Reply With QuoteWell, that’s one way to get it opened.
An angle grinder & chisel.
Was looking through an auction lot this morning and this very attractive triple six 16660 tritium Seadweller took my fancy, all looked good up until I seen something going on with the case back in the side image, the rest speaks for itself
Whoever tried to pry up the case back has actually torn the threads out of the case..
Last edited by murkeywaters; 31st August 2020 at 08:54.
Well, that’s one way to get it opened.
An angle grinder & chisel.
So a new case and case back. Job done what's the problem.
Seriously that's just ridiculous. Who would ever even contemplate doing that.
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My Snowflake came to me with two large slots cut into the outer edge of the caseback because someone wanted in and didn't have a Rolex case wrench. With laser welding you'd never know now.
On mine though, the case was fine, this one has been subjected to some really ham-fisted butchery.
Do you have an appetite for a project?
Dave
Imagine how much swarf and bits of metal are floating around that movement. I wouldn't pay £50 for that watch.
I’m surprised the rotor doesn’t appear to have any damage....
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Well it’s going to need a service!Originally Posted by Man of Kent
The dial, hand, movement and bracelet will be worth a decent amount on their own.
Last edited by Dave+63; 31st August 2020 at 08:59.
Didn't someone on here get a quote of £3.5k for a full service and a replacement case. If so that's the cost of bringing it back to life. If the asking price reflects that then possibly an okay deal for someone.
Everyone’s allowed to be a bit cack-handed but that’s taken real thought, effort and execution
My thinking was it must have a shady past, if you knew the value of such a watch you wouldn't be hitting it with a dremel and screwdriver, real shame as the case looks really nice as in not over polished, and the dial and bezel have lovely patina..
I bet somebody will still bid very silly money for this
It also suggests the movement had stopped, as why else would you attempt to get into the watch?
Haha! Anyway, surely people pay extra for a bit of special WABI???? And its certainly a unique Rolex - find me another like that!!!Everyone’s allowed to be a bit cack-handed but that’s taken real thought, effort and execution
Whoah ! I have been repairing watches for 50 years and that takes the prize for the most imbecilic intervention I have ever seen.
Pity Rolex don't have a museum.
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What did it actually sell for or has it not been auctioned yet?
Would be interesting to know what it sold for and maybe the auctioneers comments.
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The work of a disgruntled wife!
Currently 1 bid at £2500 plus 30% fees.
Auctioneers’s comments -
Gents Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller automatic wound wrist watch. Stainless steel case, 42mm on matching branded Rolex stainless steel oyster bracelet. Severely damaged case and rear cover, rotating bezel, black signed dial having luminated dot markers with baton quarters, outer minutes ring, luminated trade mark hands and date window to 3. Watch working on test.
That sounds like bitter experience.......
If you could buy it for £5k or under including the fees then factor in £3k-£4k more for the service and replacement case it would be a good deal, providing the dial, hands and insert were retained. If they were going to be replaced it would make no sense.
would it be possible to salvage case by welding, spitting and polishing?
I doubt it. It looks as though the threads on the case used to hold the caseback are shot, so those would need to be reinstated. I would be impressed if it could be done.
And will sell for more than, what you could by a undamaged one for. I have the parts to restore it, mid case and caseback, but waste of time bidding, what's the estimate on price.
Maybe the case could be salvaged but it would cost a lot of money but then again would be a lot cheaper than a new one.
As for the caseback it would make a good keyring or ornamental object somewhere.
Personally I'd have cased in clear resin and use it as a paper weight as a reminder never to slip with the angle grinder again
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Trouble with a service case and back is it does hurt the resale value but no choice regarding this watch, and doesn’t a service case lose the engraved serial number?
Would like to see the Rolex tech’s face when he see’s this watch!!
Just get the guy who butchered it originally to cut out the serial number & weld it onto the new case. Seems like an easy enough job for himSent from my SM-N960F using TZ-UK mobile app
£2.5k -£3k estimate, already attracting a lot of interest though -
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...3-ac2700a2aca9
A service replacement case would have a 4.4m serial number and yes it would devalue the watch in relation to one that had its original case. Maybe for someone who wants to wear and enjoy the watch. I appreciate that's not what most Rolex owners do
I’d buy it for £3k in a heartbeat. Get case and back replaced then Sell the bracelet and put it on Oysterflex.A service replacement case would have a 4.4m serial number and yes it would devalue the watch in relation to one that had its original case. Maybe for someone who wants to wear and enjoy the watch. I appreciate that's not what most Rolex owners do
Would be a hell of a beater
Agree, if you got it at a bargain price had it serviced, new case/back at reasonable cost you could wear it anywhere and not worry about it knowing you’ve brought it back from the brink, would look great on the wrist with that patina...A service replacement case would have a 4.4m serial number and yes it would devalue the watch in relation to one that had its original case. Maybe for someone who wants to wear and enjoy the watch. I appreciate that's not what most Rolex owners do
Where's the auction? Anyone got a link? Or if it's finished, what was the result?
Thank you!
Wasn't there a well known watchmaker called "The Butcher" who specialised in doing this kind of thing?
I put the link in, post 27
Serves me right for skimming! Thank you!
The end links look like a poor fit from the photo'.
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Isn't someone on here a master with a lapping machine? I've seen a thread somewhere else if not here. It's repairable, everything is. I bet cheaper than a new case and case back too, but..... Oouch!
A lapping machine can't make new threads AFAIK. Case finishing, yes.
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Call up Rolex service centre and ask how much for a new case and service, crucial for the man maths on this
Taking material away (cutting threads, milling or grinding to shape, polishing to finish) are achievable by many. Building the material back first is achievable too although there are probably less people with the skills and tools. It's all doable, not cheap, but cheaper than a new case? Probably. Takes effort to find someone capable of doing to a suitable standard though.
Even with a new case, it will carry a 44# serial number, which is like buying a Cat S car.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
The now infamous Butcher of Rye.
F.T.F.A.
Pointless putting that amount of cost and effort in as it’ll never be the same or as strong as an original case, the amount of laser welding, milling, new threads being cut would be hit and miss that it would meet Rolex tolerances..
The only benefit of this is you keep the serial number but it’s a cut and shut job, as said a service case would hurt the value as the serial wouldn’t match the movement, would be good if someone here bought it and posted a thread on its progress.
The point is of someone wants a beater and can get it t done cheaper than the service parts
If only whoever did that had some patience, or the forethought to try the angle grinder before the screwdriver/chisel, they might have "got away with it." But WHAT were they thinking? If indeed they were.
Ouch, X marks the spot!
That will be me. Its currently with Rolex to have new case before I am violated to the tune of 4.8k! (case, case back, glass, service + VAT)
(Insert swear word) hell.
That is a lot and I've been grumbling over £580 to service a 1675.
Lol brilliant!Just get the guy who butchered it originally to cut out the serial number & weld it onto the new case. Seems like an easy enough job for him
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It can. I have had it done on a chronograph that had a cross threaded caseback...
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Wonders if the person opening the case in this way, was intending on also working on the movement !
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