New member would appreciate advice

[Roboduts]

Bought a 1967 Explorer 36mm 1016 calibre 1570 non hacked with Genuine Rolex Jubilee bracelet original dial (not refurbished) acrylic crystal on Ebay in 2005 from a supposedly reputable seller. Two years later had it checked at a watch dealer.
He opened the back and said the stem was broken and that the cost of replacing it was basically not worth doing. Anyone have an idea on the cost of a new stem
(Watch runs fine and adjusts fine with the stem it has), but he indicated it basically took all the value out of the watch.... . as you can tell I am not a Rolex expert any suggestions. Any idea of value? I paid $3900 US at the time
Many thanks for any/all replies.
Rob M.
[email protected]

[Clay]

I never heard such twaddle…If the rest of the watch is in good shape, it is certainly worth fixing...

[Jay Tee]

No way a broken stem will outcost that watch. Who is this watch dealer?

[datejust24]

Sounds like he's just trying to get you to sell it to him for nothin ...

[watchcrank]

+1, Twaddle :-) I like that and agree 100%. great watch. find a real watchmaker and have him replace and maybe service and wear it. M

[Tools]

I don't think that Explorers were offered on the Jubilee bracelet but an authentic 1016 is still a very valuable watch..

New stem, probably 20 bucks plus labor to install.

Maybe you should seek the recommendations of a qualified watchmaker and not a watch dealer..

[Presa canary]

Welcome! Great watch. Find a new watchmaker

[Roboduts]

Being such a novice... is there something besides the stem that goes into the watch that would be very expensive and is broken that does not affect the watch in any way? It keeps very good time and the crown(?) pulls in and out fine and you can wind it if need be? Here is my original purchase on Ebay

thx again everybody!

[drifter01]

If the crown pulls out and you can wind it, the stem IS NOT broken! You are being shined by this guy. If it is a genuine movement, there is no way the repairs would out cost the value of the watch. Find a ROLEX certified watchmaker and let him look at it for you.
At the risk of sounding like a jerk... are you sure it is a genuine Rolex movement? That would be the only way repairs might cost more than the watch is worth.

Dave

[Nissanzx1]

I would get a second opinion from a real watchmaker. Sounds like he is trying to get you to trade it in for a cheap price...

GH

[Roboduts]

Originally Posted by drifter01

If the crown pulls out and you can wind it, the stem IS NOT broken! You are being shined by this guy. If it is a genuine movement, there is no way the repairs would out cost the value of the watch. Find a ROLEX certified watchmaker and let him look at it for you.
At the risk of sounding like a jerk... are you sure it is a genuine Rolex movement? That would be the only way repairs might cost more than the watch is worth.

Dave

Guy on Ebay was a NAWCC member so it should be legit right?

[Clay]

Originally Posted by Roboduts

Guy on Ebay was a NAWCC member so it should be legit right?

What it "should" be and what it "Is" are not always the same thing…

[drifter01]

Originally Posted by Roboduts

Guy on Ebay was a NAWCC member so it should be legit right?

Yes, if he actually was NAWCC and not just claiming it. Scammers scam about all sorts of things. If he was legit, then the watchmaker you took the watch to is a scammer. One of them must be....only possible scenario.

Dave

[MitchSteel]

I don't even think a stem would cost 20 bucks.........this watchmaker is trying to pull some wool over your eyes......pm Rikki,Bob Ridley, Dalton......
This dealer is simply trying to buy your watch for dirt ass cheap....that's all
Nice watch

[Presa canary]

I'm starting to get a clearer picture here. I think the op is inquiring about the legitimacy of his watch here... And if that's the reason his watch dealer told him it's not worth it. Op, if it's just the stem on a 1016, you bet it's worth getting fixed.

[drifter01]

My question still remains....if it will set and wind, how can the stem be broken....if he is a watchmaker he would know the stem isn't broken. He is pulling some kind of scam or he just doesn't want to work on the watch, or he is just plain ignorant. Whichever it is, take the watch to another watchmaker and never go to this guy again.

