Where to service 1680 sub?

[kmangino47]

My friends dad has worn 1680 sub #61--------, every day for 30 years. The watch movement was serviced about 8 years ago but that was the one and only time. Now my friend wants to have it serviced. But wants to keep the vintage value/look.
Will RSC repair this with modern parts, or new old stock? Thanx for the help

[Frogman4me]

Try Bob Ridley. Heard nothing but amazing stuff about his work with vintage rolexes.

[Clay]

Agreed....

[PhilM]

By the way, that sub looks to be in great shape for a 30 years old

[swish77]

Bob Ridley is amazing. Highly recommended. A Rolex Service Center would also service the watch, and you'd get valuable Rolex paperwork and a 2-year factory warranty. However, you need to be super careful if you go that route and make sure they only service the movement and don't swap out the dial, hands, and bezel insert. I wouldn't let them polish the case, either. If the watch's owner still has the original Rolex paperwork from the time of purchase, then the Rolex service papers aren't quite as important, of course.

[kmangino47]

Originally Posted by swish77

Bob Ridley is amazing. Highly recommended. A Rolex Service Center would also service the watch, and you'd get valuable Rolex paperwork and a 2-year factory warranty. However, you need to be super careful if you go that route and make sure they only service the movement and don't swap out the dial, hands, and bezel insert. I wouldn't let them polish the case, either. If the watch's owner still has the original Rolex paperwork from the time of purchase, then the Rolex service papers aren't quite as important, of course.

His dad got the watch new in the 1970's its been on the wrist 24/7 for 30 years, I dont know about paper work, to him its just an old watch that he paid $800.00 for a long time ago. He cant bring himself to pay $500.00 to service a $800.00 watch. (I wish I had this problem, LOL)

My friend is going to contact Bob Ridely and have the watch restored for his dad. Paper work is less of a issue because this watch will never be sold!

[Davew833]

I contacted the Rolex San Francisco service center last month about overhauling my 1970 Red Submariner 1680 because there was some question about whether they would service a watch that old any more. I was told that they would, for a flat fee of $1200. Apparently the NY and Dallas service centers won't touch a 1680 that old, but yours is a little newer, so maybe?

[HL65]

I also am a Bob Ridley fan and he serviced my 62 5512 last month and did a fantastic job as always!!!!

[TheDude]

Bob did my 1680 Red. Don't go anywhere else.

I actually dropped it off personally at his workshop. It was a real treat seeing so many rare pieces, meeting him and one of his sons who works with him.

I got to see him tear down my watch, and we had a couple of hours of good watch conversation.

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Bob did my 1680 Red. Don't go anywhere else.

I actually dropped it off personally at his workshop. It was a real treat seeing so many rare pieces, meeting him and one of his sons who works with him.

I got to see him tear down my watch, and we had a couple of hours of good watch conversation.

Being there in person is half the experience. The hairspring dangle gets me

[adam78]

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Bob in person, just talking on the phone and e-mail.

And of course these lovely photos of his work (the man is a true artist!):




(these are from the bubbleback on the left)