Noob with Explorer 6610 and lots of questions

[ivorbiggin]

Hi, i have an Explorer 6610 which i inherited from my dear old dad.
Before you all groan, i have read the post on noobs wanting valuations and thats not what im after. The sentimental value to me far outweighs any monetry value and yes i have an idea of its worth.

Down to the nitty gritty. The serial no is 2000xx which i estimate to be around 1956 1957.
The dial was changed by Rolex in 1975, question is what dial did they replace the original with? Ive seen a few pics of a 57 Explorer with white font but not with the "T SWISS T" at the bottom. How hard would it be to source an original dial and what type of dial would it be.
Now i know that when the watch came back from Rolex, dad wasnt impressed with the new dial (the old one had a stain IIRC somewhere near the centre), and i am not sure exactly why, might have been because the font was in white instead of gold or it might have been because the original dial was white and not black.
The hands are gold around the edges, does that indicate they are gilt? should it have a gilt dial?

Possible clues as to the original dial might be in the estimate that Rolex did before completeing the work. There is a description of the watch, which is

Gents s.s Rolex oyster perp. Explorer sooc cs lum bd on s.s f.f exp 6636 5/7 link bracelet

What does the "sooc cs lum bd" bit mean? The "s" in sooc has be over typed and may not be an "s"
At the end of the day i have supporting paperwork to say that the dial has been changed, i.e its not fake, so should i leave it or change it, whats your opinions?
Is it too late after 38 years to complain to Rolex?

Also there is a scratch on the crystal, advice please on the best way of polishing it out. This watch is worn very rarely and spends most of its time in its box in the safe, (the box isnt the correct one, i purchased it to keep the watch in instead of leaving it loose in the sock drawer) am i doing it any harm by leaving it resting then just using it for a day once every few months?

Im about to try and upload pics, i apologise for the quality.

[turpe]

Can't tell you much about the dial/case stuff - but I can tell you that PolyWatch and a microfiber cloth will work wonders on that crystal.

[77T]

Welcome to the forum. You have a great classic watch - rare in these days.

My best advice is to have it serviced - the lubricants have surely evaporated/degraded since 1975. You will get a new crystal in the work order. And if you send RSC a copy of your old paperwork they can decode the hieroglyphics.

As you asked what harm might come from wearing it - the parts inside are likely grinding themselves more than should be allowed.

[ivorbiggin]

Thanks for the help, one tube of Polywatch has been ordered, and a ill send a copy of the invoice off to RSC in kent.

Ill keep it rested for the time being, untill i can find an independant to service it.
From what i can gather RCS are not sympathetic towards vintage.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by ivorbiggin

Thanks for the help, one tube of Polywatch has been ordered, and a ill send a copy of the invoice off to RSC in kent.

Ill keep it rested for the time being, untill i can find an independant to service it.
From what i can gather RCS are not sympathetic towards vintage.

You've probably read that about US RSC... in the UK they are MUCH better so long as you are clear and specific that you want a movement only service.

[joe100]

Even with the service dial, it's a drool-worthy piece!

[ivorbiggin]

Originally Posted by joe100

Even with the service dial, it's a drool-worthy piece!

Thankyou kind sir, so do you think i should leave the dial as it is?

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by ivorbiggin

Thankyou kind sir, so do you think i should leave the dial as it is?

I would personally leave the dial as is, you could find a period correct gilt version but it would be in the (easily) $3,000 + Range