It's only original once.

[qwackerz]

Saw this on ebay,
Id of preferred a sympathetic restoration to keep it original.


Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 1002

This watch will fit up to approximately 6.1" (15.5cm) wrist size without any additional links.

We are delighted to have acquired this particular watch directly from the original owner who bought it new back around 1968. We sent it off straight to the UK based Rolex service centre and is now back with us in tip top shape as one would expect.

As mentioned above this watch was sent to the UK based Rolex service centre at St. James, Mayfair, London for a complete service where it underwent a full service to its movement as well as a meticulous refurbishment of the bracelet, also a new crown along with a new pexi-glass, a new case, a new case back, a new dial and new hands were fitted . The work came to a total of £2,145 The watch is unworn since.

An absolutely mint condition having benefitted from a full Rolex service and unworn since with the service stickers untampered a pre-owned 34mm case size circa 1968 stainless steel superlative chronometer automatic movement Rolex Oyster Perpetual model reference 1002 featuring a silver baton dial surrounded by a stainless steel domed bezel on a full retail length stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

As shown in the detailed images this watch is supplied with the original new style Rolex service box, the original new style Rolex service pouch, the original Rolex service manual, original service invoice (£2145) and the Rolex service warranty card dated April 2023.

[Dan S]

That's a crazy amount to spend on restoring a ref 1002, which is not a terribly collectible watch. I don't understand why someone intending to flip the watch would do that. Also, 6.1" is an extremely small wrist, I suspect something is wrong with that measurement.

[springer]

There are many dreamers on ebay.

I would agree with Dan. The restoration cost more than the watch was worth.

[77T]

"... this watch was sent to the UK based Rolex service centre at St. James, Mayfair, London for a complete service where it underwent a full service to its movement as well as a meticulous refurbishment of the bracelet, also a new crown along with a new pexi-glass, a new case, a new case back, a new dial and new hands were fitted."


So, a new watch except for the original(?) serviced movement and original(?) refurbished bracelet.

It is a misbegotten mongrel now...


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[Tools]

Apparently the seller doesn't actually know what "original" means. There isn't anything that is original left... even the couple of gears and plates aren't original to anything else here.

Agreed, more was spent on this example than it is actually worth

[winst]

The thing that seems strange to me is ‘ meticulous refurbishment of the bracelet’. Other than brushing / polishing if they believe the bracelet is in good enough shape to have it done, Rolex do not refurbish bracelets.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by winst

The thing that seems strange to me is ‘ meticulous refurbishment of the bracelet’. Other than brushing / polishing if they believe the bracelet is in good enough shape to have it done, Rolex do not refurbish bracelets.

And the refurbished bracelet only fits a 6.1" wrist.

[carwashchris]

WOW !

[TuRo]

This is like doing a nut and bolt refurb on a basic model Ford Escort - somewhat sub optimal investing!

[502 to Right]

I suspect the person who had the work done did not do it with the intent of making a profit. They probably loved the reference and wanted to have an example as near to new as reasonably possible. Then decided they didn't want the watch after all. Or perhaps had financial trouble and needed to move the watch. It happens.

[rootbeer7]

Trigger’s broom.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

I suspect the person who had the work done did not do it with the intent of making a profit. They probably loved the reference and wanted to have an example as near to new as reasonably possible. Then decided they didn't want the watch after all. Or perhaps had financial trouble and needed to move the watch. It happens.

Could be, and I hope that's the case, even if it is a little sad. But the listing makes it sound like a professional business ("we") intentionally sent it for restoration with the intention to sell. The photos also look like they are from a dealer.

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Could be, and I hope that's the case, even if it is a little sad. But the listing makes it sound like a professional business ("we") intentionally sent it for restoration with the intention to sell. The photos also look like they are from a dealer.

I'm sure a dealer owns it now. I don't believe the back stories dealers put in listings.

If a dealer did take on these costs in hopes of future profit...oh my.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

I don't believe the back stories dealers put in listings.

Smart!

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

I'm sure a dealer owns it now. I don't believe the back stories dealers put in listings.

If a dealer did take on these costs in hopes of future profit...oh my.

It’s being sold by Rolex Watch Trader on eBay.

[Toronto Soup King]

I did something similar with an old 1018, but a couple of differences - firstly the watch was cheap because it was wrecked, secondly I told RSC to forget about the bracelet, thirdly it's a 36mm watch. I wear this watch pretty frequently (fourth from top on imgur link) but I'd never recommend anyone do anything similar, the watch is not really saleable. All in I think the buy+RSC bill came to around USD3100.
https://imgur.com/a/rotation-1675-16...016-1012-SMizQ

[qwackerz]

They spent £2,145 on it and are selling it for £4,995.

The only thing thats original is the movement,
The bracelet isn't era correct either as it should be a riveted or folded link as they claim the original watch was 1968 which its not now.

Plus, how can they have an "Original-new style" service box and pouch?

It may all be genuine but not original.

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

I did something similar with an old 1018, but a couple of differences - firstly the watch was cheap because it was wrecked, secondly I told RSC to forget about the bracelet, thirdly it's a 36mm watch. I wear this watch pretty frequently (fourth from top on imgur link) but I'd never recommend anyone do anything similar, the watch is not really saleable.

There are people out there who are interested in buying an old watch with new parts. But the pool of those interested is considerably smaller than a Rolex that is original.

I almost bought a recently Rolex serviced 16750 GMT that had a service dial, hands, and bezel insert. And the case had been nicely recut. It fit the bill for me for a reliable daily wear watch that still had old school attributes (acrylic crystal, hollow end links, etc.) But I ended up passing on the watch based on advice here and the fear it would be difficult to sell in future if I wanted to move it. But most people aren't consulting experts on TRF.

I ended up "settling" for a year 2000 made 16710. I still get the slimmer case and older look while having everything original. It's been a very satisfying middle ground.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by TuRo

This is like doing a nut and bolt refurb on a basic model Ford Escort - somewhat sub optimal investing!

Is this even a new case? Doesn't look like it to me.

[tekno]

Originally Posted by springer

There are many dreamers on ebay.

I would agree with Dan. The restoration cost more than the watch was worth.

I call them fishermen looking for a sucker fish


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