Inherited Watch

[cheetarra]

My father passed away last year and I've just come into possession of his watch. I don't know anything about it, or watches in general -- all I know is that my dad bought it on base around the Vietnam War. It seems to have fallen into some disrepair as it was not working when I got it and there's something sticking out of the bracelet where it meets the watch. I read that I'd need to wind it, and I have, but it still stops sometimes and takes a good shake to get it going again (even minutes after just being fully wound). Im sure it's going to be costly to get it running correctly again, and until then I'm going to wear it regardless, sentimentally and all, but I'm having issues with the bracelet. I have very small wrists and have taken all of the links that I can out of it (5 on one side, 5 on the other) but now it sits crooked and the clasp doesn't want to sit flat as I think the adjoining link is a little too wide at the end. Is there any help for this or will I need a different bracelet?









Thanks in advance for anything you're able to tell me!

[rusty427]

Sorry to hear about your dad.
The pictures aren't working, though I saw a picture in another thread.
I assume it's a 1016 explorer. Definitely a lovely watch to remember your dad by.
I hear ABC Watchwerks are well respected repairers of vintage Rolexes while keeping it original.
The bit sticking out is the spring bar, an easy fix.
The bracelet may need a permanent link removed to fit.
I would spend some time on it, get the head serviced with a thought of keeping it original and if need be get the bracelet refurbished and length adjusted. Perhaps Michael Young.
Research, good luck.