Restoration of Rusty Rolex - Water damaged 1996 GMT Master II│ Nicholas Hacko Master Watchmaker
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ย. 2020
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RUSTY Rolex Restoration - 1996 GMT Master II
A full 3 weeks of restoration, recording, and editing. The upload to TH-cam
itself took almost two days.
You will notice the difference: Michael's videography is simply next level.
A bit of background: this 1996 Rolex GMT Master II suffered badly. Soaked in water, it spent two years in a drawer. The amount of rust was unbelievable. Actually, apart from the case and bracelet, only 8 of close to 100 internal parts were preserved.
But the core challenge was to preserve the mainplate: the very base of the
watch that holds all components together. The main plate bears the Rolex serial number and preserves the very identity of the watch. If the mainplate is replaced, that GMT Master II is no longer the same watch.
Of course, Rolex would not bother with any of the restoration that I
undertook. They would simply replace the entire movement. Even a
half-brained monkey can do that kind of 'restoration'. Instead, I've spent a
whole week soaking the mainplate in vinegar, dissolving and removing the
rust, brushing it off, reaming out broken screws, inserting new jewels and
posts. Finally, the mainplate was rhodium plated and you, the viewer, will
have a hard time believing it is the same component.
Would I and could I do it again? That depends on the availability of Rolex
spare parts. The current state of supply of parts to Australian independent
watchmakers is unchanged since 2013: none, zero, and no chance. My parts box is now almost empty and new replacement parts are now so expensive that any restoration work is next to impossible.
In a way, this video should be simply titled: "The last Rolex restoration".
====================================
*** What is RESTORATION?
====================================
Before we go any further, let's consult a Cambridge dictionary:
Restoration: the act or process of returning something to its earlier good condition.
Hardly any room for misinterpretation: fixing a broken watch and returning it to an 'earlier good condition' is essentially a restoration. What is not defined as a restoration is regular maintenance: ensuring that a watch which is already in good working order continues to perform for another period of time - until it's due for next scheduled maintenance. We call this kind of work regular servicing.
The recent TH-cam video opened a floodgate of comments: "Oh, that video is not a Rolex restoration, it is just a video showing a lots of parts being replaced, not restored." Those comments unfortunately come from ignorant viewers who simply lack the basic understanding of the restoration process.
Was the watch broken at the beginning of the restoration process? Yes. Actually, it was at the point of a total write-off. Has it been returned in working order? Yes. The end of the story.
However, what may confuse some viewers is the misplaced hope that almost all 100 of the rusted out parts will be restored themselves, individually, one by one. Well, if that was the case, the video would be titled: "restoration of winding stem" or "restoration of barrel arbour" and would have taken 6 months.
But the end result of such lengthy 'restoration' would be a total disaster. Finely machined then rusted out watch parts are not designed to be restored. A rusted escape wheel cannot be restored. Ditto to the rest of them. Except for some bridges and in some rare cases, the base plate which holds all components together. We call that part the 'mainplate'. Due to the fact that it is made of brass which is non-ferrous (not containing iron, therefore no rust) metal, the mainplate can be restored. Since the mainplate contains pressed in steel pins, jewels, and internally and externally threaded steel posts, which are not meant to be removed because they are factory set and adjusted, restoration of the mainplate is time consuming and has to be undertaken with great care. This is a very difficult job and could take days - if not weeks.
Restored by Nicholas Hacko, Master Watchmaker
Recorded and edited by Michael Johnston
November 2020.
Email: nick@clockmaker.com.au
Music:
0:10 Back in a jiffy - Nocturnal Spirits
3:31 Got that feeling - Peter Sandberg
9:30 All the good things - Nocturnal Spirits
13:03 Under a smiling moon - Peter Sandberg
17:25 Thats how i like it - Oakwood station
20:38 Midnight call - Magnus Ringblom quartet
21:42 Whisky on the rocks - The flax
24:54 The prophecy - Dream cave
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clockmaker.com.au/
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How much did you charge for this job?
not enough
@@MasterWatchmaker Charge enough then.
@@MasterWatchmaker You have given life to a thing that was dead. Awe inspiring work.
@@MasterWatchmaker the parts alone had to be over a thousand dollars. I could not stop watching. I have a similar time piece.
@@MasterWatchmaker What was the cost of parts? Can hobbyists buy parts from rolex?
i just spent 30 mins of my life watching someone restore a rolex. absolutly beautiful
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Same on right before new years
Me too , I’m so old😔
✌️
30 minutes well spent
"due to extensive damage the whole watch had to be replaced in tiny parts one by one" :) very relaxing !
