Restoration of a Gold Rolex Day-Date - Smashed and Drenched

This time I restore a 18K Gold Rolex Day-Date from 1971. This Rolex watch was badly damaged and it belongs to Andy who inherited it from his father so the watch has sentimental as well as monetary value. This restoration was pretty challenging. Several crital components were completely rusted and some extreme measures were necessary to complete the restoration of the vintage Rolex 1556 movement and its solid 18K gold case.

Music : Walk Through The Park
Artist: TrackTribe
Source: YouTube Audio Library

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I am a USMC SGT retired. I am also a huge fane of Richard. I purchased a Sea Wolf watch from Richard to add to my collection. I truly recommend to everyone to look at the Sea Wolf line of watches. My Sea Wolf watch sits proudly in my watch collection between my Rolex Submariner and My Rolex DeepSea. As a Marine I love the water and the tools which serve me while in it. Thank you Richard for an excellent watch, which has great story to go with it.

[TrudyPennell]

Hi Richard, I’m Andy’s wife. Thank you so much for this. My late father in law’s watch is so treasured and priceless. It’s love to see it get such loving care ❤️ Rolex themselves had absolutely no interest in its sentimental value, they should be ashamed. It’s lovely that Andy gets it back in full working order with so much of the original watch intact 😊

[alpal]

I’ve been wondering what it would take to restore a truly rusted out watch. Now I know : Skill, patience, careful attention to detail, all the right tools a lot of knowledge and a big heart. Thank you. I did enjoy it, and the tantalizing glimpse of your well stocked workshop.

[PurpleTT]

Oh Richard that was brilliant. The word “awesome” is used a lot these days but I was in awe. From an apparent basket case to stunningly beautiful via “agricultural” and “brutal”. I’m drained.

[PatrickMcF]

Hi Richard,
Is there something wrong with me? When you put the watch down and got your instruments and cleaning fluid ready, I was excited!
Jaysus, it's only a watch....but nevertheless I was anticipating a whole heap of intricate love and gentle cleaning with possibly the chance of failure?
No, that's just a pipe dream😂
However, your attention to detail, obvious passion, narration and demeanor all add to the viewing experience.
I will have to send my Breitling as it's sat in the safe for 6 years 😢 and I'd rather have it sat with you for another 6😂
Thank you for your time and content. ❤

[tonys]

What a masterful job done on a very challenging case. Rolex was afraid to touch this one. Thanks Richard for sharing this experience 👏👏

[williameckert]

I’m always amazed how resilient these watches are when you have a skilled watchmaker.

[andrewfrost]

Here is an interesting comment about the video:

Wow, what an intense restoration process! As a watch enthusiast, I'm amazed at your skill and care in reviving this smashed and drowned Rolex.

The rusted stuck components like the fused wheels and calendar ring screws seemed impossibly damaged, but you systematically cleaned and extracted everything without causing further harm. Your tips on safely controlling the wound mainspring to avoid damage were insightful.

I love how you take us through each step - seeing the watch transform from a seized, corroded mess into a pristine, ticking timepiece is so satisfying! The details about using lubricating grease and Teflon were fascinating, too. Watch restorations don't get much more thorough than this.

[Adrian_]

Love watching your videos Richard. Every part looks easy to remove and install on the TV screen, then once you see a movement normal scale it never ceases to amaze me how tiny most of the parts actually are! Interesting how some parts are relatively unscathed, and others badly seized or corroded! Really appreciate the time and effort you put into filming the whole restoration. Just fantastic cheers. Finished article is outstanding!👌👍

[StuartWhyle]

It's hard to imagine that this is an economical repair - unless you are very generous with your time. But it makes for a fascinating and sympathetic piece of work. Bravo.

[johnparnell]

Heartbreak at the state of this watch when first opened, but full respect at the mindboggling skill employed refurbishing such tiny delicate components back to full working order. Truly amazing!

[raimundweinstein]

I'm always amazed at how much patience, knowledge and skill you have to repair a watch like this and get it running again. respect

[sheffieldlane]

that was satisfying. a proper resto, Richard. well done. Andy must be thrilled.

[MickHo-ub]

It’s oddly soothing watching and listening to you repair watches.

[garyquartley]

What a fabulous restoration! Loved the way you tried to keep everything original but used new parts where necessary, and the filming was top notch as well. Bravo!!

[rossjackson]

Excellent display of technique and knowledge. Good explanation of the work you completed. Can't understand why the owner waited so long after immersion to get repair done. Thank goodness is was you. We all benefited. Thank you.

[Acolyte]

Richard, it's so lovely seeing you again and making such a fine restoration of a well loved, gold Rolex. "Minty fresh" is a great description of the fine watchmaking craft you do, and I just thank you for encouraging Billie my daughter to get the courage and go to Geneva to intern for a luxury watch maker. ...the hard work, the patience of you shone through to make this latest video an absolute classic. God bless, peace and many blessings to you, Wendi 🌻🌻🌻

[tadeubotelho]

It was a beautiful job!
I am currently restoring two antique clocks (1895 omega) and a cortebert.
Both were my grandfather's.
Unfortunately the omega is very rusty, but I'm managing to save it. In your video I managed to learn some important techniques that will help me in my work.
Thank you very much!

[TheRandallraplee]

You will probably never see this comment but what you do I find fascinating! In all my years I could never do your craft .Thank you for this offbeat recording where we get to meet your client in a park and then his sharing about how the watch fell into disrepair. Also I have never heard a watchmaker give some step by step do and don’ts to fix the issue. Thank you again!

[TheGeezzer]

Great restoration of a rusty Rolex! Cool to see a micro-engineer at work!