jimcon11

$114... I'm Macgyver over here, I only work with the tools I have around the house. That said, I just cracked the sidewall of both new GS crystals I received . First one cracked the second I tried pressing the bezel on. I thought "better be careful with the second one" and spent some time sanding and polishing the edge to reduce the diameter a little. Pressed on the bezel a lot more gently.. still wouldn't snap on.. gave it a bit more force.. heard tiny pinprick sounds, and sure enough it's cracked too. I'm pretty annoyed, they're supposed to be Tropic 11 replacements and that's definitely the type for this watch, I can't believe how weak they were. Now I guess I can spend some time reshaping the Sub crystal I have that weirdly fits this case, since another replacement crystal is a week away. Not going with GS for the next ones. I like the sound of this. So in this setup you put the watch in 90psi compressed air chamber and then take it out and dunk it in water to see if bubbles come out anywhere?

Awesome advice as usual from you guys, thanks so much New crystal should be here tomorrow so we'll see how it goes. I'll clean and de-rust in the acidic solution now and then probably try a sealant in the future after I've done a bit more research. Strange question incoming, but are there any janky DIY ways to pressure test without buying one of those expensive chambers? Admittedly the peace of mind of "it sat at the bottom of the sink for a while and didn't leak" is not spectacular. I find the whole subject of waterproofing watches so fascinating.

I get that totally. Luckily this is a $500 movement (which I already have a spare of) not a $2500.. to me it's worth the risk if I don't have to worry about being caught in a thunderstorm or my niece pushing me in the pool Thanks mate, your experience always shines through in your posts. Just today I was wondering what PA stands for in the GS nomenclature. The reference is 7909, fairly common, but I have an update on the situation. I found another crystal that fits the retaining lip in my spare parts drawer, although it's too wide for the bezel, but just for fun I popped in on the case and dunked it without the bezel and didn't get any leaks after an hour of bottom time in the sink. So I think the issue is in-fact with the original crystal I have, not the corrosion. Hopefully when my new Tropic 11 gets here I'll be good to go, I already replaced the caseback and crown gaskets. Now I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to prevent the corrosion from getting worse.. is there some way to seal it? I've used POR15 anti-rust paint on cars but again the issue of preserving the specs of the watertight design makes me skeptical as to whether this would work. Maybe just settle for rinsing it off if I sweat too much or happen into the ocean? Here's the watch by the way, strap suggestions also welcome (waterproof)

I recently picked up a 50s Tudor with Oyster case in great condition and naturally my first inclination was to take the movement out and give the case a nice submergence to see how it holds up. Despite having what looks like a new crystal, I immediately noticed a droplet and then growing bead of water forming along the rehaut.. ok we have a problem here. I popped the bezel off (which fits nice and tight, no issue there) and pressed out the crystal from inside. I noticed the top of the case and crystal retaining lip were a little dirty, so I mixed up a baking soda solution and scrubbed for a while. Some of the grime was not coming off, and I looked under a loupe and realized it's not dirt, there's a fair amount of corrosion or pitting on the retaining lip. Pics attached are the best I could get. It doesn't seem like a lot to me, but I'm guessing it's enough to break the tension seal of the crystal. I have a couple new Tropic 11 crystals coming in the mail just to confirm my crystal isn't bad, but assuming the problem is the pitting, how do I proceed from here? I'm guessing I need to sand and polish but I'm afraid to since the watertight design depends on the retaining ring having exact dimensions. Anyone have an idea of a safe procedure to follow? I can always just avoid water.. but that's no fun, and the rest of the watch is in such great shape that it would be a shame to not use it as intended.

lol.. good points guys. That thread is really amusing. After one past attempt I discovered that repairing a bent hairspring will forever be beyond my level of patience and precision.

Call me a kid, but I like knowing that I'll still be able to tell time after the EMP attack from a rogue separatist group that's sure to follow in the fallout from the pandemic

Cracked rotor, how does that even happen?? Must have been some crazy temperature variation or else someone forced in an axle that didn't fit. I guess your decision depends on how much you want to keep the watch, or if there's a special lady who might want it. I was bidding on a Tudor 7809 today, the Tudor version of a "Pre-Explorer".. and I was surprised at how much it went for. I'm not sure the market has totally nosedived yet.

Haha, the old "movement not running but balance swings freely"

It doesn't look like a Rolex insert to me. The bezel diameter is just a little small for the watch and I think a RSC would have used a 1675 type bezel as a replacement. Better pics of the bezel profile would help us. EDIT: Just noticed Nanuq's ID of the bezel in the other thread. I would follow others advice and get the best reproduction you can find, or maybe a few of them, and try some different aging methods. This is the look you want. If this is indeed an original 6542, it's worth well over 6 figures, even without the bezel. If you were to sell the watch it -could- be worth it to get a real 6542 bezel and insert first to complete it, but most likely not in my opinion as the collectors really want everything all original to the watch.

