Fascinating video of the restoration of a vintage Rolex Explorer exposed to seawater.

[Jefe's Dope]

This video has been in my Youtube "recommend to watch" sidebar for a few weeks now and while it sounded interesting, I avoided due to length. Well, it's one of the most interesting and captivating videos I've seen in awhile. Totally worth the time to watch. No pun intended.

 

[Thumper580]

No way.... My patience would have ended in about 3 minutes. Still an impressive restore job.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

No way.... My patience would have ended in about 3 minutes. Still an impressive restore job.

That's what I was thinking but it's incredibly interesting and captivating.

 

[Olen_4504]

I have zero interest in watches, I don’t even wear one…let alone super fancy expensive watches. But I’ve seen a handful of this guys videos - it’s very interesting and impressive.

 

[Marinevet1]

WOW.........so many tiny pieces and screws..........very interesting...........that guy knows what he is doing........

 

[Sean the Nailer]

From a jeweler supply business, I had to order some 1mm taps.

Let me tell ya,,, the first time I tapped those holes in stainless steel was 'nerve wracking' for sure. This guy's video is impressive. Especially with those 'jewel' bearings.

 

[Jack's Dad]

This has become one of my favorite YouTube channels over the last 8 months. Fascinating.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

From a jeweler supply business, I had to order some 1mm taps.

Let me tell ya,,, the first time I tapped those holes in stainless steel was 'nerve wracking' for sure. This guy's video is impressive. Especially with those 'jewel' bearings.

1mm…. Giant stuff! Try 14 ba!!

Cheers, Sirhr

PS Sean, how is the battleship Model coming?

 

[sirhrmechanic]

For those who love precision chronograph’s…

Watch Longitude.



What Harrison, a carpenter by training, did for horology was mind blowing. His clocks still run… at the Greenwich Observatory. They are amazing.

Sirhr

 

[nikonNUT]

Very cool! I watch another dude that does restorations/rebuilds that goes by Red Dead Restoration. He doesn't talk but I dig some of the tooling has! Does a Breitling restoration (motorcycle wreck) and pulls out watchmakerS lathe that looks like it was made in the 1800s. Love horology but way to blind and shaky to play with those little parts so I have to live vicariously through guys like him and Wristwatch Revival!

 

[Sean the Nailer]

1mm…. Giant stuff! Try 14 ba!!
View attachment 7914383


Cheers, Sirhr

PS Sean, how is the battleship Model coming?

Full Pause at the moment,,,, life and adulting are getting in the way. Plan to go full-whack this coming Fall/Winter though.

And yeah, 14 B.A. is also a 1mm screw. Fun stuff eh?

And you know how fun threading stainless is.....oil is your friend.

 

[MJBrooks]

There is just something oddly satisfying about watching people working with all the small details. Great vid!

 

[HeavyAssault]

Hummmmm....I need to work on my Operation game skill set.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

So a couple of things jump out….

First, nothing was forced or “bodged.” For every “issue” there was a tool or a technique. Master stuff! Calm. Cool. Relaxed. Everything had a “solution” that didn’t involve violence or force.

Second, his investment in his skills and tools is apparent. As a “hobby”’guy, this is again way out there skills. A guy who could go pro any time he wanted to hang a shingle. His passion is apparent. Awesome!

Third, everything was done right. And I don’t restore watches… but I know “right” when I see it. Whether a shotgun or a precision engine or any other piece of quality machinery… this is how it’s done. I was thinking this guy must have apprenticed for years… but by the end, I am pretty sure he was self-taught. Which is amazing. My kind of guy!

These are the kinds of folks I love to see. While so many waste lives playing “angry birds” or hitting a little white ball in a hole… here is a guy who is saving history and quality and carrying on a craft tradition. Love it. These are skills that must be carried on. We may not think the world depends on it. But it does. Someone has to build and fix stuff.

Last is his point that the Rolex brand has become associated with jet setting and bling. But the reality is that those watches ARE what they are because they were the toughest tools on the planet. Before they got hijacked by hedge fund managers and Hollywoods. Look deeper into a Rolex and you will find the history has nothing to do with “bling bling.”

Amazing video. Thanks for posting. This made my day.

Sirhr

 

[stemikel]

Phenomenal video. Thanks for posting that one!

 

[7.62willdo]

So a couple of things jump out….

First, nothing was forced or “bodged.” For every “issue” there was a tool or a technique. Master stuff! Calm. Cool. Relaxed. Everything had a “solution” that didn’t involve violence or force.

Second, his investment in his skills and tools is apparent. As a “hobby”’guy, this is again way out there skills. A guy who could go pro any time he wanted to hang a shingle. His passion is apparent. Awesome!