As a heavy diesel mechanic I am amazed at the precision and dexterity you show in this video and the way you handle the components is amazing .. and that is by far the cutest little arbor style press I have ever seen . Love your work mate
Incredible workmanship and attention to detail! This thing was a total wreck, and I was thoroughly impressed with the refurbishment of this watch. I stopped by on a whim, and left as a subscriber. I'm sixty-one years old, and I've been an electrical engineer most of my life. I had to retire this year due to health issues, and if I had to do it all over again, I would like to have been a Watchmaker. I've had a passion for mechanical movement watches since I was a boy, and I received a wind-up Timex watch for my sixth birthday. It sparked my early interest in "how things work", and I've been investigating how things work ever since. Since retiring, that passion for mechanical watches has been rekindled with a vengeance, and I started buying tools from eBay and a few other places, and I set up a watch repair station on the end of my electronics repair bench.
I am learning how to be a watch repairer, and so far and I can take a pocket watch and basic wristwatches apart and put them back together again. This my friend, is a level of complexity that is miles ahead of my skill set. This is a very beautiful and expensive watch, that suffered catastrophic water damage. My first thought was "it's not repairable", and least not without replacing most of the internal parts. It looks like I was right, the parts list was long and expensive, but in the end, it was all sorted out and made whole again. I don't have enough experience with wristwatches to be able to deal with a disintegrated movement, and have any hope of putting it back together. I need to see how it's taken apart first, but even then this watch is above my head for now. As my skills increase, I'll be taking on projects that are more challenging than a pocket watch or basis wristwatch. I have a small box of about a dozen non running wristwatches, that belonged to my maternal grandparents. There are even a few ladies watches in the box, and it's a real treasure trove for a budding watch repairer like myself. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! I'll be following along with you, and gleaning what I can from your excellent videos.
The work, the music, the sad idea that this may be the last restoration of a Rolex. So many emotions.Thank you
Fascinating and impressive escape from disaster. Reminds me of the farmer and his best axe, he only had to replace 4 handles and 2 heads. The music is also superb, thanks.
...or Triggers brush
Such an epic display of talent, detail and steadiness of hand. I’m so blown away. Bravo!
I've always been fascinated with how small things are in a mechanical watch let alone a beautiful rolex....and the fact it works when it's all put together..just simply amazing works of art!! Good job people!!
Blows my mind that anyone could figure out how to put this thing back together. Amazing.
...was the work done at the Rolex factory?
this is just so rediculosly intricate. I can't even imagine having that kind of finesse
As a Rolex trained horologist myself, I would have done exactly the same. Congratulations on saving the main plate. That, in itself, makes this an epic restoration. Any time a Certified Master Watchmaker pulls out a staking or jewelling tool, many parameters must be met. Generally, people do not understand the tolerances involving end shake and depth of set required Microns! The staking of posts is rather straight forward, simply because posts have shoulders. The same cannot be said of plate jewels. I have replaced plate jewels. It is time consuming and nerve racking. Especially when the repair is for a high end chronograph.
By the way, I agree that the silicon crystal sleeve was the cause of the water issue. I believe the severity of the rust issue was caused by someone who simply put off taking the timepiece in for service in a timely manner.
Why would one who drives a Rolls Royce fail to have it serviced promptly when a known issue exists?
Great work! I subscribed.
A fool with their $20,000 prized possession. Or perhaps they were wealthy enough that it wasn’t such a prize and when they passed their child(ren) wanted dad’s watch to run again.
Let’s hope it was his wife getting his watch fixed as an anniversary present. I too am very, very impressed. In fact I would have bet $5,000 it couldn’t be done, (since before it was completed I never imagined it could be done for less then that amount). I’m guessing this is at least a $7,000 restoration.
@@john-paulsilke893 "Why would one who drives a Rolls Royce fail to have it serviced promptly when a known issue exists?" Because they don't have time. Repairing a Rolex is not important enough in their life??
@@waringrob look on the used car market. Many high priced cars who simply haven’t been maintained. 30 years ago I bought a poor condition Ferrari Dino for $20,000. I did about $4,000 worth of work and flipped it for $35,000. They are currently for sale at over $300,000. People are human and this is a real problem.
"... an epic replacing" that should be.
@@andreassvensson1038 Yes, it is. Practically every part was destroyed by rust. It isn’t practical to remanufacture parts when replacements are available. Many movement manufacturers are represented across many brands. In the case of Rolex, they manufacture their own movements and do not share them or the parts for them across brands.
