Incoming -- from RSC

[IgCarr]

Sharing my recent experience with servicing my 16220. Dropped it off with the AD in Houston on March 7, 2020. I got the call to pick up my watch on Tuesday, June 14. I was told when I dropped it off that the estimate would take three to five weeks. It took five. I authorized the work on the same day and eight weeks later, I got my watch back.

The watch is from 1991, purchased via auction in February of this year. The condition was rough and though it was described as running in the auction catalog, it was not. That bothered me some though my intent was to get it fully serviced so I kept calm and carried on.

I collect vintage watches and understand and appreciate the value in wearing the age of each of my watches. However, this particular watch is recent enough not to be true vintage (perhaps barely vintage?) but old enough to not wear its scars as well as something from the 50s or 60s (like my 1008). All that to mean that I decided to have a complete factory service, replaced the crown, crystal, and hands, and had the case and bracelet refinished.

When the SA unboxed the watch and pulled it out of its travel case, I literally gasped. The service was done respectfully to this 31-year-old watch and now looks NOS. I fretted about the decision but now am very glad I decided to go this route. The price for all the work was $1200.00 + tax.

So here are some pictures of the watch. I've included the service box and case as some members have wondered in recent postings about the return-from-service presentation from the RSC.

[TimeLord2]

That looks fantastic but I think you meant to say March 7, 2022 as far as the drop off date. I initially thought WOW over 2 years for a service! It does indeed look NOS now but what did it look like before? Any pics?

[zapokee]

Love the double service pouch almost as much as the watch itself!

That's a beauty. Good for another few decades.

[IgCarr]

Lol - yes, I dropped the watch off this year, not 2020. I didn't take any pictures myself of the watch but here are some shots from the auction catalog. As I said, the condition was pretty rough when I first got it. The second pic shows some of the "dirt" evident throughout.

[FrenchBigCrown]

Congrats!

Health to enjoy!

[emersm]

RSC nailed it!

Looks fantastic, congratulations!

[1William]

Great watch.

[swish77]

Looks great, and thanks for sharing details about the process.

Just curious … why did you decide to change the original tritium hands? They looked to be in pretty good shape in the pre-service photo.

[pk552502]

I always loved the engine turned bezel- might be my favorite. Watch looks great.

[brandrea]

Fantastic Ignacio, enjoy it

[IgCarr]

Originally Posted by swish77

Looks great, and thanks for sharing details about the process.

Just curious … why did you decide to change the original tritium hands? They looked to be in pretty good shape in the pre-service photo.

Good question. When I got the call about the estimate for repairs, the hands were listed as damaged. I looked at the hands through a loup when I got the watch and there was some spotting. I thought that the spotting would get more pronounced in a few years and after a hard decision opted to accept the repair and swap the hands. Now that I have the watch back from service, it looks like they cleaned the markers enough to make them shine and sparkle. That was a bit of a surprise. I doubt they would have done anything to the hands and the difference might have looked odd. But it was a hard decision for sure.

[fistwatches]

Great piece. Congrats

[RolexDave68]

Very, very nice DJ. After the spa visit it’s ready for action. Enjoy the journey

[fizz]

It looks wonderful and you made a great decision. Well done and enjoy it!!

[BNA/LION]

Nice! Enjoy!

[EagleBear]

They did an amazing job.
Really like the case as well.

[RFC]

Looks fantastic! When did RSC start providing these service travel pouches?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by IgCarr

Good question. When I got the call about the estimate for repairs, the hands were listed as damaged. I looked at the hands through a loup when I got the watch and there was some spotting. I thought that the spotting would get more pronounced in a few years and after a hard decision opted to accept the repair and swap the hands. Now that I have the watch back from service, it looks like they cleaned the markers enough to make them shine and sparkle. That was a bit of a surprise. I doubt they would have done anything to the hands and the difference might have looked odd. But it was a hard decision for sure.

Fair enough. Personally, I would have kept the hands for the sake of the originality of the watch, but I completely understand the reasoning, and now they'll glow, which might come in handy. Congrats!