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Vintage watch repair?

Rerock

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2020
Member Number
332
Messages
304
Loc
Twins Territory
I inherited my grandpa's 1947 Rolex. It stopped working around the time he got too old to wear it.

I sent it in to Rolex and they said they wouldn't work on it despite it being 100% authentic. Jewelry store said they probably don't have parts for it anymore.

I was all-in committed to keeping it 100% authentic until I found out that's not possible. Unfortunate, but I was willing to pony up. I understand the value would take a hit by having non-oem parts in it (I'd keep them tho) but I'm not in it for that; I want it on my wrist and wind it everyday like he did.

With plan A a no-go, what/who's plan B?

I've seen youtube dude who do restorations that turn out awesome, but I'm not having much luck finding that service.

I don't mind shipping (insured) nor waiting; I just want it handled/treated right.

Thoughts?
 
good luck :smokin:

there was somebody on the old board, probably made it over :confused: who did that stuff. up in Alaska or New york? seemed like it was somewhere cold.

sorry i'm not more help :rasta:
 
I don’t have a reference for you but find somebody good. The watch is worth it. Pics?
 
There was a watch repair place down the street. I just went on google street view to get the name/number from the sign. The watch repair sign wasn’t there anymore and was replaced by a “liquor store coming soon” sign. So that’s awesome news for me, and I feel like I did what I could to help.
 
Mother has an antique Rolex; claimed it wasn't working. Nobody in Philadelphia would touch it! They all recomended some place in Floridia. Last watchmaker to look at it got it working just by winding it. :lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:
IMHO: For the money I would have spent on a Rolex; I would expect indefinite repair and support.
 
Nesbits </endThread>

One of the best in the country for high end older watches. I'm speaking from Omega experience but many service centers, unless you're super specific, start replacing parts with new mfg approved replacement parts. Nesbits is known for some amazing recoveries and ONLY using new parts if absolutely needed. Fully expect $750-$1k easy depending on the condition ... also call and get you place in line because it will be months
 
I am surprised that Rolex will not touch it. For grins, call the Rolex store on 57th st in NYC. My Rolex dates from the 70s - not quite as old - but they always service it no problem (I gave it to my son when he graduated college).

There are a few watchmakers on YouTube. Some of them will work on people's stuff.



The above will lead you to others as well.
 
Rocky Mountain Time Zone
(303) 442-2699

It's in Boulder, CO. John owns the place and works on high end watches. His son is a Rolex tech.

Even if the watch is working, it may need a cleaning. The oils will dry up over time.
 
Thanks for leads! I'll make some calls.

Yeah shipped it to Rolex in PA and 2mo later they sent it back with no work done. I was warned by the jeweler that may be the case (dude had never seen a Rolex that old before), so Rolex either repairs it back to 100% or does nothing at all.

I'll reach out to Nesbits and see what they have to say.
 
I’ve got my 1958 Explorer with Phillip Ridley right now. Hopefully done in a week. He came highly recommended on a couple Rolex forums. Certified Watchmaker & Repair Shop in Mesa, AZ: Phillip Ridley Rolex. He says he has the genuine parts for the watch still.

His upfront communication was great, supposed to be done in about a week so I can report back then. I was pretty nervous about handing that box over to FedEx. Plenty of people warned against sending it into a Rolex Service Center. I guess the one in PA handles the vintage stuff but they apparently don’t think twice about replacing hands/dials etc.

He even confirmed the lime in the watch was radium. :eek:
 
I got mine back from Philip Ridley and could t be happier. Not sure what Rerock ended up doing.
 

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Another 2-post spammer w a sales link.

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MaxxyBee said:
I get wanting to keep it authentic, but sometimes you have to weigh your options. I had a vintage watch from my dad that needed repairs, and I went through a local watchmaker. They did an amazing job restoring it, and while it wasn't 100% original, the quality was top-notch.
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not taking away from the old school cool of the vintage rolex at all. i think its awesome.

But i just cant bring myself to buy or own one at all.... seems the connatation of seeing them is more negative than positive/
 
Texas97 said:
not taking away from the old school cool of the vintage rolex at all. i think its awesome.

But i just cant bring myself to buy or own one at all.... seems the connatation of seeing them is more negative than positive/
Click to expand...
Mine is Stainless, not gold, and I love it.
 
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