As the Rolex Cosomograph is now one of the most collectible sports Rolex on the vintage market; considering restoration on examples in similar condition to this one can add significantly to the sale value.

1. All watches have weaknesses in the design which vary in severity and frequency. In the case of the Daytona one of the most frequent fault we see at here at SHWR is the where the tube in the main plate of the watch where the winding stem enters wears and becomes ovoid. Eventually, if the wear is allowed to continue, the stem will break through the edge of the plate making winding and had setting feel gritty, if possible at all. Unfortunately Rolex have run out of replacement main plates; however we have devised a method to save these watches. Firstly, we file off the remaining tube and mill out a cross section in the main plate. Removing any remnants of the damaged tube creates a snug press fit for the new tube in the main plate which does not require steady pins. The outline of the milled section is digitally measured allowing us to produce a highly accurate code to program into our wire erosion machine and complete the part.

2. The hole for the winding stem pivot is drilled into a pre-hardened and tempered steel bar.

3. Then we custom make an eccentric collet centering and supporting the part while it is turned in a lathe.

4. From the view under the dial you can see the block's edge. This is covered by the intermediate setting wheel once fitted.

5. Viewed from the other side, the block's screw can be seen in place ready for reduction. Once the bridge is fitted this can also not be seen, producing a neat and tidy repair on a watch for which parts are no longer available. This is quite a lengthy process, however once completed the tube will never wear again meaning we only have to replace the winding stem, a far easier job!