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Tesoro · 16 July 2021, 04:32 AM

I had made some previous help me posts about my 1984 sub and my woes of having lost bezels and not wanting to afford the supposed 2 grand estimates I heard for servicing and replacement parts from watch shops . I was about ready to sell mine for parts, as I had already spent thousands in repairs over the years, but I really didnt want to as it has been on my wrist for 36 years.

So as a last resort, I stopped by the upscale jewelry store where my family had bought my watch and some other rolexes over they years. The watchmaker was a younger recent graduate of the rolex repair school and had been recruited by the store so now it is an authorized repair center with a couple of extra stars rating, or whatever..

I gave the watchmaker my watch and he went in the back to examine and give me an estimate. When he came out he said " well you need a new crystal as it is chipped, a new crystal ring, a complete bezel assembly with washer and spring, plus I will have to pressure test it and check the timing is ok". So I asked how much for everything. He replied 500 bucks if I dont have to work on the mechanism!! I did not believe him and had to make him repeat it twice!! The watch had recently been serviced by a private watchmaker.

So I am a happy camper and now have my old battlewatch watch back in action! Thanks for everyones help!

HiBoost · 16 July 2021, 04:45 AM

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". And it sounds like he's a recent graduate of the Rolex school. Good for you! I don't know what's better, the deal you got or just the peace of mind of knowing you have a solid watchmaker contact going forward. Both are rare!

Tesoro · 16 July 2021, 04:47 AM

Skies Jewelers in Eugene, Oregon. Ask for Matt.

garyk · 16 July 2021, 05:08 AM

Wow, great story. Thanks for posting...

Chester01 · 16 July 2021, 05:16 AM

1984 sub? Looks like you have a service dial. At anyrate, im sorry you had such a hard time. I have a 1997 Sub 16610 and the bezel would it have been replaced would have been 60 bucks. I went 17+ years without a service and it was like $810 for a full overhaul a couple years ago. Perhaps things are different on the west coast.

Tesoro · 16 July 2021, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chester01

1984 sub? Looks like you have a service dial. At anyrate, im sorry you had such a hard time. I have a 1997 Sub 16610 and the bezel would it have been replaced would have been 60 bucks. I went 17+ years without a service and it was like $810 for a full overhaul a couple years ago. Perhaps things are different on the west coast.

jup my watch leaked scuba diving back in the early 2000's. so I got new hands and dial at that time. wore out my original band and bought another thru that same store. wore it out and then had my original band rebuilt by rolliworks. have had it serviced about 3 other times and replaced 3 bezels. Watch been polished about 4 times.

Jackie Daytona · 16 July 2021, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tesoro

jup my watch leaked scuba diving back in the early 2000's. so I got new hands and dial at that time. wore out my original band and bought another thru that same store. wore it out and then had my original band rebuilt by rolliworks. have had it serviced about 3 other times and replaced 3 bezels. Watch been polished about 4 times.

Worn like it should be. Very nice. Glad the watchmaker was able to sort it all out.

214270Explorer · 16 July 2021, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tesoro

jup my watch leaked scuba diving back in the early 2000's. so I got new hands and dial at that time. wore out my original band and bought another thru that same store. wore it out and then had my original band rebuilt by rolliworks. have had it serviced about 3 other times and replaced 3 bezels. Watch been polished about 4 times.

There we go, Chris! A perfect example of a watch being used as it was intended.
Your story is exactly what we need to see more of here.

Tesoro · 16 July 2021, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

There we go, Chris! A perfect example of a watch being used as it was intended.
Your story is exactly what we need to see more of here.

Yeah 20 yrs scuba diving for a living! fishing and everything else. The only time its been off my wrist was when at the repair shop, on the operating table or locked up in the drunk tank for the night!

Chester01 · 16 July 2021, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tesoro

jup my watch leaked scuba diving back in the early 2000's. so I got new hands and dial at that time. wore out my original band and bought another thru that same store. wore it out and then had my original band rebuilt by rolliworks. have had it serviced about 3 other times and replaced 3 bezels. Watch been polished about 4 times.

Wow, did the seals just hold? Glad to see a well worn and lived in Sub!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boopie · 16 July 2021, 10:27 AM

Wonderful! I love how you’ve used and worn the heck out of your Submariner for diving, and you still enjoy wearing it after more than 35 years (plus it looks good). That is a quintessential “why Rolex is great” story!

ROBERT1183 · 16 July 2021, 05:17 AM

Nice, Looks like you found a watchmaker for a long time to come if needed.

Robf52 · 16 July 2021, 06:14 AM

Great result.

FTX I · 16 July 2021, 07:11 AM

Very nice. When it was serviced the last time? if more than 6 years and the price is nice I'd do it now as well for peace of mind. Cheers.

