ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 11:15 AM

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

donq · 21 March 2015, 11:20 AM

Pics!

mjm800 · 21 March 2015, 11:22 AM

Bob Ridley?

linesiders · 21 March 2015, 11:31 AM

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

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 11:34 AM

Any idea on what repair would cost?

donq · 21 March 2015, 11:52 AM

See if you can put it together by shaking the box!

Old Expat Beast · 21 March 2015, 11:53 AM

You'll get more advice posting this in the vintage section.

tripleC · 21 March 2015, 11:59 AM

that insert is wild looking ...

Onikage · 21 March 2015, 12:01 PM

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!

Runnin' Rebel · 21 March 2015, 12:02 PM

I'll trade my 116619 for that if you get it all nice and minty for me

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You'll get more advice posting this in the vintage section.

Thank you sir. I'll try that.

5253Reynolds · 21 March 2015, 12:11 PM

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?

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 12:19 PM

I don't mind you asking.

Reynolds, sent you a pm.

willang · 21 March 2015, 12:32 PM

If you ever get it back together, please post photos and a video! Would love to see it restored.

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 12:40 PM

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.

Suboc · 21 March 2015, 12:40 PM

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.

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 12:46 PM

Thank you sir, that's great advice.

Thunderbird88 · 21 March 2015, 12:48 PM

That is crazy cool!

bdex75 · 21 March 2015, 12:50 PM

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

waQstar · 21 March 2015, 01:02 PM

Send it to ABC Watchwerks in LA, best work I have ever seen...

Jfullm42 · 21 March 2015, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waQstar

Send it to ABC Watchwerks in LA, best work I have ever seen...

X2

Edvi is great to work with

AllFlexZone · 21 March 2015, 01:19 PM

freaking nice! finally someone posts a non-useless thread by including pictures

Nycturbovr6 · 21 March 2015, 01:23 PM

Good luck I'm sure it will end up looking sharp!

Ranchmanben · 21 March 2015, 02:52 PM

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

Chewbacca · 21 March 2015, 02:55 PM

riki might give it a go.

it would be a beauty once completed!

fishingbear · 21 March 2015, 03:13 PM

I'd love to see that one restored

BNA/LION · 21 March 2015, 03:15 PM

Can't wait to see the before and after shot next to each other!

luvsub · 21 March 2015, 03:18 PM

Going to be a fun project. Great finding!

eightbore · 21 March 2015, 04:56 PM

Soooo....uhhh....would you like to double your money on that purchase real quick?

joli160 · 21 March 2015, 05:08 PM

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

21 March 2015, 11:15 AM	#1
Ranchmanben "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, 11:31 AM	#4
linesiders 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, 12:01 PM	#9
Onikage "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
Runnin' Rebel "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, 01:02 PM	#20
waQstar "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, 11:20 AM	#2
donq "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas tx Watch: 16610,1675,16030 Posts: 1,136	Pics!

21 March 2015, 11:22 AM	#3
mjm800 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,950	Bob Ridley? __________________

21 March 2015, 11:34 AM	#5
Ranchmanben "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 20	Any idea on what repair would cost?

21 March 2015, 11:52 AM	#6
donq "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
Old Expat Beast 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
tripleC "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, 12:11 PM	#12
5253Reynolds 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
Ranchmanben "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
willang "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
Ranchmanben "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
Suboc "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
Ranchmanben "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 20	Thank you sir, that's great advice.

21 March 2015, 12:48 PM	#18
Thunderbird88 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Sweden Watch: 16713 & 116610LV Posts: 368	That is crazy cool!

21 March 2015, 12:50 PM	#19
bdex75 "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, 01:19 PM	#22
AllFlexZone 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
Nycturbovr6 "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
Ranchmanben "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
Chewbacca 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
fishingbear 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
BNA/LION 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,655	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
luvsub 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
eightbore 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
joli160 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)