To overhaul or not to overhaul
Hi watchfam, I’ve been playing with the idea of overhauling my Rolex Air King 14000 because of a few reasons.
A. The tritium on the minute hand is falling out
B. The patina on the dial is uneven and the previous owner had water damaged a portion of it
C. It is due for a service soon as I can feel the roughness when turning the crown
D. I’m playing with the idea of keeping the original dial and hands aside and changing it to an original Air King Buckley dial with Luminova for better visibility as well.
What are your thoughts? Should I keep these as original as possible? Or should I overhaul it and have a spanking new looking watch? 🙏🏻
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Toby
Hi I’m a Rolex - Neo vintage enthusiast. Friendly and positive, just an average guy. ☺️
Singapore
Member since
Last active: 6 days ago
15.24 cm
Dial looks fine to me. I'd just have a movement service , clean out any loose lume inside, and have it relumed. The more original the better.
While I would fix what is broken (A and C), I would not mess with the dial or otherwise "mod" the watch. It will destroy the value.
Depends on whether it's got sentimental value (sympathetic restoration and service), you intend to sell it in the future or are unsure ( service ) or if it's a definite keeper (mod it how YOU want it to look , & service it)
I'd keep it & mod it, life's too short to worry. Have fun 😊
I had similar issue. Faced with the full Rolex works or go via a specialist to maintain it's patina/scars. In end, I sent it in to Rolex mothership (in early 2000s). My main rationale, I didn't want the hassle of going via specialist it had an issue. Go with your gut, it'll only echo in eternity lol. An "as if left factory" AK.
Restore it using all replacements and make it fit and functional…
Address A. and C. The patina on the dial looks great and I personally can’t see the uneveness of the dial. I come from the guitar world and making an old guitar look new again is the biggest “no no” anyone can do. It is your choice but If the watch is operating better I’m sure you will not mind the patina of the watch.
You’d be amazed at what just a thorough cleaning will do. If you send it to RSC they’ll replace the hands and ask if you’d like the dial replaced as well. That’s SOP for them. I might consider sending it to Michael Young in HK. He specializes in Rolexes. Will repair the jubilee and get it in perfect shape.
Only service for the movement. Keep the rest as it is gang
If you think you’d like it more with a full overhaul I don’t see any reason not to do it. If you’re only concerned about value, I can see the reason not to, but to be honest these models aren’t among the more expensive Rolex and the value probably wouldn’t even be changed much. You should do whatever will make you like the watch the most.