Community Stories

Condition of watch and Bracelet

vonrozen
Posts
190
Likes
17
hello friends. I have to pay 2000 E for this , with papers, from 1977. On close inspection one of the links seems missing on the bracelet - do you agree , is it easier to find spare ones ? Are there any other details that appear strange to you. BTW : the lid is a service lid, I am aware of it, and does not bear the same ref nr.

Contributions - as ever welcome

Hullo from cold Paris .

Alexander ( the Rolex virgin)

rolex image of band.webp rolex 2 for glove.webp rolex 3 for glove.jpeg.webp rolex 4 for glove.jpeg.webp rolex 5 for glove.jpeg.webp
 
vibe
Posts
943
Likes
2,443
Not sure about missing links, but the bracelet is hella stretched out. 2000€ seems pretty cheap but look at all of the corrosion to the case where the caseback screws in. I know you are looking for deals, but these are the things you need to look out for because they are expensive mistakes.
 
vonrozen
Posts
190
Likes
17
i think i can ger rid of dust , by putting a special creme on it - grandmother's secret but it works. It is more the braceley on which I would need your advice.

Kind Regards
Alexander
 
Dan S
Posts
24,263
Likes
54,031
9 threads asking for detailed advice about vintage Subs and GMT-Masters, and now a 34mm frankenwatch with badly stretched bracelet and pitted case. ::facepalm1::

The photos are pretty bad, so I don't think I'll attempt to count the links for you. But as long as it fits your wrist, who cares, that is the least of the issues with this watch.
 
vonrozen
Posts
190
Likes
17
it is a present for my wife . The links matter because it looks like a step ladder otherwise. What is a "Frankenwatch", I did not know Rolex produced them. You seem to indicate that there are many issues, do you mean it had a facelift or worse ?
 
Dan S
Posts
24,263
Likes
54,031
I'm not seeing any obvious missing links in terms of width. If you are seeing a gap, perhaps you can make it clear in the photos so we're not trying to read your mind. But obviously the bracelet is unwearable as is and needs a $500+ restoration. And for a small ladies wrist, you will probably need several links removed anyway, so you will never have a gradual taper.
 
vonrozen
Posts
190
Likes
17
1st photo : 3d link down , much smaller than the rest.
Thanks by the way for th ad vice , Dan. I acquired the best SubM with your advice , so i am all ears !
 
vonrozen
Posts
190
Likes
17
but you said it : 500 E restauration , so it will be 2.500 , without revision by my watchmaker (300 E ) . I might as well then go for a watch in better condition !
 
vibe
Posts
943
Likes
2,443
vonrozen vonrozen
1st photo : 3d link down , much smaller than the rest.
Thanks by the way for th ad vice , Dan. I acquired the best SubM with your advice , so i am all ears !
That is a stretched out link yo, not a missing link. Think for a minute about how the bracelet is constructed. Also, tell is all about granny’s cream that can un-pit stainless.
 
Canuck
Posts
15,489
Likes
45,880
A major problem is the groove for the gasket is heavily corroded? Likely worn by someone with very acid perspiration! You’ll never get this case to seal properly! The gasket which is still around the case back is not the correct gasket for this watch. Forget the missing link. Forget the mismatched case back. The case is trash.
 
hansaboy
Posts
2,515
Likes
5,544
Canuck Canuck
A major problem is the groove for the gasket is heavily corroded? Likely worn by someone with very acid perspiration! You’ll never get this case to seal properly! The gasket which is still around the case back is not the correct gasket for this watch. Forget the missing link. Forget the mismatched case back. The case is trash.
Here...

Skärmavbild 2025-02-18 kl. 08.17.18.webp
 
Fallout Boy
Posts
2,929
Likes
6,105
probably used (or stored) without the gasket - > electrochemical corrosion by (slightly?) different materials of case and caseback??? This steel is usually INOX. Am I wrong?
 
hant26
Posts
576
Likes
1,807
vonrozen vonrozen
but you said it : 500 E restauration , so it will be 2.500 , without revision by my watchmaker (300 E ) . I might as well then go for a watch in better condition !
With that much, you can get a proper watch in very good condition and spare a small sum.
 
Davidt
Posts
13,203
Likes
22,963
Bracelet is very stretched and has been poorly r
vibe vibe
That is a stretched out link yo, not a missing link. Think for a minute about how the bracelet is constructed. Also, tell is all about granny’s cream that can un-pit stainless.

Are you sure? I disagree, it sure looks to me like there’s a significant step down in the widths of the links as the links go 1, 2, 4, 5 etc with the missing 3rd link being the cause. I’d avoid this watch.
There’s a big difference between cheap and good value, especially with vintage watches.
 
DeepBlue
Posts
390
Likes
676
At least you are keeping the Rolex part of this forum alive with your topics 😀

Only advise i can give you regarding your topics is, study study study. Look at pics, compare, read articles, other posts of member etc.
Everything can be found.
As long as you have these kind of questions and doubts, you are not ready for a purchase imo.
These are not loafs of bread from the bakery you are buying, but watches of 1000s of euro/dollar.
 
vibe
Posts
943
Likes
2,443
Davidt Davidt
Bracelet is very stretched and has been poorly r


Are you sure? I disagree, it sure looks to me like there’s a significant step down in the widths of the links as the links go 1, 2, 4, 5 etc with the missing 3rd link being the cause. I’d avoid this watch.
There’s a big difference between cheap and good value, especially with vintage watches.
A Rolex bracelet will not hold together with a missing center link. If the link is stretched out you will see gaps like that.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

mglahn

Seamaster 200M questions about the luminescent bezel dot/pearl and bracelet

mglahn Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
mglahn
mglahn
Posts
2
Views
3K
D

Flightmaster renovation and bracelet

DougM54 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
vienna
vienna
Posts
1
Views
785
D

Flightmaster renovation and bracelet

DougM54 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
jaegodylan
jaegodylan
Posts
10
Views
2K
cvalue13

Incoming Mystery Watch, and Bracelet ID Challenge

cvalue13 Universal Genève Watches
cvalue13
cvalue13
Posts
10
Views
2K
night0wl

Watch strap/NATO and bracelet storage

night0wl Open Discussion
night0wl
night0wl
Posts
2
Views
841
POfan

Planet ocean Stolen and bracelet question..

POfan Modern Omega Watches
POfan
POfan
Posts
11
Views
1K