Rusted Rolex Resurrected from Ruin
77,373
Published 2024-07-02
I knew there was going to be some water damage since the watch had been missing it's crown for quite some time. To be honest, it was in awful condition and I had my doubts whether it would ever run again.
If you're looking for an incredible watch repair or antique restoration project, be sure to check out my video! I'll show you how to fix this vintage watch and get it back to working order.
#restoration
#watchrepair
#wristwatch
#swisswatch
#rolex
Contact info: [email protected]
Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Micrometer: amzn.to/3vPPuUy
Micrometer Stand: amzn.to/3vPPuUy
Microscope: amzn.to/3ZrQ3Pn
Movement Holder (pocket watches): amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
Oilers: amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Bench Buffer Polisher: amzn.to/3OlcW2E
Otto Frei Tools and Parts:
www.ofrei.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Disassembly
14:05 Balance Staff Replacement
18:56 Building a Frog Polisher
21:54 Screw Head Polishing
23:22 Pinion and Pivot Restoration
25:25 Cleaning Sequence and New Parts
27:42 Begin Assembly
39:34 Balance Installation
40:29 Initial Timegrapher Readings
41:44 Light Case Work
45:45 Casing the Movement
46:50 Rotor Axle Replacement
49:04 Final Assembly And Microstella
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All Comments (21)
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Thank you so much! It’s the only watch I’ve been wearing since I got it back! Thanks Chris!❤
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This video deserves a beer! I really enjoy not only how well you document these challenging restorations but how you also inject your unique brand of humor to make them fun! This is exactly what the amateur watch restoration hobby should be about - taking on projects that aren't worth a professional watchmaker's time, giving them new life and having fun along the way! Cheers! 🍻
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To see how dad interacts so very caringly and sensitively with his son - something I have watched develop over the last three years - is so demonstrative of how it should be done. I am very envious because my dad couldn't have cared less. God bless this family.
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I have owned my dad's 1603 since I was 12 (when he died) and it's my most precious watch. I've only ever had it serviced by Rolex and it's in good shape but I'd never open it myself. Bravo to you for taking this one on, particularly with the difficulty of getting parts for it!
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You sir are doing gods work. Doubt even 1 in 69 watchmakers would’ve even tried
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You did an amazing job with that watch! I'm sure that there are plenty of watch repairers that would not have touched it.
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i think most watch repairers refuse this restoration job ,even R. service center .......'cause R. service center : " You better buy a new one, but not the same model " Besides a great watchmaker you are also an artist 👍👍
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The whole repair was very interesting. Rolex should take a look at this video and improve your status so you can get non bogus parts supply. Thanks for your time and effort.
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I think you executed a perfect balance between parts restoration and replacement. I have seen videos of others trying to restore parts only to have the watch returned with problems. I really enjoyed this restoration video!
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Love the smiley face in the cleaned parts layout. Awesome work!
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Amazing restoration! You cracked me up with that sweating scene! 😂
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Chris, your videos just get better and better. I really enjoyed every aspect of this one. Sounds like a can of spray paint in the opening 20 seconds had me hooked. How you dealt with all the rust, a classic balance staff change and just your level of detail and camera work was outstanding. I can only see your channel grow significantly as you progress with your video production. You have watch repair down to a fine art now so where else is there to improve? well you also found the humorous side with the disarming of the mainspring! that bit was a proper laugh out loud moment which you dont really encounter in our genre of videos. Well done indeed sir!
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That was an incredible project of restoration that you undertook Chris. In the beginning of the video, my heart sank at each exploratory turn of the screwdriver and as you kept removing parts that looked like they were rescued from the Titanic. The mainspring barrel was so bad that I almost had a coronary infarction when it exploded as you were opening it . And to watch the entire video to arrive with bated breath for the piece-de-resistance! The moment when the balance sprang to life. You woke it up from certain death, and that watch owes it life to you. I dub thee Maestro Chris Spinner. Truly a special treat.
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It was indeed ebjoyable. Love the frogs singing!
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Amazing. Thank you for allowing us to tag along for the ride!
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Can i just say, what an absolutely amazing music choice for this video!
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Absolutely fascinating - what an epic restoration! From eeeoww to woweee in a flash of evaporust and an amazing amount of skill! Brilliant, yet again!! ❤
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A lot of work went into this restoration . You did a great job . Best wishes from scotland.
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This was an amazing video. I enjoyed so many parts of it, but watching you make a tool to polish screws was the stand-out moment for me. This really was a fantastic restoration, given all that rust damage. You did an outstanding job, given the parameters of the service. There is real sentimental value in keeping a timepiece 90% whole, and he has this video as part of the watch history. Great video!
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The frogs and thunderstorms. Oh yeah, all the watch restoration too... Amazing work!
