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Speculos · 12 April 2023, 07:26 PM

Hello guys,

I'm new to the forum and do not really know where to start. I'm really attracted to the look of the early 40-50's era watches : a combination of elegance with small diameters with a multitude of dials and details of all kinds.

After a few months of research, I've found a gold Bubbleback (ref 3130), whose balance shat is broken. I think I can find a watchmaker to repair it (is it truly doable though ?) but I can't help myself to think something is off with the dial and hands. Any thoughts on this ?

This forum has been incredibly helpful but I still miss some basic education on these models as it is hard to find precise information.

Spe.

TimeToGo · 12 April 2023, 08:09 PM

.
Welcome to the Forum.

IMHO, the dial is refinished.
You definitely need to research about the balance shaft, who knows what else could be wrong. It can definitely become a money pit.

Just curious is it 9k or 14k gold?

Speculos · 12 April 2023, 08:20 PM

Thank you for your answer.

The inscription on the caseback is marked with 18k, as the whole case I guess.

TuRo · 12 April 2023, 09:20 PM

Think Reprinted dial as ttg says

Dan S · 12 April 2023, 09:40 PM

I think it would be better for you to continue to look for a different example with an original dial.

Regarding the movement, a good watchmaker can potentially find a replacement staff, or fabricate a new one if necessary. But it does add expense to servicing the watch. The last time a watchmaker fabricated a staff for me, he charged me about $150 IIRC. So yes, I have occasionally bought watches needing that kind of repair, but only if there was something really special or rare about the watch that merited the extra cost and effort (in the recent case, the watch is a Royal Australian Navy-issued Lemania chronograph). However, I am having a hard time imagining a scenario in which I would buy a watch with a repainted dial and a broken balance staff, especially since it's not that difficult to find bubblebacks at fair prices.

Speculos · 12 April 2023, 10:43 PM

Thanks again. To be fair, the price was about 3800$ on this one.

12 April 2023, 07:26 PM	#1
Speculos "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Europe Posts: 3	New to Rolex - Vintage 3130 Hello guys, I'm new to the forum and do not really know where to start. I'm really attracted to the look of the early 40-50's era watches : a combination of elegance with small diameters with a multitude of dials and details of all kinds. After a few months of research, I've found a gold Bubbleback (ref 3130), whose balance shat is broken. I think I can find a watchmaker to repair it (is it truly doable though ?) but I can't help myself to think something is off with the dial and hands. Any thoughts on this ? This forum has been incredibly helpful but I still miss some basic education on these models as it is hard to find precise information. Spe. Attached Images

12 April 2023, 09:20 PM	#4
TuRo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Real Name: Paul Location: Cantabrigia - G.B Watch: ing the detectives Posts: 2,832	Think Reprinted dial as ttg says __________________ Thieves and fools and long travelled soldiers, A candid light exposes their homes. Human falter, people bellowed from their homes. And houses, there's fools and long reigning pharaohs. IT BITES - Yellow Christian

12 April 2023, 09:40 PM	#5
Dan S 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 6,293	I think it would be better for you to continue to look for a different example with an original dial. Regarding the movement, a good watchmaker can potentially find a replacement staff, or fabricate a new one if necessary. But it does add expense to servicing the watch. The last time a watchmaker fabricated a staff for me, he charged me about $150 IIRC. So yes, I have occasionally bought watches needing that kind of repair, but only if there was something really special or rare about the watch that merited the extra cost and effort (in the recent case, the watch is a Royal Australian Navy-issued Lemania chronograph). However, I am having a hard time imagining a scenario in which I would buy a watch with a repainted dial and a broken balance staff, especially since it's not that difficult to find bubblebacks at fair prices. __________________ @oldwatchdan on IG

12 April 2023, 08:09 PM	#2
TimeToGo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 16,736	. Welcome to the Forum. IMHO, the dial is refinished. You definitely need to research about the balance shaft, who knows what else could be wrong. It can definitely become a money pit. Just curious is it 9k or 14k gold?

12 April 2023, 08:20 PM	#3
Speculos "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Europe Posts: 3	Thank you for your answer. The inscription on the caseback is marked with 18k, as the whole case I guess.

12 April 2023, 10:43 PM	#6
Speculos "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Europe Posts: 3	Thanks again. To be fair, the price was about 3800$ on this one.

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