Thoughts on this No Date Sub

[BROGG]

I'm going to probably buy this No Date Sub tomorrow. The watch belongs to a friend of mine and he has worn it everyday for many many years. The watch has never been serviced and is probably considered in below average condition. For $4500 I think its worth it.

Thoughts on the watch?

I'm thinking I'll send it in and let Rolex Service Center do it's thing. Im prepared for a new crystal, bracelet, and bezel. I know it takes away the originality, but I don't think it's going to be a collectible piece. I just want a nice clean no date to wear for another 30 years.

What do you think service will cost? Im guessing $2k to 3k?

Any thoughts of insight on it?

 

[hanski]

Would the service center take in the watch without the parts you want/expect to be replace? In other words, instead of losing these parts to Rolex, could you remove then send in?
You could choose to keep/sell the parts while getting new ones.
If this is indeed plausible, dibs!
=)

 

[tripdog]

It's in good condition for it's age - just look at the coronet on the clasp, which is one of the first things to go. You have the original serif insert too, just replace the crystal if it's scratched.

I would keep it all original and have the case and bracelet refinished by a professional - nothing uglier than a vintage watch with service parts stuck all over it.

 

[BROGG]

I like your insight and appreciate the advice. I think I will take your advice. I didn't know about the serif dials until you said something. Rolex I think does listen on whether or not you are willing to replace esthetic parts. Im pretty sure I can ask for the movement service, polish, and a crystal if deemed necessary.

 

[perfecto71]

I think its a great looking watch showing some nice signs of its age. These 5 digit subs are actually becoming more collectible and $4500 is a great price.

A Rolex service on just the movement will you about $800. I would consider finding a more local vintage watch specialist.. they are normally much cheaper and more respectful in regards to the history of the piece. That being said if you instruct Rolex not to replace the insert, hands or dial they will contact you before doing so. They will then refuse to service if the hands or dial are deemed to need replacement though.

 

[BROGG]

If they did do a service dial I assume it would be superlumanova and read 'swiss made' at the bottom? Does the new service crystal have the coronet etched into the glass? My biggest worry is the dial. I really like the tritium dial! Hmm. Well maybe I'll send it in and see what I can get away with. I've heard Rolex is listening to their customers wishes a bit more these days???

 

[BROGG]

What are the odds of this watch/model being a replica? I just went through a bad experience on buying a 16610 and sending it to Rolex only having it sent back saying it was non genuine.

From what I have researched it seems like there aren't any real good 14060 replica watches being made at the moment. Also the tritium dial and the serif dial, that tripdog pointed out, does that help seal the deal that its a strong candidate to be a genuine watch?

 

[p0pperini]

I’m sure the experts here would have made it immediately clear to you if anything visible in the photos wasn’t gen.

If your friend has had it for many years, it’s highly unlikely that the movement has been replaced with a rep one. And in the unlikely event that turned out to be the case, then I’d assume your friend would refund you? If he’s thrusting the watch at you while shouting “NO REFUNDS!” then you might want to think again...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BROGG]

I appreciate your insight and you are right. My friend has had for a long long time and to be honest I reached out to him to see if he would be interested in letting it go. He has had it for so long that the watch is no big deal to him anymore. I will report back later tonight if and when I buy it today.

 

[tripdog]

What are the odds of this watch/model being a replica?

Zero.

 

[BROGG]

I appreciate the info and your expertise. Lots of inns and outs in the luxury watch world. I'm going to take your advice on just a polish and service and see how far Rolex will go with a request to leave the dial/hands bezel etc. Ill take some more pics and post them tonight. Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[Rx4Time]

I'm just going to offer this last bit of thought....If it's keeping time well and has a good power reserve why spend the money at this point to have it serviced. If and when an issue arises, at that point you can send it out for repair. No point in spending money when not needed. I definitely wouldn't want them to swap out that beautiful dial. That's one thing you'll regret doing.

 

[BROGG]

I thought I would update my thread. I sent the watch in through my AD and 10 days later Rolex Service Center in Dallas called them with their service plan:

New Bracelet: $1250
Full Service and polish: $750
New Crystal $60 ish
New Crown $70 ish

They were happy to keep the original dial, hands, and bezel. The watch was in rough shape. I think these items are all necessary and is a good balance between making it presentable and usable, but at the same time keeping it's original character. I don't think the watch is ever going to be really really collectable, but I am happy to preserve the patina of the lume. They said another 8-9 weeks to get it back. Very excited to finally wear this watch! I'll keep the thread updated!

 

[BROGG]

Anybody know if genuine tritium bezel inserts are still around? When I talked to Rolex they said the new bezel insert would be superlumanova IF I went that route. I kept the dial and hands so obviously I kept the bezel insert, but I would like to replace it if there are some NOS around. I've seen a few new gen bezel inserts on eBay, but nobody will get back to me on weather it's tritium or not. Any ideas?