I know this watch has some fans here so I took some new photos of it and made an album at flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/45306161@N03/albums/72157664571938554 The case is really in good condition everything else considered and aside. What I appreciate most is the crisp crown guards and that the lugholes does not have the usual evidence of someone grinding away on the sides with a handheld sand paper - making the edge of the holes "soft" and sunken.
That's a real beater indeed, and as you say it's a nice case with thick lugs and crownguards with the kinks which easily get polished out.
Got to love that watch! The dial looks amazing in the first pictures. Wonderful patina. I think it would clean up nicely if you just removed the mass that has fallen out of the hands What I don't get is why you haven't got anywhere with it. It appears to look the same as when you bought it, and that must be 2-3 years ago?
Easily explained. I am never in a hurry when it comes to watches. And in a moment of insanity I was persuaded (is that even a proper word - I am well past three bottles of Sierra Nevada Torpedo extra IPA 7,2) to restore it. I have a connection that has the right connections - to get the right parts. As things turned out it did not work - for a number of reasons not disclosed here. Today I am glad it did not. But my guy had the watch for all this time. Tomorrow it will go to my watchmaker for a full service of movement and a new plexi. That is it. Nothing more. Then I will get a brown Tropic rubber strap for it and live happily forever after. For those of you that remember my earlier rant about in the future and as a retired old geezer in a wrinkled up suit and a Panama hat - teasing young Italian guys in the galleria of Milano - just to make them crazy I will have this one on the other wrist (wearing two watches will make them go nuts).
I was so inspired by it, so I had to have one too. Shortly after I found this one After a week or so, it looked like this
And now you inspire me! When investigating to get a dark brown Tropic rubber for mine I have come to realize it will not be that easy. I would like a sort of period correct strap and it has to be something that is "military" - cheap, sturdy looking and works with water. Enter the perlon. Quickly found this pic of yours. It is perfect for the job and an even better solution than a Tropic rubber. I hope you do not mind me "stealing" your style? Will get some protection film for the caseback though.
Today I left it at the watchmaker. He took it as a man... And will service it exactly as I want it done. He is a good guy.
"Brando Lux" project completed. Work done inhouse at Swedish Rolex AD. Nothing done to the case but cleaning. Dial got cleaned from tritium, Hands left as they were. Movement fully serviced. New plexi, crown and tube. Very, very pleased with this one. Put it on a aftermarket "tropic" rubber.
Hold on, wait .... that's Brando!! Where's this 'girly' guy you say you are? The watch is certainly bad-ass beautiful , but where are you?
Yes, on Apocalypse Now wearing a 5512 4 line 4th generation. without bezel. And no hair EDIT: correction; it is a GMT not a 5512
Brando/Kurtz wearing a GMT though - as it clearly has a gmt hand. It also has date and the smaller crown. So - not a 5512 sub. I call mine a "Brando Lux" as it is a 16753.