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Frank2683 · 20 March 2015, 07:42 AM

Hello!

After wanting a Rolex for most of my life I have finally joined the club! I came across a deal I couldn't refuse from a family member and purchased his quasi/vintage 16800 Submariner that he bought new in 1982, and has sat in a drawer for the last 20 years since the bracelet broke.

He did not take care of this watch at all it definitely took a beating. From what I can tell and he can remember, it is all original with the exception of the crystal being replaced.

Without doing much research and living close to the RSC in San Francisco, I took it there two weeks ago to be serviced and repaired. Not knowing any better at the time I was hoping to give it a more modern look by replacing the dial, hands and bezel and polishing the watch up replacing the bracelet.

Fortunately the watch maker could see I didn't have any sense told me not to replace the dial because the watch is more valuable with the original one, it has great patina.

The hands have some holes in them and the bezel and case are pretty beat up. I asked him to replace the hands and bezel with new ones and he said he will give me the old ones to hold on to once he replaces them. The watchmaker said the bracelet is serviceable but barely, he advised a new bracelet and I will keep the old one. As part of the service he is going to polish the case.

Is there anything wrong with replacing the hands since they have holes in them? I figured by keeping the original ones I could always put them back in in the future. Same thing with the bezel, if he puts a new one on I won't feel terrible if it gets scratched up and I can always put the original back on.

My other question is the polishing. If it has not been polished before am I hurting the value by doing so? It may have been polished once before in the 80's. If that is the case, should I still not polish it again? The RSC told me 6-8 week turn around so I'm sure it's not too late to call them and tell them not to polish it or do the other work besides servicing it. I definitely feel it needed a new bracelet though.

I appreciate any and all feedback as I am a longtime Rolex admirer but newbie owner. The picture I am attaching is from one of Jacek's watches but it looks EXACTLY like mine, complete with beat up bezel and holes in the hands.

rollee1 · 20 March 2015, 08:03 AM

If this is me, I will leave the hands but change the bezel, a complete vintage look including the holes in hands give character to the watch.
New hands will have new luminous material, making the watch look odd in the dark.

In regards to the bracelet, I will pack it up and ship it directly to Michael Young for a complete rebuilt. You can find his info easliy around here.
This watch will look very good with a distressed brown leather strap!

Congrats on this amazing piece.

Your other option is to sell it to me

Oyster99 · 20 March 2015, 08:06 AM

Oh my that watch looks GOOD!

mike · 20 March 2015, 08:08 AM

If you are getting the original parts back I don't see a big problem. It looks as if at some point the tritium in the hands set might fall out so a new set eliminates it getting into the movement. The contrast between the patina of the tritium and the whitness of the luminova hands set might be a little strange though.

I would,'t have a problem with a light polish if it makes you feel better about the looks of the watch, but not necessary.

A new bracelet to me is a good thing.

PoderEsBueno · 20 March 2015, 09:53 AM

Congrats on your 16800

As mentioned above changing the hands is good for saving the dial or movement from getting ruined by the falling tritium. But the hands will not match the hour markers as they will be new. You can also look for a period correct matching hand set to go with your patina. The rest (insert,bracelet,polishing-case) all up to your preference. You can leave the case as is if it doesnt bother you, or send it to the right place for a professional detailing. I recommend checking ABC watchwerks with the search engine of the forum - they do pleasing work. Good luck

stil · 20 March 2015, 10:14 AM

Like rollee1 said, leave the hands and send the bracelet to Michael Young.

I'd skip the polishing and just replace the bezel.

SUBversive · 20 March 2015, 10:15 AM

You know what I wouldn't change that bezel either.

