Thread: What types of watches do you like?

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I have a 1964 Rolex Submariner "meters first" that needs some work. It was given to me by my Dad who bought it from a guy when my Dad was in Vietnam. Incidentally, my Dad was shown in a pic around that time in LIFE magazine and the watch is shown on his wrist. Kind of neat, that. The watch needs quite a bit of work so I don't wear it that often.

As such, I'm looking for a new mechanical watch. Don't care if it's automatic; I would rather prefer the winding ritual each day. Leaning toward a Hamilton Field watch but I'm wondering if there are any mechanical watch hybrids out there that combine a field watch with a rotating diver type bezel? I like a field watch style more than a diver watch, but keeping track of elapsed time using a rotating bezel is really handy.

Budget of around $500 or less.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

ChrisL

Chris, There are plenty of very inexpensive $200 or lower mechanical watches from Russia & China but frankly if I were you I would think carefully about your dad's watch. Even if you don't feel a connection to it and don't like the style if it's carefully restored it does have good value in the vintage market. You could then sell it and buy what you like. If you decide to restore it I would caution you to not send it to Rolex for this repair. They have a nasty reputation for replacing some original parts with new ones that would have a detrimental impact on it's vintage value. Instead there are some very reputable private watchmakers that will restore it while keeping it's vintage value in mind. They work almost exclusively on vintage collections. I've owned a half dozen vintage Rolex watches over the past 20+ years and have used a few of these watchmakers to service my collection pieces. I would be more than willing to help you by pointing you to reputable people who can give you an estimate of service costs and vintage value. Let me know if I can help.

As far as the rolex is concerned it's a matter of what you want. If you send it to a vintage repairer and it's done right they will use a "parts" watch to match what you have and it will look old but be better looking. The down side is you will never be sure where the parts came from and if at some point you do send it to Rolex for repair one look and they will not touch it. If you send it to Rolex it will come back looking brand new so it's a matter of what you want.

Nothing wrong with going the vintage route. I don't own any Rolex pieces but I have many pocket watches and have used a vintage repairer for years and have been very happy with the work but in most cases the watches after repair don't look new and that's what I want.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

As far as the rolex is concerned it's a matter of what you want. If you send it to a vintage repairer and it's done right they will use a "parts" watch to match what you have and it will look old but be better looking. The down side is you will never be sure where the parts came from and if at some point you do send it to Rolex for repair one look and they will not touch it. If you send it to Rolex it will come back looking brand new so it's a matter of what you want.

Nothing wrong with going the vintage route. I don't own any Rolex pieces but I have many pocket watches and have used a vintage repairer for years and have been very happy with the work but in most cases the watches after repair don't look new and that's what I want.

Given this is way out of my area, can anyone answer or give their opinion on the following?

Assuming the watch was sent to an expert at restoring as vintage or the watch was sent to Rolex for a complete "as new" overhaul, in which option would the watch be worth more?

ChrisL

What would make the watch more valuable is for it to be as close to the original in every way as possible. If it is restored and original parts are used a collector could never tell it was restored as long as they were original and not some made in the east parts of lesser quality. If it is sent to Rolex they will replace with modern parts and that will decrease the value. That includes the bracelet too. Rolex would advise to replace it with a modern one which would be far better quality however that would really decrease the value.

You also have to watch things like re luming the dial and hands, That's a real no-no for a collector piece.

Here she is: 1964 Submariner

This watch has been in Vietnam, was worn by a paratrooper (my Dad), has never been serviced and still keeps good time! I'm wearing it now. Sacrilege, I know, to have an inexpensive leather band, but it will have to do until I decide which band should be more permanent. The original band is not to be found.
Pretty amazing that even though this watch has clearly taken some beatings, after 52 years with no service and still running well. Wow.



ChrisL

Hi Chris, please don't send this watch off to Rolex, it is worth a considerable amount of money as original as it is. I hope that you have the original oyster bracelet. If you want some service done, there is an expert watchmaker in Arlington TX that specializes in vintage rolex refurbishing. They do not, polish, or relume anything, and will treat your watch with care. His name is Bob Ridley, watchmakers international. Good luck!

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Here she is: 1964 Submariner

This watch has been in Vietnam, was worn by a paratrooper (my Dad), has never been serviced and still keeps good time! I'm wearing it now. Sacrilege, I know, to have an inexpensive leather band, but it will have to do until I decide which band should be more permanent. The original band is not to be found.
Pretty amazing that even though this watch has clearly taken some beatings, after 52 years with no service and still running well. Wow.



ChrisL

Back from a return to it's homeland, 3 months in Japan at the Seiko factory.

Can't believe it, something like 25 years ago my girlfriend (now wife) bought me this watch, only went into the shop a few times, always a great timepiece, decided I wanted a complete overhaul, get it all cleaned up and completely restored, Seiko did it all in for $113.00....Seiko really stands by their warranty, at Odyssey Watch (Seiko Toronto) they said no problem, just will take awhile...glad to have one of my favorite Talisman's back on my wrist.

Seiko 7T59 1/100 Chronograph

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Here she is: 1964 Submariner

This watch has been in Vietnam, was worn by a paratrooper (my Dad), has never been serviced and still keeps good time!

Nice one ChrisL. I'm not surprised a bit. Rolex made and still makes good solid dive watches. My two cents: Take it to your local authorized Rolex dealer, in person.
Talk to them and tell them you are thinking about maintenance. It was your dads watch, and it has a great history. Don't worry to much about the strap. It was and still is fairly common among the SF and Airborne to change it to something with less bling. Anyway, don't sell it - if you don't need the money to save someones life. Your grandchildren or grand nephews will thank you.

If you take it to your local dealer they will send it out to the Rolex Repair Station and will tack on a healthy charge for handling the watch for you. Send it to Rolex via registered mail and it will arrive safely and insured.

Originally Posted by Otto

Nice one ChrisL. I'm not surprised a bit. Rolex made and still makes good solid dive watches. My two cents: Take it to your local authorized Rolex dealer, in person.
Talk to them and tell them you are thinking about maintenance. It was your dads watch, and it has a great history. Don't worry to much about the strap. It was and still is fairly common among the SF and Airborne to change it to something with less bling. Anyway, don't sell it - if you don't need the money to save someones life. Your grandchildren or grand nephews will thank you.

No, do not do this! You will lose a considerable amount of value due to the originality of the watch. Patina in old Rolexes is very sought after and increases the value of the watch by thousands of dollars. Rolex service centers do not care about that at all.