freddy333

I am not sure that any of Rolex's aims/goals have changed, but I think it is safe to say that they have refocused their marketing towards the east with less reliance on sales from the US & EU, which, traditionally, have been their target markets. And Rolex is not alone.

Thanks, All. Part of the thanks should go to JoeyB, who provided the insert.

Ubi - I still love the watch, but lose the bracelet. It belongs on a strap. Also, you mentioned that you were going to update the spacer with something custom. Any news to report on that? I have been working on something similar for ages (based on same movement), but having trouble locating a proper (replica watch, preferably with sapphire display caseback) case.

I would not post the dealer's name until/unless your bank or credit card company verifies them as the thief. 1 of the other manifestations of our modern age is hacking store & bank accounts, which was the cause of my similar credit card problems (twice). In both cases, the bank & credit card company located the criminals & dealt with them. Since then, I use a random credit card generator for all online purchases, which the bank provides (check with your bank to see if they offer a similar service).

Just past midnight & this has been on my wrist since dinner

Most of the watch parts houses sell generic gaskets & gasket sets, & you should be able to find 1 that fits.

Yes, I would definitely agree with that. At the time they were for sale, they were considered good, quality watches; mostly for professionals (in the case of Rolex tool watches). They were not budget or commodity items by any means. But neither were they treated like the icons they are today.

Actually, that is not quite accurate. True, the 62xx Daytona, being a manual-wind chronograph, was often a tough sell at the time (& often sold at a discount), but neither was it ever considered a budget model. Certainly, it was not priced anywhere near Timexes, Benrus or even early Seikos (most of which were priced between $19-$50). In 1965, a $200 watch was an expensive luxury item, even if it was also a tool watch that someone involved in a relevant trade or sport could rationalize paying its hefty price for.

Yes, just like the gen. As for fitting proper 2mm springbars, that is definitely an issue, but Yuki will fit them for you if you ask (obviously, after the bracelet is back in stock).

The problem with the wholesale frankenstein-ing of gen Rolexes is that you end up turning them into Coach bags--a nice product that is (price) accessible to all (as opposed to an exclusive luxury item). Once the price of admission falls to the level where just about anyone can afford 1, they lose their aspirational appeal & fewer people actually buy 1.

Congrads.

If the hand is resetting in different places or spinning freely around the dial as you rotate the watch, yes. If it is running when the stop-watch function is off, it is a brake problem. I posted a thread (with pics) a few years ago detailing the problem with pics that you can search out.

Assuming your hour totalizer is supposed to be functional (as opposed to a date or other function that is frozen to mimic a Daytona's stop-watch in the 'Off' position), the brake is likely either worn or maladjusted. Either case requires removal of hands/dial to fix.

Definitely, an improvement. But why not just get Yuki's 7836, which has the correct links in the 1st place

The owner must have had it done for him by an indy watchmaker. There was a lengthy discussion of that watch on a gen site & it was pretty clearly a franken since no one was able to cite a Rolex reference illustrating a gold Daytona dial in a ss case. As a matter of fact, just recently, someone on 1 of the gen sites had a different gold dial transplanted into his ss case. But, as always, anything is possible with vintage Rolex.

Interesting. Are you aware that Rolex only installed gold dials in gold cases?

Sorry to hear about the problems, but, short of apprenticing with a master watchmaker, that is the best way to learn.

Your movement will look slightly different, but, basically, the set lever has a pin that sits in a channel in the stem &, normally, it is locked into place when the locking pin or screw is engaged or tightened. In your case, the locking pin or screw was not set correctly, which allowed the locking pin to slip out of the channel in the stem & that allowed the stem to slide out of the movement. So, now, it will only slide back in to the 1st position, which is why you are unable to set the time (2nd position). With the caseback removed, you may be able to loosen the locking screw or depress the pin & reinstall the stem. If not, the movement will need to be uncased, the hands/dial removed & then the stem can be installed & the locking pin/screw properly engaged to lock the stem in place.

Either the stem was not locked in the movement & it fell out or the stem broke off. In either case, you will need to remove the caseback. In the case of the former possibility, you will need to loosen or press the stem locking device, reinsert the stem & then lock it in place. In the case of the latter possibility, you will need to purchase a new stem & install it. If you lack the tools/knowledge, I would take it to a local watchmaker (an easy fix for a watchmaker).

Rolex Bexley is only following the business model that began in Rolex New York (with the assistance of the (supposedly anti-monopolistic) US government) in the early 90s. Up until a few years ago, I could still buy parts from Bexley & other Rolex centers in the EU. But that has changed. And, unfortunately, I believe this policy (of not providing support for vintage models (those made more than 30 years ago)) is becoming Rolex company policy internationally.

The author makes some good (though a bit hackneyed, for those who have been collecting for awhile) points. However, if vintage Rolex watches/parts were cheap & easily accessible, they would be Coach. And who wants a Coach (not me). Anyone who has seen the travesties employed against vintage Rolex watches by so-called indy 'Master' watchmakers can understand why Rolex has taken such seemingly draconian measures to protect their brand. Though, as an amateur watchmaker, I can see the other side, too. After all, many competent watchmakers are being pushed out of business by Rolex's actions. What is the answer? Probably, the best option would be for Rolex to begin supporting their vintage models (like Patek & Mercedes do) with service & parts availability, at least within their own service network. That way, vintage Rolex owners would not be forced, increasingly, to turn to the dark side (non-Rolex sources) for parts & repairs.