Hard pill to swallow.....1971 Red Sub

[phillip ridley]

First of all - I love this watch despite the water damage. I have a thing for Red subs and the patina on this is amazing!

This guy purchased the watch around 6 years ago and wore it the way it was designed. Where he went wrong, was not having it inspected after purchase...even though the external parts looked to be in good condition, that is not always the case.

When he was in Hawaii, he jumped in the water only to find condensation under the crystal. After dropping it off to me, we came to find a couple major issues...after removing the retaining ring, the crystal came off in 2 pieces and secondly, the other entry point was the crown and tube.

Due to the moisture entry, it damaged the dial and also lifted a part of the 4 o'clock marker. I was not able to clean the dial up, but was able to partial secure the marker.

Guess my point is - I would always have a new purchase (or a watch that has not been serviced within 7 years) inspected to prevent the possible.

[btinl]

How did you secure the marker?

[Tools]

Looks good, considering how it might have ended up.

[brandrea]

Thank you for sharing

I’m curious ... and I know this will be viewed as sacrilege here but can you buy a service dial withthe same text?

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by Tools

Looks good, considering how it might have ended up.

x2

[harry in montreal]

The white material on the dial, mold or minerals, were you able to gently clean the surface or did you have to seal the dial to make it look even? I image you buy q-tip brand q-tips and never generics, right ? I love your posts, thank you!

[TimeLord2]

Great post Phillip, and great pictures too as always. It looks great, that guy is lucky he took it you.

[mrs_LA]

Great save and thanks for sharing. I don't think vintage submariners should ever, ever be worn to the water unless the seller has specifically stated it has been water and pressure tested.

[lee fowler]

That is fantastic work and it could have ended up a lot worse.

[Wahlberg]

How is the damage to the crystal possible? Just really old?

Great work btw.

[kwcsports]

Nice work, great old watch.

[swaini3]

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by btinl

How did you secure the marker?

Extremely carefully and was only able to secure a portion due to it being so fragile. I used a very small drop of an adhesive that I applied under the lifted portion and gently applied pressure.

[emersm]

Nice work, Phillip.

[SailingLife]

Very nice

[TheDude]

I dropped off my red at your dad’s back in 2009. I think I met you actually...

I had just bought the watch and he saved me a bunch after finding some issues. Helped me remediate with the seller (who was a reputable known guy at the time) and get the stuff taken care of.

Couldn’t agree with you more about immediately getting a vintage sorted after purchase.


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[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by TheDude

I dropped off my red at your dad’s back in 2009. I think I met you actually...

I had just bought the watch and he saved me a bunch after finding some issues. Helped me remediate with the seller (who was a reputable known guy at the time) and get the stuff taken care of.

Couldn’t agree with you more about immediately getting a vintage sorted after purchase.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am glad you were one of the fortunate ones.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

The white material on the dial, mold or minerals, were you able to gently clean the surface or did you have to seal the dial to make it look even? I image you buy q-tip brand q-tips and never generics, right ? I love your posts, thank you!

I attempted to remove it and realized if I were to try anymore, I could possibly make it worse.

[Rebel]

Great pics of the work.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

How is the damage to the crystal possible? Just really old?

Great work btw.

Condition, age and the constant pressure from the friction fit of the retaining ring.

[1watch]

Wow, nice remediation and sad
to hear of the damage. Did all of the dial damage in pic 6 occur from the water excursion?


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[Woody]

At least it was damaged whilst being used as intended. Good advice regarding the post-purchase check-up, something I always do with any pre-owned watch purchase. Great job in fixing-up the watch, I hope the owner continues to make good use of it and resists the temptation to hide it away in their safe!! Thanks for sharing.

[charlitos]

Good job.

[Styles Bitchley]

Out of curiosity, how much time passed between the water intrusion and when you were able to crack it open? I’m imagining this type of damage must have taken more than just a few days. Also, if this happens to any of us, what’s the best thing to do in the interim when we can’t immediately get to a watchmaker? Bag of rice trick, like a submerged iPhone?

[Gee2789]

Given the damaged crystal I’m surprised all that happened was fogging and not a complete flooding of the watch. Thought you were going to show me some before and after horror stories!

[1675-David]

I remember the days when guys would post pictures showing them diving etc with their vintage subs, I've always subscribed to the "use it as it was intended" camp but in recent years found myself being more and more careful with my watches. Maybe it's got something to do with the spiraling cost of sourcing the parts if they get damaged or maybe, as I get older I'm getting more and more careful with things in general, including myself... Sage advice in any case from Phillip

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by mrs_LA

Great save and thanks for sharing. I don't think vintage submariners should ever, ever be worn to the water unless the seller has specifically stated it has been water and pressure tested.

Even then I would recommend a 2nd opinion or at least review the following external components:

1. Casetube - threads look crisp or are the threads caked up with dirt and possibly showing wear. Even though it might pass that go around, the possibility of it failing is high.

2. If the casetube is worn, the likelihood of the crown's threading is similar.

3. Crystal - I would loupe the entire crystal focusing on where the crystal meets the retaining ring. If there is an issue, you can usually spot it.

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Out of curiosity, how much time passed between the water intrusion and when you were able to crack it open? I’m imagining this type of damage must have taken more than just a few days. Also, if this happens to any of us, what’s the best thing to do in the interim when we can’t immediately get to a watchmaker? Bag of rice trick, like a submerged iPhone?

Yep, you are right...it was around a year.

If moisture gets in and has not dissipated after a minute or two, you could possibly try a blow dryer, rice or keeping it in the sun. But, if it were mine, I would keep the crown unscrewed, find the nearest jewelry store or watchmaker and request them to only remove the caseback only. Then send to your watchmaker ASAP. Removing the caseback and unscrewing the crown will at least let it air out. I say unscrew the crown due to that being one of the major reasons why entry happens and even though there is a gasket inside of the tube, the likelihood of that gasket working in slim.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by phillip ridley

Yep, you are right...it was around a year.

If moisture gets in and has not dissipated after a minute or two, you could possibly try a blow dryer, rice or keeping it in the sun. But, if it were mine, I would keep the crown unscrewed, find the nearest jewelry store or watchmaker and request them to only remove the caseback only. Then send to your watchmaker ASAP. Removing the caseback and unscrewing the crown will at least let it air out. I say unscrew the crown due to that being one of the major reasons why entry happens and even though there is a gasket inside of the tube, the likelihood of that gasket working in slim.

Great advice. Thank you, sir!

[phillip ridley]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

I remember the days when guys would post pictures showing them diving etc with their vintage subs, I've always subscribed to the "use it as it was intended" camp but in recent years found myself being more and more careful with my watches. Maybe it's got something to do with the spiraling cost of sourcing the parts if they get damaged or maybe, as I get older I'm getting more and more careful with things in general, including myself... Sage advice in any case from Phillip

Personally, I agree with "using it as it was intended" and I do with mine. As long as there is not any bad pitting or corrosion on the case, then the watch should be fine as long as it gets the proper preventive maintenance needed.