Third, everything was done right. And I don’t restore watches… but I know “right” when I see it. Whether a shotgun or a precision engine or any other piece of quality machinery… this is how it’s done. I was thinking this guy must have apprenticed for years… but by the end, I am pretty sure he was self-taught. Which is amazing. My kind of guy!

These are the kinds of folks I love to see. While so many waste lives playing “angry birds” or hitting a little white ball in a hole… here is a guy who is saving history and quality and carrying on a craft tradition. Love it. These are skills that must be carried on. We may not think the world depends on it. But it does. Someone has to build and fix stuff.

Last is his point that the Rolex brand has become associated with jet setting and bling. But the reality is that those watches ARE what they are because they were the toughest tools on the planet. Before they got hijacked by hedge fund managers and Hollywoods. Look deeper into a Rolex and you will find the history has nothing to do with “bling bling.”

Amazing video. Thanks for posting. This made my day.

Sirhr

Most of the bling bling can be attributed to Hollywood……. In the world of high end watches they are no where near the top…….

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Most of the bling bling can be attributed to Hollywood……. In the world of high end watches they are no where near the top…….

True... but they are 'affordable' bling bling.

With payment plans and mass production... the masses aren't going to afford a Lange and Sohne... or even know where to get one. But any jewelry store in the mall can get you a Rolex. Or used to be able to. The bubble is rather 'challenging' that assumption.

So... yeah. Nowhere near the top. But at the top of the 'bottom' I guess you could say. These days.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Really should just bite the bullet and buy a Rolex. But ever since I started wearing the AppleWatch, I quit wearing analog watches all together. The AppleWatch is just too good to not wear. Other than needing to be charged daily, it really is superior. I have several Citizen Eco Drives that just sit on my dresser charging in the light. But texting, taking calls, ECG, step/workout monitor, emails, listening to music, compass, Strelok Pro, etc. I just does so much.

I did go for the titanium case AppleWatch this last time to treat myself a bit more than the SS I usually go for. The only knock I can give the AppleWatch is the need to upgrade every few years to get the latest greatest. I've been pretty rough on all my watches and the AW has really stood up. I've broken one crystal, I always get the sapphire crystal, when I slapped it with a tire spoon changing a motocross tire. But was covered under AppleCare.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Cool video. Worth so much yet back in the day they weren't stupid pricey.

My Timex "Ironman" has held up for a decade so far.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Really total overkill here. I'd have firehosed a half quart of WD40 into it with the same results.

 

[chevy_man]

Really should just bite the bullet and buy a Rolex. But ever since I started wearing the AppleWatch, I quit wearing analog watches all together. The AppleWatch is just too good to not wear. Other than needing to be charged daily, it really is superior. I have several Citizen Eco Drives that just sit on my dresser charging in the light. But texting, taking calls, ECG, step/workout monitor, emails, listening to music, compass, Strelok Pro, etc. I just does so much.

I did go for the titanium case AppleWatch this last time to treat myself a bit more than the SS I usually go for. The only knock I can give the AppleWatch is the need to upgrade every few years to get the latest greatest. I've been pretty rough on all my watches and the AW has really stood up. I've broken one crystal, I always get the sapphire crystal, when I slapped it with a tire spoon changing a motocross tire. But was covered under AppleCare.

My nicest watch is a Citizen. I managed to kill the battery in 4 years. Scratched the bezel and face all to hell but I can still read it.

I killed a Samsung watch in 2 days. Gave the insurance replacement to my kid. It's not compatible with my life.

Apple products infuriate me. My last one was an ipod with the wheel. Their software frustrated me to the point of never looking at them again.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

My nicest watch is a Citizen. I managed to kill the battery in 4 years. Scratched the bezel and face all to hell but I can still read it.

I killed a Samsung watch in 2 days. Gave the insurance replacement to my kid. It's not compatible with my life.

Apple products infuriate me. My last one was an ipod with the wheel. Their software frustrated me to the point of never looking at them again.

I had an original iMac and had a similar experience. Thought I'd NEVER return to Apple products. After having to replace my PC laptop every year due to male ware, etc. Switched to a MacBook Air in 2010 and have never looked back. So happy that I switched everything to be in the Apple OS system/walled garden.

 

[CameronWartz]

That Rolex restoration sounds like a real labor of love! It's funny how different watches fit into our lives in unexpected ways. And hey, speaking of unique timepieces, have you ever come across any Richard Mille replica watches? They're quite intriguing pieces to explore, especially for those with a knack for mechanical marvels!