Vintage watch w/service dial...

[Tudor66]

Let's see those vintage Rolex watches with new Rolex service dials. In my opinion the new service replacement dials with new hands, bezel insert, etc, provide the best combination: Vintage & New...!

Please include a "lights up like a candle" picture as well...

[Sublovin]

Interesting...so you prefer this? The watch looks great, just surpirsed, as I thought the whole point of vintage was the original character. Just learning about vintage...nice sub

[harry in montreal]

As a purist, I still must that is a sweet sub. Pretty useful that it functions like a new one!

[anglykos]

Whilst I think that most of us love the original character associated with vintage, personally I can't help but admire this combination; it is practical, and at the same time retaining as much of the original character and charm of the watch.

Thank you for sharing Alan. Lovely watch

[stmoore]

Alan, I think that's a fantastic watch. I'd favor it over the original, especially as a daily wearer.

So what are the "rules" related to a RSC service? Do you have to explicitly tell them what to replace?

Is there a place I can go reference (or call) to see what replacement dials they currently have for replacement (in the sub / sea line)?

[pdoukas]

Honestly, if I could afford it, I'd replace my red dial and hands with the luminova dial and hands........but naturally keep the originals. I would miss the patina though.

[swish77]

A refreshing approach after so many posts of owners worried about an MK-whatever dial matching a specific serial number range, as if anyone really knows. Sure, most of us prefer originality in a vintage watch, but this old-new combo has its own appeal. Looks great!

[Eric88]

My favorite service dial is the ultra unobtainium red Sub 1680 luminova dial. I had one that I traded to Jason71. I am sure he'll be along soon to share pics.

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by Eric88

My favorite service dial is the ultra unobtainium red Sub 1680 luminova dial. I had one that I traded to Jason71. I am sure he'll be along soon to share pics.

I totally want one. I know of only 2 and I thought one was yours but I can't remember.

[Blue Lantern]

Bit of a cheat here--original dial but it was relumed, plus new hands. Still need to take a decent lume shot.

[pablofields]

A thread after my own heart! Love the "Swiss" Lume service dials

NB: on the 1655 I had the lume colored to look like tritium patina.

[SubKing]

I like vintage for being vintage, BUT for a 1680 white which in my book is the last of the vintage era rolex subs that I love so much, I prefer a service update to make for a great everyday watch so I don't have to worry about tritium cracking off etc.

[melons]

Thanks for the post and pictures Alan. The idea of a vintage Sub with modern lume is very appealing to me. Such an awesome watch, thanks for sharing.

[Furbo]

Great looking watch.

[Jason71]

Thank you Eric for trading this watch to me. Eric is VERY particular about his watches, so this one had a VERY tight 93150 and a perfectly faded bezel. It glows like a champ at night. I need to see if I can get a nice luminova shot. This one has been diving in Italy, to the top of the world in France and Switzerland, and generally all over the world with me





Headed down to the dive-boat with the Red 1680 in Cinque Terre, Italy


Swiss Alps -- Eiger, Monk, and Jungfrau


Chamonix, France (Red Bond NATO has the Red sub on it)


Thanks again Eric

[James 45]

Here is mine I wear it on week ends. My work day watch is a beat up 16800 perfect for my work! Lion taming lol

[G-Web]

When I saw this thread yesterday, I couldn't wait to join in.
Unfortunately it took a while before I was finally able to get some pics.
So first thing this morning I snapped a few while waiting for my caffeine fix.
Great thread Alan, and great pics everyone.

Cheers,
-GW

[Tudor66]

I thought Grant would be the only other poster here, as I knew he had a 1680 watch just like mine. Well Grant, it looks like we are in good company with our service dials. There is even a Rebsub with a service dial out there, as well as a vintage gmt, exp, datejust - that was a nice surprise...

Keep the service dial pictures coming....!

