Changing Face and Bezel - Rolex

Changing Face and Bezel - Rolex

Author
Discussion

bestinshow

Original Poster:

476 posts

220 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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I have an Airking, bought for me in 1999. Much as I love the watch ( wear it every day ) I'm thinking of changing the face and the bezel. Anybody ever done this ? If so, was it an expensive job ?

Thanks
AC

bobbybee

872 posts

153 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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Do remember that it can't be serviced by RSC if you make the mods. As their policy is to return to OEM

bestinshow

Original Poster:

476 posts

220 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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Thanks for that bobby, I can imagine Rolex taking that approach. Guess I'll stick with it ( could be worse I suppose.... )

AC

glazbagun

14,259 posts

196 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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If you have the parts and a friendly watchmaker they can swap the bits over.

Then you can keep the parts safe should you want to send the watch to Rolex in future. Some guys with a faded bezel or old dial (worth thousands because it's fifty years old and rare) will keep them separate from the watch and put newer replacements on the watch for day to day use, just in case of damage.

Edited by glazbagun on Wednesday 26th August 19:01

t955daytona

307 posts

182 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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I don't know about an Airking but I can say that I have just been quoted £475 to replace the dial and hands on a ladies datejust and that was on top of the £440 service cost. All at Rolex, St James.

bobbybee

872 posts

153 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Seems about right, if expensive, granted no weight whatsoever really, but the hands are 18ct gold and so are many of the dials.
I over polished a Yachtmaster bezel once, at £630 (with service) to refurbish it, won't be doing that again!
Still, it was cheaper than the £1,000 replacement cost + service

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Has there ever been any confirmed examples of Rolex either refusing to service or replacing the non original parts on a watch?


Dominic H

3,274 posts

231 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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LaurasOtherHalf said:
Has there ever been any confirmed examples of Rolex either refusing to service or replacing the non original parts on a watch?
Plenty. It's not an urban myth, Rolex will not work on a watch with non OE or even non standard parts. They will quote you an additional cost to buy the required parts to return the watch to standard spec.