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1369 · 1 August 2010, 01:25 PM

I cannot brag enough about the service I received from Bob Ridley this week while he serviced my 1019. I received this watch after my father passed away in 2008. The watch was bought in the early 70's specifically because of the anti magnetic resistance as a few trips to a job site he had to some turbine work he was doing in a hydro electric dam wasted a few watches and credit cards. The watch stayed on his wrist daily until his death and had been around the world more than once with Antarctica being the only continent it hasn't touched. I called the Dallas service center after I got the watch and it was confirmed that it had been serviced last in 2005 if I remember correctly. With my wife going to Dallas this past week to visit my sister, and reading stories here on the forums about the service times the RSC had, I decided to contact Mr. Ridley and see if he was interested in performing a service on her as well as replacing the crystal that had a significant chip on it.

It took Bob less than a week to service/test/ship my watch (He got it on Tuesday afternoon and I received it from UPS this morning) back to me and he also kept me updated throughout the time he had the watch to advise me of what was going on. I cannot believe the transformation of this watch, nor recommend enough Mr. Ridley's services. The man definitely has a gift.

Anyway, enough with my ramblings and on to the pixels.

This was the watch prior to me sending it to him.

And here she is after the following services:
Clean/oil/regulate
Auto Wind
Balance repair
Case tube
Crown
Crystal
Replace jewels
Mainspring
Spring bars
Train wheel parts
Case clamps
Adjust bridge brushing

Brushpup · 1 August 2010, 03:40 PM

Welcome to the Forum first of all, and thanks for sharing a great story about a fantastic watch. I love heirloom stories best of all and this is another great one with a very happy ending. If I am ever lucky enough to need this kind of work, I will certainly contact Mr. Ridley.

Great Post!

Patrick

sakuraba · 1 August 2010, 03:49 PM

Bob's green background pics have conditioned my mind to get excited every time I see it!

Congratulations! It's a beauty!

TheDude · 1 August 2010, 07:57 PM

WOW. Outstanding!

BASSETHOUNDS · 1 August 2010, 08:03 PM

Fantastic watch ! Another great job done by Bob

Wear it with pride !

Dan Pierce · 1 August 2010, 10:27 PM

Congrats, Bob does amazing work.

dP

swish77 · 1 August 2010, 10:51 PM

Bob restored my 16014 Datejust from the late '70s, and it came back looking brand new and running +1 a day. He does amazing work. That Milgauss looks stunning, and as I'm sure you know, is super valuable and collectable now. It's priceless, really, because it was your dad's.

Lol-x · 1 August 2010, 10:58 PM

Magnificient bravo!!! that is really a fantastic story and result.

I'm very impressed, and that dial and movement look incredible.

egzbuen · 1 August 2010, 11:29 PM

awesome job there.

onkyo · 2 August 2010, 01:16 AM

Magnificent piece..... big congrats!

And (as always) another great job by Mr. Ridley.

rusi · 2 August 2010, 01:19 AM

Bob is a God sent man for our vintages.
His hands work like magic.

jdc · 2 August 2010, 05:02 PM

Stunning watch and restoration

and great history to your watch. Its so unusual to hear of a Rolex being worn for its designed purpose these days

Changmaisausage · 2 August 2010, 08:05 PM

Amazing the difference makes you think......... is this my watch or another sent in error.

Great story and great pictures

Wear it with pride

David Woo · 3 August 2010, 01:33 AM

Beautiful work, enjoy it!
DW

dotcomakazee · 3 August 2010, 02:27 AM

Bob is the best. I am lucky enough to live near him, so I hand deliver all of my stuff to him.

ac001 · 3 August 2010, 02:54 AM

A great story and a fantastic restoration.

Welshwatchman · 3 August 2010, 03:07 AM

Bob certainly has the experience to work on our special pieces.

DadsWatch72 · 4 August 2010, 08:50 AM

That watch looks awsome, just awsome. Great work Bob.

swissautopro · 4 August 2010, 11:48 AM

Wow. Bob knows the voo doo, that's for certain. Beautiful watch.

BarkMaster · 4 August 2010, 12:01 PM

Wow. Just WOW.

Latrodectus · 4 August 2010, 12:35 PM

Perfect job, congratulations!

