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Ashton_Horologist · 27 May 2019, 11:03 PM

Due to the popularity of my last post, I thought I would put another one up for all to enjoy. This is the overhaul procedure for a Rolex 1520.

This beautiful Rolex Submariner 5513 with a ‘spider dial’ recently came in for an overhaul. It was a beautiful example with thick lugs, and the movement was in good condition.

You can see in the below picture the aged dial and hands. The dial has the ‘spider’ effect. This was actually a Rolex defect when manufacturing the dials. This ‘fault’, however, has become somewhat of a collector's item.

Rolex-5513-spider-dial-768x671.jpg

The dial is removed.

Rolex-1520-movement-8-768x732.jpg

The movement side.

Rolex-1520-movement-7-768x669.jpg

Slowly dis-assembling the movement. As you can see, it appears to be in good condition.

Rolex-1520-movement-6-768x658.jpg

The train and barrel bridge removed.

Rolex-1520-movement-5-768x623.jpg

You can see what happens when a movement is left too long between services, you can see the dirt around the center wheel bushing.

Rolex-1520-movement-4-768x810.jpg

More dirt on the underside of the train wheel bridge.

Rolex-1520-bridge-768x658.jpg

As I removed the balance, it was evident the staff was broken and needed replacing. That was the reason the watch was not running. First, I remove the balance from the bridge.

Rolex-1520-balance-bridge-768x500.jpg

I then remove the balance spring and roller from the balance itself.

Rolex-1520-balance-768x767.jpg

I remove the old balance staff in the staking set and also fit the new one. This takes a series of different steps and stakes that I have not included.

Rolex-1520-balance-staff-fitting-768x729.jpg

I then install the roller and I can poise the balance. I must make sure that the balance is perfectly weighted all the way around so there are no discrepancies in time-keeping.

Rolex-1520-balance-poising-768x571.jpg

The balance is now ready to have the balance spring installed.

Rolex-1520-balance-1-768x713.jpg

I then remove the automatic work. You can see the dirt and old oil.

Rolex-1520-automatic-work-768x777.jpg

I then peg out the jewels to prepare for the movement to be run through the cleaning machine.

Rolex-1520-jewel-pegging-768x576.jpg

Once the movement has run through the cleaning machine, the movement is ready to assemble.

Rolex-1520-movement-disassembled-768x576.jpg

The barrel is installed and so are the kif settings for the balance.

Rolex-1520-movement-3-768x713.jpg

Gear train installed.

Rolex-1520-movement-2-768x795.jpg

The train bridge and pallet fork are in place.

Rolex-1520-movement-1-768x725.jpg

The balance is in and so is the center seconds pinion.

Rolex-1520-movement-768x698.jpg

Dial side of the movement is complete and the dial and hands are ready to install.

Rolex-1520-dial-side-768x620.jpg

Before I fit the center seconds hand, I need to place a small metal piece underneath the friction spring. The reason that I do this is when the center seconds hand is fitted without the strip underneath, the spring ‘cups’ and becomes distorted when the movement holder support is used.

Rolex-1520-hand-fitting-768x626.jpg

And the service is complete.

Rolex-5513-dial-768x748.jpg

nicon · 27 May 2019, 11:08 PM

Quality content. Thanks for sharing.

HK_Expat · 27 May 2019, 11:13 PM

Sunny Arizona · 27 May 2019, 11:13 PM

awesome work!

GreatHarry · 27 May 2019, 11:24 PM

Nice post.
Thanks for sharing.

timepieceluvr · 27 May 2019, 11:25 PM

Really awesome to see these posts. Thank you for sharing it.

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burnthesehills · 27 May 2019, 11:35 PM

Amazing to see this. I’m always fascinated by the complexity.

OTWT · 27 May 2019, 11:40 PM

Bravo

Flybak · 28 May 2019, 12:07 AM

Very interesting to see the work going on here! Thanks for sharing!

socalwatchcollector · 28 May 2019, 12:15 AM

You could post one of these an hour and I would never get tired of it. Keep these coming!

jeffnnj · 28 May 2019, 12:31 AM

Congratulations. You win today.

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Heff · 28 May 2019, 12:35 AM

Love it! Thanks for sharing!

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AF_Rob · 28 May 2019, 12:42 AM

Thanks for posting, Ashton!

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Ashton_Horologist · 28 May 2019, 12:43 AM

Thanks, guys, glad you are enjoying it! I am trying to put various different calibers up so you can understand the differences more fully.

FTX I · 28 May 2019, 12:44 AM

herts9 · 28 May 2019, 12:44 AM

Amazed. Nice work.

epicurus · 28 May 2019, 12:46 AM

Great post. More please!

