Nanuq Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 I took my old Sea Dweller in to the local Rolex AD and had them mount a gen Superdome T-39, the last step in restoring it to all-original condition. They picked the best of my stash of crystals and put 'er together, and boy does she shine! So yesterday I took her back for a pressure and seals test, and she failed immediately. Huh?? He decased the movement and ran the pressure check against the case/back/crystal/crown only, and there was a HUGE leak at the 5:00 position, where the ring compresses the crystal onto the case. Inspection under a loupe revealed the case, rehaut and retention ring to be in perfect condition, so we concluded that the crystal itself is stiff, perhaps brittle, from age. She's no longer waterproof. So it's the end of an era. This one served as the diving timer for an instructor and master diver, and has been on the bottom of every sea and ocean for almost 39 years. Now it's time to rest ... no more swimming for the old girl. Although I'll miss knowing that she's ready for anything I can throw at her, she earned it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 I think you should sell it then Man what a wonderful run it had! 39 years! Now that's a fantastic piece to hand down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoTone Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 @B I love the story behind this piece and how you acquired it... And the fact that I've held it [and attempted to try it on but it wouldn't fit] even makes it that much more special... Make sure to wear 'er occasionally, she needs the company... M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 Imagine if we could get 39 years out of our washing machine, fridge, TV...... I think she has earned her rest. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 She looks great. I wonder if a newer more "Flexi-Plexi" Superdome (if you can find one) would solve the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subbiesrock Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 She looks great. I wonder if a newer more "Flexi-Plexi" Superdome (if you can find one) would solve the problem? I think the point I it wouldn't be stock, but I happen to agree. Get her back up and diving, even if she's wearing a snorkel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris5264 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 some day we will all have the same fate and wait to see what the world will do with us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praetor Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 well, it's a documented fact that these tropic crystals will develop cracks in the bottom over time, which will make it lose its waterproofness. even NOS super dome crystals have these problems so that's why superdomes are now just for looks only. link: http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/message/1253996263/Here+is+the+lowdown+on+domed+crystals..fact+not+fiction..please+read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 How much that's worth these days? $30K? I wouldn't have nerve to swim with her anyway. PS: New crystal looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I think the point I it wouldn't be stock, but I happen to agree. Get her back up and diving, even if she's wearing a snorkel Yep, me too. Put in a new crystal and save the old one. I retired after 38 years of service, but I didn't sit on a shelf. Old soldiers don't die, they fade away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Great post. It's not the end though, it's a new beginning. Wow, does she ever look pristine (esp for a Nanuq watch) now! That dial is in tip top shape. You may just find you enjoy her more now than ever before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Don't let a silly little piece of plastic stop you, B If the case, retainer and caseback are all okay, then sorting this one out should be a snap. The best way to pay tribute to it's past is to enjoy it as much as possible in the present. I'd hate to see it go into storage just because of a crystal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Nanuq - I generally agree that it is probably best to retire the old girl from diving duty, but your experience demonstrates exactly why I left my gen T39 in its packaging & installed 1 of Clark's ($60 superdome) crystals. Fresh meat = good seal (though, with a collectible, just to be safe, I still would not dive with it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Ahhhh, scuze me for the false alarm... no way is she going into storage, she's just not going in the water any more! Just this afternoon she accompanied me up McHugh Peak with the dogs, and we did the long glissade down the snowy couloir above the house. She was covered in snow but hey... that's not really water, eh? Thanks for the kind words gents. It hurts in a strange way to have "lost" that capability she bore with pride all her life. I guess that's all I was trying to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 That dial is in tip top shape. You may just find you enjoy her more now than ever before! Roger that, the watchmaker was astounded how perfect the dial and hands are. The nice thing now is, I don't have to lick the crystal to read the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 That is quote worthy: The nice thing now is, I don't have to lick the crystal to read the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 The nice thing now is, I don't have to lick the crystal to read the time! For some reason, picturing you licking your watch conjures up the image of Jeremy Clarkson licking his new (now ex-) Ford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 For some reason, picturing you licking your watch conjures up the image of Jeremy Clarkson licking his new (now ex-) Ford Speaking of cars, I rolled up to the Rolex AD in my sparkly new vintage Land Rover and when I went inside, Connor said "I just knew that would be you in that Rover." Hey it makes sense: both are old, both are red, both can be started by hand winding them up, and both idle at 330 rpm. (Don't think I'll lick the Rover though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 If you have other crystals, I'd suggest installing one and getting the water-resistance back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 I am sure it will still see sterling service still with bob just not 20000 leuges under the sea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Licking the Rover after a cold Winters night in your part of the world would have the same result as the little boy with his tongue frozen to a pole. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Licking the Rover after a cold Winters night in your part of the world would have the same result as the little boy with his tongue frozen to a pole. It could be worse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExtraExtra Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 If you sell it, do include the highlights of the storied life of this gem.....pictures too if you have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted June 30, 2011 Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Great watch, great story - but is it really a "she"? Surely such a tough old cookie is male? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted June 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2011 Great watch, great story - but is it really a "she"? Surely such a tough old cookie is male? You know, that makes a LOT of sense. It's reliable, dependable, keeps track of time, has never lost a set of keys... By cracky, she's a HE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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