A $2 Tudor (trash or treasure?)

[linesiders]

So, that is a blue insert?

This is is an interesting find, sadly the original dial is missing. This is extra sad - from a collecting standpoint - because this watch was probably a rare original SWISS only Blue Snowflake from 1st quarter 68 (stamped 7528 and I.68) inside caseback).

I am suspecting when you open this up there will be an older Tudor 390 movement inside rather than the expected 2483, because the hands are a mid 60s 7928 style as is the dial refinished in a 60s style.

This is what it would have looked like if original:



There is a black dial / hands / movement (technically for a year later) for sale on VRM in the market place:

http://vintagerolexforum.com/

[Beo3]

This piece has really peeked my interest.

Please keep us advised of your process with it.

PS - What a great grab!

[JoJo78]

Originally Posted by linesiders

So, that is a blue insert?

This is is an interesting find, sadly the original dial is missing. This is extra sad - from a collecting standpoint - because this watch was probably a rare original SWISS only Blue Snowflake from 1st quarter 68 (stamped 7528 and I.68) inside caseback).

I am suspecting when you open this up there will be an older Tudor 390 movement inside rather than the expected 2483, because the hands are a mid 60s 7928 style as is the dial refinished in a 60s style.


http://vintagerolexforum.com/

Unfortunately, a visit to the watchmaker yielded nothing! He was unable to open the caseback (due to the former owner's pry) and wanted to send it out to a specialist. :(

I didn't proceed with his suggestion as I'm probably better-off sending to a specialist myself such as Mr. Phillip Ridley or maybe some other specialist you all may know.

My $2 find is turning into a 2 ton headache...

[linesiders]

Good chance the threads are wrecked.

Hard to make recommendations without more info at this time.

Almost impossible to find dial (Blue SWISS only Flake). Hands not easy, not hard. Movement not impossible.

[linesiders]

BTW - If you are mechanical, there is one thing you can try that I have before. No guarantees and you CAN further damage the case. Rough sand flat the back of the case back to rough up, superglue the largest nut you can find - centered - being ABSOLUTELY certain no glue spills, or you are really screwed. With watch in a proper watch vise with protective sides, use a socket wrench to unscrew . You can use nail polish remover / acetone to remove the bolt.

Again, if you miss and drip superglue into the watch it is toast. Tread carefully.

This was from a Tudor 94010 Milwatch I had to do this to.

[JoJo78]

Wow! There's no way I'm attempting that! :)

To be honest with you all, I have next to nothing invested into this piece and it'll more than likely be a better fit and/or project for the next person. It should be in the hands of enthusiast/collectors such as you all who will give it the much needed love and attention it so greatly deserves. I'm merely a picker. An "antiques archaeologist" so to speak. I go out into the filed to dig up long lost pieces such as this that have been forgotten about or left for dead misidentified for decades, and try to place them back into the hands of folks such as you all who care so much to bring them back to life.

I'll most likely place the piece on the Bay for sale tonight and let the market determine its worth. Hopefully, the new owner will have the time, patience and funds to restore this piece back to its former glory. Unfortunately, for me, I just don't have such.

I would like to just give all who so kindly replied a big shout-out. I thank you all so much for your thoughts and knowledgeable info, most most appreciated! Thank you!

[77T]

Thanks for sharing your find. It could take a long time to rehab it. So agree with your pending plan to sell it “as is” - I fear the caseback threads are now seized for good due to deflection caused by prior owner.

The other option is to part it out if the case can’t be opened.


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[Wahlberg]

So what happens if the threads are done? That's the end of the case as well?

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by JoJo78

Wow! There's no way I'm attempting that! :)

To be honest with you all, I have next to nothing invested into this piece and it'll more than likely be a better fit and/or project for the next person. It should be in the hands of enthusiast/collectors such as you all who will give it the much needed love and attention it so greatly deserves. I'm merely a picker. An "antiques archaeologist" so to speak. I go out into the filed to dig up long lost pieces such as this that have been forgotten about or left for dead misidentified for decades, and try to place them back into the hands of folks such as you all who care so much to bring them back to life.

