UPDATE!!! What time is it.... Its Rolex time!!!

Hangingfor8

Hero Member
Dec 16, 2007
513
54
New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168
Detector(s) used
Minelab and Aquapulse
Primary Interest:
Shipwrecks
UPDATE!!! What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

I went down to south Florida in hopes that the recent winds and waves might of uncovered some old shipwreck stuff. Well, although I really didn't do well on the shipwreck stuff I did find this little piece. I took it to my jeweler friend this morning and he checked it out to make sure it was real. After inspecting it and testing the gold on it, he determined it's a Rolex 18k gold and stainless sub-mariner and it works pefectly. I'm so excited!!! I had never seen a Rolex let alone thought of owning one. He told me this watch goes for somewhere between 7 and 8 thousand bucks. I guess my hobby has paid for it's self. I'm planning on keeping it for myself because I always give away all my other stuff. Here are some pics.

I just added a picture of the watch after the new bezel insert and a cleaning (please excuse my thumb print, I didn't see it till after the cam was put away). My Jeweler said it should last me a lifetime with proper care. To bad it sits in my safe, but I will wear it out for those special nights.
 

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Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Hangingfor8 said:
The inside of the watch was never compromised at all and although it didn't work at first it did start to work after being in my pouch for a while. He said he could clean it and do it all for under 500. I trust his judgement because I've known him for a long time through the Masonic lodge.

I don't doubt that he's a fine jeweler. I suspect the inside is intact, too. The bezel insert can and should be changed out. You can even find them on Ebay. It shouldn't be too difficult to bring the watch back up to a new shiny look. The crystal might need to be replaced. It's hard to say from the picture. Actually, I think that one had a 31 jewel automatic movement, which is better than the Swiss ETA 2824-2 that I mentioned earlier, but I'm not positive.

It's COSC certified to which means it's held to a tighter tolerance with regard to accuracy. If I remember right it's held to a tolerance of +6 and -4. Basically, that means that an automatic watch will gain or lose time based on whether it is laid face down, face up, crown down, crown up, when it's take off. When it's COSC certified, it means that it's adjusted to stay within those tolerances no matter what.

Anyway, enough about that. Congratulations and good luck with your new time piece. As far as I'm concerned, that's BANNER.
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

The crazy thing is.... this thing had Coraline all over it. For those who don't know, Coraline is a type of coral that grows on objects in shallow tropical waters. It kind of resembles soap scum, but it's purple and gritty. I could barely see the "Rolex" under the watch crystal and I didn't see it the first time at all. I only knew it was watch. I soaked it last night and then cleaned it lightly in a ultrasonic cleaner and that's how it came out. The crystal doesn't have scratch on it so the jeweler said there's obviously no reason to replace that. He plans on putting a new bezel insert and the clasp has a little flaw from something in the ocean rubbing it. He said he could fill that with 18k gold to match the rest of the watch.
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Good news about the crystal, then. It didn't look right from your picture, but I couldn't tell what's wrong with it. Sounds like it can just be cleaned. I'm pretty sure that it's a sapphire crystal and it shouldn't scratch. I have 17 watches including 12 automatic watches. Most have sapphire crystals and they won't scratch. They will, however, chip. They are very hard but they're brittle and they CAN be chipped. I like them better than the mineral crystals though. They'll scratch.
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

I forgot to clean the Crystal before the pics so you're seeing my greasy finger prints and smudges
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Find of a life time!
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


DN
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Not to be a wise A$$, but if the watch had a exhibition back it would have been a fake, Rolex does not put them on their watches. You could by an aftermarket, but why?/ Obviously, this watch had endured a huge amount of water and as you can see its clean inside and as your jeweler told you working fine. Another clue that it is infact real, chinese Rolex watches will quickly stop as they are "water resistant" not water proof. The ONLY reason for the corosion of the Bezel is likely the fact of how thin the metal insert is..not a problem a new one will set you back less than a benjamin and well worth the cost as stated.
This watch should be working perfectly, you should take it in for service as you likely need to replace the gaskets on the back and the watch stem, I wouldnt risk it after all this has been through.
Just my two cents.... :coffee2:
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

The part about the gaskets is one of the things my jeweler mentioned and is going to do. It's nice having someone like that as a friend because I know he's not out to screw me but wants whats best for the watch. I have no issues paying him for work and parts that are needed or are preventative. :thumbsup:
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Painter65 said:
Not to be a wise A$$, but if the watch had a exhibition back it would have been a fake, Rolex does not put them on their watches. You could by an aftermarket, but why?/ Obviously, this watch had endured a huge amount of water and as you can see its clean inside and as your jeweler told you working fine. Another clue that it is infact real, chinese Rolex watches will quickly stop as they are "water resistant" not water proof. The ONLY reason for the corosion of the Bezel is likely the fact of how thin the metal insert is..not a problem a new one will set you back less than a benjamin and well worth the cost as stated.
This watch should be working perfectly, you should take it in for service as you likely need to replace the gaskets on the back and the watch stem, I wouldnt risk it after all this has been through.
Just my two cents.... :coffee2:

I think we both agree that it's genuine. I've replaced bezel inserts myself and there's nothing to it. It doesn't sound like it needs much other than a few cosmetic fixes. I think he's got a real winner. You're right about the exhibition back. Now that I think about it, I don't believe they did have one.
 

Re: What time is it... It's Rolex time!!!

awesome find congrats
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Man that is a sweet fine. Nominated you for the banner.
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

I would say it paid for it self and many more times over it. Supper find.
 

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Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Great Score!! one sure way to tell its real is by the movement, the fakes have a quartz movement, the real ones should sweep. and also on fakes if you check the band snap youll see a stamp of the crown, the real ones have a sharp imprint while the fakes are off center and not very sharp. I had quite a few very good fakes in my life, lol. the self windings are ok, the ones with batteries last a bit longer though. you can find fakes with serial numbers on them too, so yes, have it checked!

great find
Pro-
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

if that ain't banner material, what is? congratulations, what a find!!!!
might have to wait for a picture of it restored before it makes the banner
but it belongs there. Hope you don't mind, I tweaked your pic.
 

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Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

awesome find i say banner too
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Just make sure you use the same clasp and tell me where you're going swimming at.......
NICE!!!!!!! :thumbsup:
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

I have almost lost mine while throwing a castnet on the boat. It came unbuckled, didnt come off.
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Awesome find, and should be a banner. Have you considered contacting Rolex? Their marketing department might pay you for the great story. It is an incredible reflection of the quality of this watch. Just think of it: the watch was buried 24" deep in the wet sand and seawater, covered in coral, for perhaps years. And it still works!
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Congratz to you.

I am still here sitting with a little snow and frozen ground.

Sucks to be me :(

LT.
 

Re: What time is it.... It's Rolex time!!!

Sweet find. :thumbsup: Congrats.
 

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