My 5512 has returned!!!!!

[paleozoic01]

Hi all,
I posted this on another forum but I post here most often and wanted to share this story with all of you....I know a lot of you are familiar with Bob Ridley’s work and expertise but I wanted to share my personal experience with Bob and the talent that he has to offer…. Last Oct. My father’s 5512 was given to me after over 25 years being in my mothers jewelry box. My father stopped wearing it because the clasp broke and he developed a fondness for digital watches when he got into cycling. My father purchased his Rolex in 65’ after he graduated from college for what then a full month salary of $270.00. Shortly after graduating from college he enlisted into the Marines and became a Lieutenant. He went to Vietnam and served two terms, and the only thing he took with him while in Vietnam was his Rolex. He returned home, luckily unharmed, to his job as a young photojournalist along side his own father, and to the recipient of all his love letters, written on the back of his food ration boxes, his girlfriend and my future mother…again with his Rolex in tow! After 20+ years of wear and tear (and no recollected services to the watch) the watch finally broke. After 22 years of sitting in my mothers jewelry box I decided to take it and restore it to the watch that I distantly remember as a child. I sent the Rolex to the ASC in Dallas and was told that they could “fix” it by replacing every item on the watch except the dial…so needless to say I had them send it back immediately untouched… After looking on several Rolex Forum’s I ran across Bob’s info. I sent it to Bob and upon him receiving the watch we discussed, in length, the appropriate actions that he would do and things he recommended we don’t do. As any person who has an object so filled with memories and history I had Bob begin the restoration with great apprehension and worry! For 2 1/2 months Bob worked his talent willing to take nervous calls and emails from me every step of the way!... Well needless to say my apprehension and worries we’re all relieved upon the first photos he sent of the watch. So to make a long story short here are the pics of this incredible journey!

Here is the watch after 35+ years of wear and tear and a broken clasp...

Here is a close up of the face and its condition

Here is the dial and the poor condition of the hands...the dial was not touched but the hands where redone by Bob..



Some before and after pics of the rivet bracelet and the broken clasp


Final before and after pics


Some more before and after pics!!!
After recieving and meticulously looking over the watch the memories I had from the way it looked, how it sounded as a laid on my father lap at church and the way it felt in my hand as I played with it all came back to me! I cant wait to give it to my son with it's new and continuing history....but after I finish playing with it in about 30 years!

[Wolfgang427]

Looks great and what a great story. Enjoy it.

[BuffaloRolex]

Wow, that's a great story. Looks tremendous, too!

[ttannert]

Wow - what a great story and a great Sub! What a keepsake. You are truly blessed my friend.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Superb!

What a stunning timepiece!


Here is the watch after 35+ years of wear and tear and a broken clasp...

Here is a close up of the face and its condition

Here is the dial and the poor condition of the hands...the dial was not touched but the hands where redone by Bob..



Some before and after pics of the rivet bracelet and the broken clasp


Final before and after pics

[Texsubmariner]

Awesome story and watch! What a way to keep memories of one's father.

[miked]

that looks awesome,

[Prince]

Fan-tiddly-tastic work done on that beauty!! Big congrats - I KNOW you are thrilled!!!

[TheChimp]

Great story and awesome watch! What does a resto of that type cost? You needn't tell us exactly , I'm just trying to get an idea of what a limited type of resto would involve.

[Beef]

Great "Rags to Riches" restoration. I hope your son appreciates it as much as you. Semper Fi, Rick

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Great story, thanks for sharing, and enjoy your watch in good health!

[gha]

Very cool.....nice going.....amazing restoration job, and what a legacy to pass along to the next generation !!.......fantastic..gha

[mailman]

Great story and memories I hope you enjoy it in good health for a long time Congratulations

[SSD]

That's really awesome Joshua, it is so nice to see the story of such a successful restoration accompanied with phots! Congradulations on the fantastic job, and on the perfect vehicle to pass the memories along with!

[ZDaytonawatchlvr]

Great Story, Great Watch. I hope you enjoy the watch and the great history behind it.
Bob

[mike]

Wonderfull job on the 5512 and what a rich and wonderfull history the watch has.

Sincere congrats on such a great restoration of a special and priceless timepiece. Well done!!

[etp095]

wow what a nice job on your dads watch,great story.hope you enjoy it for years to come.

[Road Warrior]

WOW! What a great looking watch a awesome story! Wear it with pride my friend!

[paleozoic01]

Thanks you all I knew you would enjoy the pics and story...The cost seemed a little high (~2K), but that was before I saw the results...now I think its worth every penny spent....I just thank God for American Express!!

[fear]

now THAT's why you shouldn't flippantly flip!

GREAT story. Awesome heirloom!

[YuppieKid]

Wow ..

[joieboie]

Fantastic Job....Kudos to BOB

[FBender]

Very nice

[vman]

Pieces like this one should definitely stay in the family. A great watch. A great story. I hope that your grand children enjoy this watch as much as you are enjoying it now.

[chevycorvette]

look brand new, nice job.

[badsmac]

Awesome story & pics. I can't understand though why an individual can do this kind of work with these results but ROLEX will not. We know they have the ability and resources so why wouldn't they want to do it and make $2k themselves.

[JBat]

Thanks for sharing that great story! Your watch looks fantastic! Bob did a marvelous job! Enjoy it for many years.

[Cyberpipm2000]

how did he fix the clasp? are all of the parts the same original parts on the watch that bob just restored? or are they vintage parts from a different watch that were in better shape? Like the hands and the clasp ect... because i would not know how you can fix a clasp with damage like that without replacing it.

[paleozoic01]

Everything is original on the clasp...They had it laser welded (Which was the biggest ticket item). The one condition I gave Bob was to keep as much as possible original..the only things that are not original are the: Bezel insert- (for some reason the bezel was cut (?) from the center,sometime in the watches history so it didnt fit against the crystal), The Crystal- had a crack which prevented water proofing, the crown which was worn and also prevented water-proofing, and the lumin on the hands (and I think he used some of the original lumin that was flaking off in the new lumin....becuase the color match to the dial is unbelievable) ...and Bob was gracious enough to send me all the original pieces that were replaced back for prosperity sake!

[mestreaudi]

Just Fantastic!!!!!!