I have one. It's awesome.

Thanks for comments. It was a shock to discover it tucked away. Is schmendeler's estimate of around 10k accurate for the watch after being sent in and fixed up by Rolex?

After talking with my mom, we haven't figured out exactly which family member to which the the watch belonged. She does not remember my grandfather wearing a nice watch and I would not have pegged my grandfather as the Rolex type. We are starting to think it was passed down to him from his Aunt after her husband died, and has been in a dresser ever since.

I have never been much of a watch guy and, to be honest, wearing and expensive watch somewhat scares me. I will most likely get it fixed up because it is worth it, but its hard to put $500-1500 into a watch when, at this point in my life, I wouldn't consider spending that much on a watch.

I'm no expert, but if it's legit, that's about what they seem to go for on sites like jomashop. Someone else that knows more will probably tell you for sure.

No matter what you do with it, there's a lot of value there. Especially right now, in this very point in time, they've never been as valuable.

Hopefully it's legit.

Are you sure it's real?

Not saying that it's fake, but it looks like the gold is rubbing off which would mean gold plated. (Maybe it's the lighting?) And the caseback is stainless steel which that's incorrect caseback it should be solid gold as well.

If it's fixed up and all is original and authentic I'd say that 10k number is good maybe even more

I am not sure it is real. The stainless steel backing may be a very good indicator it's not real

Would also be odd that Grandpa had a gold Rolex and nobody seemed to know about it.

Stranger things happen of course, but add that to the list.

Here's a story about a vintage Rolex Oyster Date that is gold plated. It also has a steel back. Not saying that means your watch is legit, but those two facts don't mean that it's not. Since the watch is vintage, there is a lot more room for the unexpected.

https://isochrono.com/a-gold-plated-rolex-how-can-this-be/

very nice!

how long did they take to service it?

Remind me again. Why Hal Martin's instead of the regional Rolex repair shop?

MAROON said:

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how long did they take to service it?

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Six weeks on the nose.

AgLA06 said:

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Remind me again. Why Hal Martin's instead of the regional Rolex repair shop?

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It was recommended on this forum and I have no idea what I'm doing. Also isn't the regional repair shop in Dallas?

That Air King looks great! That would be my everyday wear.

HYC_AG said:

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AgLA06 said:

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Remind me again. Why Hal Martin's instead of the regional Rolex repair shop?

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It was recommended on this forum and I have no idea what I'm doing. Also isn't the regional repair shop in Dallas?

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Yes, but you take it to any official Rolex dealer to send on your behalf.

The rolex service department will cost an arm and a leg as well. My late father gave one of his rolexes to my brother and I, mine was a newer model that was still under warranty, but my younger brother got his awesome mid 90's two tone datejust. I took it to Ben Bridge (when they still had the rolex line) to get a factory service, and I went through with it because my dad wanted it done, but it was $7,000. Granted, the watch came out looking brand new, but it was still a tough one to swallow.

Sea Speed said:

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Seven grand?!?! Had he been using it as a hammer?

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No, but he'd never had it serviced and it needed a new glass, a new bracelet, and a ton of work to the movement itself.

Joe Boudain said:

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Sea Speed said:

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Seven grand?!?! Had he been using it as a hammer?

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No, but he'd never had it serviced and it needed a new glass, a new bracelet, and a ton of work to the movement itself.

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sounds more like a rebuild than a "service"

I'm happy with the work Hal Martin's did.

And they came in right at their estimate. $1,100 for the service/parts/repairs. No surprise $7,000 bill!

$600 service to movement, cleaning, polish
$300 crown
$60 tube
$120 crystal

TL;DR: Advice on places/people to talk to for my first time buying a decent watch.

Looking for some advice, if this isn't the place to post this I apologize (I've been following the thread for a month or so now).

I'm looking at being forced to upgrade my watch collection. I love wrist watches, always have. Right now I have 9 that I rotate through, a few dress watches in various metals and face colors and a few sport watches. I probably purchase (trade for) a new watch every 4-6 months on average.

The only watches I've ever owned are Fossil.

I got started in them as a kid because my aunt dated the CEO for a long time, so we used to get watches like they were candy. Then once I was in college and older, I realized you could trade a broken watch (or a new one for that matter) for 50% off the price of a new one, and I liked that as a form of warranty protection but also to keep the collection fresh. Also love how easily interchangeable the bands are, so I could always match leathers (belt, shoes) with any watch I wanted to wear.

Anyhow, I've never had any problem with Fossil before the last couple years. Obviously my standards aren't high, but they have wide selection and they show the time. However, they have started recently making their bracelets very very cheaply - almost feels like plastic. Rattles in a weird way when wearing, and just feels junky.

So what I'd like to know from you guys is where to begin my journey away from the only brand I've ever known, and something of a higher quality. Looking for a shop or person who can shoot me straight and help find watches to my liking. I live in College Station but come to Houston every month or so.

I'd thought of getting a Rolex once I hit a certain income level as a sort of reward/motivation to myself, but it seems now's not the time for that (current supply/demand). That's probably the only brand I'd consider spending multiple thousands of dollars on, my thinking being it could be a special thing to pass down to someone (nephew, young cousin, etc) when I'm gone. While there are other brands with a product as good or better, Rolex is the name everyone knows. So I feel like if the recipient isn't a watch connoisseur, they'll still appreciate a Rolex while they might not understand the value of Patek.

Anyhow, if I have been happy with Fossil thus far, I don't see needing to spend thousands to have watches I enjoy wearing. Price range I'd say is probably $500-$1,000 (again unless it's an heirloom piece).

Any recommendations on where to venture out into finding nice(r) watches would be greatly appreciated.

(Edited to add a picture of the watches I currently have, in case that is any sort of help. And no, I cannot count.)

