Introduction Thank you for taking the time to view this slideshow, it will walk you through the re-assembly and pieces of your watch. To skip a slide simply press the right arrow key or to go back to a previous slide, press the left arrow key. Thank you again and enjoy the show.

Gents Rolex “Date” model, Stainless Steel case and bracelet, Reference number 1501, serial number 187,XX3, manufactured in 1968. 29 jewel movement, caliber 1575, serial number D231,026.

As received- not running and rusty.

This watch was in pretty rough shape as found, but was original in all but a few ways.

Rust creeping from under the bezel.

As found metal case parts, back.

As found metal case parts, front.

Case center as found.

Badly corroded case bezel.

Inside caseback as found.

The case required extensive work to make it reusable The case required extensive work to make it reusable. Besides the normal polishing and refinishing, the crystal ledge of the case had to be turned in the watchmaker’s lathe to remove the heavy rust so that the new crystal would have a chance of sealing. The same thing had to be done to the bezel.

There were pits left in the steel even after it was cleaned and polished.

As seen under a microscope As seen under a microscope. This surface should be highly polished with no scratches or pits.

Original dial with a few age spots on it- not bad!

Proof that the dial is original from this back view.

Note about dial and hands. An original dial is usually preferred to a refinished dial if the original dial is not too badly aged or damaged. However, old ugly hands are not desirable, so they were replaced with new, genuine Rolex 14K white gold hands with SuperLuminova luminous compound. They will now glow in the dark nicely.

Further proof that this is the original dial Further proof that this is the original dial. It is marked with the symbol for Tritium which was the standard back in 1968.

Some signs of moisture under the oscillating weight, but nowhere else on the movement.

Movement completely disassembled and ready for reassembly.

Clean time train parts for the base movement.

Clean automatic winding parts.

Clean calendar parts.

Time train gears installed.

Time train wheels with jeweled bridges installed.

With ratchet wheel and escapement.

Ready for the automatic wind system.

Clean calendar side of movement.

The calendar wheel post was broken The calendar wheel post was broken. The hole in the plate had to be closed for the new post.

Threaded calendar wheel post installed (pink arrows).

Calendar wheel installed on new post.

Calendar ready for dial and hands.

Winding and setting mechanism.

Finished inside of caseback Finished inside of caseback. 48deltaWD is my registered casemark in case your watch is lost or stolen, it can be identified by this mark.

Case reference # and date of manufacture (11. 68) Case reference # and date of manufacture (11.68). From inside of caseback.

Cased crown up.

Cased crown down- perfect!!

The following pics are of the watch in different lighting.

Thank you for your business, I appreciate the opportunity to serve you Thank you for your business, I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. This watch should be serviced again in 2010 and be seen annually for a checkup.