Thanks for sharing this experience. This is one of if not my favorite watch restoration channels out there.
This person is better at fixing watches than I am at living life.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Life is far more complex than fixing a watch, unless you get help from the Master Watchmaker Himself.
Hahahahaah
Start slow. Find an old watch that needs a new battery and change it. Remember to take your time....you'll be ok.
Never thought I’d get choked up watching a watch getting restored....beautiful work my friend.
It's refreshing to be able to see someone do highly skilled work with such care.
As an owner of two Rolex watches I was very glad to see that GMT come back to life. Well done.
You do amazing work, that's inspiring. I am a mechanic, from the northern states where rust can be king. This restoration is stunning. It's a shame that you can no longer get the parts. Your videos are awesome. I could see doing what you do, just turning on the music and working on a movement. Awesome. Thank you.
Beautiful and well documented restoration. Like a wooden boat, replacing every frame, plank and rivet, but as long as some part of the original remains, it is still a restoration - not a newbuild! Thanks for sharing
I have a similar model and I'll be sure not to let it get to this state. But I take comfort in the fact that if it should, there are people out there who are able to restore it. It's incredible how you remember where everything goes!
Thank you brother for refreshing my 22 years old memories, because 22 years ago I used to repair watches.
Man it was a pleasure watching a Master rebuild a legendary Rolex
You are a master at your craft. Truly impressive fine detailed work. It’s always so satisfying to see the balance wheel go in and the gear start turning
Perfect Saturday viewing.A masterclass in watchmaking by a true watch surgeon!
Just a joy to watch a master silently go about his craft... 👏👏👏
Blew my mind all the moving parts this dude is a professional
The amount of parts in such a small thing!! it’s amazing to watch you take it apart and assemble it again!
wow, this felt like a complete rebuilding of the rolex. thats incredible that you were able to fix it.
I have watched many watch restorations on quite a few different channels over the past year & that is by far the most wrecked watch I have seen brought back to life, that in it's self must make you fulfilled, well done.
Your restoration is an art in itself. Beautiful work!
As a mechanical engineer myself, the amount of labour and effort to restore some of the (? repairable) parts, plus the risk of an unfavourable outcome following all the labour expenditure means replacement of those parts is a far more logical choice. He’s an experienced chap, and knows this. I’m absolutely sure he’s tried to restore bits of damaged mechanism during his career with questionable results, hence his assertion about part replacement.
He also knows about cost effectivity and would have assessed repair vs buying new prior to the work and advised the customer accordingly.
Great work IMO.
Thank you Andy - you are spot on. Unfortunately most viewers are unable to grasp the complexity of micro components, the way they are made, polished, burnished and finished as well as engineering behind them. Also, only a few would have any understanding of what a tolerance of 2 micron really is; or what it takes for a mechanical oscillator to perform / keep time with an accuracy of 99.9992% in 5 position. Watch parts are simply not design to be 'restored' , Our workshop is setup for watch parts manufacturing (see www.NicholasHacko.com.au ) and we make our own internal components, but to setup tooling for just one gear cots thousands of dollars. Thanks for watching. Nick Hacko
@@MasterWatchmaker Great Work on the WATCH and Great Choice of Relaxing Music. I enjoyed the entire Video.
How can you tell a person is an engineer?? Because he NEVER fails to announce it 😜😜😜
Its better than the dentist
@@shiweixu7328 forgetabouit buy me so i can put it in the trunk of my car?
Brilliant film editing and shots of the before and after. That takes a special talent.
Nicholas, beyond the call of duty and you deserve a place in the owner’s heart 👏
Very impressive. I’ve worked on electrical motors, small engines, and just about everything in between and this has to be the most tedious and detailed restorations I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing
Es un cambio total de máquina y esfera
It is unbelievable to see how the watchmaker can remember every single piece of the watch to be restored.
That's like when i go 2 the doc but with out. The talking 👄
That’s why they make a video!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
usually if there were parts left over he wouldn't get paid
Firstly they have good memories, secondly I saw they have lots of little box they fill one operation after another so they can have a chronology of what they did.
Thank you for sharing this timeless classic and beautiful watch
It gives a different kind of high in resurrecting something which isn't just dead, but almost decayed! And only a wizard could do such a thing! Kudos 🙌🙌🙌
I'd love to see a cost analysis on restoring a Rolex from this condition to new vice just buying another one. Sentimental value can always win.
Love watching watch restoration videos
Wow,marvelous!A dandy job indeed.Master watchmaker deserves all praises.
