Is it evil to do this to a vintage Rolex?

YVR785
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IMG_6361.webp


Datejust 16030 with lots of sentimental value given by family member. The tritium dial and hands are tarnished and hardly legible (water damage on both). Runs great, previously serviced and cal. 3035 overhauled in 2017 by Rolex (no new parts/polish).

I’m thinking about replacing the dial and hands now to freshen it up. SC gave me these options (+ full service required):

IMG_6360.webp

I’ll lose the open 6 and 9 datewheel, in addition to the tritium dial and hands.

Should I do this for a sum of $2,100? Dilemma is between making it wearable vs. keeping its old charm and sentimental value of the family member. What would you do?
 
Mark020
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Lot of money for a servicedial. I’d swap but not for a brand new dial (and service at an independent)
 
blufinz52
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I'd go with the -31, but that's just me.
 
YVR785
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Mark020 Mark020
Lot of money for a servicedial. I’d swap but not for a brand new dial (and service at an independent)
Very fair point, but no independent has parts in my city. Genuine dial and hands on eBay are going to set me back ~$1,000. Not to mention the Rolex service gives you a new crystal, service card and warranty. It’s a tough choice between cost, parts back. It would suck loosing the original dial and datewheel.
 
YVR785
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blufinz52 blufinz52
I'd go with the -31, but that's just me.
It’s either 31 or 68. A tough choice between the two as well.
 
Mark020
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YVR785 YVR785
Genuine dial and hands on eBay are going to set me back ~$1,000
Sounds high. Anyway: then 31
 
Knebo
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From the choices you ate given, I'd say -68 because it's most like the original, no ?
 
YVR785
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Knebo Knebo
From the choices you ate given, I'd say -68 because it's most like the original, no ?
68 would definitely be the closest to the original.
 
Larry S
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I vote 68 and its your watch. I say go for the factory spa treatment.
 
Davidt
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Isn’t the original dial grey? If you’re changing I’d say 51.

However, as to whether you should:shouldn’t change it, I’d need a much better picture of the current dial to form an opinion. The one picture we have is really poor and it’s impossible to confirm the condition of the dial.
 
YVR785
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Larry S Larry S
I vote 68 and its your watch. I say go for the factory spa treatment.
Would it bother you losing the original dial, hands and datewheel? Rolex doesn’t return parts like Omega.
 
Larry S
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YVR785 YVR785
Would it bother you losing the original dial, hands and datewheel? Rolex doesn’t return parts like Omega.
No…Only because this model was so subject to customization and made in such huge quantifies that what really matters is that it’s that it’s your watch and you like it.
 
Knebo
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YVR785 YVR785
Here’s a couple closer looks (natural light and under direct light):
IMG_6374.webp IMG_6375.webp
The dial is a stunner and would have patina’d beautifully if it weren’t for water intrusion. Shame.

(Oh and check out that open “9”… they don’t make em like that anymore)

Oh wow, that actually looks cool. On the initial picture, it looked like the dial was fully gone.

Hmm, this changes my personal opinion (just mine!).

If you find someone skilled in restorations, a lot can be saved here. The hands can be polished and replated. Same for the hour markers. The dial itself is a pretty cool "starry night". The datewheel can probably be cleaned as well. The most tricky bit would be the dial edge between 4 and 6 o'clock (and 11?).
 
Emeister
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YVR785 YVR785
Very fair point, but no independent has parts in my city. Genuine dial and hands on eBay are going to set me back ~$1,000. Not to mention the Rolex service gives you a new crystal, service card and warranty. It’s a tough choice between cost, parts back. It would suck loosing the original dial and datewheel.
I don't know anything about Rolex but what would happen if you sent them the watch for service after you'd already had the sentimental dial and datewheel removed?
That's a question for anyone knowledgeable, not just directed at yourself @YVR785
Alternatively could they be 'replaced' prior to service with the cheapest possible parts if Rolex are going to remove and, presumably, destroy them?
 
YVR785
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Knebo Knebo
Oh wow, that actually looks cool. On the initial picture, it looked like the dial was fully gone.

Hmm, this changes my personal opinion (just mine!).

If you find someone skilled in restorations, a lot can be saved here. The hands can be polished and replated. Same for the hour markers. The dial itself is a pretty cool "starry night". The datewheel can probably be cleaned as well. The most tricky bit would be the dial edge between 4 and 6 o'clock (and 11?).
I’ve looked into this, and no one wants to touch it with a ten-foot pole. The hands and indices are lacquered, and they can’t be polished off. Every watchmaker I’ve consulted told me to leave them as is.

I appreciate your opinion on the dial. It has developed a patina unique to blue dial Rolexes of the age. It would have looked stunning without the water intrusion.
 
YVR785
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Emeister Emeister
I don't know anything about Rolex but what would happen if you sent them the watch for service after you'd already had the sentimental dial and datewheel removed?
That's a question for anyone knowledgeable, not just directed at yourself @YVR785
Alternatively could they be 'replaced' prior to service with the cheapest possible parts if Rolex are going to remove and, presumably, destroy them?
I’ve already asked. They wouldn’t take it without the dial. It has to be a complete watch.

I contemplated sending them the watch without the dial and hands!

Edit: this really made me appreciate Omega’s customer-centric approach of sending parts back.
Edited:
 
Knebo
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YVR785 YVR785
I’ve looked into this, and no one wants to touch it with a ten-foot pole. The hands and indices are lacquered, and they can’t be polished off. Every watchmaker I’ve consulted told me to leave them as is.

I appreciate your opinion on the dial. It has developed a patina unique to blue dial Rolexes of the age. It would have looked stunning without the water intrusion.

Where are you based? US, Europe?
This isn't a job for any watchmaker. They have to be true specialists.
 
YVR785
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Knebo Knebo
Where are you based? US, Europe?
This isn't a job for any watchmaker. They have to be true specialists.
Canada. I’d appreciate any leads.
 
Knebo
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sorry,
YVR785 YVR785
Canada. I’d appreciate any leads.

sorry, don't know any watchmakers on your side of the Atlantic.
"TruePatina" is ridiculously expensive and I'm not sure he'd actually do this kind of repair. "Kirk Rich Dial Co." don't seem to repair, but basically just re-do dials (i.e. take all paint off and repaint).
 
Larry S
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Knebo Knebo
sorry,


sorry, don't know any watchmakers on your side of the Atlantic.
"TruePatina" is ridiculously expensive and I'm not sure he'd actually do this kind of repair. "Kirk Rich Dial Co." don't seem to repair, but basically just re-do dials (i.e. take all paint off and repaint).
Indeed … by the time an independent is done with this beyond movement service, you are closing in on what the crown is quoting. It’s too bad about the stain ( just noticed the better pics) .. That stain means that this watch was neglected and is in urgent need of an overhaul.
 
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