I've looked at Squale watches for a while, and they are mostly miss for me, but that Sub-39 SuperBlue is sweet.

https://www.squale.ch/en/squale-sub-39-superblue

Any of you ever run across this company Montana Watch ? In was on vacation a couple of weeks ago in the Bozeman area and visited their store in Livingston. They only make 75 watches a year. Some of the engraved watches are a little too busy for me but the simple design starting just under $5k looks nice. It would certainly be unique.

schmendeler said:

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TheOC16 said:

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TL;DR: Advice on places/people to talk to for my first time buying a decent watch.

Looking for some advice, if this isn't the place to post this I apologize (I've been following the thread for a month or so now).

I'm looking at being forced to upgrade my watch collection. I love wrist watches, always have. Right now I have 9 that I rotate through, a few dress watches in various metals and face colors and a few sport watches. I probably purchase (trade for) a new watch every 4-6 months on average.

The only watches I've ever owned are Fossil.

I got started in them as a kid because my aunt dated the CEO for a long time, so we used to get watches like they were candy. Then once I was in college and older, I realized you could trade a broken watch (or a new one for that matter) for 50% off the price of a new one, and I liked that as a form of warranty protection but also to keep the collection fresh.

Anyhow, I've never had any problem with Fossil before the last couple years. Obviously my standards aren't high, but they have wide selection and they show the time. However, they have started recently making their bracelets very very cheaply - almost feels like plastic. Rattles in a weird way when wearing, and just feels junky.

So what I'd like to know from you guys is where to begin my journey away from the only brand I've ever known, and something of a higher quality. Looking for a shop or person who can shoot me straight and help find watches to my liking. I live in College Station but come to Houston every month or so.

I'd thought of getting a Rolex once I hit a certain income level as a sort of reward/motivation to myself, but it seems now's not the time for that (current supply/demand). That's probably the only brand I'd consider spending multiple thousands of dollars on, my thinking being it could be a special thing to pass down to someone (nephew, young cousin, etc) when I'm gone. While there are other brands with a product as good or better, Rolex is the name everyone knows. So I feel like if the recipient isn't a watch connoisseur, they'll still appreciate a Rolex while they might not understand the value of Patek.

Anyhow, if I have been happy with Fossil thus far, I don't see needing to spend thousands to have watches I enjoy wearing. Price range I'd say is probably $500-$1,000 (again unless it's an heirloom piece).

Any recommendations on where to venture out into finding nice(r) watches would be greatly appreciated.

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squale
christopher ward
seiko presage
citizen
yema

those are all brands that will give you something well made. some have better bang for the buck than others.

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With your budget, I'd probably start with a Seiko named watch... Whichever one catches your fancy:

Monster
Tuna
Turtle
Capt Willard
SKX model 007, 009, or 011...j1 preferred but not necessary.
Cocktail Time (original more desirable than new Presage model but surprisinglyhard to find nowadays)
Alpine

jh0400 said:

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I'd look at a Hamilton in your price range.

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I was going to suggest looking at vintage watches to find a true stunner for more formal settings.

TulaneAg said:

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schmendeler said:

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TheOC16 said:

---

TL;DR: Advice on places/people to talk to for my first time buying a decent watch.

Looking for some advice, if this isn't the place to post this I apologize (I've been following the thread for a month or so now).

I'm looking at being forced to upgrade my watch collection. I love wrist watches, always have. Right now I have 9 that I rotate through, a few dress watches in various metals and face colors and a few sport watches. I probably purchase (trade for) a new watch every 4-6 months on average.

The only watches I've ever owned are Fossil.

I got started in them as a kid because my aunt dated the CEO for a long time, so we used to get watches like they were candy. Then once I was in college and older, I realized you could trade a broken watch (or a new one for that matter) for 50% off the price of a new one, and I liked that as a form of warranty protection but also to keep the collection fresh.

Anyhow, I've never had any problem with Fossil before the last couple years. Obviously my standards aren't high, but they have wide selection and they show the time. However, they have started recently making their bracelets very very cheaply - almost feels like plastic. Rattles in a weird way when wearing, and just feels junky.

So what I'd like to know from you guys is where to begin my journey away from the only brand I've ever known, and something of a higher quality. Looking for a shop or person who can shoot me straight and help find watches to my liking. I live in College Station but come to Houston every month or so.

I'd thought of getting a Rolex once I hit a certain income level as a sort of reward/motivation to myself, but it seems now's not the time for that (current supply/demand). That's probably the only brand I'd consider spending multiple thousands of dollars on, my thinking being it could be a special thing to pass down to someone (nephew, young cousin, etc) when I'm gone. While there are other brands with a product as good or better, Rolex is the name everyone knows. So I feel like if the recipient isn't a watch connoisseur, they'll still appreciate a Rolex while they might not understand the value of Patek.

Anyhow, if I have been happy with Fossil thus far, I don't see needing to spend thousands to have watches I enjoy wearing. Price range I'd say is probably $500-$1,000 (again unless it's an heirloom piece).

Any recommendations on where to venture out into finding nice(r) watches would be greatly appreciated.

---

squale
christopher ward
seiko presage
citizen
yema

those are all brands that will give you something well made. some have better bang for the buck than others.

---

With your budget, I'd probably start with a Seiko named watch... Whichever one catches your fancy:

Monster
Tuna
Turtle
Capt Willard
SKX model 007, 009, or 011...j1 preferred but not necessary.
Cocktail Time (original more desirable than new Presage model but surprisinglyhard to find nowadays)
Alpine

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I'd add the Seiko Samurai to this list as well.

I'm a Seiko fan since they fit my price range and wants. I currently have the new black Monster (SRPH13), an SKX007, and an SKX009.