Beautiful restoration. I would never have the patience for something like this
Hello Nicholas, what an amazing restoration. You certainly have dedication and commitment to your work.
Well done and thank you for the video.
Gordon, Halifax, UK
It is painful to see the state of damage to such a magnificent watch.
To see how the master watch maker brings it back to life again is really something.
So nice that someone is still able to do work like this in a time dominated by battery clocks.
th-cam.com/video/Q3BLIvLf8rM/w-d-xo.html
Truly complicated engineering - no wonder watchmakers are amazing master crafters.
Raised your hands
A master, no doubt. You restored a small piece of art with work that was every bit as artistic.
Magnificent restoration! A truly masterwork!
This video is surprisingly relaxing -- probably due to the wonderful background music and the absence of narration. Thank-you!
I second that!! I was going to say something similar but knew someone had already said it!
I like this and youtuber My mechanic. MM uses no music but you do here the machine work to make parts or repairs to old tools and locks and scales.
Sorry but this isn't a restoration anymore, that's literally building a watch from scratch! Having said that great skills and supreme craftsmanship 👏🏽
True, a lot of important pieces were replaced. I was waiting for a restoration of all the mechanism of the watch but still a great job. It’s just art.
It's like Trigger and his broom from Only Fools And Horses 🤣
True
He saved the baseplate the case and case back which are the most important for posterity the serial number
The Parts He replaced were far beyond saving........He did an excelent job,well deserving of recognition.
I love watching train wrecks turned into pristine examples again....also good music for me to play my sax along to. Thanks for both.
You are truly deserving of your title. Wonderful restoration and the music choices were fabulous.
Just like a classic car it is nice to have the numbers matching and makes it more valuable too.
Great work. I see why you're a master!
That was such a pleasing restoration to watch, I just hope my Rolex never needs anything like it, thanks for posting.
Damaged... a huge understatement; great work bringing it back to life.
I love that moment when you fit the escapement and the watch's heart begins to beat again!
I think that the water that got in was probably sea water, the corrosion was so bad.... Wonderful work to restore this beautiful mechanism back to perfect working order. Your skill is mind-boggling.....
Absolutley fantastic work. Can't imagine how much experience it takes to do this kind of work. It's very therapeutic to watch how all the parts gets serviced and comes together. If you didn't know what the phrase "works like a Swiss watch" means, you do now. Thanks for a great video!
th-cam.com/video/MRN38gkXw3U/w-d-xo.html ,
Only a true watchmaker / repair person with a genuine love for his craft will undertake such an extensively laborious and detail intensive restoration such as this. As one comment put it, Rolex wouldnt even do this kind of work they would just replace the movement - something even many hobbyist watchmakers could easily do - it takes a true craftsman of note to perform a resurrection like this one and get such striking results. Well done-!
It is a beautiful work, it is admirable to give life to a work of art once again, one never knows the history of that watch.
Incredible work. I love seeing old things restored and thus keeping their original identity whilst gaining a new life. I hope the owner appreciates the time and dedication put into reviving this great watch. I have a number of old GMT’s like this (although not rusted out) and would be delighted for you to service them when the time comes.
Amazing work regardless if this was a restoration or replacement. This is masterclass!!
If I ever need a watch repaired or restored you will be the man that I will call.. Thanks and regards from Brisbane
Beautifully done!
This was one of the more dramatic restorations I have seen. The cost of new Rolex parts must have raised some eyebrows. Execution on this was nothing less than fantastic. Well done!
As he stated the parts came from his parts box, in Australia, you can't get shit.
Like a brain sergeant
I feel richer after watching this
Esse sim é uma verdadeira joia valeu a pena o trabalho de desmontagem e montagem novamente e é lindo.
This is just a beautiful experience to see how a dead watch is been brought back to life! I'm amazed because all those screws were basically damaged by water and how you removed them. Replacing parts and all hand job, I'm completely sure is not that cheap. Just thanks for sharing.
What an Awesome labor of love and the background music is so relaxing and pairs so well with what you're doing keep up the good work and the videos coming! it is so enjoyable and relaxing to watch & listen to your videos!
This is what Nicholas Hacko touch looks like. Awesome job!
Absolutely amazing! It reminded me of that famous line from Apollo 13 when Gene turns to one of his engineers and asks “What do we have on the spacecraft that’s good??” Bravo!
Brilliant. I love how you use reeds from wind instruments as pushers and shifters.
I’m wearing that same model watch as I watched this terrific video. It’s good to know serious craftsmen are still out there! (Bought mine new in 2000) and I can only hope that it looks much better inside! I definitely send mine in for maintenance periodically. Preventative maintenance-worth it!
