Restoration $8500 Rolex Submariner Luxury Watch - Polishing Case Bracelet - Dirty - ASMR

In this video I make a restoration of a $8500 Rolex submariner watch from 2004 with cal 3135. The watch was listed in an auction as defective, serious issues.
Instagram:
/ watcheyesone
The watch interested me because it looked untouched from the outside and inside so I gave it a shot and bidded on the watch, just one more made a bid…Did I buy a scrap watch or?...
During the restoration the watch movement is restored and the casing is lapped, brushed and polished manually. All gaskets are changed. Pallet fork, escapement wheel, rotor axle needed to be changed. Off camera the automatic module with rotor wasn’t correct after rotor axle change, I needed to change 2 jewels in the automatic module and change one of the jewels height.
After the restoration the watch ran around + 5 seconds per day in real life testing. So I adjusted it a few seconds lower (shown in the video) so now it will probably be around 0 seconds per day, just maybe +1-2 seconds. The watch performance is according to Rolex service specification after 24 h testing.
During the restoration I use my home built DIY KiwiCleaner which is a watch cleaner, please check out the KiwiCleaner, this machine is awesome and just for maybe around 15% of a new Elma cleaner machine (and it's better than the Elma one!).
Link: www.diywatchcleaner.com
My gear and other products, affiliate links*:
Tamron 28-75 f2.8 sony e (Not G2)*: amzn.to/3xEVvRj
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 dg macro sony e*: amzn.to/3O5xgCM
Timegrapher*: amzn.to/3xE2oT4
If you like this video, I'll be very happy if you push the Like button (maybe put a comment?), more videos will come! Take care and thank you for your time!
This is not a tutorial video, I’m just a hobbyist and might do things incorrectly.
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My channel :
/ @watcheyes
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[@Watcheyes]

Just did my dream restoration project and I hope you like it! The Rolex submariner was a joy to work on but the previous owner has never serviced the watch (that's my guess). So I found plenty of problems… One main big concern was that the rotor axle had scraped off metal all over the movement bridges, this can lead to a total scrap watch. I was lucky I guess that the watch “only” needed new parts for around 500 USdollar. After the restoration the watch works very well. I tested it in real life (IRL) during the creation of the video and it ran around +5 seconds per day (Rolex specification says it should run during testing/as in real life between -1 to +5 s per day). So I needed to adjust it a bit as seen in the video. Now it runs for about +1-2 seconds per day. Hope you will like my video, many thanks to all of you!

[@Lightning77305]

Wonderful. great work and excellent result!

[@Watcheyes]

@@Lightning77305 happy that you liked it, have a great day!

[@Lightning77305]

@@Watcheyes Thank you, keep up the great work!

[@22k203902]

Really nice work! Are you based in Sweden?

[@palerider2020]

I can do that.....I just don't want to....

[@bomokkii]

This is art. It was an absolute joy to watch the video. Breathtakingly beautiful.

[@blaight87]

Having binged many of the bigger restoration channels it is a treat to see excellence on a tighter budget.

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you :)

[@dustingriffith8496]

Bravo, my friend. Well done. I watch a lot of restoration videos and love how therapeutic they are, but this one was truly a joy to watch. The sounds, the music, the atmosphere. Well done!

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks sir 🙏

[@montalvoandres]

Not only a great restoration but what a video - the footage, editing, takes, angles, etc. Thanks so much for this, it has made my day! Greeting from down under! Keep up the great work, Cheers mate!

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks, I appreciate your comment alot 😊 🙂 Have a great day, greetings from Sweden.

[@palerider2020]

Can you do some work on my readeel quartz..I paid $15 off temu 3 weeks ago but it's running +17 seconds per day... what's your address. I'll send it to you to fix and I$10...deal.??

[@yueqi4631]

“Thank you for your time” at the last for a watch repairing video is so right and tasteful, great work✅

[@timlowe3081]

What an amazing talent this guy has, I wish I could do this……very relaxing to watch…..

[@davescott574]

Thanks!

[@Watcheyes]

Ohh, that was kind of you, many thanks, I'll buy a chocolate for it :)

[@1982jcm800]

Amazing! As an Engineer and Auto/Moto enthusiast (and Rolex 14060M owner!), that is the finest work I've ever seen! Thank you so much for posting this!

[@HamzaWasHere007]

Just mesmerizing to watch. Nicely executed. Keep up the good work, brother!