Maxtor · 10 August 2010, 12:39 PM

Beautiful watch. Lovely story.

azkri · 10 August 2010, 02:35 PM

Wow.........

watchandbb · 10 August 2010, 04:06 PM

a master piece coming from a master's hands...

wzz · 12 August 2010, 02:31 AM

stunning!

seedgun · 19 August 2010, 12:26 PM

Bob is as good as they come. Not only is his work perfection, his communication skills are without peer. When my 1675 came back from him it was amazing! I have no fear that if anything ever was amiss he would fix it without coment or whimper. We have to remember that we deal with very small mechanical devices that can occasionally despite the best efforts fail. With Bob there are no worries that it won't get fixed as well as is humanly possible.
All the best,
A

Opalo · 11 November 2015, 03:52 AM

Great Post!

Warnsboy · 11 November 2015, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedgun

Bob is as good as they come. Not only is his work perfection, his communication skills are without peer. When my 1675 came back from him it was amazing! I have no fear that if anything ever was amiss he would fix it without coment or whimper. We have to remember that we deal with very small mechanical devices that can occasionally despite the best efforts fail. With Bob there are no worries that it won't get fixed as well as is humanly possible.
All the best,
A

Well said....Bob did wonders with my 1675

Spoonage · 11 November 2015, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1369

Old Expat Beast · 11 November 2015, 02:18 PM

I wonder how it's looking after five years.

1 August 2010, 01:25 PM	#1
1369 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mark Location: San Antonio, TX Watch: Milgauss 1019 Posts: 101	1019 Back From Bob Ridley I cannot brag enough about the service I received from Bob Ridley this week while he serviced my 1019. I received this watch after my father passed away in 2008. The watch was bought in the early 70's specifically because of the anti magnetic resistance as a few trips to a job site he had to some turbine work he was doing in a hydro electric dam wasted a few watches and credit cards. The watch stayed on his wrist daily until his death and had been around the world more than once with Antarctica being the only continent it hasn't touched. I called the Dallas service center after I got the watch and it was confirmed that it had been serviced last in 2005 if I remember correctly. With my wife going to Dallas this past week to visit my sister, and reading stories here on the forums about the service times the RSC had, I decided to contact Mr. Ridley and see if he was interested in performing a service on her as well as replacing the crystal that had a significant chip on it. It took Bob less than a week to service/test/ship my watch (He got it on Tuesday afternoon and I received it from UPS this morning) back to me and he also kept me updated throughout the time he had the watch to advise me of what was going on. I cannot believe the transformation of this watch, nor recommend enough Mr. Ridley's services. The man definitely has a gift. Anyway, enough with my ramblings and on to the pixels. This was the watch prior to me sending it to him. And here she is after the following services: Clean/oil/regulate Auto Wind Balance repair Case tube Crown Crystal Replace jewels Mainspring Spring bars Train wheel parts Case clamps Adjust bridge brushing __________________

1 August 2010, 03:40 PM	#2
Brushpup "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Patrick Location: Texas Watch: what I'm wearing Posts: 5,943	Welcome to the Forum first of all, and thanks for sharing a great story about a fantastic watch. I love heirloom stories best of all and this is another great one with a very happy ending. If I am ever lucky enough to need this kind of work, I will certainly contact Mr. Ridley. Great Post! Patrick __________________ *TRFs "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Patron-Founding Member* PClub # 10 74,592 The safest place for your watch is on your wrist.

1 August 2010, 03:49 PM	#3
sakuraba "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Jib Location: SJ, California Watch: sun dial Posts: 8,189	Bob's green background pics have conditioned my mind to get excited every time I see it! Congratulations! It's a beauty! __________________ F 14000 AirKing black F 16710 GMT Pepsi F 16570 Explorer II white T 16600 SD D 16610 LV "fine quality is remembered long after the pain of spending money" -Steve Mulholland

1 August 2010, 10:27 PM	#6
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,215	Congrats, Bob does amazing work. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

1 August 2010, 10:58 PM	#8
Lol-x Facilitator Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Omnipresent Posts: 33,587	Magnificient bravo!!! that is really a fantastic story and result. I'm very impressed, and that dial and movement look incredible. __________________ *Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.* ~Abraham Lincoln Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim

1 August 2010, 07:57 PM	#4
TheDude "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Area, USA Watch: IIc,1680 Red,16660 Posts: 4,492	WOW. Outstanding!

1 August 2010, 08:03 PM	#5
BASSETHOUNDS Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Tristan Location: GIRONA , SPAIN Watch: 116520/660/710/334 Posts: 7,147	Fantastic watch ! Another great job done by Bob Wear it with pride !