That's not a Submariner bezel either unfortunately, or else it could be worth a good amount. But very cool watch and you should be able to find a good rep bezel and insert from the people here.

That was a good and depressing read I think the huge difference between the luxury watch industry and auto industry is that there was no catastrophic crash in the auto industry due to a functionally superior technology emerging, as happened in the "quartz crisis". A company has to take drastic measures to stay alive when it sells a product that nobody actually needs anymore, and I think that monopoly of parts, heritage consolidation, and lifestyle mysticism are results of that. The Swiss companies gambled heavily that they could transform their products into pure status objects, and won, so they are going to keep playing that hand for all it's worth. I think there's an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with this policy, seen in the huge influx of interest into vintage collecting, micro brands, and vintage detailing in new designs.. but until the world of "Instagram prestige" buyers dries up, Rolex will continue to treat us like a fortuitous cash cow instead of a valued customer. A recent example: I was able to get a watch I've wanted for years - a WW2 era Longines Weems. It has all the hallmarks of the ~1,900 issued to the Royal Air Force in early 1940, minus the case back acceptance engravings. I took a gamble and bought it anyway. I contacted Longines and they verified by serial number that it is indeed one of the RAF watches. To my amazement, Longines has kept extensive records and will share them with you at no cost. I think they simply can't afford to be as obstinate toward their collectors as Rolex is. Still, when it comes time to service this thing, it's no doubt going to a private watchmaker somewhere near me instead of returning to Longines in a boatload of Swiss francs

This beauty has so much character I see your Alaska and raise you a North Greenland

I love seeing these. I don't think I would ever buy a watch from a dealer or auction house, there's just so much known subterfuge and fabrication going on. And the whole aristocratic atmosphere they try to convey to hype up a watch is detestable.

Looks very straightforward to me. Let us see the results. +1 on checking with Ruby , you'll save a ton, although I'm not sure she has those dials.

Thirded. I was really looking forward to seeing this one done. Go ETA for now if you have to. It sounds like you may get a refund in time?

two glossy gilt chapter ring dials

Looks great, these are very cool little watches

Those Wittnauer divers are great. I've recently become interested in what are generally called "skin divers" in web listings, the smaller, Submariner inspired, squared off cases produced in the 60s by a ton of different manufacturers. The problem is you can't get them for $25 anymore! The vast majority of vintage divers have not aged well. They're beat to hell with missing or moldy looking lume all over the dial, and look as though even some slight humidity would flood them. And a lot of the designs just aren't very attractive. Most of the 3-6-9 dials out there do not do it for me. I hate the 70s baton hand look. The attractive designs in good condition definitely command a premium, $800-2000 it seems. Here's one I've really had my eye on, an early Benrus. I'd love to start a collection of off brand divers, I just get the feeling that they aren't worth what they're being offered for these days. Then you have some niche classic divers , that, while not Rolex, are going to cost you nearly as much . The ones from Gruen, Blancpain, LeCoultre, Breitling, Zenith, and of course the Seamasters. I do think the Submariner is one of the best looking divers, especially pre crown guard, but there are definitely some rivals out there.

Yeah, I agree Rolex is maintaining the niche for mechanical watches as luxury status symbols, which had arisen naturally when they were integral for daily life-- at one point the better timepiece corresponded to being able to better tell time. What I don't agree with is the supposed importance of judging people based on what's on their wrist. This writer sees the world through the shallow eyes of consumerism, shown by the mere fact he would write such an article. There are other reasons to wear a watch; chiefly for me it is the nod to history, technical achievement, artful design, and personal style. Status and wealth never factor in to it for many of us.

Cloud dial

The poster who called contemporary Rolex a jewelry company specializing in precious metal watches was spot on. They've gone so deep after the prestige image that they now carry what is to me an ugly reputation for appealing mainly to the vapid crowd of people who put prestige and the appearance of success over everything in life. Not knocking anyone who wears modern Rolex but I see very little in common between their vintage brilliance and the products they are releasing today. The designs haven't changed all that much but the spirit has.

You've heard of tropical dials but have you heard of algaefied?

Decal dial has a slate kind of look in certain light

I spotted it just barely in time I don't think I will ever get used to the big, fat, applied numbers that Rolex and many other brands put on their modern watches. They look so overbearing and unnatural to me, like a bad fake, I just don't get the trend. I don't think the functional aspect of when these markers were originally fat lume plots translates to a luxury look at all.

cherry blossoms intensify