[@Watcheyes]

Will do and many thanks for the support! Best wishes from Sweden

[@hansstolk6998]

Incredible work. You are so skilled. Love that you have all the tools needed. Excellent film and no need to talk. Perfect result, and a Rolex watch to be proud of. ❤

[@Watcheyes]

Thanks again Hans and nice to see you commenting to my videos as always 🙂

[@kls1912]

I love watches but in general not interested in watchmaker/ movement videos but I watched this video and it was absolutely amazing! I have had my 16610LN since 2009 so this video was even more special for me. You did a really good job!

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks sir for the kind comment. That's a fantastic watch you have, enjoy it 😀👍

[@normandeplume7533]

The high-quality audio is simply mesmerizing. ...as is the care and precision of your work. Well done as always.

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks, have a great weekend!

[@Robert-vw3od]

This is an absolutely stunning restoration. fantastic work, huge respect for you.

[@Watcheyes]

Hi there Robert, thank you for taking your time commenting on my video, glad you like my work 😀 😊. Best wishes from Sweden.

[@24hourgmtchannel64]

Nice video. A couple of observations. Rolex ceased adding lug holes beginning in 2003 so without knowing the serial, at most this watch is 20 years old. Compared to a ETA 2824-2, I also tend to see wear on the rotor and sometimes the pallet jewel of a 3135 so when you factor in the price between a 3135 and a 2824-2, after years of service, I find this a bit perplexing. Premature rotor post/jewel wear has seemed to be an issue with Rolex/Aegler all the way back to the older 15xx movments as noted by rhodium plating wear with the rotor making the contact with the baseplate due to wear. I'm actually a vintage and neo vintage Rolex lover but must say it would appear that while not prettier, the ETA is a bit more durable in some regards but this is hard to gauge in a small sample study. It would almost indicate the ETA is a more robust workhorse movement than the 3135. Also, nice work in duplicating the top lug brushed surface. These are done by machine at the factory and are ofter hard to replicate by hand. One additional note to all new watchmakers is always let the movement run for 24 hours after a service to allow the oils to spread and settle in before checking and attempting any timming calibration.

[@Watcheyes]

It's from 2004 the watch. Thank you for the info. Yes, 24 h then adjustment but would test the watch irl after 24 h and then adjust after a couple of days to be within rolex spec of -1 to +5.

[@cougar66]

🤔 Maybe It's depends which lubricant you use on it And also how many years the mechanism worked And which type of person used it ...In any cases automatic mechanism is in relation with barel and mainspring. Which in turn are related to.... P.S. If I were you I will lubricate the palet fork before assembling the parts of the date window. So you should have more light and wide vision 🤫🤐😉👋

[@riverthecat]

I am never touching the inside of one of these watches..gees!! this precision work is truly awesome..

[@marioduran7913]

You are absolutely professional !!

[@axelgs11]

The best strip down and photography on a Submariner I've ever seen. Absolute perfection.👌

[@Watcheyes]

Ohhh many thanks for those kind words 😀

[@farrd14]

Owning one of these for 2 decades. An incredible machine. Its been through 2 full overhauls including 2 mainsprings. Such a satisfaction to watch.

[@MladenMijatov]

That doesn't sound like an incredible machine to me. I have far cheaper Longines (~3k$) for close to a decade now and not a hiccup, let alone spring changes and full overhauls. You either need to be more careful with your watches or Rolex is not as worthy of its praise.

[@francescocalvanese6235]

@@MladenMijatov like seiko 5 goes 20 untouched lol

[@Alazeentv]

Good job restoring this fine timepiece

[@KnieselHurtado]

Thank you for making high quality videos!Love MAMACOO watches

[@jatco84]

Nicely done there... ASMR.. Great movement and an excelent service/repair to an iconic watch.. Kudos.

[@ibzancardenas3817]

Este relojero es un verdadero maestro. Está entre los mejores que he visto en KZbin.

[@do0077]

Wow. What a good Video and your work is awesome. The best restauration Video on KZbin. I could watch it The hole day.

[@MartinHubbard1]

Mesmerizing from start to finish, wow what a transformation, you have incredible skills.

[@paulsingh9043]

Dude has mad skillz!!

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you =)

[@recoveringneocon8453]

This was amazing and thanks for fixing the audio!

[@Watcheyes]

Wow you noticed, many thanks for commenting! You have very good ears :). I changed my microphone and the whole setup how to mix audio.

[@orgazmick]

Seeing you use the Kiwi cleaner brought a smile to my face i recently built my own they are fantastic and Frank the designer is a really nice bloke excellent work on this restoration my friend well done

[@Watcheyes]

Indeed! :) Great machine.

