My father's old watch (oyster content), need advice!

[tuddy]

Let me preface with this.

My father passed away the day before hurricane sandy hit.

My father wore this watch every single day of my life. He bought it long before I was born new. Like many of you its a symbol to me, the accumulation of his hard work and its entirely priceless. Its value is irrelevant to me.

He stopped wearing it in 2006 at the foot of his long battle with cancer because his wrists were constantly swelling and shrinking due to treatments. He left it in a case in his basement safe, in pretty poor condition.

I want to wear it myself and honor him. Im not a materialistic guy, however this couldn't be more important to me.

Id also love to tell you all I'll spare "no expense" to fix it, however me and my wife lost everything in sandy. I cant swing much money right now as other things take precedence.






The watch still ticks, I'm not sure how well it holds time.

The bands are unwearable, and I think the crystal is shot.

I would LOVE to use a jubilee band as that is mainly what was worn by him.


Really Im posting on here to find out some various information.

Anyone have any idea the year this watch is from?

Any suggestions on what I actually should do about getting it acceptable again? I know NOTHING about watches. I do not know what I have.

Is it awful to run a cloth band while I save some money to get a real one? If not any suggestions?

Should the crystal be replaced with acrylic?

Also, Im super protective of this and will not mail it anywhere. Im located on long island and there is a rolex service center in manhattan, should it just be brought there?


Thank you so much in advance!