ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
21 March 2015, 11:15 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
So I bought a disassembled 1955 GMT Master...Now what?
Howdy Folks,
New member here and I could use some help. I came across a disassembled Rolex GMT Master today at an estate sale and decided to to a gamble on it. I've figured out that is a 1955 and it's missing the hour, minute and second hands. Other than that, I'm totally lost. Is this worth getting fixed? If so, who would work on it? If not, do I just chunk it or is it worth any thing as a parts watch? Any info at all would be greatly appreciated. Model #6542 Serial #381660 Last edited by Ranchmanben; 21 March 2015 at 11:19 AM.. Reason: Pictures added |
21 March 2015, 11:20 AM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dallas tx
Watch: 16610,1675,16030
Posts: 1,136
|
Pics!
|
21 March 2015, 11:22 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 1,950
|
Bob Ridley?
__________________
|
21 March 2015, 11:31 AM | #4 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RedSox Nation
Watch: U Talkn Bout Wilis
Posts: 5,503
|
You swap with me for a working vintage Tudor
Going to be tough getting that running again without a lot of parts but it is worth it. The bakelite insert if it was not cracked would be worth a ton
__________________
I'm a sailor peg. And I've lost my leg. Climbing up the top sails. I've lost my leg! |
21 March 2015, 11:34 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
Any idea on what repair would cost?
|
21 March 2015, 11:52 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dallas tx
Watch: 16610,1675,16030
Posts: 1,136
|
See if you can put it together by shaking the box!
|
21 March 2015, 11:53 AM | #7 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Adam
Location: Far East
Watch: Golden Tuna
Posts: 28,826
|
You'll get more advice posting this in the vintage section.
|
21 March 2015, 11:59 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: charles
Location: new york
Watch: explorer II
Posts: 557
|
that insert is wild looking ...
|
21 March 2015, 12:01 PM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: England
Watch: 16710, 16628
Posts: 7,757
|
My God don't thow that away!. That's a rare piece. It's going to cost a lot to get going again. Well worth it though. It's an absolute grail for vintage collectors! You sir are a lucky lucky man!
__________________
GMT II 16710 TRADITIONAL ( D- Serial #) ROLEXFANBOY P-Club Member #4 |
21 March 2015, 12:02 PM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Real Name: Mark
Location: 🤔
Posts: 8,424
|
I'll trade my 116619 for that if you get it all nice and minty for me
__________________
♛ |
21 March 2015, 12:09 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
|
21 March 2015, 12:11 PM | #12 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Boston
Watch: 116710_ln
Posts: 275
|
Dial, bezel (even cracked) and case are worth some money. Hard to tell but that movement looks pretty toasted, however there might be some usable parts. JMO I'm no expert. If you don't mind me asking what did you pay?
|
21 March 2015, 12:19 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
I don't mind you asking.
Reynolds, sent you a pm. |
21 March 2015, 12:32 PM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 489
|
If you ever get it back together, please post photos and a video! Would love to see it restored.
|
21 March 2015, 12:40 PM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
Will do. One of the problems with getting it fixed is that my wife and I just had our first kiddo so I can't really afford to drop $5000 on watch repair. I've got no I dea what I would cost to get fixed but for some reason that's the number in my head.
|
21 March 2015, 12:40 PM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: At my forge
Posts: 494
|
I'd put that dial in a separate container until you know exactly what you have. Allowing that rotor and other parts to slide around on top of it isn't a good thing.
|
21 March 2015, 12:46 PM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
Thank you sir, that's great advice.
|
21 March 2015, 12:48 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Sweden
Watch: 16713 & 116610LV
Posts: 368
|
That is crazy cool!
|
21 March 2015, 12:50 PM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Brandon
Location: Indianapolis
Watch: my money vanish
Posts: 8,506
|
Wow, that is beautifully crusty. Nice find. I would put it back together just like it is and throw it on a nato til you can source a bracelet. Send all the parts to someone with a parts account with Rolex, like Rikki and have them put Humpty back together.
It is worth it in the long run. But will cost a bit up front. Buying an old Rolex is like buying an old BMW. Great fun but not cheap to fix. Looks like a nice pickup though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
21 March 2015, 01:02 PM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Real Name: Walter A.
Location: Sunny California
Watch: 16760
Posts: 2,629
|
Send it to ABC Watchwerks in LA, best work I have ever seen...
__________________
Our shadows taller than our soul........ |
21 March 2015, 01:08 PM | #21 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Real Name: Jeff
Location: Seattle, WA
Watch: 5513
Posts: 4,235
|
|
21 March 2015, 01:19 PM | #22 |
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 113
|
freaking nice! finally someone posts a non-useless thread by including pictures
|
21 March 2015, 01:23 PM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 7,630
|
Good luck I'm sure it will end up looking sharp!
|
21 March 2015, 02:52 PM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 20
|
Following some great advice I've gotten here, I seperated out the larger parts and wrapped them up for protection. Thanks everyone for the comments and advice.
Ben |
21 March 2015, 02:55 PM | #25 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2012
Real Name: CJ
Location: Kashyyyk
Watch: Kessel Run Chrono
Posts: 21,112
|
riki might give it a go.
it would be a beauty once completed! |
21 March 2015, 03:13 PM | #26 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: George
Location: Alabama
Watch: GMTsSubLVEx2SDDayt
Posts: 4,549
|
I'd love to see that one restored
|
21 March 2015, 03:15 PM | #27 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2011
Real Name: Larry
Location: San Diego, CA
Watch: ROLEX
Posts: 25,658
|
Can't wait to see the before and after shot next to each other!
__________________
✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron. |
21 March 2015, 03:18 PM | #28 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SF, south bay
Posts: 5,222
|
Going to be a fun project. Great finding!
|
21 March 2015, 04:56 PM | #29 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UNITED STATES
Posts: 301
|
Soooo....uhhh....would you like to double your money on that purchase real quick?
|
21 March 2015, 05:08 PM | #30 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NL
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 14,761
|
Imo this needs restoring by ABC or Rikki. Don't let any other than the specialists mentioned on TRF touch it.
I am not an expert but if this one is up and running it's worth some serious money. Congrats on your find
__________________
Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.