[@rjpmt9124]

Super renovation, super work, legendary watch and 3135 movement the best from Rolex And marvelous video🤩👍🏻😁

[@FoxRacer090]

it blows my mind that the whole premium feel with the clicking of the bezel comes down to a fucking paper clip

[@Watcheyes]

Hahah, thanks for commenting, yes its quite easy 😄

[@Dronetothetop]

We are living in 2024 and some things must be regarded as a joke especially something like a watch bezel sound that can be done by a 15year old boy with a paper clip. Average consumers are so dumb they go wild about the sound & feel of the watch bezels.

[@sixsis46]

На моих san martin также😂

[@mikemcnair01]

The click you hear is the precision of the bezel broached teeth, not the paperclip spring itself.

[@jholden0]

Next time, use the gray 3m scratch pads then a polishing foam over top to even it. Will look way, way better and barely remove any material.

[@anfusolunnie]

Outstanding video.I have to go with the MAMACOO, especially with that green dial as my favorite

[@mikearrowjoe]

Awesome video. Can't wait to get into this hobby myself.

[@Watcheyes]

Hello Mikearrowjoe, many thanks for your comment, do it :) Please tell how things are going ahead.

[@gabodds2221]

It's like an ASMR video...pretty cool

[@rodrigoc.2848]

Las herramientas que ocupas son también una verdadera obra de arte. Impresionante trabajo, y yo me lio cambiando una pila.

[@porsche5k]

Subscribed. It feels like you gave this watch a new life

[@Dirtyharry70585]

Worth the wait, what a beautiful restoration!

[@Watcheyes]

Glad you like it, easier project is already on the bench :)

Fantastic video. With all the small parts i'd be afraid of missing one, or forget how to put them back in the right order x)

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks Rémy, glad you like my videos and thanks for commenting, nice to have you here 😀

[@ardwickhouse]

Absolute Jedi skills sir. The force is strong with this one. BEAUTIFUL work. A pleasure to watch. Masterful.

[@charlesw.2218]

Beautiful restoration!!

[@morosso1968]

enjoyed each seconds watching this beautifully executed 'film'. cheers! 🇵🇭

[@dariocontreras4444]

Beautiful work. Respect.

[@ivoolazabal7323]

Dando nueva vida a un clásico. Gran labor Artesano!!!. Saludos desde Uruguay.

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks from Sweden 😀

[@BaroK-f5n]

it looks really great. You did very well..

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you 😊

[@IAmFitzee]

As someone just getting into this as a hobby, this was a fantastic watch.

[@denniswalker9219]

Amazing magnification!

[@elmerganzan9131]

Its too difficult talent of doing like this, and amazing tutorial, with modern technique thanks sir.

[@Dope_Zero]

Great content! Thank you so much. I really like your style. Keep up the great work.

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks! 😀

[@sungdaeher3792]

This is fantastic repair work!!

[@pas0003]

Love your work! This is a joy to watch!

[@ncdave4]

Awesome restoration... hoping for a Rolex myself one day

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks, You'll have one in very near future 😀

[@ronl7131]

Great restoration.

[@Watcheyes]

That was kind, thanks for watching my video, have a great day!

[@billsalt2206]

One of best services i have seen 👍😊😊

[@Watcheyes]

Wow :O thank you

[@denniswalker9219]

Amazing to watch! something I am very interested in, very daunting to watch dismantling! Think it will be a while before I attempt an expensive watch repair.

[@daniele094]

fantastic job and fantastic video!

[@Watcheyes]

Glad you liked it Daniele and many thanks for the comment!

[@Jadia09]

Congratulations! Phenomenal job🇺🇸

[@atomx6499]

Love this, from France 👍🏼

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you =)

[@sirajulislamkhan4396]

Excellent work.

[@denniswalker9219]

For a hobbyist! Fantastic Job!

[@muzakarim3848]

Маэстро, это шедеврально,так приятно смотреть на вашу работу.

[@r.f1388]

no, i don't like your video. no, i am FUCKING impressed. the craftmanship, the dedication. loving it.

[@jeffreysmith3061]

Your videos make me very happy. It's 30 minutes of my time only giving a shit about a watch. Thank you for your "time".

[@PH-GNS]

I love your video. It convinced me to have my Rolex overhauled.

[@ernestol.guerraa.4040]

Masterful work, I can only imagine the amount of satisfaction this gives you! Thanks for content is espectacular.

[@manojmadnani4827]

Congratulations for bringing up a Great watch back to life Really appreciate your efforts & attention to small details Best Wishes Always for You 💐💐💐💐💐

[@paolonotaro7124]

Incredible work, fascinating to see, congratulations on your very high level of expertise...

[@pauldaignault7407]

It’s easy to see why Rolex watches sell for so much. The engineering to make such a watch is incredible.

