Vintage watches like vintage cars?

[billswim]

Hello all.

Just found this forum and have been lurking around a bit and I have a general question regarding the older watches. My watches are older than most people's here: 60s-70s vintage and I'm just fine with that. As a matter of fact, I'm not too keen on the brand new ones as I think they are a little too flashy for me and the little upgrades each year don't mean that much to me.

I'm involved with vintage cars, porsches in particular, and pretty much feel the same way about the older vs the newer cars. I wouldn't pay for a new one when I love the style/soul of the older ones.

Which brings me(a long way around)to my question. For the older porsches, if you want parts/service/expert advice, the LAST place you would go would be the new car dealer (AD). You have to seek out the guy who runs his own niche-type shop who knows the specifics of the older models and has a reliable supply of period correct parts. Is there a place like this for watches or are we older enthusiasts stuck with taking our vintage pieces into the AD and getting the hard sell on a newer model each time we bring our watch in? And how about parts? For instance, all my rolexes have plastic crystals and I hear they are getting harder to come by.

What say you?

[Welshwatchman]

Mike recommends a watchmaker based in the US. I am sure he will be along later to talk Vintage with you.

Hopefully you own a digital camera and we are in for a treat.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

Interesting question! Now, unfortunately RSC (Rolex Service Centre) does not service most (very) old Rolex watches anymore and it seems that Rolex is turning its back to its own history

Luckily, there are places where you can get parts such as:

www.classicwatchparts.com

www.vintagewatchparts.net/shop

Please post some pics of your watches and Porsche's!

[mike]

First let me say congrats on your love of vintage.
Indeed these were the pieces that to a great extent started the legend that is Rolex.
These were/are the true tool watches. Watches created for a particular application and used as such.

As to your question, sadly Rolex has chosen to turn it's back on many of the references that brought it to where it is today.

However, parts for movements such as the 15xx series are plentifull even if Rolex chooses not to service a particular piece.

One of the reasons many collectors like to get a reference serviced by Rolex is to establish proverance on the piece. If this can be done without destroying the value of the watch via a forced dial and hands change I think this is a wise approach given the explosion in pricing of select models.

If this is not possible there are watchmakers that are held in high esteem within the community that collectors have used (and recommend). One such is here,

http://www.watchmakers.com/index.html

Bob has worked on several serious collectors watches and maintains a great inventory of parts.

Also well worth the time and effort are the two Independent Rolex Service Centers in the states.

Chicago--312-782-7768
and
San Francisco--415-982-9830

Both use genuine Rolex parts and provide warranties just like the mothership.

Another option is a GOOD private watchmaker with a parts account. Rolex watches are not hard to work on for those with the experience, access to parts, and correct equiment.

Some ADs maintain or have access to a good repairman, but always check first and ask a LOT of questions.

Hope this helps.

[Tools]

I can't add to what Mike said.

But I can echo what you have said.

A vintage watch is indeed like a vintage car.. But repairmen are the same too... A good vintage watchmaker is well regarded and has more work than he can handls.

But there are a lot of hacks out there, so check references etc.

Older Rolex work for the west coast..The San Fran Center is an excellent place to start though.

For an Omega it would be Nesbit's in Seattle, Wa.

[billswim]

Thanks for the leads. Tool watches, I like that phrase. I vividly remember a rolex ad in national geographic from the 70's I think for an EXP showing a guy spelunking at some ridiculous depth in the earth and HOT and on his wrist...EXP. I dive, so right then I had to have to the diver's equivalent.

The SF center is very close to me so I guess I'll head on in and talk to 'em. Went to the local AD yesterday with the wife "just to look around" and found one guy in the store who "got it" about my love for the older ones and he gave me some odd info. He said that Rolex isn't really supporting the non-QS watches very well any more. Their guy couldn't work on my older non-QS models. A new(probably correct) bracelet would be $1000-$1200. And the only place he knew of to service my watch was rolex of beverly hills? I thought the SF center was the place even before Mike's post.

Funny though, I told 'em I was thinking about getting a newer one and by newer I mean new to me not really new but was looking anyway and they immediately pushed me to the SD. I thought that was odd. Sure I dive and that's why I wear the Sub but I don't dive commercially and know very few guys who do so why all the hype for the SD?

The wife was with me and I had to MAKE her try on a ladies DJ. "I don't want a nice watch, I don't need anything like it...OOO look at how nice it looks on my wrist!" I think I MAY have brought her on board. She didn't like the TT though just the SS DJ and I think I found a used one in nice condition made the year she graduated from HS. I think think that'd be way cooler than a new one, I hope.

Tools: I am the vintage car repairman who has more work than he can handle. I guess that's why I used that example.

[capncrunch]

so whats in the garage? - a 60's S? - maybe a bimmer 5 for daily driver? I can try to guess your age and tell your future...

josh
'74 targa
'75 914 GT clone

[billswim]

Originally Posted by capncrunch

so whats in the garage? - a 60's S? - maybe a bimmer 5 for daily driver? I can try to guess your age and tell your future...

josh
'74 targa
'75 914 GT clone

I've sold most of the cars. I just sold the last driver I had, a pristine '84 carrera to a customer so I can still drive it and work on it. At one time I had so many porsches it was silly. I'm down to the project car that the '84 will finance..a '72 rs replica, lightweight, simple, no electric windows, no air bags, no abs, no traction control but a modernish 3.2 with a supercharger hiding under the ducktail. I'm lucky, I get to drive everybody else's cars so I don't need to have so many. My vehicular addiction has two wheels these days. 5 bikes and growing and I can't seem to stop.

[DSJ]

Oh, see, I was thinking 356 and 550's for "OLD" Porsches. And I'm 35! I'm from the Bay Area, and my dad used to race Porsches and has many friends with some nice classics. Bill, you need a nice Speedster, or if you can't afford that, something like a '71 911S or 914/6.

But you're right, you don't take a 550 to a Porsche dealer, or a 50's Rolex to the RSC.

[billswim]

Sure I'd have a 550 if I could. I don't really like 356s. I work on 'em and counsel their owners but as drivers, not for me. I've have the early s and frankly with the fuel available at the pump and the traffic they're not fun until you're on the track and for me that's only a couple of times a year. Had the 914/6 probably and shouldn't have sold it but I still get to work on it.

DSJ, we're both getting older. I used to classify "old cars" like you do but pretty much now, if its air cooled, its old. The water cooled people, for the most part, haven't done their homework and anything older than 10 years is ancient. Same goes for the dealerships. They're not supporting the cars as long as they used too. My fabrication skills have had to improve just out of necessity as lots of the parts aren't available anymore. If your dad raced porsches in the bay area, chances are we've at least bumped into each other at the track. I try to keep a low profile though, I like the underdog feeling.