Watch Experts - Advice Needed

[MinusTheBear]

I'm not much of a watch guy, but this watch has me interested. I am looking at possibly restoring this vintage watch. However, I am having trouble finding the exact year this watch was made and looking to get more information on it. I believe it was sold in the 70's. The model is a Tudor Prince Oysterdate made by Rolex. At the top of the face it says Tudor Prince Oysterdate, at the bottom Tudor Self-Winding. On the back of the watch it has markings saying orignal oyster case by Rolex geneva. On the clasp it has a Rolex marking along with Steelinox and Patented & Registered Swiss Made. Here is a pic.

The watch works perfectly but as you can see the watch needs some cleaning/restoration - the hands as well. The dial also has a few scratches on it. The biggest problem is that a small part of clasp is missing/broken. I am guessing this will be quite expensive to restore especially fixing the band and finding parts for it. I want to know what I am getting into before proceeding any further.

Thanks for reading!

 

[majorloser]

I would be leary getting a Rolex repaired. Find an authorized service center or dealer. Then have them give it an appraisal and repair estimate. It might not be as expensive as you think to repair.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I would be leary getting a Rolex repaired. Find an authorized service center or dealer. Then have them give it an appraisal and repair estimate. It might not be as expensive as you think to repair.

+1

Get and estimate.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Good advice guys. I was thinking the same thing. You probably have to send the watch directly to them. I have no idea about costs though, just looking to maybe get some more info before proceeding. The watch definitely needs some work but I bet once cleaned up and the band fixed will be a stellar watch.

 

[billy p]

I would be leary getting a Rolex repaired. Find an authorized service center or dealer. Then have them give it an appraisal and repair estimate. It might not be as expensive as you think to repair.

I don't know about that...we sent my wifes Rolex out for repair twice in 5yrs and each time it cost us about $500.00..that and the fact it couldn't keep proper time...she tradred it in for a new Tag.

 

[billy p]

Good advice guys. I was thinking the same thing. You probably have to send the watch directly to them. I have no idea about costs though, just looking to maybe get some more info before proceeding. The watch definitely needs some work but I bet once cleaned up and the band fixed will be a stellar watch.

check your Rep....I left you a message.
Regards, Bill.....

 

[majorloser]

I don't know about that...we sent my wifes Rolex out for repair twice in 5yrs and each time it cost us about $500.00..that and the fact it couldn't keep proper time...she tradred it in for a new Tag.

Cheap when compared to a new Rolex, not a new watch. That's why I'd say get it appraised along with a repair estimate. And get more than one. No sense fixing something that ain't worth the hassle. Unless it has some sentimental value.

The problem will be finding a reputable shop. Rolex's are known for getting the guts replaced with something lesser. They're also known for getting low ball appraisals since almost any pawn shop deals in them.

 

[billy p]

Cheap when compared to a new Rolex, not a new watch. That's why I'd say get it appraised along with a repair estimate. And get more than one. No sense fixing something that ain't worth the hassle. Unless it has some sentimental value.

The problem will be finding a reputable shop. Rolex's are known for getting the guts replaced with something lesser. They're also known for getting low ball appraisals since almost any pawn shop deals in them.

Fixing a Rolex is like repairing a Ferrari...it won't come cheap. I'd certainly get an estimate that's for sure, but any reputable jeweller will only act as a middle man and not touch the inners of that watch.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Thanks guys, I'll post a pic of the band/clasp later tonight. I don't think it will be cheap to fix - even for such a small part.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Here is a picture of the entire watch.

Here is a picture of the broken part of the clasp. There is a tiny little piece broken off at the very end to right.

 

[nibhaz]

Minus,

The price of the repair is going to depend on you…what I mean is, the part you are showing to be broken can probably be replaced with a non-Rolex part, as there is a plethora of Rolex knockoff parts to be found.

Personally, with that part being located in a non- visible location while the watch is actually being worn this would be an option I would consider if it kept the watch within my price range.

Either way I would still have a reputable person check the internals of the watch to ensure you are actually getting a Rolex movement. Furthermore, you should probably keep in mind that a Rolex is nothing more a status symbol, as the cheapest quartz Timex will keep more accurate time than any automatic.

Don’t take offense to last statement as it is coming from an automatic watch owner, but it is a Tissot rather than a Rolex. I just like the idea of wearing something that represents mechanical precision and craftsmanship… a throwback to a simpler day and age if you will.

 

[itschris]

Find an authorized dealer/repair. DO NOT let anyone else work on the watch. There are specific things to the watch that require some training and knoweledge. You'll be told by repair guys that they can do it... they're wrong.

A simple tune costs about $400 but it's a thorough endeavor ... a lot is done. The newer ones need it less, but the older ones require a bit more care. The common thing is that the oils dry up. The more you wear it however, the better it will be. All to often, people get a Rolex and they never wear it. The oils dry up and it's starts having probelems. I try to wear mine and switch them oiut a few days out of the week. Mine have always kept good time. You may also want to get a watch winder. If you're not gonna wear it for a while, put it in the box and let the box rock it back and forth. It helps the longevity since these watches wnat to be worn.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I am not worried about authenticity. It is the real deal. This watch was willed to my father and he hasn't worn it in 25-30 years. To this day the watch runs fine. He doesn't know many specifics about the watch either but when I talked to him last night he said it is probably a 60's model. I also noticed another marking on the back that has the number 61 . Maybe that has to do with the year it was made?

 

[billy p]

Hey MTB..just for the record that Rolex was given to my wife, by a former boyfreind...just for the record of course....

 

[itschris]

Hey MTB..just for the record that Rolex was given to my wife, by a former boyfreind...just for the record of course....

It's definately a nice timepiece and worth the investment to have to gone through and brought back to life.

btw - don't let any give you crap about owning a Rolex. It's a very fine watch. True, there are better ones out there but few continue to hold their value and their cache for any period of time, let alone as long as Rolex. The watch will never be out of style and will always be in demand. I love watches and love all of mine, but as much as I do like them, I can say that most will never get me back anything near what I paid for them and certainly not so 20 years from now.