The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[Kaplan]

Re: the above, the single piece strap is a ZULU, while the double piece is a NATO. I prefer ZULU straps myself.

This is not correct (even though some on-line sources claim so). At least it's not universally true that Zulu straps are from a single piece, as a quick search will show. But they can be made with a single strap:

ZULU Strap vs NATO Strap Difference

Difference Between ZULU and NATO Strap

www.natozulu.com

What seems to be the unifying quality of Zulu straps is the chunkier hardware.

Timefactors, where I've bought my NATOs and single piece straps from, call their single piece straps for "RAF pattern straps" (they're still listed on the site under their NATO models).

 

[Kaplan]

On the hollow link oyster bracelets, have anyone of you heard about a refinishing / refurbishing service for these? I met the guy who does the repairs here (which I actually hadn't bothered to look up until right now) - if I understood him correctly the bracelet comes back feeling almost like new, which may require some addition of material (welding on and polishing?) to achieve.

Apart from any dive in resale value from not being all original, what are your thoughts on this?

 

[Journeyman]

On the hollow link oyster bracelets, have anyone of you heard about a refinishing / refurbishing service for these?

Michael Young of Classic Watch Repair in Hong Kong has a very good reputation for refurbishing Rolex bracelets. He is very well-known for tightening-up sagging bracelets.

He's got very good reviews on various watch-related internet fora.

Classic Watch Repair

Watch repair and restoration specialists who care for both inner mechanics and exterior aesthetics. Rooted from support by worldwide vintage Rolex collector's communities for our watch band restoration services, we have evolved into a full-service center for watches and clocks of all sorts, be it vi

www.classicwatchrepair.com

 

[Kaplan]

^ From a quick glance it looks like they do something similar to the bracelets as the site I linked - but at a lower price. It looks like they offer an Oyster bracelet restoration for $180 (which seems really cheap for the work that must go into it).

I just called Classic390 and their price for restoring a bracelet in steel (using the same 904L steel as Rolex, where necessary) is $550 - which actually seems quite reasonable. Might be worth it for by nearly 30 year old sub bracelet.

 

[Dino944]

^ From a quick glance it looks like they do something similar to the bracelets as the site I linked - but at a lower price. It looks like they offer an Oyster bracelet restoration for $180 (which seems really cheap for the work that must go into it).

I just called Classic390 and their price for restoring a bracelet in steel (using the same 904L steel as Rolex, where necessary) is $550 - which actually seems quite reasonable. Might be worth it for by nearly 30 year old sub bracelet.

I have heard of oyster bracelets being restored, although I had more commonly heard of it on old jubilees (with hollow center links) or Day Date bracelets (as gold is so soft) that have lots of stretch and need restoration.

I doubt having the bracelet restored impacts the value of the watch the same way as having the case restored/refinished. People generally value a watch having its original case finish and beveled edges. Bracelets especially with big flat links like an oyster it is probably less of an issue. Where that becomes an issue is something like an Oysterquartz bracelet or RO bracelet.

Before, restoring your old bracelet, just for the hell of it, I would call Rolex USA (if you are in the US) and ask how much a replacement bracelet would cost. If its not that much more than the restoration, you might be able to simply buy a new bracelet and keep the original (provided you do not send it to them on a bracelet...Rolex US only replaces parts on a trade in basis, but if you supply it on a cheap leather strap or no strap...what can they do?

 

[Neville Southall]

Guess what. Got this ************* back from the factory. Took two months to fix and they didn’t charge me a dime. Who ******* cares.

 

[Kaplan]

I have heard of oyster bracelets being restored, although I had more commonly heard of it on old jubilees (with hollow center links) or Day Date bracelets (as gold is so soft) that have lots of stretch and need restoration.

I doubt having the bracelet restored impacts the value of the watch the same way as having the case restored/refinished. People generally value a watch having its original case finish and beveled edges. Bracelets especially with big flat links like an oyster it is probably less of an issue. Where that becomes an issue is something like an Oysterquartz bracelet or RO bracelet.

Before, restoring your old bracelet, just for the hell of it, I would call Rolex USA (if you are in the US) and ask how much a replacement bracelet would cost. If its not that much more than the restoration, you might be able to simply buy a new bracelet and keep the original (provided you do not send it to them on a bracelet...Rolex US only replaces parts on a trade in basis, but if you supply it on a cheap leather strap or no strap...what can they do?

I'm in Europe, where I believe that, at least earlier, Rolex was less severe with restrictions on replacement parts - but I don't know if that has changed to be more uniform worldwide.

Getting a quote on a new bracelet does makes sense before going ahead with a restoration.

 

[Dino944]

I'm in Europe, where I believe that, at least earlier, Rolex was less severe with restrictions on replacement parts - but I don't know if that has changed to be more uniform worldwide.

Getting a quote on a new bracelet does makes sense before going ahead with a restoration.

Yes, it seems in many parts of Europe, Rolex service centers have been much more lax about replacing parts and they didn't make people do it on a trade in basis. Wishing you luck with whatever you decide on the bracelet.

 

[Dino944]

Guess what. Got this ************* back from the factory. Took two months to fix and they didn’t charge me a dime. Who ******* cares.
View attachment 1433990

Wow, 2 months is like a world record in speediness for them. I can remember many years ago, my Dad sent in a Nautilus for service and it took nearly 8 months to get it back. Anyway, glad to hear it all worked out for you.

 

[bdavro23]

Guess what. Got this ************* back from the factory. Took two months to fix and they didn’t charge me a dime. Who ******* cares.
View attachment 1433990

Oh man, they put a date window on your watch. What a bummer...

(I kid, I kid)

 

[Neville Southall]

Oh man, they put a date window on your watch. What a bummer...

(I kid, I kid)

Agreed. You want it?

 

[bdavro23]

Agreed. You want it?

You know what, sure I'll take it. I can use it as my landscaping watch.

 

[Neville Southall]

You know what, sure I'll take it. I can use it as my landscaping watch.

Perfect. Alternate it as a door stopper, too.

 

[tigerpac]

Throw back to when there were watch gtg's around here. CS is mine though can't fault a good CB

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I've always wondered about GTGs like Redbar. What's to stop a bad guy from finding out about it and robbing it? I don't own any watches worth five figures, but I imagine a lot of folks who attend GTGs do and would be skittish about that possibility.