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Hookecho · 2 February 2011, 03:13 AM

Hi all, new here and very much a Rolex noob. I inherited my Dads GMT after he passed last month. This watch is special to me, and I'd like to get it restored back to how I remember it. I think my Dad bought it when he was in pilot training for the Air Force in about 1966. It had the red/blue dial thingy but about 5 years ago he lost the blue/red dial playing golf and was told they dont make the red/blue dial so they put that black one on. Is there a place/person whatever out there that can restore the correct dial? Also it looks like some of the paint (tritium?) is starting to peel or chip on the 6 and 10 o'clock positions and the minute hand.

As I said this watch is special to me. It flew 100 missions in a F-100, did a years tour in the Central Highlands (and Laos) while my Dad was a FAC flying an OV10, and was on his wrist Dec. 19, 1972 when we was lead in the 2nd B52 cell, 1st wave, over Hanoi (and on Dec. 23rd, and 27th) so it has some history. My dad made audio tapes of a lot of the missions he flew over there so thru the years I have been able to experience them with him. All I want to do is restore it to what I remember.

I have included a picture (taken at my desk at work) and welcome any comments, suggestions, or just general info on the watch. Also if anyone has suggestions on who/where to have it restored please let me know

Quattro Libre · 2 February 2011, 09:24 AM

I think what most people here will tell you is that restoring it to look like new will take the value out of it.

In other words, keep the dial as it is and just have the watch serviced. You can get the correct red and blue (pepsi) bezel for it certainly however and the band of the watch can be restored as well to get rid of all the stretch.

That said, if you want to replace the dial, you certainly can (it's your watch) but if you think about it, you kind of lose part of what makes it special in the first place.

Some of the more experienced here will be able to chime in with regards to where you can get the bezel and where to service it.

Explorer 2011 · 2 February 2011, 09:27 AM

Great watch. Great story. i think the knocks and bumps go well with the story of the watch and add to the character too!

Saxon007 · 2 February 2011, 09:43 AM

Contact Bob Ridley to have the watch serviced. He is a very respected watchmaker who works on vintage Rolexes. http://www.watchmakers.com/ I'm sure he can do something with your current dial and hands. You want to keep them if at all possible.

A Pepsi bezel insert can be had to replace the black one. Also, a replacement jubilee bracelet can be had from RSC Dallas for $595. If you decide on a replacement remove the bracelet you currently have before you send it in or Rolex will keep it. That way you'll have a sturdy new bracelet for the watch and the one your father used will be preserved.

Condolences on the loss of your father. I lost my step father (also a Vietnam vet) last February. Not an easy time for you at all.

HL65 · 2 February 2011, 09:57 AM

Great story!! How cool that you have it now-and what meaning it has to you!!!
My best to you and your family and welcome to TRF!! Bob is great as mentioned
above. As for insert-not hard to find--check in sellers forum or on VRF-Vintage Rolex Forum.
Best of luck!!

Hookecho · 2 February 2011, 01:04 PM

Thanks guys, I just assumed someone could "re-touch" the tritium on the dial, but now that I think of it....let me guess, they dont use that stuff any more right? to be honest I can live with the small chips, all I really want is the pepsi bezel (pepsi....really?).

Saxon up there mentioned a jubilee bracelet, I dont have a clue what that is but the bracelet thats on it is the one I have always remembered. Long ago as a kid I remember finding a chain in my Dads desk drawer, he said it was out of a helicopter or something, it looked like a really small timing chain and I always thought it looked like the bracelet on his watch, and I dont care about the stretch in it so much.

I'll contact Bob Ridley and see what he can do, can anyone just ballpark what a pepsi bezel would run? If that breaks a rule then never mind.

I also want to say thanks for this forum. The other day I was bopping around the "internets" looking for instructions on how to wind a Rolex GMT and here is where I landed, found the FAQ, and was able to set and wind Dads watch. Anyone want to give me a clue on how often to wind it?

Thanks again.......

Saxon007 · 2 February 2011, 01:59 PM

The bezel insert will run $100 or so, probably a little less if you get it from Ridley, a little more from the forums.

The bracelet on your watch is called a Jubilee, it was an upgrade from the standard Oyster bracelet. You can still use the one you have but 40 years worth of wear and tear has probably left it somewhat battered and stretched. A new one will be much tighter and probably safer (less likely to break and drop or lose the watch).

