Grandmother's old Rolex. Good news and Bad news..

[Matrim604]

I found my grandmother's Rolex while going through some old things, we thought it had gone missing for over 8 years now! The bad news is it has some water damage, and might cost more to repair than the watch is even worth... If anyone has any experience repairing a water damaged movement i'd love to hear your story!

I don't know much about the watch itself, what year or model it is, but i'll send it off to Rolex in the new year and find out what I can and at least get a quote on a repair, I know my wife would love to have it in working condition.

Here are some pictures of the watch:







Strange not seeing the "Crown" on the crown.


Seems to be an authentic Rolex movement? Just wanted to make sure before I send it off. Looks like the water damage is pretty bad, hopefully it can be repaired.

Another interesting thing is the bracelet is soldered right onto the case. Seems strange to me to not be able to change the bracelet.

[dgPltt]

I like the lines of the case, looks like it belongs in the jetsons,very cool. I hope you are able to save it, good luck to you.

[crowncollection]

it is original a ladies cocktail watch around 1960's i would say, worth about 1000 dollars, if you want to fix for sentimental reasons do it, othewise i think rolex will charge more than it is worth, maybe try an independent

[datejust24]

clearly no watchmaker here but from the looks of that movement I dont even know if any of it can be salvaged? no?

[james1787]

I wonder if Rolex would even attempt that due to its age / parts availability? I wonder if someone like Rikki would be a better choice? Its a real neat looking piece. I hope you're able to get it running! I don't know much about the particular movements but maybe you can find the correct Rolex movement that you can either replace some or all of any parts damaged beyond repair. Let us know how you make out!

[Old Expat Beast]

If that was mine in similar circumstances, I would probably just take some time to clean it myself, then put it away as a keepsake.

[Tools]

It's white gold with classic lines, what's not to like.

If you don't take the time to restore it, and your wife to wear it on the occasions that it deserves, who will ??

why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.

So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

[hdrazor251]

Originally Posted by Tools

why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.

So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

Well said.

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's white gold with classic lines, what's not to like.

If you don't take the time to restore it, and your wife to wear it on the occasions that it deserves, who will ??

why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.

So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

I agree with you that one should not run everything through a cost/benefit analysis, that there is value that goes beyond cost. But I do not understand the shirt analogy.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's white gold with classic lines, what's not to like.



If you don't take the time to restore it, and your wife to wear it on the occasions that it deserves, who will ??



why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.



So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

Could not have said it better!

This is the reason - because it is there in your hands and something she cherished - and no doubt would have wanted it cherished by the heirs in her family.


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[wdin]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's white gold with classic lines, what's not to like.

If you don't take the time to restore it, and your wife to wear it on the occasions that it deserves, who will ??

why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.

So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

you did it again Larry!! well said!

I did restore one of my dads' who happened to have gotten it from his dad.
Worth every cent IMO. Worn for special family occasions or when I feel like wearing a vintage. Do I have to care so much about it's perceived market value? Nothing is more valuable than family... and memories about them..
<my story here http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=377559 >

[skprd13]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's white gold with classic lines, what's not to like.

If you don't take the time to restore it, and your wife to wear it on the occasions that it deserves, who will ??

why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.

So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

Ditto! Well said my friend! I think the rust can be polished and a new Crystal polish and shine and Grandma's spirit will live again. Hopefully you do it and post the pics. Good luck.
Aloha from Kauai.
Tom

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's white gold with classic lines, what's not to like.

If you don't take the time to restore it, and your wife to wear it on the occasions that it deserves, who will ??

why is it that so many want to reduce everything down to "how much is it going to cost me" ?? If you don't do it, nobody will and a piece of family history will be gone.

So it might cost you a few hundred more than it's market value !! Every time you take your shirts to the laundry you're paying more for the clean and press than their market value.. and you do that week after week..

Very well said.

[anothernewphone]

There's no way I would try to have the movement restored. For sentimental reasons, it might be nice to clean it up a bit, but who is going to wear it? Do you have someone that would actually sport it, or would it sit in a drawer some more?

[93 Turbo]

If it were mine, I'd be getting it back up and running. It'll look great once restored. J

[brandrea]

What Larry said, can't be expressed any better than that.

[Rogdogg]

I totally agree with what Larry has said. Plus, you already know that your wife would love to wear it, so it's a no-brainer if you ask me. If your wife hated it that might be another story but the fact she would love to wear it means you can continue to have this watch carry on as a family heirloom. It's worth a lot more to your family than the sum of its parts and repair if you ask me.

[bdex75]

If your wife would wear it on special occasions to honor your grandmother I would get it fully repaired. But would send it to an independent rather than the mother ship. I bet Rolex won't touch it.


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[Fabrice M]

Fixing a watch from water damage is no problem at all, I had that experience with a 1960 Airking...,and should't be very expensive. But the dial and hands will be expensive to replace if it can be replaced at all, Rolex as I found out do not keep stock from older models.

[drakulie]

Absolute beautiful watch. If you have the funds, restore it, and let your wife add to the memories. Watch should be cherished. Good luck!

[steve.r]

Restore it.... or get rid of it.


I go with restore.

[vitalsignsrn]

I would at least inquire about restoring it to its former glory. Its a pretty watch & gold a that. I don't know if Vanessa was mentioned. Perhaps you can try her. I'm not familiar with her preferences or focus (i.e...does she work on vintage or not). If she doesn't, she might have a contact for you. Worth a check. all the best. :-)

[kilyung]

Don't think about the cost if it's worth restoring for sentimental reasons. I just restored an old Seiko Quartz for WAY more than it's worth but it's my most prized watch.

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

Wow shows how detrimental water damage can be. A great piece to remind you of your loved one though! not worth fixing IMO

[GradyPhilpott]

Larry's right.

[fvfvsix]

Call me sentimental, but I come from a family that's pretty short on anything that could be considered an heirloom. I'd really love to have something like that to remind me daily of my grandparents. Were it one of my grandmothers, there couldn't be a repair cost that would exceed sentimental value.

I say get it restored if at all possible.

[james1787]

Seeing as though you guys found it after thinking it was gone for 8 years, plus your wife would love to wear it... I absolutely would get it restored. Again, I'd check with a few independents like Rikki or Vanessa.. but I would think someone should be able to fix it. I would restore something like that no matter what the cost as it was special to your grandmother.

[tramtrist]

Matrim, what did you decide to do?

[porschedude]

What a treasure!

[Matrim604]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm definitely going to talk to some local independent watchmakers for quotes in the New Year, and hopefully one of them will be able to take the project on.

If not, i'll send it to Rolex and see what they say. I definitely want to keep this watch in the family! I'll keep you guys updated, and once it's all done i'll post pics!