Keepchasing · 28 May 2019, 01:05 AM

Superb! Thanks for sharing!

dcash0615 · 28 May 2019, 01:10 AM

Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

101031-28 · 28 May 2019, 01:10 AM

Thank you OP and please keep sharing, I love reading threads like this one!

gyasih · 28 May 2019, 01:17 AM

Love these posts!

abozz · 28 May 2019, 01:22 AM

What a wonderful post, THANKSSSSS

66Berret · 28 May 2019, 02:01 AM

This is good. Thanks for sharing, going to find your previous post

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KBM · 28 May 2019, 02:10 AM

Great work, thanks for sharing.

LandWatch · 28 May 2019, 02:15 AM

Very interesting, thanks for posting,

Fat_ninja · 28 May 2019, 02:21 AM

Buddy at work just bought a spider dial pepsi..it’s kool... I have bad eyesight so was difficult to see initially. But when I saw the cracks on the dial...was really cool

Thanks for this post. Really cool and different and interesting

BLNR Nairobi · 28 May 2019, 02:23 AM

Very nice and insightful. Thank you.

Speedbird-1 · 28 May 2019, 04:22 AM

Fascinating to see this precision work!

Thank you.

When had that movement last been serviced?
There seemed to be a lot of 'dirt', to my untutored eye.

Could I respectfully suggest a touch of T-Cut and some elbow grease on that dial face.
You'd soon have it nice and smooth again!

5kooby · 28 May 2019, 04:26 AM

Fantastic work, sir! Thanks for sharing.

Oldfellow · 28 May 2019, 04:41 AM

Many thanks for this informative post.
Please keep them coming when you are able.

27 May 2019, 11:03 PM	#1
Ashton_Horologist "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Real Name: Ashton Tracy Location: Ottawa, Canada Watch: 1680 Posts: 287	Spider Dial Submariner - Overhaul Step By Step Due to the popularity of my last post, I thought I would put another one up for all to enjoy. This is the overhaul procedure for a Rolex 1520. This beautiful Rolex Submariner 5513 with a ‘spider dial’ recently came in for an overhaul. It was a beautiful example with thick lugs, and the movement was in good condition. You can see in the below picture the aged dial and hands. The dial has the ‘spider’ effect. This was actually a Rolex defect when manufacturing the dials. This ‘fault’, however, has become somewhat of a collector's item. Rolex-5513-spider-dial-768x671.jpg The dial is removed. Rolex-1520-movement-8-768x732.jpg The movement side. Rolex-1520-movement-7-768x669.jpg Slowly dis-assembling the movement. As you can see, it appears to be in good condition. Rolex-1520-movement-6-768x658.jpg The train and barrel bridge removed. Rolex-1520-movement-5-768x623.jpg You can see what happens when a movement is left too long between services, you can see the dirt around the center wheel bushing. Rolex-1520-movement-4-768x810.jpg More dirt on the underside of the train wheel bridge. Rolex-1520-bridge-768x658.jpg As I removed the balance, it was evident the staff was broken and needed replacing. That was the reason the watch was not running. First, I remove the balance from the bridge. Rolex-1520-balance-bridge-768x500.jpg I then remove the balance spring and roller from the balance itself. Rolex-1520-balance-768x767.jpg I remove the old balance staff in the staking set and also fit the new one. This takes a series of different steps and stakes that I have not included. Rolex-1520-balance-staff-fitting-768x729.jpg I then install the roller and I can poise the balance. I must make sure that the balance is perfectly weighted all the way around so there are no discrepancies in time-keeping. Rolex-1520-balance-poising-768x571.jpg The balance is now ready to have the balance spring installed. Rolex-1520-balance-1-768x713.jpg I then remove the automatic work. You can see the dirt and old oil. Rolex-1520-automatic-work-768x777.jpg I then peg out the jewels to prepare for the movement to be run through the cleaning machine. Rolex-1520-jewel-pegging-768x576.jpg Once the movement has run through the cleaning machine, the movement is ready to assemble. Rolex-1520-movement-disassembled-768x576.jpg The barrel is installed and so are the kif settings for the balance. Rolex-1520-movement-3-768x713.jpg Gear train installed. Rolex-1520-movement-2-768x795.jpg The train bridge and pallet fork are in place. Rolex-1520-movement-1-768x725.jpg The balance is in and so is the center seconds pinion. Rolex-1520-movement-768x698.jpg Dial side of the movement is complete and the dial and hands are ready to install. Rolex-1520-dial-side-768x620.jpg Before I fit the center seconds hand, I need to place a small metal piece underneath the friction spring. The reason that I do this is when the center seconds hand is fitted without the strip underneath, the spring ‘cups’ and becomes distorted when the movement holder support is used. Rolex-1520-hand-fitting-768x626.jpg And the service is complete. Rolex-5513-dial-768x748.jpg __________________ IG @ashtontracyhorologist

27 May 2019, 11:13 PM	#3
HK_Expat "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Hong Kong Watch: Me go Posts: 430	Great post...thanks