[@mattmartin8293]

Awesome job 👏 i loved it it came out great keep up the good work 💪👍

[@丷乂丷]

True craftsmanship 👏

[@UhrenDantler]

Love your videos. Keep up the good work man

[@Watcheyes]

Many many thanks, have great day!

[@heinztruempler]

An Artist in work my biggest compliment. Maybe in next life my Profession too. I would love it. 😊

[@Asher-wb2np]

예술입니다. 항상 잘 보고있어요

[@Silke8611]

Fantastic. Loved every moment.

[@Watches2Restore]

Very good job. You're an artist!!!

[@davec1179]

Brilliant video

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks :)

[@bernardgonzales4195]

Awesome skills, thank you for sharing with us.

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks for taking your time watching my video, glad you liked it! :)

[@quickcp1]

Nice work, I love all your Swiss tools. The correct tools for watch restoration or just building your own watch from various parts much easier then any China tool. I've learned my lesson just with Chinese hand setting tools then i bought a set of Bergeon hand setting tools., what a difference the precise meant makes!!

[@mahdisayed5718]

Amazing, du gör verkligen faktiskt jobb och jag är glad över att du är så duktig. Får jag veta vart någonstans eller vilken stad du befinner dig för jag tänkte om hur kan man besöka dig tack:))

[@chronoElectronLibre]

très rare de voir une Rolex quartz beau travail elle est sublime

[@thedgreek]

Incredible work

[@alaindrolet_atlt_2019]

Thank for sharing this video ! This one is very interesting, Rolex movement seems like straightforward, with a huge quality of parts. Hope can restore one somewhere in the future. Your images on video are with a very nice quality !✨👌 Best regards !!

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you to for commenting :) Glad you liked my video. They are, solid, straight forward, no tricky parts and springs. Soon you will :) Many thanks again! Best regards from Sweden.

[@jessedavis7555]

Nice work man 👍

[@actionman67]

Great video and image quality. 👍

[@denvernow7294]

Hate to be pretty much the only critic in the comments but is it just my eyes or did the new brushing on the case front turn out looking more like scratches than uniform brushing

[@gershin9253]

I agree. Your comment got buried😂

[@Joe_S.]

Yes. It was way too course in my opinion. Everything else looked great though.

[@Watcheyes]

Good eyes :), still I think it's the same grit or close one, I tested finer on an object and that was to fine. So I think this got the best match.

[@denvernow7294]

To clarify, my observation was that the texture was less uniform and fine brushing and more closely resembling non uniform and too coarse. It may be just the lighting or like I mentioned... could just be my eyes. Still a great resto

[@Watcheyes]

​@@denvernow7294 thank you, it's not 100% rolex factory, you are very much correct. Less uniform than original, grit I think is the same but will do a check next time because I know now how rolex do it so hopefully will test that in the future 😀

[@bryansheets285]

Fantastic video thank you

[@anthonygould2749]

Very satisfying

[@rjpmt9124]

Super renovation, super work, legendary watch and 3135 movement the best from Rolex😊

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks and thank you for commenting :) Indeed very good to work on.

[@palerider2020]

Is that movment better than my seiko 5 7s26..? +/-8 seconds daily...pretty good aye....$36 off an Indian auction site... cracked glass.. ..sneaky Indians ..but still not bad aye..$36.😊😊😊

[@Antiqueexcavator]

I have the same watch! Mine is running and keeping decent time. One day I’ll attempt a cleaning and service! I hope!

[@DecemberNames]

well done, enjoyed watching it.

[@Watcheyes]

Thank you 😊

[@docbrown8035]

Awesome job! How much time took the restoration in real time?

[@mirkovicen5689]

Beautiful video

[@NEB40000]

Excellent !! Exceptionnel et BRAVO. MERCI 😀

[@remontchasov]

Отличная работа🙂👍

[@Watcheyes]

Many thanks!

[@douglasmiller1467]

That was a very satisfying video brother. Wonderful restoration on the watch and if it's available for sale please let me know.

[@wstr7428]

Triple “A” - Amazing & Awesome Always!

[@Watcheyes]

Ohhh wow thank you 😊

[@art1muz13]

Just did my dream restoration project and I hope you like it!

[@Watcheyes]

Haha many thanks 😀

[@gersonalves2945]

Belíssimo trabalho! Parabéns ❤

[@Elad747F]

Super talented 👏

[@PhilippeSaunois-n7u]

J'apprécie beaucoup vos découvertes et j'ai acheté plusieurs des montres que vous m'avez fait connaître. Continuez comme ça ! Cordialement

[@davidquere2097]

Well done, sir !

[@gershin9253]

Any chance you could make a video of how to re polish a watch? I see the use of lapping films and other abrasives and would love to know your thought process behind it