yesterday I took my 1979 Day-Date to service

[Rafabond]

Yesterday I brought my Day Date of 1979, 18038, to the AD that I bought from a friend, 40 years without opening, the clock worked with a delay of 20 seconds a day and the date changed at 4:00 AM, a few minutes for The technician will check that everything is correct and no problem, within 15 days I will have it shiny as the first day. complete revision, change of glass, change of crown and what you need and slight polishing to leave it unimpeachable. All included 890 euros. when they deliver it to me, I will put pictures of how it has been reborn

[warroo]

Cool! 15 days? That is fast? Rolex Spain?

[crowncollection]

Can’t wait to see it


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[gunhose]

Nice . My 18078 is acting up the day change but not the date while on the wrist. If i use the crown both change perfectly.

[Robtayham]

Cool! I had my 1979 DD 18038 serviced this past summer at RSC NY. It’s like it was reborn. I’m also going to get it on a 5-6 year service rotation.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Nice pics, Rafa. Update when you get it back!

And I love the subtle dig with the use of "unimpeachable" talking about your particular Presidential Rolex.

[sitka39]

Still looks good even without the "spa treatment" haha.

[1William]

Good deal. I am looking forward to seeing the watch when you get it back and your thoughts.

[roadie1]

Very nice!


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[Rafabond]

Thanks to everyone, they did me the favor of having it before Christmas, I wanted to "release it" that day. when I go to pick it up I promise photographs

[zapokee]

Surprised they let you take pictures. In my RSC (Tokyo) there's a security guard who rushes over as soon as anyone pulls out a phone or camera. Absolutely no photography allowed...

[ronricks]

Can’t wait to see the pics.

[schoolboy]

Excited for the pics as well

[Sublovin]

Wait....so you have an old watch that is all original, and you are letting Rolex refresh, polish, replace as needed, and make the watch like new!?
Bravo! Very refreshing....look forward to pics.

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

Wait....so you have an old watch that is all original, and you are letting Rolex refresh, polish, replace as needed, and make the watch like new!?
Bravo! Very refreshing....look forward to pics.

I didn’t read it that way.

He’s having it serviced, that’s all internal.

The crystal and crown will be replaced. Not meaningful in the world of vintage.

And a slight polish. This one I would have avoided. But....if its truly ‘slight’, then maybe OK.

But all other visible external parts stay original.

OP, is that correct?

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

I didn’t read it that way.

He’s having it serviced, that’s all internal.

The crystal and crown will be replaced. Not meaningful in the world of vintage.

And a slight polish. This one I would have avoided. But....if its truly ‘slight’, then maybe OK.

But all other visible external parts stay original.

OP, is that correct?

I think we are saying the same thing.
With so many posts about 100% originality and value, it’s nice to see someone letting the RSC do their job, whatever it might need, and return the watch to its most functional state. I applaud this.
IMO, there is a place for preserving originality, but it has gone waaay over the top anymore.
I wonder how many “has this been polished” threads there are. Has to be in the thousands at this point.

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

I think we are saying the same thing.
With so many posts about 100% originality and value, it’s nice to see someone letting the RSC do their job, whatever it might need, and return the watch to its most functional state. I applaud this.
IMO, there is a place for preserving originality, but it has gone waaay over the top anymore.
I wonder how many “has this been polished” threads there are. Has to be in the thousands at this point.

Agreed. I gave RSC NY my 1979 18038 DD to them this past summer. A compete and exhaustive rebuild. Its my only TRF thread. Everything except the case was replaced. Well, and the internals were serviced. But, the dial, bezel and crystal were aftermarket. And the bracelet was bent (smashed) beyond repair. So, while I wished it had been all original when I received from my father, it wasn’t. That’s a different type of repair than the OP’s repairs.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Agreed. I gave RSC NY my 1979 18038 DD to them this past summer. A compete and exhaustive rebuild. Its my only TRF thread. Everything except the case was replaced. Well, and the internals were serviced. But, the dial, bezel and crystal were aftermarket. And the bracelet was bent (smashed) beyond repair. So, while I wished it had been all original when I received from my father, it wasn’t. That’s a different type of repair than the OP’s repairs.

