Restoration of a Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date - Ref 1500 Caliber 1570

This time I´m restoring a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date.
The reference number of the watch is 1500, it features a hacking-function (movement-stop when the time is set) and an instant date-change function.
It´s powered by the Rolex 1570 caliber an automatic movement with 26 rubis and KIF-Ultraflex-Shock-Protection. It beats with 19800 bph and the lift angle of the balance is 52°.
Like nearly all Rolex calibers its chronometer-certified, tested in 5 positions and various temperatures.
Of course it is nicely decorated, the blue shining Breguet-Hairspring of the balance wheel (made out of Glucydur) and the red-anodized reversing wheels of the automatic subassembly is always eye candy.

The watch is in a really bad condition: The case is scratched and has some dents, the glass is heavily scratched and the movement isn´t running at all. On top, it´s all dirty and the bracelet is heavily worn-out.

I´m able to polish the case and the bezel, one dent on the bezel will remain but replacing it was not an economical option for me. The glass will be replaced, as well as the bracelet. Some bracelets can be restored by special workshops, but the Oyster-Bracelet is a bit extra special and a full restoration is nearly the same price like a new one. The pallet fork of the movement is damaged, so i´m replacing this one.

After everything is cleaned and polished, I can re-assemble the movement with some fresh oil. After some fine-tuning with the microstella-tool, this watch is in a fantastic beat (+0 seconds per day) again.

I hope you liked this restoration, if so, like, comment and subscribe ;)

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Music:
Intro: "Satya Yuga" by Jesse Gallagher
Outro: "Large Smile Mood" by Nico Staf

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[miguelangelsiller]

Mechanical engineering that can be worn on your wrist to identify what time it is . It’s crazy what goes into timepieces, it’s an art. Total appreciation for this fantastic hobby.

[gemik]

Man this craftmanship probably costs more than a new Rolex at today's price. So much skill and knowledge

[chozar]

Lots of people here are really impressed that someone can remember how to reassemble a watch. Don't get me wrong, it is really impressive. But it's a career, thousands of competent watchmakers do this every day, they went through lots of training and have spent lots of time learning how watches work and how to do this. It's an impressive trade that goes underappreciated.

[pepegrillo]

Love this video. No music, no voice, just the sound of the machines and tools. The quality of the video, your craftmanship, the beauty of the watch! So sarisfying to watch. A big thank you and what a work well done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[allmxn]

The patience, the hand skill and the memory of remembering every little piece of the watches is incredible! This is why I have so much appreciation for watches, watch makers and watch repairers/restorers!

[SirSwanky-zdel]

This is phenomenal. Whoever was the first genius to engineer a watch was a very smart human. So many parts that have to sync

[seanfree]

My father repairs watches since he was 16 and he started working with his father around 1945.
He is 72 now. And still working every day with a smile and a "mate" our national beverage.
Greetings from Argentina.

[josegime]

I could watch this video a thousand times and never get tired, it has something that deeply relaxes me, without a doubt this is also art.

[Punisher]

Watching this watchmaker restoring this watch, cleaning it and fixing the movement is like watching a surgeon doing complicated heart surgery, the skills these watchmakers have is amazing seeing them bringing these watches to life.

[johnshields]

I'm a very hands on guy, and I'm mesmerized by these repair videos, not just seeing the difference when rehabbed but the mechanical tiny parts is so cool to see, whoever designed the first watches, I mean it's miraculous to me about the brains that put these gears and forged such small parts that work together like a symphony . Much appreciated

[Storken]

That's what I love about mechanical watches. Not only is the watch itself a piece of art, but the amount of time and skills that's needed is impressive. Not only that, this is a 50 years old watch, and it still works. Amazing work

[ronanotoole]

I believe this is easily the best video I've EVER watched - ASMR heaven! The artform is just astounding and the talent, patience and meticulousness is second to none. Truly amazing.

[mazgicislam]

to anyone who does not understand these types of watches, show them this video. In one go the viewer will see the craftsmanship of the watch by the original creator and then the craftsmanship that goes into restoring this beautiful watch.

[shotcaller]

I wish I was young again so I can spend a lifetime learning and doing this. It’s simply art.

[chance]

Not just how this person manages to recover, but also the design of this watch truly amazed me.

[YT-tyoy]

The people giving this video a thumbs down due to the bracelet being tossed into the trash didn’t bother watching the entire video. Do you really think he’d throw out a genuine vintage Rolex bracelet? This video is excellent!

[richeharrison]

There's something so soporific about watching these videos, especially when they're not dubbed over with bad Euro pop/dance music. I must've dozed off half a dozen times only to be startled back by relatively quiet pop or bang of a spring or component being replaced. As a proud owner of a 1995 Oyster Perpetual Date, these videos are fascinating and give me even more appreciation for the intracacies and expert craftsmanship that went into the design and assembly of these timepieces, and makes me love it even more than I already do!
Thanks for the informative and educational video.

[bobweller]

An absolutely fascinating demonstration of the watchmaker’s craft. I wear a 1979 version of the same Rolex 1500 as thus illustrated, under repair at the present time, hoping my watch will be treated with the same skill and care. The photography was carried out with the same skill and drama as the restoration illustrated. Great job. Bravo.

[hwirtwirt]

Nothing more rewarding than watching a skilled watchmaker restore a once beautiful watch and make it magnificent again. Well done!

[dr.hookyeah]

Simply put, how in the world does he know where everything goes once he gets it all taken apart – especially the screws. This is amazing.