1965 Submariner (Gilt Dial) - Restoration

[sprice5]

Been a lurker on these forums for years and searched threads to find out who could restore a recently inherited Submariner. Watchmakers International came up many times during my research so I called and spoke with Bob Ridley. Decided I would share my experience and a few pictures to help others out that are looking for similar work on their vintage pieces.

Bob quickly demonstrated his vast experience experience with the brand and helped me decide to send him my watch. His assistant Jana kindly provided me with a label and instructions on Best method to ship. Once he received the watch he assessed the work to be done and we had a detailed conversation on restoring the watch to a period-correct piece (i.e. using replacement parts from the 1960's). Agreeing to those services, Jana sent me an invoice reflecting the options I chose. After a few weeks I received an update the the watch was ready to ship so I made my payment and received the watch back via one-day shipping.

The watch was inoperable so you can imagine my delight upon unboxing. A new crystal, clean dial, and a period correct bezel insert and riveted oyster bracelet surrounded the newly working, sweeping time hands.

Wore the Submariner recently in the field during a military exercise and received many positive comments from fellow watch enthusiasts.

Posting a few pictures for you all to enjoy. I highly recommend Bob Ridley and the team to anyone else with a major restore job on a vintage piece.

Link to Album

Before

After

At the range.

Another one.

Wearing it at a briefing.

[Tools]

Looks great. You are a lucky man.

[kwcsports]

Beautiful watch.

[Rollied]

Hmm weird..images aren’t working

[swatty]

Nice , I have the same model that has had bezel replaced , I will contact Bob for sure

[sprice5]

Originally Posted by Tools

Looks great. You are a lucky man.

Indeed, I am. Thank you!

Originally Posted by kwcsports

Beautiful watch.

Agreed. Can't stop staring at it.

Originally Posted by Rollied

Hmm weird..images aren’t working

For some reason my imgur links are not working so I ended up linking an album to Google photos.

Originally Posted by swatty

Nice , I have the same model that has had bezel replaced , I will contact Bob for sure

The Submariner is my favorite Rolex model, even though I have an Explorer II that gets a lot of wrist time. Bob can help out with that for sure. If you can, post some before and after pictures. Definitely would enjoy seeing that.

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by sprice5

Wore the Submariner recently in the field during a military exercise and received many positive comments from fellow watch enthusiasts.

Finally! Someone wears a tool watch as intended! And a vintage one no less. And for military purposes. Great to see. As I keep my 5513 on a felt pad Awesome watch and restoration job.

[Subterranean]

Wow ,what a beautiful watch.looks amazing

[sprice5]

Originally Posted by SunTzu

Finally! Someone wears a tool watch as intended! And a vintage one no less. And for military purposes. Great to see. As I keep my 5513 on a felt pad Awesome watch and restoration job.

Exactly; don't think I could have this sitting in a box when it's intended to see the world. Glad we share the same philosophy on that.

Originally Posted by Subterranean

Wow ,what a beautiful watch.looks amazing

It's especially nice knowing my grandfather wore it for many decades. Looking forward to wearing it for many more.