Explorer II facelift

[pitvpr]

My Explorer needs a face-lift. About 12 years ago I had the dial re-done from black to white, the job is not looking too good and need some advice/help.

What are my options?

[theloxmyth]

RSC (Regional Service Center) service, to include new dial, would be my desire for such a nice timepiece!

[pitvpr]

That's a little over $1200.00, is it worth it?

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by pitvpr

That's a little over $1200.00, is it worth it?

Buy a used T<25 dial and have it installed the lume might be dead but it will be correct for the watch a service dial will be nice and new but it will not be T<25.

[pitvpr]

Great but what is a T<25? and where do I start looking for one?

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by pitvpr

My Explorer needs a face-lift. About 12 years ago I had the dial re-done from black to white, the job is not looking too good and need some advice/help.

What are my options?

Are you saying that they painted your black dial white?

The T<25 is printed below the 6 O'Clock position on the dial. It indicates that the dial is a 'tritium' lume dial. Nowadays they use lumina instead of tritium.

I think what was being suggested above was to look for a used T<25 dial to keep the period integrity of your watch as a new lumina dial would indicate a dial replacement.

I wouldn't take your watch to Rolex if all you want is a dial change because they will charge you a lot and give you a lumina dial and make you change your bezel, which kind of looks cool without the black numbers.

[pitvpr]

Yes, the black dial was ruined about 12~13 years ago when I left the crown open swimming in a pool, the chlorine ate up the dial face and I had it re-finished to white.

The paint in the bezel wore off very quickly, and over the years I've had it re done several times, but sadly it keeps coming off, so I just left it.

So where may I ask is the best places to look for such a dial other than Ebay?

Will this one be right? And why does the lume look yellow?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200648216332...ht_3975wt_1025

[rmfnla]

That's a T< 25 dial and the yellowed lume is the Patina that is mentioned in the listing title.

The vintage junkies worship patina; I just think it makes a watch look old, but each to his/her own, I guess...

[pitvpr]

Cool, thanks for the input, what is a typical going rate for such a dial?

[HORNBLOWER]

you can pick up and dial and bezel easy enough, any good watchmaker can fit them.

[pitvpr]

Ive seen bezels from a company in Arizona that makes 'em, not genuine Rolex, is that what you mean?
Also what is a fair price for the dial I want?

[Timber Loftis]

Seems like you are only looking for $$$ value on the watch to me, Whassup?

[ErikSzper]

Many directions you can go, should really decide what your end goal is before spending any money. If you may want to part with the piece eventually, send it to an authorized center have a piece that you will never have to question. If it is just for your enjoyment, there are numerous options at lower costs that you will get back faster.

Good luck!

[pitvpr]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis

Seems like you are only looking for $$$ value on the watch to me, Whassup?

lol, Im not sure what you mean, read the post...Im trying to find out what is a fair price to pay for a used dial, and any info on replacing the bezel.

Originally Posted by ErikSzper

Many directions you can go, should really decide what your end goal is before spending any money. If you may want to part with the piece eventually, send it to an authorized center have a piece that you will never have to question. If it is just for your enjoyment, there are numerous options at lower costs that you will get back faster.

Good luck!

I plan to keep the watch, so going with "lower cost options" is what I need advise on,
thanks.

[pitvpr]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEZEL-INSERT...#ht_3753wt_982

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MENS-STAINLE...#ht_3395wt_978


Bezels...they are aftermarket, I'm OK with that, but will they be as durable as the original? I imagine the paint will wear off in time just like the original.

[HORNBLOWER]

mike woods has a nice exp 2 dial and hands for sale in his shop...the little watch shop asking 250 pounds sterling

[PaulSoebekti]

Just a thought. Why not pm Rikki or Dalton or Vanessa - and ask them of their opinion on how to handle the repairs without loosing much of its period integrity?
After all these are the people that are 'in the repair business', so to speak.
Search their email addresses on this forum.

Regards,
Paul

[pitvpr]

Originally Posted by PaulSoebekti

Just a thought. Why not pm Rikki or Dalton or Vanessa - and ask them of their opinion on how to handle the repairs without loosing much of its period integrity?
After all these are the people that are 'in the repair business', so to speak.
Search their email addresses on this forum.

Regards,
Paul

I did, they said $1200.00 min., just to start, (that's just overhaul, dial and hands), it also needs a bracelet, crystal and bezel...it's why I'm looking into other options, and like I said, I love love love the watch and would never sell it, so the "period interg", is not a concern.
thanks for the input tho...

I already have an afetrmarket bezel on the way, still looking for a dial and possibly hands____,