Nice 😎
th-cam.com/video/Q3BLIvLf8rM/w-d-xo.html
Which dial? I absolutely love the Pepsi myself.
Mine is the gold and stainless with the black bezel and numbers in gold. My second GMT!
Bravo, Nicolas!... that was a definitely a masterpiece of a restoration. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing work and restoration but I can't imagine the cost of such a repair given all the replacement parts. Great job.
perfection is now restored! royalty of all watches, a very nice time piece.
It’s impressive that all of this work was done in less than 29 minutes.
The video is 29 minutes the actual work required is many hours.
@@danielpauldebs6526 what do you mean? it took less than 30 minutes.....it’s all on video.
@@SalaciousCrmb hahah
I like the "I try to keep as many parts" and then building a complete new watch with new parts.
Restoration isn't an easy job to do. Sometimes you may change planes and methods during the process, to make a good final results
You are a master! Mpst people wouldn't have even tried attempting that. Hats off mate that was awesome to watch.
amazing job. Personally I think a Rolex looks better on the inside than it does on the outside. Amazing craftsmanship
Absolutely stunning work! I could have cried when I saw the amount of destruction inside this beauty but gave it new life. I dread to think what a restoration of this level would have cost, obviously far less than trying to buy a new piece. Thank you for a very satisfying 29 minutes...
....mate no worry most was just oils...............and iron, rest are Precious metals and do not rust but can have a tarnish.
Costs are very high but not from damage...that's for the name 100% fact. Please do not be fooled.
A muffler for a simple car but a 1é class type cost let's say 400 dollar....for Rolls same materials ! 2500 dollar same materials same hours to install only I got a Honda, ...........he got a R. Royce.
Just a name ..............
Thank you very much for the Jazz music, my favorite music, and thank you for your professionalism as well Warmly Patrice
Not only one of my favorite Rolex models and color combinations, but you really did an exceptional job restoring it. That black lacquer dial w/ the gold hands looks absolutely wonderful - Even w/ some damage from the water. Nothing better, in my opinion, than a perfectly restored watch inside and out, w/ the exception of the original patina on the dial/markers.
I just wanna say
Thank you so much for posting this on election night
Now I see why Rolex watches are so expensive. Job well done sir!
I believe that restoration, by definition, means restoring an object to its original state, without replacing a part. And if the replacement of some components is inevitable, they should not exceed 5 or 10% of the original product. The more replacement parts there are, the more the restoration becomes repair.
A beautiful video!
Outstanding! Thank you for the talented craftsmanship & great choice of music.
That was really cool to watch. The amount of time and effort that went into this one is amazing. I was really curious while watching if all the spare parts were sourced from Rolex directly or if there was a spare parts wholesaler somewhere. Reading the description told me that it was neither. Currently, 3 of my watches have in-house movements and the rest are ETAs or clones. Now I think it might be a better idea to maybe skip the in-house in future purchases. Anyway, thanks for the vid!
Being a happy owner of a GMT Master II I am in total awe of that repair and the skills required, at the same time I'm aghast at the myopic stance taken by the Swiss juggernauts to strangle those gifted artisans that we depend upon.
Am in love with the workmanship of watches .
Best repair job done on a rolex on youtube.
Such a beautiful and Iconic Watch, getting a complete thorough rebirth in life! By a Master and Passionate Watchmaker!
Watching this really puts into perspective as to why these watches cost so much. It's a working piece of art inside these timepieces...
Came for the watch restoration, stayed for the Jazz. Great video!
Magnificent. A work of art. Availability of parts transformed and intricate assembly.
Wow just wow, you deserve your own Netflix series sir
TH-cam algorithm feeding me things I didn’t even know I wanted...
Your video is very satisfying, it was relieved my stress and together with the BSO it is magical, thank you!
Simply amazing transformation
Wow, truly wonderful filming and editing and that’s before you even consider the work of the Master Watchmaker.
Really rewarding and enjoyable video to watch.
One can only marvel at the skill set displayed. I wonder how many people in the World can operate at this level?
Thank you and a well deserved subscription from me. 🇬🇧👏👏👏
Worth every minutes watching a Stunning Master Craftsman working. A very passionate man .
Wow! Thank you…And the music was impeccable as was the restoration.
Brilliant film - felt a little ill when the case back came off, but properly elated at the end!! thanks.
This is by far my favourite watch related channel on TH-cam, bravo sir once again 👏
Appreciated