New service dials on 80's Rolex

[ROLEXLUVR]

I know it's considered sacrilege to collectors to have a worn out dials (and hands) replaced during service. But doesn't a perfectly polished and maintained case look incongruous with faded dials, lumes and hands? I just bought a fair priced (4k) 16750 freshly serviced by RUSA and it looks awesome! I started to feel a tinge of regret from the threads saying any purchase at any price for a completely overhauled watch was a waste of time. However, I imagine most dials will probably need replacement after a few more decades so why not start now? Isn't it better to have a watch that's running perfectly as long as it doesn't live under glass in some museum?
Is it taboo for collectors to have replaced parts on the inside as well? I think it's absurd.

[OysterDavid]

You've got to stop trying to validate your watch acquisition and your potential enjoyment of owning and wearing a Rolex by comparing it to opinions offered by others on internet watch forums.

There is a school of thought that any kind of utility update on a Rolex is a violation of some sacred trust that the watch should be allowed to age in totality and only the movement is allowed to be serviced. Those who fall into this camp avoid any sign of new dials, hands, bracelet or case polishing for fear that at some undetermined future point in time, maybe decades down the road, an attempt to sell that watch will be voided by collectors as unclean because of factory replacement parts.

I fall into the the group that feels for a vast majority of 'modern day' Rolex watches, there are just so many sold and in circulation, that a common GMT is ever going to fall into the same category as limited production subs and GMT's and Daytonas from the 'early' days.

I have viewed collector pictures of subs where the lume on watch hands and dials is crudded, cracked and unusable, dials and bezels are faded amd stained and bracelets are stretched beyond recognition, yet that type of watch is lusted over because of its exclusivity. I'm respectful of the collectibility of such pieces, but it's not something I would ever own. I feel that a Rolex watch from the current era is worthy of looking as good and working as well as it should and is allowed to have a luminova dial and hands and a bezel that is in good shape, along with a polished case, even if that meant replacing worn parts and refinishing the case at a factory rehab.

So, based on your last sentence...I too think in most cases, such self imposed or forum imposed restrictions are absurd.

[dba]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

You've got to stop trying to validate your watch acquisition and your potential enjoyment of owning and wearing a Rolex by comparing it to opinions offered by others on internet watch forums.

Agreed. I traded my 16760 for a Sub some time ago. I'd had the 16760 serviced twice since I bought it in 1984. The guy I traded it to said I should have left it all original. The Sub I traded for was a vintage Sub and I hated it. I sold it and got a shiny 16710.

I also understand the vintage watch thing; it's just not me. I like mine to look shiny and new. In some circles, there also seems to be a certain fussiness attached to wearing an older Rolex; as if wearing a new one makes you a lesser member of the club.

Cheers,

David

[Cabaiguan]

My thought with vintage is why buy an older piece just to replace all the parts? If that's what you want, get a newer watch.

IMO, the joy of owning an older, vintage watch is the patina that it has collected over the years. Otherwise, what's the point?

[jdc]

Nothing wrong in having a 'updated' Rolex as long as you are aware of the value to the vintage market. If you like the look of the watch and its a fair price then why not. Rolex don't have a problem nor should you, enjoy the watch

[Paksent]

If you like what you purchased then enjoy it, so goes to each persons taste and likes. Regardless if you aren't in the same school of thought as others no need to argue your theory is right, would imagine you wouldn't get consensus, kinda a waste of time.

I say if it's cool to you then it doesn't matter, same with motorcycles, cars, clothes, houses, if you love it enjoy it and don't expect others feel the same way but also don't feel their opinions are wrong, to each their own.

[flathead59]

I just bought this one recently, and ironically the only reason I could afford to purchase it was that it had been fully serviced, including a service dial and hands. If it had been all original it would have cost me 600-700 dollars more than it did, and the service probably cost a grand. These are things that I would have done anyway, so for me it was a no brainer. I didn't buy the watch to collect, I bought it to wear. Enjoy yours, they're great old watches!!

Mark

[ROLEXLUVR]

Thanks folks. Glad I'm not alone.

Who buys a new Rolex? The new GMT II has all the understated subtly of a sultan's palace $$$$.

[slcbbrown]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

You've got to stop trying to validate your watch acquisition and your potential enjoyment of owning and wearing a Rolex by comparing it to opinions offered by others on internet watch forums.