I'll most likely place the piece on the Bay for sale tonight and let the market determine its worth. Hopefully, the new owner will have the time, patience and funds to restore this piece back to its former glory. Unfortunately, for me, I just don't have such.

I would like to just give all who so kindly replied a big shout-out. I thank you all so much for your thoughts and knowledgeable info, most most appreciated! Thank you!

Make sure you post how borked the threads may be. Otherwise it will come back to you from Ebay with a chargeback return.

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks for sharing your find. It could take a long time to rehab it. So agree with your pending plan to sell it “as is” - I fear the caseback threads are now seized for good due to deflection caused by prior owner.

The other option is to part it out if the case can’t be opened.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Agreed on the threads seized.

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

So what happens if the threads are done? That's the end of the case as well?

There are some places that can recut the caseback threads. It is time consuming, and usually expensive. I have 2 cases out with someone well known and it has been approaching 6 months.

[baumare]

Originally Posted by linesiders

BTW - If you are mechanical, there is one thing you can try that I have before. No guarantees and you CAN further damage the case. Rough sand flat the back of the case back to rough up, superglue the largest nut you can find - centered - being ABSOLUTELY certain no glue spills, or you are really screwed. With watch in a proper watch vise with protective sides, use a socket wrench to unscrew . You can use nail polish remover / acetone to remove the bolt.

Again, if you miss and drip superglue into the watch it is toast. Tread carefully.

This was from a Tudor 94010 Milwatch I had to do this to.

I love this “old time” remedies, very rewarding when it works!

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by linesiders

BTW - If you are mechanical, there is one thing you can try that I have before. No guarantees and you CAN further damage the case. Rough sand flat the back of the case back to rough up, superglue the largest nut you can find - centered - being ABSOLUTELY certain no glue spills, or you are really screwed. With watch in a proper watch vise with protective sides, use a socket wrench to unscrew . You can use nail polish remover / acetone to remove the bolt.

Again, if you miss and drip superglue into the watch it is toast. Tread carefully.

This was from a Tudor 94010 Milwatch I had to do this to.

this has worked for me before so a +1 from me too.

Only thing is removing the nut once its superglue is also a headache but nothing that acetone won't fix. Good luck!

[lew07]

Awesome Post !!! Please keep Us updated

[berchris]

Great post! I’ll be following this one for sure! In the alternative, if you want to double your money, I’ll take it off your hands! Kidding!

[linesiders]

Side note - it is a gray MK3 insert, not a blue. So that watch with a 62xK serial would be a Rose Round Markers with a Big Bubble Sweep. With a black Long 5 MK2 insert.

[JoJo78]

Originally Posted by berchris

Great post! I’ll be following this one for sure! In the alternative, if you want to double your money, I’ll take it off your hands! Kidding!

Sounds like a fair offer, I'll take it! :) Kidding!

[JoJo78]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Side note - it is a gray MK3 insert, not a blue. So that watch with a 62xK serial would be a Rose Round Markers with a Big Bubble Sweep. With a black Long 5 MK2 insert.

I'm such a lame and novice......all of what you wrote sounds so foreign to me. But I *think* I get it......*think*.

[JoJo78]

Some of you may remember the attached piece below we pulled out of a storage locker auction a couple of mouths ago and was posted on this forum. It's my only keeper so far. I know its only a DJ and many I assume don't care for them, but we basically got it for free as the scrap gold also found in the unit paid for the unit itself and the service/overhaul to the piece. I really like it but have only worn it twice since found. My last time wearing it, an Asian fella I never met before in my life and who didn't speak a lick of english walked up to me at the flea market, pointed at my watch, throw up 3 fingers and gestured towards his watch (looked like an older DJ(?) with a white MOP dial). Apparently, it was his attempt at a trade. His watch and $3K for mine. I kindly declined and thought that very odd. Never had something like that happen to me before.