[G-Web]

The Red Sub with the Luminova service dial is the bee's knees.
Just how 'unobtainium' is it?
Does anyone know the likelihood a US RSC will install one if you sent in a Red Sub for service? Or is this the kind of thing only Rolex knows?

Regardless, great thread.
Keep 'em comin'.
-GW

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by G-Web

The Red Sub with the Luminova service dial is the bee's knees.
Just how 'unobtainium' is it?
Does anyone know the likelihood a US RSC will install one if you sent in a Red Sub for service? Or is this the kind of thing only Rolex knows?

Regardless, great thread.
Keep 'em comin'.
-GW

Good question, but the problem is the fact that red dials are worth a great sum of money. Nobody in their right mind is going to exchange a decent red dial for a service red (or at least I wouldn't).

I am sure there are others out there, but I only know of one other member of TRF that has one.

[Puffy]

it'd be cool to have as spare parts to change whenever the need arises

[G-Web]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Good question, but the problem is the fact that red dials are worth a great sum of money. Nobody in their right mind is going to exchange a decent red dial for a service red (or at least I wouldn't).

I am sure there are others out there, but I only know of one other member of TRF that has one.

Good point Jason.
If I ever find myself in possession of a red Sub, I would be genuinely tempted to send it in. That day however, is probably a long way off.

In any event, thanks for sharing.
-GW

[harry in montreal]

anyone have an idea of other unusual Service dials that rolex would still be willing to install on a watch? i have a 7021 and 7928 that could use better dials. i doubt these would exist.

[Tudor66]

---Alert. My friend just offered his 1970 Pepsi gmt to me, but he wants my uber cool 1680 service dial watch posted here. Damm, I want another Pepsi, and I don't want to use cash when I have a few extra stainless steel rolexes.

This is a thread hyjack---" would you trade your 1680 for a very nice older Pepsi....?
I have 24 hours to decide before he sells it to another....

[G-Web]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

---Alert. My friend just offered his 1970 Pepsi gmt to me, but he wants my uber cool 1680 service dial watch posted here. Damm, I want another Pepsi, and I don't want to use cash when I have a few extra stainless steel rolexes.

This is a thread hyjack---" would you trade your 1680 for a very nice older Pepsi....?
I have 24 hours to decide before he sells it to another....

Funny Al, since this thread has gotten going, I've found myself looking around for 1675's with service dials. Regardless of whether your friend's has a service dial or not, I understand that watch's appeal. After all, my dad used to point it out to me every time we watched Magnum P.I.

But this is not about me. My 2 cents: Sounds like you want to keep the 1680. So maybe you let this one pass, and sell something else to fund a 1675 in the near future.

Good luck and keep us posted.
-Grant

[therolexguy]

How about a tritium marked luminova dial......

[Warnsboy]

Great thread!!!! Jocke could chime in and add some pics

Eric and Jason....tears of joy for that one!

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by G-Web

Funny Al, since this thread has gotten going, I've found myself looking around for 1675's with service dials. Regardless of whether your friend's has a service dial or not, I understand that watch's appeal. After all, my dad used to point it out to me every time we watched Magnum P.I.

But this is not about me. My 2 cents: Sounds like you want to keep the 1680. So maybe you let this one pass, and sell something else to fund a 1675 in the near future.

Good luck and keep us posted.
-Grant

Hey thanks Grant, I will sleep on it tonight and see where I land on this when I get up. The 1675 under consideration has a jubiliee band, and a spare folder over GMT band... very tempting indeed.

The fun thing about owning these nice watches is that I can easily trade up/down/sideways for another stainless steel Rolex. Just what I need, another Pepsi...

[lordcon]

Originally Posted by therolexguy

How about a tritium marked luminova dial......

Attachment 370886
Attachment 370887

hey, we could be twins....

[pablofields]

Speaking of unobtanium and bee's knees. This Daytona 6265 lumi service dial on a piece Jacek has listed is ultra cool