Just read your thread, beautiful watch man!

[TadeoGil]

Wow, it is beautiful! Let us know what you think of the service after you get it back. I have one that belonged to my grandfather, and I am thinking of service it aswell.

[Rafabond]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

I didn’t read it that way.

He’s having it serviced, that’s all internal.

The crystal and crown will be replaced. Not meaningful in the world of vintage.

And a slight polish. This one I would have avoided. But....if its truly ‘slight’, then maybe OK.

But all other visible external parts stay original.

OP, is that correct?

First of all forgive my English, if there is a fault I hope you will forgive me.

The clock as I said is 40 years old, has been worn a lot and has been a pride for the person who enjoyed it all that time. the service was obligatory, the clock worked but with a delay of + 25s a day, the date did not change correctly at 12:00 pm, and the crown no longer threaded perfectly.

the Sapphire Crystal had very visible marks and to have it perfectly it would have to be changed.

As for the bracelet, it was very used, little difference between the polished and brushed parts, the watch was fine without knocks but with marks of enough use. a light polish will be done and Rolex will keep the original shapes.

The bezel, hands and date discs (6 and 9 open) are the same originals, nothing will be touched or changed.

I hope that this week they call me to pick it up, I wanted to leave the clock in the first state of operation (it is logical) and give it the splendor that a president deserves, the clock will be for me and I want it all original but with the brightness of the first day , as if we were in 1979

[Andad]

Looks good for it’s age.

Had it been serviced before you bought it?

[Rafabond]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Looks good for it’s age.

Had it been serviced before you bought it?

I never go through any service, this will be the first time I went into an operating room

[Rafabond]

a detail that I like very much, the last three figures of the serial number is 007, this coincidence is one in a thousand, and I am a big fan of James Bond

[Robtayham]

Originally Posted by Rafabond

First of all forgive my English, if there is a fault I hope you will forgive me.

The clock as I said is 40 years old, has been worn a lot and has been a pride for the person who enjoyed it all that time. the service was obligatory, the clock worked but with a delay of + 25s a day, the date did not change correctly at 12:00 pm, and the crown no longer threaded perfectly.

the Sapphire Crystal had very visible marks and to have it perfectly it would have to be changed.

As for the bracelet, it was very used, little difference between the polished and brushed parts, the watch was fine without knocks but with marks of enough use. a light polish will be done and Rolex will keep the original shapes.

The bezel, hands and date discs (6 and 9 open) are the same originals, nothing will be touched or changed.

I hope that this week they call me to pick it up, I wanted to leave the clock in the first state of operation (it is logical) and give it the splendor that a president deserves, the clock will be for me and I want it all original but with the brightness of the first day , as if we were in 1979

Understood. It will look great!

My 1979 18038 DD’s bracelet was so used that Rolex replaced it this past summer. It made the watch look brand new.

[Rafabond]

Tomorrow I put the photographs, today I have collected it from the AD, just saying that they have done a spectacular job.

[Claven2]

great watch, but the bracelet is starting to be pretty stretched - you might want to service it before it's irrecoverable?

[Rafabond]

I present the photos of 18038 of 1979, as I said before 40 years of use, before I was in a very used state and with mechanical failures, now it has been reborn, and a perfect mechanical accuracy. It changes date at 12 and has a + 3s. up to date. Rolex is the only one who has come back to life this Day date.

wait in AD and reviewing warranty documentation





already at home with the package





































leftover pieces

[JustinK]

Looks great, ready for another 40 years 😀.

[jrod721]

Looks fantastic! Great pics, too.

[Verdi]

Congrats! Way to go!