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Advice on what to do with this Polerouter Date?

  1. Eapfep May 15, 2019

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    Hi all,

    I recently acquired this vintage Polerouter Date from a friend’s family estate sale for what I believe to be a decent price.

    lVqkrJo.jpg JzOvQuK.jpg ibXLRmX.jpg b2jPg5b.jpg



    Details:
    • Serial on back lists this as a 204612-2, from the mid 1960s (As per: https://universalgenevepolerouter.com/reference-tables/reference-table-steel-gold-plated/)
    • Dial looks pretty good to my eye, some dust under the crystal that could get cleaned out
    • Seller claims the movement was serviced a couple of years ago, based on my two weeks of wearing this I have no reason to doubt that as it keeps time quite accurately and the date switches over properly
    • The crystal has been replaced (I believe OEM has a magnifier)
    • The crown has been replaced by a “super-compressor” style crown but works perfectly
    • The minute hand looks like a replacement (newer lume and longer than supposed to be)

    I'm debating between listing for sale or undergoing the journey of finding a correct crown and minute hand. Alternatively I could ask for a refund on this piece.

    Wondering what you guys would advise as best path forward, how would I even approach finding the right parts if I were to keep it?
     
    Edited May 15, 2019
    thelinendial likes this.
  2. Masterofkarate May 15, 2019

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    Think both the dial and overall condition on the case calls for a keep. Or sell it to me;)
    Missing some pictures of caseback or movement though.
    Overall a beautiful piece!
     
    Eapfep likes this.
  3. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado May 15, 2019

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    I would post photos and not a link to them.
     
  4. Eapfep May 15, 2019

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    Apologies and point taken. The pictures have been added to my original post above.
     
  5. bgrisso May 15, 2019

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    Depends on what you paid. If you got a good price, I think it looks great, you can try to find the right parts over time. If you paid top $$ expecting everything to be right, then I would either return it or ask for partial refund due to wrong hand, crystal, crown.
     
  6. Eapfep May 15, 2019

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    That’s a great point. In your mind - what’s an approximate market rate for a Polerouter in this condition? I’m inclined to start working with my watch guy to service + slowly source parts as they become available (mostly the minute hand, I’m not as bothered by the crown) - just want to make sure I haven’t been “screwed” so to speak.
     
  7. bgrisso May 16, 2019

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    its a bit hard to say value with the wrong hand, crystal and crown. I also can't tell if those scratches are on the dial or the crystal? I think in the $1K to $1500 USD range is probably reasonable, perhaps a bit conservative.
     
  8. CafeRacer May 16, 2019

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    The scratches are on the dial.
     
  9. bgrisso May 16, 2019

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    well that obviously affects the value quite a bit....
     
  10. Wildboar May 16, 2019

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    Looks like a early polerouter sub crown so if you can save that you’ll be able to sell it or trade it.
     
  11. Eapfep May 16, 2019

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    Yup - I was hoping it might be speck(s) of dust, but given the slightly metallic sheen I'm given to believe they are scratches on the dial.
     
  12. Eapfep May 16, 2019

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    Cool find! I'll make sure my watch guy is aware of this and we preserve that crown even if I find a replacement.
     
  13. Eapfep May 16, 2019

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    Interesting... what kind of a slash on overall value are we looking at here? To be honest I could probably live with it, but a little concerned about investing a bit (~300 USD) for an overhaul if it's a super steep negative multiplier.
     
  14. bgrisso May 16, 2019

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    i think that is very hard to quantify, as it becomes up to what an individual will pay. But I would say it would significantly affect value. If you can live with it, perhaps just enjoy it as is and don't worry about putting more money into it ? Its still a nice looking watch, even if not all correct