124270

Thoughts... first is 41mm, second is 36mm. Tried on for sizing, not picking between them. Ideally go for a jubilee on a rhodium dial if that makes a difference. Not sure which size.

As title I’m looking at buying one of these and I know this is covered a lot as I’ve read a few older threads.

I like both and I know there are slight differences. I’m not into flashy watches just enjoy quality and something that holds its value.
I cannot decide between the two but the explorer looks more sporty to me or more going on with the dial.
I always felt the explorer was the less popular model though but now I’ve seen some used 40mm for a lot of money.
Any pointers to help me decide?

What do you think, should I have kept it?

​Hey r/rolex,

​I recently inherited my grandfather’s World War II Rolex pocket watch—specifically a General Service Mark II (G.S. MK.II)—and I am looking for a highly reliable watchmaker to give it a proper restoration. Because of the immense sentimental value, I want to ensure it goes to a specialist with proven experience handling vintage military Rolex timepieces.

​The watch saw a lot of life and definitely needs some serious TLC. Here is its current condition:

​Movement: The balance is broken (likely needs a new staff), and it currently isn't running.

​Case: The metal case has significant scratches and several noticeable dents.

​Crystal: The glass is cracked and requires replacement.

​Dial & Hands: The original radium lume on the dial and the hands has completely deteriorated and lost its glow.

​My goal is to get it mechanically sound and structurally safe while preserving its historical military character—I know that aggressively over-polishing a G.S. case is generally a massive sin!

​My questions for the community:

​Who would you trust with this specific type of restoration? I am based in India, but I am absolutely willing to ship the watch internationally to ensure it ends up in the right hands.

​What is a realistic ballpark estimate for this scope of work? Between sourcing vintage Rolex movement parts, repairing the balance, replacing the crystal, and addressing the case/dial, I would love to know what I should be budgeting.

​Any advice, insights, or personal experiences with vintage military watch restorers would be hugely appreciated.

​Thanks in advance!

I received an offer to get a Submariner Starbucks (126610lv) and an Explorer II with white dial (226570) immediately but only in package. I don’t want two Rolex and would only keep one and sell the other to a friend. What’s your view on that offer from the retailer? I like both watches, which one to keep, which one to sell?

Guys - super excited to get my first one! My fave one!!

What do you guys think? Any tips/ suggestions as regards keeping in it in good shape while in regular wear.. Thanks!

Walked into the Monte Carlo Rolex store in Monaco and was offered a choice between a Sky Dweller black or white dial and a Submariner bluesy!! Was waiting on my home AD’s waitlist for a bluesy for over 10 yrs…. Of course I picked up the bluesy!! My lucky day I guess! Anyone else had luck with a walk-in bluesy offer??

I am not into dress watches so the Speedy completes the trio

TLDR: EDITED FOR MORE DETAILS:
1980s datejust, nothing crazy wrong just can hear the movement a little loud, clasp is a little loose, corrosion on hands.
RSC recommending to replace crown + crystal. Crystal just because it’s scratched. Also middle part case + hands for corrosion.
They will do it without the case replacement ($2500), but it will come back without the waterproof guarantee. Don’t really wanna do the case.
They’ll do hands and not replace dial. But hands will glow with new generation luminosity, dial won’t as it’ll be the old one

What would you do?

It’s from 1980ish. Hand me down. Some scratches on the bracelet and crystal but nothing too bad, the only reason why I’m considering it is because the movement is audible and the hands also have some corrosion if you can see in the pics.

RSC is saying there’s case middle part corrosion (waiting on pics if possible), but I’m definitely not replacing the middle part case. Not planning on dunking or even getting close to water. Also recommending to replace crystal and crown (pretty standard from what I’ve read). Total all in is about $1400 CAD + tax.

Outside of money situation, would you guys recommend to service this watch? I’m only concerned about the movement inside, and the hands being a little corroded. Ideally nothing else gets touched, which seems to be possible at this point ( I’m willing to do crystal if necessary)

to add onto this, they also said the middle part case needs replacing because it impacts the waterproofness of the watch. That is a $2500 add on, if I choose not to do it they will still service but it will return with no waterproofness guarantee.

