Vintage Watch Servicing: What Should Be Done?

[wuyeah]

Hello guys,

I just got a DateJust inherited from grandpa given by my mom today. The watch is worn well and runs. After I unscrew the crown and checked the bracelet, immediately know this DateJust def needs a bath. There is a crack on the plexiglass so I bring it to RSC for quote. After the examination, Rolex watchmaker suggest to replace the movement parts while he still has parts. This piece is with Rolex 1570 movement. So I def would do a full service on it.

Now the cosmetic. I can afford everything RSC have ask for but since this is a vintage piece, I am not sure if I should done everything. Crystal has a crack so will relate to water resistance and moisture, so it is a must but for the rest should I touch it? I am afraid if I touch some cosmetic element will ruin the value of a vintage piece. Sometimes, a vintage watch should keep its look but I am not sure if this is the case. I want the best for this watch in collector perspective. So I would like to ask if following element I should get it done:

1) Hands Polish and re-lume
2) Dial Relume
3) White Gold Bezel Re-done. So it looks white not yellowish. Polish and sharpen fluted bezel edge.
4) Case Poslish

If full service won't damage the vintage watch value, I am willing to refresh all. For some reason, I feel strongly that I should keep the dial lume and hand lume the way it is. As for Case, bezel and bracelet I don't mind to give a fresh new look. What's your opinion about it?

Thanks in advance.

[wuyeah]

Anyone wanna help me out? Should I refinish the exterior to make it brand new or should I keep the vintage look? Or this piece does worth much today that does matter what I do?

[datejusting]

Nice looking watch. The Datejust watches do not have a lot of value as there are so many of them out there. Worldwide it is probably Rolex's biggest seller. I would leave the dial and hands as they are and replace crystal and have the watch polished and serviced. Leaving the dial and hands as is would retain the vintage look. Hope you enjoy wearing it; it has a good history.

[Nissanzx1]

Great looking classic vintage watch. Just have the movement Serviced, get a new crystal, and a "light" polish. Less is more in this instance.

Cheers,

GH

[CrownMe]

Service the movement, replace Plexi and have the watch polished and your good to go.

As for the value...it's still a Rolex and value is still quite a bit more then your average watch. But since its from your grandfather it's priceless. Enjoy your watch and wear it in good health.

[powerfunk]

RSC will offer to sell you a new dial/hands but they don't relume anything (unless you're in the Phillipines; apparently RSC Manila does). I think it looks great as it is, just a movement-only service and crystal and you'll be good to go!

They'll polish the case/bracelet by default, but I doubt they'll refinish the bezel-- they'd rather sell you a new one. Enjoy that Datejust!

[Frosty]

If it was my grandfather's I would have the movement serviced, the crystal replaced, and have everything else left alone. Every time I saw a scratch or a ding I would think of my grandfather and wonder how he did it. jmho

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Frosty

If it was my grandfather's I would have the movement serviced, the crystal replaced, and have everything else left alone. Every time I saw a scratch or a ding I would think of my grandfather and wonder how he did it. jmho

Nice watch wuyeah ..... and extra nice cos. it's a family heirloom.

Two weeks before he died, my Dad gave me the humble Hafis that he wore for 40 years ( a gift from my Mum when they were courting).
He knew his time was up and joked with me that he wouldn't need it where he was going to.

I really enjoy having such a personal item from the old man - and dings and dents are an important part of that.
I say a movement service, a new crystal and check that the bracelet is healthy and you'll be good to go

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by Frosty

If it was my grandfather's I would have the movement serviced, the crystal replaced, and have everything else left alone. Every time I saw a scratch or a ding I would think of my grandfather and wonder how he did it. jmho

says it all ,,, enjoy it as it is

[swish77]

You took the Datejust to RSC and they suggested reluming? If you're talking about the RSC in NYC, I've never heard of that. They usually suggest replacing the dial and hands. In any event, I'd leave everything alone except the movement and bezel. I would want to restore that white-gold look to the bezel. I definitely would not polish the case, not even a light detailing. Congrats on receiving a treasured family heirloom.

[wuyeah]

Thanks everyone for answering me back!

[joseluu]

I don´t understand the part about the white gold bezel becoming "yellowish". The bezel is, or should be, solid white gold and should not show any decoloration.

[Darlinboy]

Originally Posted by Frosty

If it was my grandfather's I would have the movement serviced, the crystal replaced, and have everything else left alone. Every time I saw a scratch or a ding I would think of my grandfather and wonder how he did it. jmho

This.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by joseluu

I don´t understand the part about the white gold bezel becoming "yellowish". The bezel is, or should be, solid white gold and should not show any decoloration.

In its raw state, white gold is a kinda yellowish colour that is coated in rhodium to give the white gold finish seen on a new item.

Over time the rhodium wears away - revealing the yellowish colour - and should be recoated every few years.

You can see the ageing on my missus's bling - by contrast, the missus herself looks as good as the day I met her

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Paul

In its raw state, white gold is a kinda yellowish colour that is coated in rhodium to give the white gold finish seen on a new item.

Over time the rhodium wears away - revealing the yellowish colour

That's true of typical white gold, although Rolex now uses its own unique WG alloy that needs no plating. I'm not sure when that started, though; I agree that this looks like a typical rhodium-worn-off situation.

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