Monday, June 1, 2009

The biker's Rolex

It always feels good to kick-start a new week on a high note, but unfortunately, June 1st was an unlucky day for one Rolex owner: his GMT Master II suffered the disastrous consequences of a motorbike accident (luckily enough, the owner got away with only a few minor bruises).

Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II

Externally, the appearance of the watch was horrifying, but that is nothing compared to the internal damage sustained by this Rolex!

Below is the list of parts required to restore this GMT Master II to its former glory:
New bracelet, middle case, rotating bezel, bezel spring, winding crown and stem, new crystal and crystal seal, new set of hands, calendar wheel and the dial. Furthermore, the following internal parts would also require replacement: the rotor, balance wheel, escape wheel and all the wheels in going train, auto rotor wheel and case clamps.

Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II

The only parts that were spared from the impact are the bridges, screws, the main spring and a few wheels underneath the dial. In terms of dollar-value, less than 10% of the watch survived and the rest is completely wrecked.

Sure, Rolex watches are tough, but there is a limit to what a mechanical watch can endure.

Nevertheless, the owner still has the original Rolex box and the instruction manual which ironically, are now worth far more than the watch itself…

2 comments:

Dental Desperado said...

I discovered this blog yesterday and I've found every article absolutely fascinating. Please keep it coming!

wackyvorlon said...

Astounding! I think you could have beaten the watch with a hammer and not have is sustain that much damage. I notice the cap jewel for the balance wheel and the incabloc spring are completely missing. The balance staff must be in a horrifying state!