5512 Ex-Navy Diver help

[Tommy_PP]

Hi,
Just acquired 5512 Exclamation Point PCG Gilt unpolished 5512 from retired Navy diver. Minute hand is missing some radium and no pearl dot on the bezel. Leave it or fix it? How is radium relume, using different material to fill in? How about pearl dot - where to look for and what material did they come in 1961/62?

Thanks

[Tommy_PP]

5512

[Dan S]

Bit of a bait-and-switch thread title. :-)

Looks like a nice find, although we really can't see much in that photo. There is no particular place to find the bezel pearl, you will just have to hunt like the rest of us. The radium lume obviously can't be replaced, but you have some choices. You can have it stabilized and leave it as is. You may be able to find someone to attempt to fill the missing sections with a compound of matching color. You can have the lume removed entirely from that hand and replaced with color matched lume. Or you can have the lume revoved from all the hands and replaced with color matched lume. It's your choice entirely.

In your place, I would seriously consider just stabilizing the lume and stopping there.

[dhknola]

Good advice from Dan.
Pick you deity and say it aloud, whew, what a watch.

[dhknola]

Catch of many life times there.

[Tommy_PP]

Thank you guys, really happy with this find. Original owner is writing me a letter as well as attaching copy of his diving school cert.

I will leave it the way it it, only do a stabilization of hands, no relume no adding anything to cover it. Keeping the story alive

[hutch300]

I'd think you could find a pip on the VRF. Polywatch that crystal! What a cool watch!

[mineral]

Originally Posted by Tommy_PP

Hi,
Just acquired 5512 Exclamation Point PCG Gilt unpolished 5512 from retired Navy diver. Minute hand is missing some radium and no pearl dot on the bezel. Leave it or fix it? How is radium relume, using different material to fill in? How about pearl dot - where to look for and what material did they come in 1961/62?

Thanks

Nice find. Love the condition. The lume material is radium. The correct insert should be long 5 insert mark 2. Ask the owner if he changed the insert? Otherwise the aged mark 3 insert goes well with the overall worn condition too.

Congrats.


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[fmc000]

Amazing find. I agree with just stabilizing the lume and polishing the plexy. That dial under there looks really promising but I'm no expert, so...

Just keep it hundreds of miles away from any Rolex Service Center or any polishing wheel.

[77T]

Interesting concho band - sign of a guy who wasn’t whimpering about wearing out the original oyster one.

If you wish to have it stabilized, maybe the Ridley’s?

There is always a risk that the existing acrylic crystal could be damaged if it has seized to the midcase.

Nothing wrong with replacing it if a NOS can be sourced.


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[Arnozerosix]

Originally Posted by 77T

Nothing wrong with replacing it if a NOS can be sourced.


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--> true dome....

[zapokee]

Needs the proper bracelet.

Historically it looks like this style was fitted by owners who didn't know what they were holding, although I do understand it's about military pride.

[Eric88]

Nice watch! You could check with LA WatchWorks regarding the lume stabilization and also about the bezel pip. A few years ago they were able to install a proper patinated pip in one of my Subs and I was very pleased with the outcome. They could also have a look under the hood to see if any service might be needed to keep it ticking for years to come.

[Dan S]

Reproduction pips are available on eBay for $50-$100, depending on whether they are uncolored or already colored. They look basically ok to the naked eye if you're not an expert. Better than nothing to fill the hole. A legit tritium pip will cost you at least $300 these days, if you can find one. I buy them whenever I see them.

[Dom9]

Would these fill a little hole, so to speak?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374725078892

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275975576812

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Dom9

Would these fill a little hole, so to speak?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374725078892

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275975576812

Honestly, if absolutely necessary, I would prefer to use a color-matched aftermarket pearl than an authentic superluminova pearl, because the latter just looks badly mismatched. Others may disagree. In practice, however, I've always left a hole unfilled until I was able to hunt down an old tritium pearl.

[LateLearner]

Would love to see UV pics.

Bonus for Geiger reading pics.

Just awesome!


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[Tommy_PP]

Hi guys,

Thank you. Owner doesn’t recall any service, therefore no bezel replace, but he also mentioned that it’s been 60 years, so could have missed something. Regarding polywatch-already done it and dial looks beautiful.

Pip-watch is from 1962 as all you know dial is radium, was tritium material used on original pip? I would love to source all period correct.

Also do have 7206 bracelet, but it’s missing 80 endlinks (he remember that their failed during his service) that’s why owner swop it to this fancy silver custom band.

[Tommy_PP]

Here you go

[Dan S]

The dial looks really beautiful with the polished crystal.

I think that the correct insert is probably more important than the pearl, TBH. Look for a MK2 long-5. If it has a radium pearl, that's great I guess, but that combination could be pretty limiting.

Given that the insert has been changed at some point, have you had the chance to check everything carefully, inside and out?

[Tommy_PP]

Yes, it’s 5512 between lugs and 8,12x,xxx serial. Didn’t open it yet as nobody close by wants to play with radium. Sending it next week to vintage Rolex specialists on east coast and he will take some pics of movement and case back

What insert is currently on? Period? Service replacement?

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Tommy_PP

Yes, it’s 5512 between lugs and 8,12x,xxx serial. Didn’t open it yet as nobody close by wants to play with radium. Sending it next week to vintage Rolex specialists on east coast and he will take some pics of movement and case back

What insert is currently on? Period? Service replacement?

I guess you mean 812xxx serial, 6 digits. I was thinking more about the movement, which should be chronometer-grade, but I guess the watchmaker will tell you.

The insert appears to be from the 70s at first glance, but I didn't study it super carefully.

[Tommy_PP]

Yes, sorry obviously 6 digits serial.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Tommy_PP

Also do have 7206 bracelet, but it’s missing 80 endlinks (he remember that their failed during his service) that’s why owner swop it to this fancy silver custom band.

80 end links should be fairly easy to source.

[tekno]

That’s a great watch. Stabilize the hands, get so and so to replace the pip and it will be perfect.

If you got a 9315 or 93150 it would be perfect. If you have Instagram, there is a cool nato strap maker in Honk Kong, faux vintage straps. I can share his info.


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[Dom9]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155738549...mis&media=COPY

Tritium I it says!

[Tommy_PP]

I will stabilize all hands for sure, service the movement and source 80 endlinks and that’s about it. Regarding the bezel, I will keep it the way the original owner left it with me. It was his tool watch during his diving so I will remain its soul.

Can you please share his instagram. Vintage military Nato/perlon is exactly what I am looking for.

Thank you all!

Originally Posted by tekno

That’s a great watch. Stabilize the hands, get so and so to replace the pip and it will be perfect.

If you got a 9315 or 93150 it would be perfect. If you have Instagram, there is a cool nato strap maker in Honk Kong, faux vintage straps. I can share his info.


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[Michaeli Paulo]

Fantastic!

As for the bezel, it looks great; I prefer the old bezels and it's amazing how well it's held up all those years! I also love the domed crystals and yours turned out great!

Congratulations!

[tekno]

Originally Posted by Michaeli Paulo

Fantastic!

As for the bezel, it looks great; I prefer the old bezels and it's amazing how well it's held up all those years! I also love the domed crystals and yours turned out great!

Congratulations!

https://instagram.com/keep_em_rollin...ZhOTFlYzFmZQ==


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[Gerry62]

Looks great ! Stunning congrats