2013, 09:01 AM

Awaiting the after pics!

cop414 · 26 March 2013, 09:54 AM

Congratulations and kudos to you for bringing you Dad's watch back to life. Please post some "after" pics once you get it back. Welcome to TRF.

25 March 2013, 04:26 PM	#1
TXranger1837 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin Posts: 3	New to Rolex & watches in general - Questions re: maintenance of older watch Hello, everyone! I hope I don't ask too many dumb questions. The watch I am inquiring about is a 1991 Datejust. It's my dad's watch. He received it as a gift from IBM for his 25th anniversary with the company in 1992. That was the last year IBM offered a Rolex as a gift option. He wore it for a couple of years before the winding stem broke completely off. It hasn't been used since. I pulled it out today to look for any bad scratches, other than the stem damage. There are a few wear marks on the bracelet (especially the bottom of the clasp). I noticed some more surface scratches on the body of the watch, but not the crystal. I'm not in a position in my career where I would be able to purchase one of these fine watches, but would like to get it in working order, at least. For standard maintenance plus replacing those damaged parts, does anyone have a guess at the cost of sending it to Rolex Dallas? I know standard is about $500, but this is obviously going to be more. Also, the back of the watch is engraved with my dad's name and the IBM crest. Will they be able to freshen it up without removing the engraving? Would it be a bad idea to take it to a local certified Rolex jeweler and get it in working order? The idea is pay less now, but get it working and enjoy it for awhile before biting the bullet on the bigger payment. I know this may not be the preferred option. Here are a couple of photos I took tonight. Sorry about the cell phone shakiness in some of them.

25 March 2013, 04:53 PM	#2
TXranger1837 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin Posts: 3	New to Rolex (and watches in general) Questions re: maintenance on used piece Hello, everyone! I hope I don't ask too many dumb questions. The watch I am inquiring about is a 1991 Datejust. It's my dad's watch. He received it as a gift from IBM for his 25th anniversary with the company in 1992. That was the last year IBM offered a Rolex as a gift option. He wore it for a couple of years before the winding stem broke completely off. It hasn't been used since. I pulled it out today to look for any bad scratches, other than the stem damage. There are a few wear marks on the bracelet (especially the bottom of the clasp). I noticed some more surface scratches on the body of the watch, but not the crystal. I'm not in a position in my career where I would be able to purchase one of these fine watches, but would like to get it in working order, at least. For standard maintenance plus replacing those damaged parts, does anyone have a guess at the cost of sending it to Rolex Dallas? I know standard is about $500, but this is obviously going to be more. Also, the back of the watch is engraved with my dad's name and the IBM crest. Will they be able to freshen it up without removing the engraving? Would it be a bad idea to take it to a local certified Rolex jeweler and get it in working order? The idea is pay less now, but get it working and enjoy it for awhile before biting the bullet on the bigger payment. I know this may not be the preferred option. Here are a couple of photos I took tonight. Sorry for the shakiness in some of them.

25 March 2013, 10:52 PM	#3
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,196	The crown tube and very often the winding crowns are replaced as part of normal so should not add a huge cost to normal service as long as there is no movement damage. You could try one of the in forum Rolex certified watchmakers like Bob Ridley in TX, Dalton at ABC Watchwerks in L.A. or Rikki in FL all highly recommended. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

26 March 2013, 02:16 AM	#4
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,638	Welcome. Nice DJ. Riki is your man on maintenance __________________ *Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.* ~Abraham Lincoln Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim

26 March 2013, 09:01 AM	#6
mrbill2mrbill2 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Mr. Bill Location: South Florida Watch: 16610 Posts: 6,148	Awaiting the after pics! __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of the Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons - ID # 13

26 March 2013, 05:42 AM	#5
TXranger1837 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin Posts: 3	Sorry for the double post. The first time I posted, I didn't see the quick message that a mod had to ok it, so I sent it again. haha I just dropped the Rolex off at David Throckmorton's in Austin to get its maintenance. I felt more comfortable handing it over rather than mailing it. Also get to support a local business. He found a bit of rust when he took the back off. Nothing too bad, but it'll up the cost a bit. It'll be about 3-4 weeks. Can't wait to get back a new watch and take some pics for y'all.

26 March 2013, 09:54 AM	#7
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,664	Congratulations and kudos to you for bringing you Dad's watch back to life. Please post some "after" pics once you get it back. Welcome to TRF. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

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