20 March 2015, 07:42 AM	#1
Frank2683 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bay Area Watch: 16800 Submariner Posts: 11	16800 Submariner advice needed! Hello! After wanting a Rolex for most of my life I have finally joined the club! I came across a deal I couldn't refuse from a family member and purchased his quasi/vintage 16800 Submariner that he bought new in 1982, and has sat in a drawer for the last 20 years since the bracelet broke. He did not take care of this watch at all it definitely took a beating. From what I can tell and he can remember, it is all original with the exception of the crystal being replaced. Without doing much research and living close to the RSC in San Francisco, I took it there two weeks ago to be serviced and repaired. Not knowing any better at the time I was hoping to give it a more modern look by replacing the dial, hands and bezel and polishing the watch up replacing the bracelet. Fortunately the watch maker could see I didn't have any sense told me not to replace the dial because the watch is more valuable with the original one, it has great patina. The hands have some holes in them and the bezel and case are pretty beat up. I asked him to replace the hands and bezel with new ones and he said he will give me the old ones to hold on to once he replaces them. The watchmaker said the bracelet is serviceable but barely, he advised a new bracelet and I will keep the old one. As part of the service he is going to polish the case. Is there anything wrong with replacing the hands since they have holes in them? I figured by keeping the original ones I could always put them back in in the future. Same thing with the bezel, if he puts a new one on I won't feel terrible if it gets scratched up and I can always put the original back on. My other question is the polishing. If it has not been polished before am I hurting the value by doing so? It may have been polished once before in the 80's. If that is the case, should I still not polish it again? The RSC told me 6-8 week turn around so I'm sure it's not too late to call them and tell them not to polish it or do the other work besides servicing it. I definitely feel it needed a new bracelet though. I appreciate any and all feedback as I am a longtime Rolex admirer but newbie owner. The picture I am attaching is from one of Jacek's watches but it looks EXACTLY like mine, complete with beat up bezel and holes in the hands. Attached Images

20 March 2015, 08:03 AM	#2
rollee1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Rollee Location: Boston Watch: it watching me Posts: 1,945	If this is me, I will leave the hands but change the bezel, a complete vintage look including the holes in hands give character to the watch. New hands will have new luminous material, making the watch look odd in the dark. In regards to the bracelet, I will pack it up and ship it directly to Michael Young for a complete rebuilt. You can find his info easliy around here. This watch will look very good with a distressed brown leather strap! Congrats on this amazing piece. Your other option is to sell it to me __________________ Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted

20 March 2015, 08:06 AM	#3
Oyster99 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Real Name: Kris Location: Holland Watch: me go Posts: 730	Oh my that watch looks GOOD! __________________ Instagram watchpage: k99app, feel free to follow me ;) 17014 - oysterquartz Corniche Mistral40 Regards.

20 March 2015, 09:53 AM	#5
PoderEsBueno "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: peb Location: Istanbul Posts: 3,145	Congrats on your 16800 As mentioned above changing the hands is good for saving the dial or movement from getting ruined by the falling tritium. But the hands will not match the hour markers as they will be new. You can also look for a period correct matching hand set to go with your patina. The rest (insert,bracelet,polishing-case) all up to your preference. You can leave the case as is if it doesnt bother you, or send it to the right place for a professional detailing. I recommend checking ABC watchwerks with the search engine of the forum - they do pleasing work. Good luck __________________ Instagram• ~ poderes.bueno

20 March 2015, 08:08 AM	#4
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	If you are getting the original parts back I don't see a big problem. It looks as if at some point the tritium in the hands set might fall out so a new set eliminates it getting into the movement. The contrast between the patina of the tritium and the whitness of the luminova hands set might be a little strange though. I would,'t have a problem with a light polish if it makes you feel better about the looks of the watch, but not necessary. A new bracelet to me is a good thing.

20 March 2015, 10:14 AM	#6
stil Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Real Name: not stil Location: USA Watch: Rolex n Omega Posts: 1,327	Like rollee1 said, leave the hands and send the bracelet to Michael Young. I'd skip the polishing and just replace the bezel.

20 March 2015, 10:15 AM	#7
SUBversive Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: ri Watch: Sun Dial Posts: 14,346	You know what I wouldn't change that bezel either.

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