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This is why you need to service your watch..First Polish since 1970s..


justlounging

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I was recently requested by my brother's missus to help her dad with his Rolex 1500 Oyster Perpetual Date...

For all those members who don't service their watches at their regular interval, get ready for a shocker!

Have a look at some of the before polish/servicing shots..(Warning: Rolex lovers should look away now!!)

Watch was mounted on some crappy 2 tone jubilee..bad corrosion on all links and the spring bar just broke apart on removal from the watchhead..

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On surface, watch looks like any other Rolex of its age..used but not abused..

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Close up of the dial..looks slightly faded..could be because of the plexi..

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Caseback and all its gunk..scratches galore!! :lol:

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This is however, a different story, under the 'hood..

Caseback with the perished rubber gasket (OH NO!!!)

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Yes that's bits of the gasket sitting inside the caseback..

Only means one thing when I saw that,

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Area around the movement has rust on the case..movement, according to my watchsmith, is still running strong but will require a clean/re-oil to ensure that it keeps accurate time..

Shock shock horror when the bezel/crystal was removed..

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Look how badly the rust had formed..and on the hands!!!

Anyway after a good 2 weeks, here's the end results:

I'm still waiting on a new 2 tone jubilee bracelet from Riyi (ebay) to mount on the new polished watchhead..

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New clear plexi and clean-ed up hands/dial..

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You can now clearly see the lines on the gold tapestry dial..

and I couldnt resist taking this wrist shot..

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I think i need a 2 tone watch in the watchbox.. :D

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You say that this watch was built in the 70s. So it's been used (almost every day, I presume) almost 40 years, and never serviced. Well... I would say that taking this into account, this watch was in pretty good condition. How many watches from how many brands could have survived in such conditions ? Not so many, I'm sure. Once more, evidence of reliability of Rolex watches.

And now, with the nice job done on it, it's ready to face the next 40 years. :)

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Nice clean-up. I see more and more watches in this condition where the owner went to the dealer and was told $600 for a cleaning plus parts = over a $1,000. They just turn around and keep the watch until it quits.

It's ready for years to come. Do you know how well it was keeping time?

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  • 4 weeks later...

Quick update...

After purchasing the 19mm TT Jubilee from Xu (riyi from fleabay) just before CNY, I waited patiently and got a pleasant knock on the door by the postman just 30mins ago..

A quick mount onto the watchhead and some minor adjustment to the endlinks, here's the final watch, ready to be returned to its owner..

Didnt want to unwrap the plastic on the Jubilee..will let the owner do the honors..

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