Tesoro · 16 July 2021, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTX I

Very nice. When it was serviced the last time? if more than 6 years and the price is nice I'd do it now as well for peace of mind. Cheers.

serviced 6 mos ago. thx

FTX I · 16 July 2021, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tesoro

serviced 6 mos ago. thx

Great. Enjoy your Sub

brandrea · 16 July 2021, 07:14 AM

Congratulations Chris, looks like brand new

Tesoro · 16 July 2021, 10:37 AM

With a well seasoned bracelet its the most comfortable watch I have ever tried on. Most of the time i dont feel it and have always slept wearing it. When I thought I wasnt going to want to fix mine, I tried on a seiko capt willard for 1400 bucks. Prob the best second pick for a diver watch for value. Great quality n fit finish with a solid click bezel second only to the sub. But it dosent feel like a sub. It is bulky and too heavy. Oops I probably violated a rule my mentioning seiko here!

Nikrnic · 16 July 2021, 10:48 AM

It goes to show its who you know that matters. You've got a good connection, now you can enjoy your Submariner for many more years.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

16 July 2021, 04:32 AM	#1
Tesoro "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Real Name: CHRIS Location: oregon Watch: Sub since 1984 Posts: 47	Rolex woes solved! I had made some previous help me posts about my 1984 sub and my woes of having lost bezels and not wanting to afford the supposed 2 grand estimates I heard for servicing and replacement parts from watch shops . I was about ready to sell mine for parts, as I had already spent thousands in repairs over the years, but I really didnt want to as it has been on my wrist for 36 years. So as a last resort, I stopped by the upscale jewelry store where my family had bought my watch and some other rolexes over they years. The watchmaker was a younger recent graduate of the rolex repair school and had been recruited by the store so now it is an authorized repair center with a couple of extra stars rating, or whatever.. I gave the watchmaker my watch and he went in the back to examine and give me an estimate. When he came out he said " well you need a new crystal as it is chipped, a new crystal ring, a complete bezel assembly with washer and spring, plus I will have to pressure test it and check the timing is ok". So I asked how much for everything. He replied 500 bucks if I dont have to work on the mechanism!! I did not believe him and had to make him repeat it twice!! The watch had recently been serviced by a private watchmaker. So I am a happy camper and now have my old battlewatch watch back in action! Thanks for everyones help! Attached Images

16 July 2021, 05:08 AM	#4
garyk 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Gary Location: USA Watch: Daytona Posts: 11,749	Wow, great story. Thanks for posting... __________________

16 July 2021, 06:14 AM	#13
Robf52 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Sunshine State Watch: lots of Rolex Posts: 5,074	Great result. __________________ 126610LV//116508 Daytona YG Black/Champagne 116655 YM40 Everose Oysterflex//126622 YM40 Blue//126600 SD43 126710BLNR//126711CHNR 126334 DJ41 Rhodium/Diamonds//126331 DJ41 TT Wimbledon 124300 OP41 Green//126334 DJ41Mint Green

16 July 2021, 04:45 AM	#2
HiBoost "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,528	"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". And it sounds like he's a recent graduate of the Rolex school. Good for you! I don't know what's better, the deal you got or just the peace of mind of knowing you have a solid watchmaker contact going forward. Both are rare!

16 July 2021, 04:47 AM	#3
Tesoro "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Real Name: CHRIS Location: oregon Watch: Sub since 1984 Posts: 47	Skies Jewelers in Eugene, Oregon. Ask for Matt.

16 July 2021, 05:16 AM	#5
Chester01 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: East Coast Watch: 16610 Posts: 4,933	1984 sub? Looks like you have a service dial. At anyrate, im sorry you had such a hard time. I have a 1997 Sub 16610 and the bezel would it have been replaced would have been 60 bucks. I went 17+ years without a service and it was like $810 for a full overhaul a couple years ago. Perhaps things are different on the west coast.

16 July 2021, 10:27 AM	#11
Boopie "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 3,952	Wonderful! I love how you’ve used and worn the heck out of your Submariner for diving, and you still enjoy wearing it after more than 35 years (plus it looks good). That is a quintessential “why Rolex is great” story!

16 July 2021, 05:17 AM	#12
ROBERT1183 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Real Name: ROBERT SHAWGER Location: WHARTON, NJ Watch: ROLEX SOON Posts: 283	Nice, Looks like you found a watchmaker for a long time to come if needed.

16 July 2021, 07:11 AM	#14
FTX I "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Flavio Location: N/A Posts: 14,654	Very nice. When it was serviced the last time? if more than 6 years and the price is nice I'd do it now as well for peace of mind. Cheers.

16 July 2021, 07:14 AM	#17
brandrea 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 78,106	Congratulations Chris, looks like brand new

16 July 2021, 10:37 AM	#18
Tesoro "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Real Name: CHRIS Location: oregon Watch: Sub since 1984 Posts: 47	With a well seasoned bracelet its the most comfortable watch I have ever tried on. Most of the time i dont feel it and have always slept wearing it. When I thought I wasnt going to want to fix mine, I tried on a seiko capt willard for 1400 bucks. Prob the best second pick for a diver watch for value. Great quality n fit finish with a solid click bezel second only to the sub. But it dosent feel like a sub. It is bulky and too heavy. Oops I probably violated a rule my mentioning seiko here!

16 July 2021, 10:48 AM	#19
Nikrnic "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: Louis Nick Ric Location: Michigan, USA Watch: Blnr, Expll, Subs, Posts: 10,172	It goes to show its who you know that matters. You've got a good connection, now you can enjoy your Submariner for many more years. Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

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