Missing my watch

[Jimbits76]

Guys

I sent my battered Oyster Date off to my watchmaker in February.

The movemnet was due a service and had started to lose time or stop on a regular basis.

After 51 years the original rivet bracelet was showing stretch and one of the pins had worked loose. The clasp was also wearing (the little crown on the clasp wearing almost completely away).

I asked my watchmaker to source me some original bracelet parts for this model and he's had real trouble sourcing a newer clasp and some link sections.

Last correspondence I exchanged with him was in May and he told me that he was having real issues with sourcing parts and told me he'd get back to me once the parts were sourced and he could price accordingly.

This isn't an issue of trust...the guy is a real master craftsman and is legit.

I just miss my watch. I am also saddened that parts are now almost impossible to get...I'm getting to the mindset where I won't dare wear the watch in case it needs further repairs and then we can't get it fixed. I'm also worried about losing the Oyster bracelet and having to put it on a band...it's just not that same!!!!!!!

It is just a watch but it was my Grandfathers and it means a lot to me. This is the watch that got me involved in this silly passion in the first place.

J

[Jimbits76]

Some pics of it just before she went for her trip...











*sigh *sob

J

[Alcan]

Jim, have you considered getting a generic strap or bracelet for the watch so you can wear it in the interim?

[Jimbits76]

I think I'm going to have to Al.

I sent him an email today saying that I'm considering a black leather band and then try to find a steel Rolex buckle.

It's not the end of the world...just be nice to keep it original...and get her back home!

J

[Trurolexer]

Can you let it original, Jimbo?

[redshirt1957]

Have you corresponded with Dalton? Maybe he can be of some help? Nice watch you have there Jim!

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Have you corresponded with Dalton? Maybe he can be of some help? Nice watch you have there Jim!

Man if it wasn't my grandfather's....I'd send it to you buddy....I'm assuming it and yourself have something in common old Redend1957!!!!!!!!!

J

[JimSnyder]

It's loney at the Top Great watch Jim. It means so much more that it was your Grandfathers. What the model # on the band?

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Man if it wasn't my grandfather's....I'd send it to you buddy....I'm assuming it and yourself have something in common old Redend1957!!!!!!!!!

J

First red than black; then even than odd! I have a watch being serviced by Bob Ridley that has a case issue and he is having trouble sourcing a replacement. Thus, I had him perform a full service and mail back to me to wear. When he finds a replacement case, I will send back and the swap will happen. Could be he will find a case tomorrow or three months from now. Get the watch back and wear it and have the watchmaker keep on trying to source the parts.

[Welshwatchman]

It's a tough call Jim.

Have you put the word out on the Vintage forums? I am sure that there are parts out there.

You could then send them to your watchmaker and expect a reasonably small bill from him for his labour.

[toph]

A Beauty Jim, must be so hard that it has been away for nearly a year. I hope it returns soon.

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

It's loney at the Top Great watch Jim. It means so much more that it was your Grandfathers. What the model # on the band?

Model is a 6534 with a Cal. 1036 (parts getting real rare). No idea what the bracelet Ref is.

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

First red than black; then even than odd! I have a watch being serviced by Bob Ridley that has a case issue and he is having trouble sourcing a replacement. Thus, I had him perform a full service and mail back to me to wear. When he finds a replacement case, I will send back and the swap will happen. Could be he will find a case tomorrow or three months from now. Get the watch back and wear it and have the watchmaker keep on trying to source the parts.

I'll probably just do that Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Man if it wasn't my grandfather's....I'd send it to you buddy....I'm assuming it and yourself have something in common old Redend1957!!!!!!!!!

J

When you wrote "I sent my battered oyster off". I had two thoughts.

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

It's a tough call Jim.

Have you put the word out on the Vintage forums? I am sure that there are parts out there.

You could then send them to your watchmaker and expect a reasonably small bill from him for his labour.

Cheers Paul...I'm worried about that band...as you can see from the pics, she looks ready to fall apart and the clasp has finally pretty much had it!!!!!!!!

Be a shame to put her on leather but at least the watch would survive long enough to see itself on my son's wrist one day....as things are at present, I doubt she'd last that long!!!!!!!!!

J

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

When you wrote "I sent my battered oyster off". I had two thoughts.

Scratch that....The only thing I'm sending you now is a Sharon Osbourne styled Tiffany gift box!!!!!!!!!!

J