I took my rolex abroad & we survived!

[winst]

Went to Albufeira in Portugal for just under a week with a group of mates and decided to take my Vintage 6426 on an Uncle Tropic Strap. I was torn between taking this one or my Tudor BB Pro on integrated Vangard Strap.

To be fair, the reason I took it, is it doesn’t scream Rolex - no Cyclops, no blingy bezel or bracelet, just a nice good quality functional timepiece. I also have a bit of a soft spot for it after having rescued it off eBay last year for just under £1000 from Korea where it was described as junk / for spares. It did cost me £1400 to get Rolex to restore it, but it’s a lot of watch for under £2500. In terms of comfort as well, they are my favourite watch at 35mm but appear to wear larger and nice slim case due to the 1220 Manual Wind movement.

The watch of course performed excellently and the only time I missed the BB Pro was for it’s excellent lume in dimly lit Karaoke Bars in the early hours of the morning.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cassian739]

Well done and it looks fantastic!

[rootbeer7]

Did you wear in water? I’m a recent 34mm convert too. They do wear larger, certainly with the plain bezel.

[DoricSpiker]

Looks lovely.

[brandrea]

Great choice and sounds like a fantastic trip

[winst]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Did you wear in water? I’m a recent 34mm convert too. They do wear larger, certainly with the plain bezel.

That’s a lovely Big Rose Tudor you have there Rootbeer7. I did indeed wear it In the pool fully submersed, but please bear in mind this watch had a full Rolex service last year with new gaskets and it would have been pressure tested. Unfortunately, even with a service and new gaskets / seals not all Vintage watches will be waterproof due to imperfections on the case or case back caused over time.

[996marty]

Nice looking watch and a great time of the year to be away from the UK with the dreadful weather we’ve had

[travisb]

Good looking watch! Sounds like a nice getaway.

[S’portEye]

Originally Posted by winst

That’s a lovely Big Rose Tudor you have there Rootbeer7. I did indeed wear it In the pool fully submersed, but please bear in mind this watch had a full Rolex service last year with new gaskets and it would have been pressure tested. Unfortunately, even with a service and new gaskets / seals not all Vintage watches will be waterproof due to imperfections on the case or case back caused over time.

Vintage or not, if it was pressure tested at service, it should be good for swimming. In other words, if it passes the pressure test there should not be imperfections in the case back, no?

[1William]

Nice watch.

[winst]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

Vintage or not, if it was pressure tested at service, it should be good for swimming. In other words, if it passes the pressure test there should not be imperfections in the case back, no?

Indeed, that’s why I said get it pressure tested, as just having it serviced with new gaskets is no guarantee but the pressure test will give reassurance.

[S’portEye]

Originally Posted by winst

Indeed, that’s why I said get it pressure tested, as just having it serviced wit new gaskets is no guarantee but the pressure test will give reassurance.

Got it.

Congrats on a very handsome watch.

[Calatrava r]

Very nice watch.

[winst]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. If any of you are interested, here is a link to a previous post that shows what the watch was like when I first got it:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...5&postcount=14

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by winst

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. If any of you are interested, here is a link to a previous post that shows what the watch was like when I first got it:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...5&postcount=14

What a difference. They did a great job making it look like new. Congrats.

[Guppydriver]

It looks amazing, that’s quite the bang for your buck. Glad u had a great time and enjoyed your watches on the road. As it should be.

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by winst

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. If any of you are interested, here is a link to a previous post that shows what the watch was like when I first got it:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...5&postcount=14

That´s quite amazing! Rolex did an incredible job resurrecting your watch from the dead! You were very brave buying it from ebay in the first place, but the ensuing expense was well worth it, imho! You now have a beautiful classic watch. Simple elegance. Wear it in good health for years to come! BTW...how old is it? That would interest me!

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by winst

That’s a lovely Big Rose Tudor you have there Rootbeer7. I did indeed wear it In the pool fully submersed, but please bear in mind this watch had a full Rolex service last year with new gaskets and it would have been pressure tested. Unfortunately, even with a service and new gaskets / seals not all Vintage watches will be waterproof due to imperfections on the case or case back caused over time.

Thank you. Great to see it used like this. Definitely should be water proof once it’s had RSC.

[winst]

Originally Posted by Meyrin

That´s quite amazing! Rolex did an incredible job resurrecting your watch from the dead! You were very brave buying it from ebay in the first place, but the ensuing expense was well worth it, imho! You now have a beautiful classic watch. Simple elegance. Wear it in good health for years to come! BTW...how old is it? That would interest me!

No problem Meyrin it is dated at 1971. I got it from eBay as I know that model well, as I have another 6426 which my father bought in 1977 in Malta. I knew from the pictures of the movement on eBay that it was the later 1220 like my father’s which had been serviced just a month earlier so knew all the costings. If it would have been a 1210 movement I would have stayed well clear as just a service on one of those from Rolex is about £2500 now!

[sambb]

i generally take apple watch or g shock abroad, but it is nice to see any timepiece enjoying a vacation.

[jacowestt]

What a brilliant choice! That Vintage 6426 is such a stealthy gem, and the Uncle Tropic Strap gives it that perfect laid-back vibe for a trip like Albufeira. The fact that you rescued it and restored it makes it even more special—it’s got a story and some serious character. And at under £2500 for a restored Rolex? That’s an absolute win! The BB Pro might have the lume advantage, but nothing beats the charm of a slim, manual-wind vintage piece. Sounds like it was the perfect companion for the trip!

[SudiYunus]

nice watch

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Very nice piece!

[Marcela]

What a brilliant story and the brilliant watch :-). It was meant to be!
Many congratulations and enjoy it for the best of health.