Restoration of destroyed Rolex Submariner [video]

Six days of recording, compressed in 17 minutes - for your enjoyment.
Thank you for watching.


Nick Hacko
Watchmaker

Great stuff! Thanks

Care to elaborate in this thread? https://omegaforums.net/threads/wha...-this-vintage-watch-dial.119458/#post-1594538

Nice Job Nick! Thanks for sharing

This is a very sensitive issue for many watch enthusiasts because we are dealing here with emotions and perpetuated myths, rather than facts.

1. Look properly after your watch and treat it with respect as you would care for any high precision mechanical instrument and you'll never need a dial repair/cleaning/restoration/replacement. Luckily, most watch enthusiasts are careful and respectful.

2. When watch is severely damaged, then the right thing is to take it to manufacturer and have the damaged parts replaced. Broken Rolex should go to Rolex service centre.

3. However, Rolex (and every other Swiss watch manufacturer) does not provide dial and hands restoration service - but replacement only. This is unacceptable by collectors because replacement parts 'devalue' the watch on collectors market, in some cases severely.

4. this conflict between official servicing policy and collectors desire for preservation of original dial and hands is yet to be resolved. Clearly, Rolex's job is not to preserve the collectors value of your Rolex, but to return the watch in functional and aesthetically pleasing condition, and eventually, to sell you a new watch. I say nothing wrong with that.

5. For reasons only known to them, some collectors prefer not to deal with Rolex. Taking a watch to an independent watchmaker could be the way to go, but independent watchmakers have no access to original Rolex parts. Most of them use aftermarket and outright fake parts. Some of them are poorly trained and have very limited restoration skills. In many cases, small watchmakers are manipulated to install 'NOS' and fake parts provided by cashed-up collectors/ vintage watch owners.

6. The only win-win solution to all 3 parties (Rolex, watch owners and watchmakers) :
- Rolex to open a dedicated restoration service centre for vintage watches
- Rolex to once again provide training to independent watchmakers and allow them access to spare parts

In my opinion, neither is top priority for Rolex. Until then - we should brace ourselves to all sorts of quackery: from fake parts, poor servicing techniques, outright criminal enterprises who specialise in manufacturing of fake Rolex dial and hands, con artist and con 'dealers', auctioneers, fakers and 'Rolex investors'.

Which makes cleaning a dial with distilled soapy water rather naively innocent...

Maybe, maybe not. The problem is complex, and Omega is unfortunately becoming more and more restrictive with supply of spare parts. Swiss business is monopoly business, where "good business practice" is the one which primarily suits interests of Swiss megabrands and Swiss corporations. Bottom line is this: independent watchmakers are willing to invest in tools, training and stock but megabrands could not care less. End result: customers dissatisfaction. Long term prognosis: the time will tell.
This is why I've started my own brand few years ago and that was the best decision ever. I no longer beg Omega or Rolex for parts, and every day at workshop is simply fantastic: training young apprentices and making my own watches is beyond rewarding. I'll leave it there, getting off topic.

I, for one, would be interested in this story, should you want to tell it.

It's here

Looks like you know a lot about Omega dials - maybe you can tell us where are they made nowadays?

You've signed your own petition, not mine. As for accuracy and facts: I am not advocating "free distribution of parts" but supply of spare parts to qualified and trained watchmakers who are willing to be trained, invest in equipment and tools and have stock of parts in inventory. If you work for Omega - then good for you, well done, I am sure you are providing Omega customers the best customer service possible. However if you are an independent self employed watchmaker than most likely your service is very limited and again, most likely, you would be reduced to servicing rusted Valojux 7750 and ETA with no access to dial and hands and consequently, singing praises to Omega would make no sense.

I think I have made myself clear: customers should take their watches to Authorized service centers of megabrands, but not complain about charges or 'lack of originality' or overpolishng, or new dials installed or cases replaced. I am sorry, but I don't have time for forum wars.

All I want to know is what was the blue liquid that was used to clean the dial.

>>All I want to know is what was the blue liquid that was used to clean the dial.

I am sure some of the forum members would be able to tell what the blue liquid is. Actually, if you watch the video again, most likely you'll figure it out yourself. Hint: dilute it first, then make sure that the dial surface is preheated to a certain temperature. Another hint: the brush. Kolinsky Sable.

is it the solution for cleaning balances?