[Boopie]

Very cool find! Please keep us updated.

[Ozzbozz44]

JoJo, you have such a prime nose for sniffing out these treasures! Please keep sharing more of your future finds :)

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Ozzbozz44

JoJo, you have such a prime nose for sniffing out these treasures! Please keep sharing more of your future finds :)

[JoJo78]

@Boopie, thank you!

@both Ozzbozz44 & mountainjogger, Thank you! I'd love to post any future Rolex or the like finds on the forum, but I wouldn't want community members to think I'm using them for their hard earned info just to advertise and promote such finds elsewhere for sale. Hopefully, in the near future I'll be able to obtain another keeper and will share with the community. Thank you both again for your kind comments!

[Boaters]

Very cool post.

[Boopie]

I see OP’s watch on eBay…multiple offers and it’s above $3k!

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by Boopie

I see OP’s watch on eBay…multiple offers and it’s above $3k!

17 min left. Someone's gonna see if it is a trap or treasure ; )

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by JoJo78

@Boopie, thank you!

@both Ozzbozz44 & mountainjogger, Thank you! I'd love to post any future Rolex or the like finds on the forum, but I wouldn't want community members to think I'm using them for their hard earned info just to advertise and promote such finds elsewhere for sale. Hopefully, in the near future I'll be able to obtain another keeper and will share with the community. Thank you both again for your kind comments!

ironic, isn't it?

item number: 234096067905 for those interested

[JoJo78]

@alwayshere,

No, it's not! I clearly stated within this thread a few times that this piece isn't a fit for me due to the amount of restoration/cost and I was placing it on the Bay. If you go back and read the entire thread, you'll see that. Also, I clearly state I will only post keepers (such as the DJ shown) in the near future. Thank you!

[77T]

Originally Posted by JoJo78

No, it's not! I clearly stated within this thread a few times that this piece isn't a fit for me due to the amount of restoration/cost and I was placing it on the Bay. If you go back and read the entire thread, you'll see that. Also, I clearly state I will only post keepers (such as the DJ shown) in the near future. Thank you!

Agree

I have enjoyed this one and the other 1500 thread too. A good picker is always looking for a gem to have and hold for long-term.

But sometimes a find isn’t all that one hopes for. Selling is just the thing to do for those times.

I’d not worry about the wags. Post those interesting finds regardless.

Just make up your own Miranda Advisory as an opening line.
“If your tender eyes can’t abide a glance at a barn find which I may keep or sell - then any post may be quoted and used against you in the court of vintage opinion.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[baumare]

Agree, the OP was clear from the beginning about what he was going to do, in the meantime I enjoyed this TD, I even learn how to unscrew a case using a bolt!
Please keep it coming, wherever you keep it or selling it.

[ELLimon]

I almost bid on this piece before finding the thread.

I did not followed up because it was not opened and was not sure if the case was compromised.

I have a similar 7016. Mine has half pointed crown guards.

Finding a dial will be hard, I have an original 7016 dial re-finished by Kirk dial. And a 2483 movement, so my thinking was to make it complete… ahh next time.

[alwayshere]

My comment was absent context. Allow me to elaborate. This forum has a wealth of knowledge, some incredibly generous members who help to keep this hobby of ours alive and well. Hopefully you can see that it's a circular economy.

Its clear that you buy stuff on the cheap and sell them to make profit - no problem btw, its a free market, free country and good for you. Over 10 members provided free advice to give you some assistance on this item - not the first time and probably not the last time that you will need help on something. Cut to the chase perhaps, I (rightly or wrongly) am a strong advocate of this circular economy and would love to see your appreciation via some sort of forum contribution (its only $35 to become a pledge member).

You might describe this post / my last post as a trojan horse for donation but i'm not ashamed in admitting it. Its always good to give back, like so many others.