Hookecho · 3 February 2011, 12:19 AM

Ahhhh...rgr that, thanks

2 February 2011, 03:13 AM	#1
Hookecho "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 3	Need Help with my Dads GMT Hi all, new here and very much a Rolex noob. I inherited my Dads GMT after he passed last month. This watch is special to me, and I'd like to get it restored back to how I remember it. I think my Dad bought it when he was in pilot training for the Air Force in about 1966. It had the red/blue dial thingy but about 5 years ago he lost the blue/red dial playing golf and was told they dont make the red/blue dial so they put that black one on. Is there a place/person whatever out there that can restore the correct dial? Also it looks like some of the paint (tritium?) is starting to peel or chip on the 6 and 10 o'clock positions and the minute hand. As I said this watch is special to me. It flew 100 missions in a F-100, did a years tour in the Central Highlands (and Laos) while my Dad was a FAC flying an OV10, and was on his wrist Dec. 19, 1972 when we was lead in the 2nd B52 cell, 1st wave, over Hanoi (and on Dec. 23rd, and 27th) so it has some history. My dad made audio tapes of a lot of the missions he flew over there so thru the years I have been able to experience them with him. All I want to do is restore it to what I remember. I have included a picture (taken at my desk at work) and welcome any comments, suggestions, or just general info on the watch. Also if anyone has suggestions on who/where to have it restored please let me know

2 February 2011, 09:27 AM	#3
Explorer 2011 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Kris Location: ENGLAND Watch: Searching Posts: 1,038	Great watch. Great story. i think the knocks and bumps go well with the story of the watch and add to the character too! __________________ __________________ ROLEX Explorer 214270 "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum..."

2 February 2011, 09:43 AM	#4
Saxon007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,002	Contact Bob Ridley to have the watch serviced. He is a very respected watchmaker who works on vintage Rolexes. http://www.watchmakers.com/ I'm sure he can do something with your current dial and hands. You want to keep them if at all possible. A Pepsi bezel insert can be had to replace the black one. Also, a replacement jubilee bracelet can be had from RSC Dallas for $595. If you decide on a replacement remove the bracelet you currently have before you send it in or Rolex will keep it. That way you'll have a sturdy new bracelet for the watch and the one your father used will be preserved. Condolences on the loss of your father. I lost my step father (also a Vietnam vet) last February. Not an easy time for you at all. __________________ Licensed to kill time.

2 February 2011, 09:57 AM	#5
HL65 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Ken Location: SW Florida Watch: One on my wrist. Posts: 64,008	Great story!! How cool that you have it now-and what meaning it has to you!!! My best to you and your family and welcome to TRF!! Bob is great as mentioned above. As for insert-not hard to find--check in sellers forum or on VRF-Vintage Rolex Forum. Best of luck!! __________________ *SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT*

2 February 2011, 01:59 PM	#7
Saxon007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,002	The bezel insert will run $100 or so, probably a little less if you get it from Ridley, a little more from the forums. The bracelet on your watch is called a Jubilee, it was an upgrade from the standard Oyster bracelet. You can still use the one you have but 40 years worth of wear and tear has probably left it somewhat battered and stretched. A new one will be much tighter and probably safer (less likely to break and drop or lose the watch). __________________ Licensed to kill time.

2 February 2011, 09:24 AM	#2
Quattro Libre "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmonton Watch: CW2118 Posts: 38	I think what most people here will tell you is that restoring it to look like new will take the value out of it. In other words, keep the dial as it is and just have the watch serviced. You can get the correct red and blue (pepsi) bezel for it certainly however and the band of the watch can be restored as well to get rid of all the stretch. That said, if you want to replace the dial, you certainly can (it's your watch) but if you think about it, you kind of lose part of what makes it special in the first place. Some of the more experienced here will be able to chime in with regards to where you can get the bezel and where to service it.

2 February 2011, 01:04 PM	#6
Hookecho "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 3	Thanks guys, I just assumed someone could "re-touch" the tritium on the dial, but now that I think of it....let me guess, they dont use that stuff any more right? to be honest I can live with the small chips, all I really want is the pepsi bezel (pepsi....really?). Saxon up there mentioned a jubilee bracelet, I dont have a clue what that is but the bracelet thats on it is the one I have always remembered. Long ago as a kid I remember finding a chain in my Dads desk drawer, he said it was out of a helicopter or something, it looked like a really small timing chain and I always thought it looked like the bracelet on his watch, and I dont care about the stretch in it so much. I'll contact Bob Ridley and see what he can do, can anyone just ballpark what a pepsi bezel would run? If that breaks a rule then never mind. I also want to say thanks for this forum. The other day I was bopping around the "internets" looking for instructions on how to wind a Rolex GMT and here is where I landed, found the FAQ, and was able to set and wind Dads watch. Anyone want to give me a clue on how often to wind it? Thanks again.......

3 February 2011, 12:19 AM	#8
Hookecho "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 3	Ahhhh...rgr that, thanks

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