New Service For An Old Sub

[Jackal]

Folks, I’m asking for some opinions please.
I just sent my 20 year old 16613 Submariner to the Dallas Service Center for a full service. I bought this watch in 1991 with an E89XXXX serial number. It’s getting a full service but I asked that the dial and hands not get replaced. But now, I’m having second thoughts and thinking of replacing the hands at least. With new hands I can at least read the time at night which I can’t with the old hands.
Would you all consider this a serious mistake? I realize that most old weapons and antique furniture should be cleaned but not restored but this isn’t the case with automobiles which do go through some restoration as a normal practice albeit with original parts.
So with that being said…what do you all think?
Thanks in advance!
Carlos

[usbzoso]

How about asking them to replace the hands but also to send the old hands back with the watch. This way you can restore the watch to the original parts if you wanted later on.

[Dr. Robert]

I had a couple of 1970's vintage Rolexes restored since they were looking beat & I wasn't going to sell them....some purists want patina.
If you're not going to sell the watch, why not.

[horseco]

Originally Posted by usbzoso

How about asking them to replace the hands but also to send the old hands back with the watch. This way you can restore the watch to the original parts if you wanted later on.

RSC is not very accommodating in this regard, they don't return parts they replace with new ones... so its kind of a one or the other situation...

[usbzoso]

Originally Posted by horseco

RSC is not very accommodating in this regard, they don't return parts they replace with new ones... so its kind of a one or the other situation...

Only other thing i can suggest is go to a local jeweler and have him open it up and remove original hands, then send it into the RSC to service.

[horseco]

Originally Posted by usbzoso

Only other thing i can suggest is go to a local jeweler and have him open it up and remove original hands, then send it into the RSC to service.

a man that can think outside the box, nice... & from the NY metro area, what a surprise... hahahahha!!!!

[usbzoso]

yeah too bad he already sent it in

[mailman]

Originally Posted by usbzoso

yeah too bad he already sent it in

When they call or fax him with a repair estimate, he can decline anything he wants and have the watch returned to him

[Jason71]

I would leave it old-school with the original hands. Buy another ROLEX with Superluminova for the times when you want to be able to read the time in the dark.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Jason71

I would leave it old-school with the original hands. Buy another ROLEX with Superluminova for the times when you want to be able to read the time in the dark.

X2!!! Make sure as Paul said you decline any changes to dial or hands!!

[Jarhead024]

I have had four Rolex watches serviced by the New York RSC. Every time the watch came back it was like experiencing the purchase of a new Rolex all over again. I see many vintage Rolex watches here on the sales forums that have been services but the original dial, hands, and bezel are untouched. They look really bad and I can't see paying for a watch that looks old and faded. I guess it's a personal preference but I will always go for the full service.