28 May 2019, 12:43 AM	#14
Ashton_Horologist "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Real Name: Ashton Tracy Location: Ottawa, Canada Watch: 1680 Posts: 287	Thanks, guys, glad you are enjoying it! I am trying to put various different calibers up so you can understand the differences more fully. __________________ IG @ashtontracyhorologist

28 May 2019, 01:10 AM	#19
dcash0615 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Dave Location: CA Watch: es Posts: 4,394	Awesome post. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Instagram @dcash0615 2FA security active

28 May 2019, 01:10 AM	#20
101031-28 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: 1665 Posts: 4,764	Thank you OP and please keep sharing, I love reading threads like this one! __________________ He could not just wear a watch. It had to be a Rolex. Ian Fleming

27 May 2019, 11:08 PM	#2
nicon "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Poland Watch: 16610 Posts: 341	Quality content. Thanks for sharing.

27 May 2019, 11:13 PM	#4
Sunny Arizona "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Brad Location: Colorado Watch: 16613 Posts: 1,263	awesome work!

27 May 2019, 11:24 PM	#5
GreatHarry "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Real Name: Cliffy Location: Korea Watch: CHNR Posts: 282	Nice post. Thanks for sharing.

27 May 2019, 11:25 PM	#6
timepieceluvr "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: USA Posts: 1,963	Really awesome to see these posts. Thank you for sharing it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

27 May 2019, 11:35 PM	#7
burnthesehills "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Real Name: Joe Location: Western MA Posts: 1,211	Amazing to see this. I’m always fascinated by the complexity.

27 May 2019, 11:40 PM	#8
OTWT "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: USA Posts: 157	Bravo

28 May 2019, 12:07 AM	#9
Flybak "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Canada Watch: Enthusiast Posts: 1,606	Very interesting to see the work going on here! Thanks for sharing!

28 May 2019, 12:15 AM	#10
socalwatchcollector "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Real Name: John Location: newport beach Watch: Pateks Plural Posts: 1,620	You could post one of these an hour and I would never get tired of it. Keep these coming!

28 May 2019, 12:31 AM	#11
jeffnnj "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 763	Congratulations. You win today. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

28 May 2019, 12:35 AM	#12
Heff "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Germany Watch: Speedmaster Pro Posts: 1,023	Love it! Thanks for sharing! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

28 May 2019, 12:42 AM	#13
AF_Rob "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Rob Location: Virginia Watch: Sub/Polar/OP/BB Posts: 4,667	Thanks for posting, Ashton! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

28 May 2019, 12:44 AM	#15
FTX I "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Flavio Location: N/A Posts: 14,654

28 May 2019, 12:44 AM	#16
herts9 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: Brian Location: Kentucky Watch: 116610LN Posts: 2,034	Amazed. Nice work.

28 May 2019, 12:46 AM	#17
epicurus "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NYC Posts: 572	Great post. More please!

28 May 2019, 01:05 AM	#18
Keepchasing "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: USA Watch: A few Posts: 645	Superb! Thanks for sharing!

28 May 2019, 01:17 AM	#21
gyasih "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: NYC Posts: 59	Love these posts!

28 May 2019, 01:22 AM	#22
abozz "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: In my home. Watch: 116660, 126600 Posts: 2,905	What a wonderful post, THANKSSSSS

28 May 2019, 02:01 AM	#23
66Berret Banned Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: USA Posts: 255	This is good. Thanks for sharing, going to find your previous post Sent from my Iphone using Tapatalk

28 May 2019, 02:10 AM	#24
KBM 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: K. Location: 780 Posts: 10,451	Great work, thanks for sharing.

28 May 2019, 02:15 AM	#25
LandWatch "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: U.K. Posts: 708	Very interesting, thanks for posting,

28 May 2019, 02:21 AM	#26
Fat_ninja Banned Join Date: May 2018 Real Name: Jonathan Location: USA Watch: P-01 Posts: 11,772	Buddy at work just bought a spider dial pepsi..it’s kool... I have bad eyesight so was difficult to see initially. But when I saw the cracks on the dial...was really cool Thanks for this post. Really cool and different and interesting

28 May 2019, 02:23 AM	#27
BLNR Nairobi "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Real Name: Tony Location: Global Watch: All of them. Posts: 1,141	Very nice and insightful. Thank you.

28 May 2019, 04:22 AM	#28
Speedbird-1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Steve. Location: UK Posts: 6,447	Fascinating to see this precision work! Thank you. When had that movement last been serviced? There seemed to be a lot of 'dirt', to my untutored eye. Could I respectfully suggest a touch of T-Cut and some elbow grease on that dial face. You'd soon have it nice and smooth again!

28 May 2019, 04:26 AM	#29
5kooby 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: usa Watch: Omega SMP, Batgirl Posts: 51	Fantastic work, sir! Thanks for sharing.

28 May 2019, 04:41 AM	#30
Oldfellow 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Australia Posts: 2,191	Many thanks for this informative post. Please keep them coming when you are able.

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