Is this rotor correct and can these hands be cleaned?

FinnishVintage · Sep 2, 2021

Hello everyone,

I have after a few years finally tracked down one of my grails (ref. 2576-8 / movement 344) and would appreciate your help to double check a couple of things before I pull the trigger.

1) Is the rotor correct for this movement? If yes, why is it different color than rest of the parts?
2) Can the hands be cleaned to get rid of the dark spots?

Thanks for helping 😀 !

Caliber561 · Sep 2, 2021

FinnishVintage
Hello everyone,

I have after a few years finally tracked down one of my grails (ref. 2576-8 / movement 344) and would appreciate your help to double check a couple of things before I pull the trigger.

1) Is the rotor correct for this movement? If yes, why is it different color than rest of the parts?
2) Can the hands be cleaned to get rid of the dark spots?

Thanks for helping 😀 !

The rotor is the correct type, but it is not original to the movement, as evidenced by the corrosion.

Hand corrosion is normal, as these watches did not have white gold hands.

If you really like the watch, I would use those points to haggle a bit if they aren't dealbreakers.

FinnishVintage · Sep 2, 2021

Caliber561
The rotor is the correct type, but it is not original to the movement, as evidenced by the corrosion.

Hand corrosion is normal, as these watches did not have white gold hands.

If you really like the watch, I would use those points to haggle a bit if they aren't dealbreakers.

Thank you for pointing these out!

Is the un-original rotor a bad thing? And can the corrosion be cleaned from the hands?

I have actually already spoken with the seller about the price and they are asking 1300€ including shipping. I know that if I like watch it "can't be priced", but what do you think about the asking? Is it suitable for this example?

MtV · Sep 2, 2021

FinnishVintage
Is the un-original rotor a bad thing? And can the corrosion be cleaned from the hands?

I wouldnt call it "a bad thing" - rotor replacements happened and as long as it's the correct part I would not be bothered. That being said: The condition of it isn't pretty. It might well be working properly, but you'll have to know yourself if you mind the degradation. If the hands can be brought back to former glory depends on the degree of the corrosion. I doubt they'll clean up completely. You could source a better set of hands, of course.

FinnishVintage
I have actually already spoken with the seller about the price and they are asking 1300€ including shipping. I know that if I like watch it "can't be priced", but what do you think about the asking? Is it suitable for this example?

We'd certainly need more pictures to evaluate that a little better. That being said - and I'm aware 50s SMs have increased in price lately - I find 1300€ for a 34mm SS example absurd. Yes, I've seen people sell them for this amount and somehow find a buyer, but do note that this is a 34mm example - even nice 36mm jumbos (2657, among others) regularly sell for 800-900€ on ebay, 34mm can be found for less.

Have you compared prices at all? If you're willing to pay 1300€, even C24 might be a good place to look.

Caliber561 · Sep 2, 2021

FinnishVintage
Thank you for pointing these out!

Is the un-original rotor a bad thing? And can the corrosion be cleaned from the hands?

I have actually already spoken with the seller about the price and they are asking 1300€ including shipping. I know that if I like watch it "can't be priced", but what do you think about the asking? Is it suitable for this example?

In my opinion, 1300€ is far too expensive for this watch. By my standards, I would personally consider that absurdly outrageous.
For reference, just last week, an all original 'beefy-lug' Seamaster (even came with the original buckle and springbars) sold for less than 600 USD on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1545857313...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Likely a diamond in the rough.

As you can see, the movement shows no obvious issues, unlike the 2576 you are currently considering.

While you would have to get lucky to find a similar deal, I would expect the pricing to be sub-1000 USD. Anything above that should be in immaculate condition, preferably serviced with a warranty.

As already mentioned, cleaning the hands depends on the extent of the corrosion, so it's usually more economical just to source a new set. Alternatively, retaining the hands as they maintain the character of a watch, and some would say it's part of a vintage piece's charm. Up to you to do what you like, of course.

Corrosion in the movement can be tricky, as corroded parts are more likely to produce debris or grime, which can destroy your movement over the long term. IMO, not worth the trouble.

FinnishVintage · Sep 2, 2021

Thank you so much for helping! I think I'm going to keep looking for a better example with these tips 😀

Archer · Sep 2, 2021

The hands are plated - without fully stripping the plating, and replating them (which would damage the lume) there's not much that can be done to improve them.

philips · Sep 2, 2021

Caliber561
In my opinion, 1300€ is far too expensive for this watch. By my standards, I would personally consider that absurdly outrageous.
For reference, just last week, an all original 'beefy-lug' Seamaster (even came with the original buckle and springbars) sold for less than 600 USD on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154585731378?nma=true&si=qnf3Mikgo9CYbw9JuWZCjGHEkrk%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Likely a diamond in the rough.

As you can see, the movement shows no obvious issues, unlike the 2576 you are currently considering.

While you would have to get lucky to find a similar deal, I would expect the pricing to be sub-1000 USD. Anything above that should be in immaculate condition, preferably serviced with a warranty.

As already mentioned, cleaning the hands depends on the extent of the corrosion, so it's usually more economical just to source a new set. Alternatively, retaining the hands as they maintain the character of a watch, and some would say it's part of a vintage piece's charm. Up to you to do what you like, of course.

Corrosion in the movement can be tricky, as corroded parts are more likely to produce debris or grime, which can destroy your movement over the long term. IMO, not worth the trouble.

Love the beefy lugs.

Cayohuesovespa · Sep 2, 2021

Caliber561
In my opinion, 1300€ is far too expensive for this watch. By my standards, I would personally consider that absurdly outrageous.
For reference, just last week, an all original 'beefy-lug' Seamaster (even came with the original buckle and springbars) sold for less than 600 USD on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154585731378?nma=true&si=qnf3Mikgo9CYbw9JuWZCjGHEkrk%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Likely a diamond in the rough.

As you can see, the movement shows no obvious issues, unlike the 2576 you are currently considering.

While you would have to get lucky to find a similar deal, I would expect the pricing to be sub-1000 USD. Anything above that should be in immaculate condition, preferably serviced with a warranty.

As already mentioned, cleaning the hands depends on the extent of the corrosion, so it's usually more economical just to source a new set. Alternatively, retaining the hands as they maintain the character of a watch, and some would say it's part of a vintage piece's charm. Up to you to do what you like, of course.

Corrosion in the movement can be tricky, as corroded parts are more likely to produce debris or grime, which can destroy your movement over the long term. IMO, not worth the trouble.

geez, did the seller take the photos with a potato? lol
I never will understand how people can list auctions with such crappy photos! I think this lends to lower sale prices... bad for seller, good for buyer unless its on purpose to try to hide issues...

Canuck · Sep 2, 2021

€1,300.00? The seller is delusional! Half that is still too much for a Frankenwatch!

Is this rotor correct and can these hands be cleaned?

FinnishVintage

Caliber561

FinnishVintage

MtV

Caliber561

FinnishVintage

Archer

philips

Cayohuesovespa

Canuck

Similar threads

Can this be cleaned? If so, how? Many many thanks!!

Can this Seamaster chronograph dial be cleaned up?

May have bought this on impulse.. can it be cleaned?