On Antiques Roadshow Tonight

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Hope he follows the advice and takes it to a vintage watchmaker 👍
 
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Is it just me or does the 1680 look a little weird here? I think it may be crystal distortion or something, but it looks closer to a rail dial than the normal 1680 dial from some angles. The bezel ring also looks a little off - thicker than normal and less sharp. Not saying the 1680 isn't authentic, as it clearly is accompanied be rock solid provenance...does anyone else see what I'm referencing though?
 
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I think the appraiser gave the correct advice. Either do nothing or send it to a vintage specialist.

I’ve heard that Bob Ridley in Texas is the go-to watchmaker for this.

http://www.watchmakers.com/www/servicesRolex.html

gatorcpa

Funny. I lived in Dallas for 25 years and did a bunch of watch trading/collecting. His name never came up. Maybe just out of my price range?
 
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The owner's best move is to do NOTHING. This is not the kind of watch an amateur is capable of arranging a careful, non damaging, repair on. Either tuck it away as an investment piece, or have it sold and save the $$$.
 
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Funny. I lived in Dallas for 25 years and did a bunch of watch trading/collecting. His name never came up. Maybe just out of my price range?

Bob is THE Master of Rolex...well know as one of the best for several decades. Bob is the only watchmaker that has ever touched any of my Rolex watches. His son Phillip is now taking over the business...not sure if Bob does much of the work anymore but Phillip is a chip off the old block.

Kudos to the appraiser for offering exceptional/correct advice. You rarely see this.
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Is it just me or does the 1680 look a little weird here? I think it may be crystal distortion or something, but it looks closer to a rail dial than the normal 1680 dial from some angles. The bezel ring also looks a little off - thicker than normal and less sharp. Not saying the 1680 isn't authentic, as it clearly is accompanied be rock solid provenance...does anyone else see what I'm referencing though?


I think its just a combination of the photographers lens and the wrong crystal...all looks good. The insert is replaced though, and it looks like the crystal is domed, causing the distortion.
Here is mine for reference:
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The correct crystal is referred to as a "top hat" Tropic 127...the crystal on the Roadshow 1680 appears to be a super dome style and its why the dial looks off...its distorting the outer edge and making the dial look small.
Mine is the actual period correct crystal with beveled edge...the service crystal, although flat lacks the larger bevel.

Its amazing how the wrong crystal can completely change the look of a watch (and its value). In the case of the 1680...the top hat fetches about a grand, if you are lucky enough to find one. But it looks so much better.

The 5513 and 5512 use a super dome...same thing, it completely alters the look of the watch when the wrong crystal is installed. Im anal about my crystals...the wrong crystal bugs me 😀
Speaking of Bob Ridley, he can modify a crystal to alter its appearance and make it look closer to the original...of course this can only happen with a select few models, but he created a super dome for a 5513 that looked exactly like the original which is no longer made to the original specs.
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We're sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to rights restrictions...
Then again... Relax it's a Rolex !
 
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My birth yr and my grail!! I have a 1978 1680 so I will have to just be happy with that. I do like top hat crystal.
 
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Very pleasantly surprised with the appraisers guidance. A publicity “win” for vintage watch collecting I’d say 👍
 
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For those, like me, who can’t watch the link, it seems the whole episode is currently on YouTube. Go to 35m36s.

 
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I was yelling at the screen, 'til he said... 'do nothing'

Bob
 
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For those, like me, who can’t watch the link, it seems the whole episode is currently on YouTube. Go to 35m36s.


Thanks a lot, got the same Problem 😀