Dave

[CrownMe]

Does that watch dealer sell cars too?

[subtona]

Sounds like an evil watchmaker and as Clay said, he is clearly giving you "twaddle" :)

[drifter01]

Originally Posted by subtona

Sounds like an evil watchmaker and as Clay said, he is clearly giving you "twaddle" :)

I can envision his as Strangelove in your avatar..."Yesss, ze schtem iss broken...ze vatch is now vorthless..and you must zell it to me for ze cheap!"

Dave

[Roboduts]

Ok just to take it one step further, he took the cover off the back and said "Oh the _____
is broken (maybe not the stem)could cost 1000 bucks if we could find one not really worth it"
If so is there a really import an piece in the workings??? Anyhow I'm sure you're sick of my novice questions, why don't i just take it to a reputable dealer and then tell you all what was really wrong right? I will do that.
Then I'll get your opinions on my next question...lol
Which is... Just had my other Rolex lost/stolen in Vegas, a 15 year old SS submariner with date 16610 i believe. Was flabbergasted to see that they've gone up from around $3500 to replacement value of $8650 Cdn. If the insurance company pays out, which they might do, does one go used higher quality Rolex or brand spanky with the box and tags? Of course I know there is no right answer, but you folks live Rolex I'm just getting the bug.
thx. Please take these comments in good humour... "Hmmmm If I was given a cheque for $8150 what would I buy?" (after deductible)

[Presa canary]

Buy pre owned robo^^

[MitchSteel]

Ok, guys, no one can really make any sense of this without OP's pics......and I'm talking MOVENT pics......let's see them

[crowncollection]

Need pics it's not the stem if it winds and sets.

[Roboduts]

Thanks everybody for comments.
Took my watch to a watchmaker, he says it needs a clamp, a gasket,and that yes indeed some of that model did come with a jubilee bracelet, so original guy was
not truthful.
Here's a photo with back off.
Feeling better about my investment now:)

the Novice

[katana]

Beautiful ending ...........

[drifter01]

Yep..it definately needs a new gasket. Glad you went to another watchsmith, and glad it worked out. Whatever you do, never visit the first guy again!

Dave

[Roboduts]

Am now going to get the explorer serviced. The crystal is acrylic and badly scratched. Can you get a sapphire crystal for a 1967 Explorer? Whats the rough cost difference over acrylic? Does changing the type of crystal in any way change the value of the watch?
Happy New Year everyone.

[MitchSteel]

Rob, good to hear,and see.......now, get it serviced....movement,gaskets,acrylic..

DO NOT LET ANYONE CHANGE THE DIAL AND HANDS!!!!

Now for the crystal, you can replace it( with an acrylic) it won't hurt the value, but FORTUNATELY, there's no saphire cristal for these......and doing any kind of monkeying with it is BlashpemyThere's absolutely nothing wrong with plastic cristals, they're durable, beautiful, and most importantly.....reference correct.Any kind of saphire "conversion" will tank your watch's value.
Acrylic will scratch, but, it's very easily polished.....acrylic, unlike saphire is shatter resistant....Plexi is sexy.

Let's see the dial, bud, I'm curious.

[springer]

Roboduts, that is a definite vintage Explorer. As Tools noted, the Jubilee on the watch is not original. Your Jubilee bracelet has the flat bottom links with the 455 end links which makes it about 15-20 years newer than the watch.

[Roboduts]

Originally Posted by springer

Roboduts, that is a definite vintage Explorer. As Tools noted, the Jubilee on the watch is not original. Your Jubilee bracelet has the flat bottom links with the 455 end links which makes it about 15-20 years newer than the watch.

Of course you experts are all wary about ebay, you were right. Guy was supposed to be NAWCC member.... he technically didn't lie..or did he? "Original genuine Rolex Jubilee bracelet" He didn't say "came with the watch when new"
Thanks again. watch is at jeweller getting a quote so no pic's of acrylic is it better to have original acrylic than new acrylic?