1 August 2010, 10:51 PM	#7
swish77 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Aaron Location: CT/NYC Watch: ing the time! Posts: 6,999	Bob restored my 16014 Datejust from the late '70s, and it came back looking brand new and running +1 a day. He does amazing work. That Milgauss looks stunning, and as I'm sure you know, is super valuable and collectable now. It's priceless, really, because it was your dad's.

1 August 2010, 11:29 PM	#9
egzbuen "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manila Posts: 1,177	awesome job there. __________________ 18083 & 16750 16234 & 16233 16610 & 16800 3717-01 & 104 & 312 Nav B-Uhr

2 August 2010, 01:16 AM	#10
onkyo Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Pav Location: Manhattan Posts: 11,495	Magnificent piece..... big congrats! And (as always) another great job by Mr. Ridley.

2 August 2010, 01:19 AM	#11
rusi Banned Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 275	Bob is a God sent man for our vintages. His hands work like magic.

2 August 2010, 05:02 PM	#12
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	Stunning watch and restoration and great history to your watch. Its so unusual to hear of a Rolex being worn for its designed purpose these days

2 August 2010, 08:05 PM	#13
Changmaisausage "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: David Location: UK/Qatar Watch: SeaDweller Posts: 470	Amazing the difference makes you think......... is this my watch or another sent in error. Great story and great pictures Wear it with pride __________________ Patek Phillipe / Rolex / Tudor

3 August 2010, 01:33 AM	#14
David Woo Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: southern Calif Posts: 632	Beautiful work, enjoy it! DW

3 August 2010, 02:27 AM	#15
dotcomakazee "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Ty Location: Irving, TX Watch: Exp II 42mm Posts: 919	Bob is the best. I am lucky enough to live near him, so I hand deliver all of my stuff to him. __________________ Rolex Explorer II 42mm • Panerai 389 47mm

3 August 2010, 02:54 AM	#16
ac001 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Alan Location: Maryland Watch: 14060M Posts: 164	A great story and a fantastic restoration.

3 August 2010, 03:07 AM	#17
Welshwatchman "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Paul Location: Wales, UK Posts: 14,578	Bob certainly has the experience to work on our special pieces. __________________ ..33

4 August 2010, 08:50 AM	#18
DadsWatch72 Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Watch: DRSD 1665 #3551XXX Posts: 2,401	That watch looks awsome, just awsome. Great work Bob.

4 August 2010, 11:48 AM	#19
swissautopro "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: South Carolina Watch: 3.3M 1655 Mk I Posts: 2,384	Wow. Bob knows the voo doo, that's for certain. Beautiful watch. __________________ "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a bandit, and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24 "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt." Unknown "Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food." Proverbs 12

4 August 2010, 12:01 PM	#20
BarkMaster "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Watch: 18078 YG DD Posts: 7,962	Wow. Just WOW. __________________ BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK

4 August 2010, 12:35 PM	#21
Latrodectus 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,043	Perfect job, congratulations! __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

10 August 2010, 12:39 PM	#22
Maxtor 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Max Location: Toronto Watch: Exp 1, DJ Tuxedo Posts: 2,472	Beautiful watch. Lovely story.

10 August 2010, 02:35 PM	#23
azkri "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Azizan Location: Malaysia Watch: Zenith El Primero Posts: 168	Wow.........

10 August 2010, 04:06 PM	#24
watchandbb "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Malaysia Posts: 134	a master piece coming from a master's hands... Attached Images

12 August 2010, 02:31 AM	#25
wzz Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Jason Location: Providence, RI Posts: 175	stunning!

19 August 2010, 12:26 PM	#26
seedgun Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Andy Stone Location: ill.,Jeyll Is,Stl Watch: All of them! Posts: 188	Bob is as good as they come. Not only is his work perfection, his communication skills are without peer. When my 1675 came back from him it was amazing! I have no fear that if anything ever was amiss he would fix it without coment or whimper. We have to remember that we deal with very small mechanical devices that can occasionally despite the best efforts fail. With Bob there are no worries that it won't get fixed as well as is humanly possible. All the best, A

11 November 2015, 03:52 AM	#27
Opalo "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: florida Watch: Rolex 116710LN M Posts: 60	Great Post!

11 November 2015, 02:18 PM	#30
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,820	I wonder how it's looking after five years.

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