Potential Case Restoration?

[GTIMike]

Hey good morning guys,

I've lurked around here a bit for a few years, but don't post often. I acquired a 16610 (T-serial, so 1995/1996) back in June of 2018 when my stepfather passed away and left it to me. The watch had never been serviced to my knowledge so I took it to a Rolex AD in Houston who serviced the movement as well as changed the hand group, bezel insert and crystal.

At the time I was a bit ignorant to the Submariner world and didn't realize exactly what I was doing. They also polished the case and bracelet. I've spoken with a few folks who do beautiful case work, and they've both recommended that I do a case restoration. I've seen a lot of really poor examples of polish jobs, and I don't feel like mine fits that description.

I've begun looking for period correct Tritium hands and bezel insert, and the case is the last piece I'm unsure of. Hoping you guys and gals can help me out. The beveled edges aren't apparent how the modern ones are, but I'm unsure how the case looked brand new. Thanks for the help in advance everyone.

[Tools]

What do you feel needs to be restored?

[GTIMike]

Originally Posted by Tools

What do you feel needs to be restored?

The feedback I've often received revolves around the lugs and beveled edges.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by GTIMike

The feedback I've often received revolves around the lugs and beveled edges.

It is certainly possible to have the case properly refinished and it would look like new. This is not "restoration", but simple maintenance - restoration would mean adding material to achieve factory size and shape, and not really something that many would undertake unless there was severe damage.

You could have new chamfers cut as one of the examples have shown, but a watch from this period would not have that deep of cut.

Remember, when you cut or re-finish anything, you do remove material and reduce the overall life of the case. It is also temporary, as a used watch will continue to receive the bumps and scrapes from wear.

Here is an original Sub Date from the same era (slightly newer), and an LV from a decade on showing original features.

[16610Swiss]

You definitely need a case restoration. LET ME REPHRASE that, you dont need to restore it and can wear it just like that but, your watch is Severely over polished and chamfers are gone as per factory specs... Here is a link you can see how your case should look once restored back to factory..
There is a few 16610 subs on there for reference... Send to Rolliworks in California to make it new again.

For reference you can click on the pics to see them bigger and look at the case, this is how it should look...

https://lunaroyster.com/product/1990...-cream-patina/

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

You definitely need a case restoration. LET ME REPHRASE that, you dont need to restore it and can wear it just like that but, your watch is Severely over polished and chamfers are gone as per factory specs...

Come on, overpolished? That's not overpolished.

All that needs to happen is polish that little line back and that's it.

[16610Swiss]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Come on, overpolished? That's not overpolished.

All that needs to happen is polish that little line back and that's it.

There is no chamfers at all? How is it not overpolished?

His lugs vs what they should look like especially the brushed finish

[joli160]

The lugholes are crisp, crownguards look good and the chamfers were already very small at that time mid nineties and soon after issued without chamfers anyway.
Polishing and chamfering was done by hand at the factory so many slight variations in original finishing.
Nothing wrong with your watch as is. The Houston AD did not ruin it.
Just wear and enjoy it for what it is. A nice old Submariner, not a rare classic and likely will never become one.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by 16610Swiss

There is no chamfers at all? How is it not overpolished?

His lugs vs what they should look like especially the brushed finish

I guess your definition differs from mine. They can easily bring those back.

Overpolished means they took away too much metal and the lugs look thinner and weaker. That's not the case with his watch.

[Ferdelious]

Looking at the last picture, the inside of the lugs do look slightly banged up. My guess is that you or the previous owner tried to put the bracelet back on with the spring bars on top of the lugs instead of the underside.

A good watchmaker can fix that with a proper polish or even laser welding if necessary.

[TunaTuna]

I'd leave it alone now. You already spent money to replace the items that gave this watch some value, now you want to spend more money to go back, plus another polish. It's a 10k watch and you will never recoup this money, just leave it and enjoy it

[GTIMike]

Originally Posted by TunaTuna

I'd leave it alone now. You already spent money to replace the items that gave this watch some value, now you want to spend more money to go back, plus another polish. It's a 10k watch and you will never recoup this money, just leave it and enjoy it

And honestly, its not even about value. It being an heirloom, it'll be with me the rest of my life. It was originally purchased for like $3,000 in the early 2000s...so its already way increased in value.

[Keepchasing]

I wouldn’t do a thing to it. Just enjoy the heck out of it.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Keepchasing

I wouldn’t do a thing to it. Just enjoy the heck out of it.

This!!!

[Gab27]

The watch has clearly been polished but I think it looks good. If I were in your situation, especially since it's just been serviced, I'd enjoy it for the next decade and then reevaluate if you want to do a case restoration when it is time for the next service.

Chances are if you are wearing it daily that by 2030 you will have done some cosmetic damage to it that could warrant laser welding (e.g., bang it on stuff and take chunks out of it) and you could do it all at once then.

[fania123]

Send it to mike at Rolliworks he’ll make that thing look like new again.

[16610Swiss]

I feel bad for you reading all these comments that they're telling you to leave this as is... I recommend you send it to rolliworks and you will see the difference and love it more... Good luck with your choice and to the people that are telling him to leave it alone, stay off this forum you guys are bad for this hobby, I bet these are the same people that have crisp chamfers on all their watches... You're already restoring it back to its original state, just go all the way. You won't lose any money since the pre ceramic subs just keep going up and up. If you ever need to sell, nobody will want to buy this in the state that it is now unless they pay thousands less so they can restore it back..

[kegan]

Outside of regular service the only spending I’d do is get a bracelet for it. I bet your old sub looks pretty good when you look at to tell the time. Or in other words leave the magnifying glass in the junk drawer. I’m of the opinion if you are going to constantly wear an old watch that you have no intention of parting with then lug/ case condition is irrelevant.

[GTIMike]

Originally Posted by kegan

Outside of regular service the only spending I’d do is get a bracelet for it. I bet your old sub looks pretty good when you look at to tell the time. Or in other words leave the magnifying glass in the junk drawer. I’m of the opinion if you are going to constantly wear an old watch that you have no intention of parting with then lug/ case condition is irrelevant.

I actually do own the bracelet, I just tend to prefer the nato materials.

Thanks everyone. I managed to find a good set of Tritium hands overseas, and I'll have them swapped with the next service. I'm going to leave the case as is.

Also...added 16610Swiss to my Ignore List lol..

[Tensai]

Leave it as is.

99.99% of the population, including those that like watches, do not know what a "chamfer" is or are concerned with dubious "overpolishing".

You said you do not want to sell it, but if you ever change your mind, you would still get a very good price for that watch.

Enjoy it!

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Ignore the fear mongers saying it only has value if it’s restored. It already has sentimental value to you and there are plenty who would pay you righteously for that watch just the way it is. But you aren’t going to sell it, are you. Just wear it and enjoy it for what it is in this moment. If there truly is a compelling reason to refinish it in the future then you have that option but I vote for you to simply enjoy your handsome Rolex.