Inherited old model made in 1946 in poor condition

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by valkrider

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I will keep an eye out on eBay for a dial but I have found a firm who have said they can repaint it. I am waiting for a price from them for this.

I will post back when I get a price and ultimately when / if I have it done.

There are several places that do dial refinishing. Quality of results vary widely. I’d hunt for a dial and refinish only if you can’t find one. I’d also recommend posting at VRF - several hard core vintage part hoarders frequent that place!


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra

[valkrider]

morning_tundra

VRF? Sorry can you tell me what / where this is please as I am new at this vintage watch game

[tamiya]

Vintage Rolex Forum... a competitor ;) best google it

[R.W.T.]

It's a tough dial to find.

Being that it IS a non oyster case the dials went south quite often and were refinished.

Can you measure the OD of the dial please?

[valkrider]

The diameter appears to be 30mm but I don't have calipers to measure exactly only a ruler.

[valkrider]

These are photos of the dial

[valkrider]

I thought I would comment back on this old post as I have now had the watch restored.

Here in Spain I found a local retired Rolex engineer who still does repair and refurbishment work. He managed to source a new dial and crystal from one of his old contacts at Rolex. It took him a while to get. He also found one of the jewels was missing and was surprised that it was still working and keeping reasonable time. Today I collected the watch back from him and to put it mildly 'I am over the moon' with the job he has done on the watch. It doesn't look like the same one.

[offrdmania]

Congrats, it looks great! Wear it in good health

[Ripcode]

That looks amazing!

[yannis]

Man you have done some serious work carried out on it. Looks great!

[emersm]

That watch is beautiful, well done!

[FTX I]

Looking sharp. Enjoy!

[Richard Carver]

Well done!

[Tools]

Looks great !!

I am always in favor or restoring old watches. If we don't, they will eventually disappear.

[Pacha]

Congratulations, beautiful.

[Old Expat Beast]

That's certainly a marked improvement. Well done

[R.O.L.E.X]

Wow just saw the updated photo. Amazing

[Styles Bitchley]

I love when people take time to report back with updates like this. Looks fantastic.

[cajunron]

It's unbelievable that you were able to source a new dial for a watch that old. Looks great. Wear in good health.

[EDL7]

Nice!!

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That's all good then. I apologise for doubting your watch from the first picture. I'm not sure what can be done about th dial though, or rather who could fix it.

Outstanding. A change of view like this shows true strength of character. Have met too many people who stick to their guns in the face of evidence.

[Jim M]

Magnificient improvement. Came out great. Wear it well, enjoy!

[Andad]

Nice refurb.

All set for at least another half century.

[valkrider]

Originally Posted by cajunron

It's unbelievable that you were able to source a new dial for a watch that old. Looks great. Wear in good health.

I was surprised too that he had the right contacts to get the exact same dial as I had originally. During my research I found at least 5 different design of dials for this model of watch.

Thanks everyone for the kind comments I am looking forward to wearing it for the first time tomorrow when we go out for dinner with friends. I will stick to my Brietling for my everyday watch.

[avilhena]

Congratulations on the perseverance OP, the watch is looking great! And thanks for the update

[joli160]

What a luck to score that dial. Lovely looking watch, enjoy

[jbarolex]

Super Nice

[Any4xx]

Amazing. When I saw the first post I thought that it was certainly a joke. But that’s why I’m here: I learn something from you all every day. I’m impressed.