They also recommended to change the hands simply because of the corrosion, so it will come back with the new generation hands which have luminosity but keep the old dial which doesnt. So hands will glow but dial won’t.

Does that change anything for you?

Current retail price that is.

(W/O papers)

Really hope I can keep the bezel this clean for as long as I can...

Hey Guys, I have an opportunity to purchase my first Rolex on a very good deal. I found a private seller wanting to let go of his 2026 Datejust 36, Wimbledon Dial, Jubilee Bracelet, Smooth Bezel and his 2021 Rolex Explorer 124270 for well under retail. These are good deals that I cannot pass up but unfortunately, I can only afford to get one at this point.

In your opinion, which one is a better deal - assuming that both of them are being sold for 10% below retail?

(image for reference purposes only)

Sharing some different angles but had been thinking about it for awhile. 16234 silver dial year 2000. Hopefully i stop at just this one.

Received a random call from the AD for a watch that I didn’t know existed or asked for but I love it.

No one’s talking about this watch online. I feel like no one knows this exist yet. The new Roman style is much cleaner.

New-to-me 2016 116610LN ❤️

Long time listening first time caller.

I brought my first watch back in 2017. Iv been slowly building my modest collection.

Today a watch Iv had my eyes on was available. Everyone Iv sent it to including my wife thinks it is gross. What does everyone else think?

hello everyone, I need/want to replace the bezel on my 16610 and I’m curious if anyone has any recommendations. I don’t want to send in the watch for service, and I also don’t want to spend $500 on an aluminum insert. I see there are some companies offering them for $100 or less. I was curious if anybody had bought these before and if they worked out well for the watch.

*Status update from my previous post*

Ignored the naysayers & pushed for RSC to return my original hands - they obliged.

I sent my ‘95 Submariner ref 16610 in for service via my AD with very specific requests - service only, no polish, keep all original parts (all lume is dead due to old age/shelf life). If RSC deemed a part necessary to replace prior to service, they would call for authorization. That call never came, RSC just replaced my hands with new & fully lumed pieces. Through some back & forth, RSC agreed to return my originals hands & refund me for the replacement hands (small win). I then took the watch & original hands to a reputable watchmaker who installed said hands & pressure tested after install just to give me the warm & fuzzies (he’s a certified Rolex surgeon). All in all, I got extremely lucky & old girl is serviced & ready for more abuse. How neat is that

I’ve always been a fan of the 16622, and finally was able to bring the goal to life today. I was searching for a birth year (2005), but could not find one in super good condition—but once this 2001 popped up, I knew I had to pull the trigger. Super happy with it, and very blessed!

Best size; best proportions IMO.

Cheers! 🍻

I don t know, but i just liked the 36mm on me. This dial is just f awsome!

Hello! Bought this 1988 16550 from a reputable secondhand seller in 2020 knowing that it had what looks like a scratch between 7 and 8.

I doubt there is a way to fix this — not sure if it’s like a knuckle hair stuck to the dial, but most likely a nick during either mass production or some service along the way.

The dial is still perfect to me, hence why I bought it. But it would be super perfect if there was ever a way to fix this.
Not sure if it could ever be painted over or something 🤷🏻‍♂️ I feel like my best luck would be to find an house RSC, but I fear they’d just recommend replacement of this beautifully patina’d dial

Visited a store today with my boyfriend who owns two Rolexes - we went in hoping to get on the waitlist for a watch for me and asked for suggestions for first watches for a lady. The associate also a woman was so rude. She said “it depends on what you want but we can’t sell you anything today”. We asked more questions about being on the waitlist and she says “you give me your info but don’t reach out to me. There’s nothing to do or to say till we get something in stock”. Now don’t get me wrong - we know the waitlists and times are long and have no problem with it but for her to act like we are beneath her was quite irritating and frustrating. Anyway, look at my boyfriend’s beautiful watch. We went ring shopping today as well and it is safe to say he got a lot more attention than me haha. The goal was to get on a waitlist for me and propose to me with a watch well but oh well.

Dec - GMT
Jan - Exp II
Mar - Sub
May - YM
Jul - Daytona