My Dad’s Rolex - bracelet question

[wiscbank12]

I recently (sadly) got another Rolex when my dad passed away. It’s in great shape but the bracelet has some stretch. Does anyone have experience with places that do repairs for these? I’d rather keep his bracelet than get a replacement.

[rushca01]

Here is your guy:

https://www.rolliworks.com/services

Condolences on your father passing, I know how that feels, wear you Dad's watch in good health and to his honor.

[paxjedi]

Condolences on the passing of your father.
My dad passed away in 2016 and he left us the same two tone DJ watch as yours and also with a jubilee bracelet. Seems like it was popular during his time.
Its not as loose as yours but at some point, I know it has to be serviced and the bracelet fixed. He wore that watch on EVERYTHING he did so it is beautifully marked.

Been researching how much rolliworks charges to tighten and jubilee bracelet in bad shape and I read somewhere that it would cost about $3,500, depending on how bad it is. Just sayin. You will have to wait until March though as Rolliworks is closed for now.

Let us know how much they charged you and take some before and after pics.

.

[username_3431]

Why not send it to RSC?

[Jackie Daytona]

Sorry to hear about your father.

Purely my opinion. But despite the stretch I would just retain that bracelet and buy another separate one.

I also have my fathers watch and had the bracelet restored.

To me personally it never quite felt the same again. I realize it is his bracelet that was originally on his watch in the material sense. But after it was restored from the stretch it just felt like a different bracelet, almost if I had butchered it. Not that the work was awful or anything, a restored bracelet isn’t as good as an original Rolex one, nor does it wear like it did before.

If you were looking to retain the sentimental feel of your dads watch I would say just get separate bracelet and save the old one.

[rmwill]

Because you will have to buy a new one. This can be fixed by someone who specializes in them for a fraction of the cost.

Originally Posted by username_3431

Why not send it to RSC?

[TimeLord2]

My $0.02 worth. If it really is $3500 to repair then get a new one, definitely! I refurbed mine for about $600 (2019). However, it also depends on the type of bracelet. It is hard to tell from your pictures, is it a Swiss made bracelet or oval link American made bracelet? American made is harder and more expensive to refurbish. For both it also depends on how badly the actual links are worn, as in divits in the gold links from rubbing against the steel links… I had my American made oval link gold and stainless jubilee rebuild by Rolliworks. They did a good job given how worn the bracelet was I suppose…

That said, Many of the links could have been replaced to make it look like new but I refrained from doing so simply because of the cost of replacing the gold links. It is functional and they reoriented the links in the bracelet so the wear marks are in different locations. If I were to do it again, I would simply buy one in better condition off of EBAY for $1500-$2500 or purchase new from Rolex and retire the original. It is by no means perfect. Granted at magnification it looks a lot worse (yes, that is after the rebuild.). I can barely notice it otherwise but I am picking up a new pair of glasses this weekend! A picture for you!

[Yachtbuoy]

Honestly, I'd just leave it. It's an older bracelet and unless it's falling apart (it probably isn't) there's nothing wrong with that level of stretch. My 1603 is on a completely fanged jubilee with stretch that would make most TRF posters eyes water but it's fine and very comfy.

[2001jesper]

Originally Posted by rushca01

Here is your guy:

https://www.rolliworks.com/services

Condolences on your father passing, I know how that feels, wear you Dad's watch in good health and to his honor.

Your answer was in post no 1. Get it fixed and enjoy wearing your fathers watch

Condolences on your father passing as well

[LoveTheCrown]

My sincere condolences. Unfortunately, I recently became a member of the same sh’ty club. My Father passed in October and he left me two watches: a Daytona zenith and a yellow gold Presidential from the ‘80’s (exact date unknown). The Daytona badly needed service and I sent it to Rolex. They contacted me before making any repairs to ask what I wanted and what I did not. They offered to replace the dial, bracelet and hands in addition to a good cleaning and tuning of the movement. I had them tune and clean the movement but kept the dial, watch, and bracelet as-is for sentimental reasons. Good luck with yours and wear it proudly. I think of my Father every day and enjoy being able to look at my wrist and knowing he is with me in some fashion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[statsman]

I sent a badly stretched old rivet oyster bracelet to Michael Young. He rebuilt it, repaired a few links, replaced a couple of missing pieces and got it looking and feeling great. From memory, two years ago, it was about $500, with another $100 for mailing?

[vesnyder]

I had mone done by Michael Young as well and money well spent. I did not want a new one as I had owned a simialr Datejust for 35+ years. Not sure where the guy came up with the $3,500 estimate - mine was about $500 two years ago. I've alos heard good things about Rolliworks.

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by vesnyder

I had mone done by Michael Young as well and money well spent. I did not want a new one as I had owned a simialr Datejust for 35+ years. Not sure where the guy came up with the $3,500 estimate - mine was about $500 two years ago. I've alos heard good things about Rolliworks.

Michael Young at Classic Watch Repair in Hong Kong does superb work. Not sure whether I can post a link to his site as I haven't been around here for a while, but check him out.

[joli160]

I would have it fixed by Rolliworks instead of buying a new one, regardless costs.
New has never been your dads.

Sending it to MY is something I would think twice about. See below recent experience.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=817689

[hutch300]

Rolliworks is the spot once they open back up after their move. MY no longer has the rep he once had. I'd avoid him.

[TimeLord2]

I can understand the attachment since it is your father's watch. I got this one from my dad too almost 32 years ago, and that's why I had it refurbished. I am very fortunate that he is still around. Very sorry for your loss.

[TomLou]

Originally Posted by paxjedi

Been researching how much rolliworks charges to tighten and jubilee bracelet in bad shape and I read somewhere that it would cost about $3,500, depending on how bad it is. Just sayin. You will have to wait until March though as Rolliworks is closed for now.

Let us know how much they charged you and take some before and after pics.

.

I hope the $3500 is the wrong figure.
To tighten a lose jubilee bracelet do not pay more than 250-400

[Bizcut1]

Absolutely Rolliworks +1.