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Old 1 November 2021, 02:02 AM   #1
SearChart
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Icon17 Restoring a vintage Oyster Perpetual Date 34mm

Hi TRF

Some pictures of a restoration I did a while ago, hope you enjoy!



Watch was in bad condition, needed a new caseback and bezel because of pitting. Lugs were damaged because the watch was worn on an aftermarket bracelet that didn't fit right.

Lugs needed laser welding on the inside, to reconstruct the case before a new original bracelet is fitted.



Shaping the added material so that the lugs look like they never had damage takes some time...



Case polished, new caseback, bezel and acrylic crystal fitted.



Movement cleaned, damaged and worn parts replaced, reassembled and lubricated. The automatic winding module is not shown in this picture.



And done! New bracelet almost makes it look like a NOS example



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Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:05 AM   #2
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Beautiful!
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:14 AM   #3
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That looks indeed brand new. Very impressive. Razor sharp edges around the lug holes
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:09 AM   #4
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Love these threads! Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:16 AM   #5
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Amazing work!


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Old 1 November 2021, 02:28 AM   #6
jamesthejeweller
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Wow, beautiful!

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Old 1 November 2021, 02:35 AM   #7
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Good Work Bas!
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:41 AM   #8
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Love reading these and appreciate what we can't see thank you.
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:43 AM   #9
fliegenwulf
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Love the attention to details and the final result. These are the type of threads that a watch forum should have.
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:47 AM   #10
kieselguhr
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Strong work Bas!! Always look forward to your threads!
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:49 AM   #11
shaunylw
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Strong work Bas!! Always look forward to your threads!

That’s a great looking watch bas!


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Old 1 November 2021, 02:51 AM   #12
Kevin of Larchmont
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Just beautiful. My first Rolex. Well done!
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Old 1 November 2021, 02:52 AM   #13
Steph-paul
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Great post, thank you for sharing.
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Old 1 November 2021, 04:51 AM   #14
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Stellar work! Brings back memories of my first Rolex, also a 34mm OP Date. Was a service dial installed? The original didn’t look too bad on the “before” photo.


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Old 1 November 2021, 05:10 AM   #15
BarkMaster
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Impressive work! That's a watch you can wear with pride.
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Old 1 November 2021, 05:14 AM   #16
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Marvellous work Bas.

Was it your own watch?
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Old 1 November 2021, 05:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
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Shaping the added material so that the lugs look like they never had damage takes some time...
An understatement!

Beautiful job!
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Old 1 November 2021, 05:25 AM   #18
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Just amazing! You really do such good work. These posts are always fun to see.
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Old 1 November 2021, 05:27 AM   #19
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I really enjoy these threads. The difference between the before and after photos is incredible. You are truly a master at your craft! Thank you for posting this.
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Old 1 November 2021, 05:53 AM   #20
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Bas - love these threads I look forward to more in the future.
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Old 1 November 2021, 06:00 AM   #21
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Stunning work Bas!!, total job satisfaction., Keep these posts coming.
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Old 1 November 2021, 06:22 AM   #22
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Great work!
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Old 1 November 2021, 07:49 AM   #23
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Incredible. What a transformation.
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Old 1 November 2021, 08:05 AM   #24
Sothy
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Wow, thank you for sharing! Is laser welding something that every RSC can offer now, or just certain ones? I’ve heard of people using Rolliworks, etc., for laser welding, and I didn’t realize that RSC sometimes does this as well!
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Old 5 November 2021, 02:18 AM   #25
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Wow...Great job there Bas. Looks fabulous. and
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Old 6 November 2021, 03:27 AM   #26
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Great job Baz. You definitely saved that one.
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Old 6 November 2021, 05:17 AM   #27
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Thanks guys!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Johny View Post
Great job Baz. You definitely saved that one.
Thanks bud!
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Rolex uses rare elves to polish the platinum. They have a union deal and make like $90 per hour and get time and half on weekends.
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Old 1 November 2021, 08:08 AM   #28
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Amazing work!
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Old 1 November 2021, 08:12 AM   #29
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I do love pictures like this. Thanks man.
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Old 1 November 2021, 08:42 AM   #30
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Very nice watch; were the hands and dial retained as original? Was it luminova as the dial says "Swiss Made?"
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