What to do with this red submariner?

[matt4hand]

I've picked up an original 1680 Red Sub dial and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it? The paint is pealing off it and it is not very stable. It is not usable as is and is basically a paper weight.
Is there anyone who can refinish it and it still hold any value or should I just keep it as it for a museum piece? I'm not a fan of refinished dials but I think that is the only option for this one as it is not useable as is.

[CaveDiver]

Matt,
There is some middle ground between repair and redial. Here is an example that was not quite as bad as your dial, but you can get a good idea what can be done with keeping as much of the original dial as possible. There some good dial workers out there but unfortunately a lot of them are in Asia.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....17&postcount=4

Hope this helps
CD

[springer]

Good luck sourcing a new dial Matt. I just went thru that myself and the guys that have dials are "pretty proud of them." You can almost buy a complete watch for what a dial costs.

What happened to the dial in your photos? I've never seen a dial destroyed like that one.

[matt4hand]

Originally Posted by springer

Good luck sourcing a new dial Matt. I just went thru that myself and the guys that have dials are "pretty proud of them." You can almost buy a complete watch for what a dial costs.

What happened to the dial in your photos? I've never seen a dial destroyed like that one.

Age and the elements are what happened.
It has been in storage since the 1980's. It has not been in a watch in a long long time.

[Keeperoftime]

If it were mine, I would fit it in a period correct 1680, send it to Rolex and ask for "Red" luminova replacement...

[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by Keeperoftime

If it were mine, I would fit it in a period correct 1680, send it to Rolex and ask for "Red" luminova replacement...

That is exactly my thought as well.

[RC2]

Rolex still provides Red dials for 1680s? Rich

[matt4hand]

Originally Posted by RC2

Rolex still provides Red dials for 1680s? Rich

Rolex USA does not have them. They will not service a red 1680. I called Dallas about it. Rolex UK used to have red service dials. I don't know if they still do.

[Warnsboy]

Originally Posted by beaumont miller ii

that is exactly my thought as well.

x3

[Tcaviglioli]

I think this one is beyond repair I am afraid ...

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Matt,
There is some middle ground between repair and redial. Here is an example that was not quite as bad as your dial, but you can get a good idea what can be done with keeping as much of the original dial as possible. There some good dial workers out there but unfortunately a lot of them are in Asia.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....17&postcount=4

Hope this helps
CD

Wow, that guy sure is talented!

[MoBe]

A complete refinish may be the only way forward with a dial that is that far gone.

Can you ask Bob Ridley for his opinion?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by CaveDiver

Matt,
There is some middle ground between repair and redial. Here is an example that was not quite as bad as your dial, but you can get a good idea what can be done with keeping as much of the original dial as possible. There some good dial workers out there but unfortunately a lot of them are in Asia.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost....17&postcount=4

Hope this helps
CD

This looks like it might be worth a try. Besides isn't a complete re-dial almost worthless anyways?

[RC2]

Thanks Matt.

[DiamondJack]

As others have mentioned, I think I'd be very tempted to go for a new lumi red from Rolex.

[matt4hand]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

As others have mentioned, I think I'd be very tempted to go for a new lumi red from Rolex.

Unfortunately, Rolex USA does not service Red 1680's. I've discussed it with them over the phone. I'm wondering if it is possible to send it to Rolex UK and have it serviced there where it could be replaced..?

[drockadam]

Can I have it? :)

[cruvon]

What if a red sub went to a RSC without a dial and crystal, wouldn't they put in a service replacement dial and crystal anyway? Just thinking since might not need to let go of this dial though will surely take a magician to set this beautifully patinated dial right.

[matt4hand]

Originally Posted by cruvon

What if a red sub went to a RSC without a dial and crystal, wouldn't they put in a service replacement dial and crystal anyway? Just thinking since might not need to let go of this dial though will surely take a magician to set this beautifully patinated dial right.

They told me over the phone if I send them a red sub they will send it back. It makes no sense because they will service a white 1680 with no problem. I explained this to the lady and she did not seem to care what I had to say. She simply stated we don't have the parts to service those.

I know they have white 1680 service luminova dials so I don't see why it would be a problem. I was dealing with Rolex in Dallas TX when I called a few weeks back. Perhaps Rolex NYC will tell me something different...??..

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by matt4hand

They told me over the phone if I send them a red sub they will send it back. It makes no sense because they will service a white 1680 with no problem. I explained this to the lady and she did not seem to care what I had to say. She simply stated we don't have the parts to service those.

I know they have white 1680 service luminova dials so I don't see why it would be a problem. I was dealing with Rolex in Dallas TX when I called a few weeks back. Perhaps Rolex NYC will tell me something different...??..

Did you try the UK Bexley RSC or even the Oz one?

[RC2]

That is strange Matt... A 1680 is a 1680 except the dial is a little red. I wonder why they just don't have red replacement dials just like white. Rich

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by matt4hand

They told me over the phone if I send them a red sub they will send it back. It makes no sense because they will service a white 1680 with no problem. I explained this to the lady and she did not seem to care what I had to say. She simply stated we don't have the parts to service those.

I know they have white 1680 service luminova dials so I don't see why it would be a problem. I was dealing with Rolex in Dallas TX when I called a few weeks back. Perhaps Rolex NYC will tell me something different...??..

My understanding is that RSC USA will not work on watches with what they classify as having exotic dials. Their refusal to work on Red Subs has been discussed on the forum a couple of times before.

[dddrees]

Matt there maybe others but here is a post I found from Mike in refference to this same issue:

Originally Posted by mike

It has an "exotic" dial.

My personal experience...I once sent a 1680 WHITE to NY for service. No problem. Upon receiving the watch back I called about servicing my RED and was told "We don't do those watches".

Here is the full thread:

http://www.rolexforums.com/~trfcom/s...ghlight=exotic

[Z-Sub]

Try Rolex San Francisco. They service vintage Rolexes

[dddrees]

Matt,

I hope you have figured something out, however if not maybe the following will be of some help.

Originally Posted by dddrees

The RSCs' in the U.S will not work on watches with exotic dials such as a Red Sub.

Care should be exercised as RSCs' in the U.S. has a different view and policy about what they should be doing with a watch. This differs from what most collectiors of vintage watches view as important and valuable. RSCs' in the U.S. believes everything they touch should look like brand new when it leaves their hands. This not what makes most of these watches so dear and valuable to those who collect them.

Why do you think that most collectors in the States refer people to Bob Ridley instead of RSC?

Originally Posted by pdoukas

This is not true. The Independent RSC in San Francisco will work on them. While I fully endorse Bob Ridley as being the go to guy for vintage restoration, If you need/want RSC paperwork then you have to send the watch to the RSC. Giovanni in San Fran at the RSC there will adhere to all of your requests.

As an example, I sent in my 1968 for a full service. I also sent my own MK1 dial to replace the one that was in there and asked if he could locate some matching tritium hands. I expect the watch back any day now, with RSC Paperwork. In the future, this watch will go to Bob Ridley, but I needed the paperwork this time around to compliment the watch in case I ever needed to sell it.

Pete

[brian8121]

The rsc in san fran may be willing to service it. They serviced the movement in my red sub.