There is a school of thought that any kind of utility update on a Rolex is a violation of some sacred trust that the watch should be allowed to age in totality and only the movement is allowed to be serviced. Those who fall into this camp avoid any sign of new dials, hands, bracelet or case polishing for fear that at some undetermined future point in time, maybe decades down the road, an attempt to sell that watch will be voided by collectors as unclean because of factory replacement parts.

I fall into the the group that feels for a vast majority of 'modern day' Rolex watches, there are just so many sold and in circulation, that a common GMT is ever going to fall into the same category as limited production subs and GMT's and Daytonas from the 'early' days.

I have viewed collector pictures of subs where the lume on watch hands and dials is crudded, cracked and unusable, dials and bezels are faded amd stained and bracelets are stretched beyond recognition, yet that type of watch is lusted over because of its exclusivity. I'm respectful of the collectibility of such pieces, but it's not something I would ever own. I feel that a Rolex watch from the current era is worthy of looking as good and working as well as it should and is allowed to have a luminova dial and hands and a bezel that is in good shape, along with a polished case, even if that meant replacing worn parts and refinishing the case at a factory rehab.

So, based on your last sentence...I too think in most cases, such self imposed or forum imposed restrictions are absurd.

I own a few vintage watches and understand a collector's interest in original parts, but most of us own watches to wear them as they were designed. The "no polishing, no new parts" school is for collectors or folks who own museum pieces. Most Rolex are produced in huge quantities.

Wear your watch and enjoy it. I, for one, would love to own it.

[Rags]

If I bought a preowned rolex & dials & hands needed to be changed at a service I wouldn't care. If it brings the watch back to looking new again that's what I would care about. But then again I'm not a flipper.

[GTS Dean]

After 26 years of ownership, I had my first Rolex (1984 17013) serviced at RSC Dallas. I had new hands, and a blue dial installed. It's beautiful, and the power of fresh, strong lume is hard to beat.

____________________________
TT OysterQuartz
SS/Black "U" Daytona
TT GMT II-C
DD OysterQuartz
Brietling Aero
Omega Speedmaster Pro

[Tools]

True collectors know the value of dial and hands on certain models, and do stress that those models should be cared for to keep their originality..

It's not a universal statement that holds true for all makes and models though, except as lore on Internet Forums.

It would be a very rare watch indeed that would be better off with a flaking and broken dial and hands than proper service replacements.. especially if you want to wear it..

[Frosty]

I wanted to keep my Submariner original, but, Rolex would not service it with the crackling of the dial. They said they were worried about the facing coming off and causing a problem with the movement. I wanted the watch serviced, so I O. K.'d it.

The good news is I will be able to see it at night.

[Cato]

A polished case and bracelet will NEVER look new. It will have less/no scatches, but it will continue to have a patina. If you drop a new dial in there, that won't match. I think a creamy lume and faded bezel looks better than new. The patina is especially nice if you've worn that watch for many years.

[rocco1109]

A 1680 and a 16750. The swaps were done by the previous owners but I knew what I was buying and I love them. I am wearing the 16750 as I type this.

[zeuloa]

Originally Posted by rocco1109

A 1680 and a 16750. The swaps were done by the previous owners but I knew what I was buying and I love them. I am wearing the 16750 as I type this.

Beautiful!

[randb]

Originally Posted by zeuloa

Beautiful!

Yes indeed love that sub.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by rocco1109

A 1680 and a 16750. The swaps were done by the previous owners but I knew what I was buying and I love them. I am wearing the 16750 as I type this.

Wow, great picture! It will be nice to see the time at night again.

[ROLEXLUVR]

Looks newish to me.

Also heard that authorized Rolex service centers usually insist on replacing hands and dials during service when the tritium lumes start to flake over time. Something about adulterating moving parts. So expect to see more like these.

[Keeperoftime]

My 16750 has luminova hands. At first, this annoyed me.. Then, one day I was wondering what time it was (at disneyland in a dark ride)- I looked down to glowing hands :)
Perfect.

It's your watch dude. Enjoy it the way you like.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by ROLEXLUVR

Looks newish to me.

Also heard that authorized Rolex service centers usually insist on replacing hands and dials during service when the tritium lumes start to flake over time. Something about adulterating moving parts. So expect to see more like these.

Mine is at the RSC now and part of the parts list is the dial, second hand, hour, and minute hand. They would not service it without changing the dial.

[TheVTCGuy]

It's your watch, I would just say do what you desire!