Rolex authorised repairers.
Discussion
It depends to an extent what's been done to it.
You really don't need Rolex, or even "Rolex trained" or "authorised" repairers, to service Rolex movements. You just need a competent watchmaker who you trust. They're no different to any other quality watch movement in that respect, other than the hype and restrictive supply chain which are designed to keep you paying their prices.
On the other hand, if parts are needed, then you usually have little choice but to use the Rolex system or accept "pattern" parts, although recently some genuine parts seem to have been made available. It's worth noting that, in most cases, even Rolex wouldn't know that this has been done with movement parts because the available pattern parts really are very good and they're hardly going to be carrying out metallurgical testing to check exact alloys as part of a normal service!
Case parts (including dials) are different - if these are needed then really it has to go back to Rolex because no legit manufacturer will apply Rolex trademarks without a licence, which they won't get. So, for example, I can get crowns and case tubes which are absolutely 100% the same quality, fit, appearance and finish as genuines but will NOT have the Rolex crown on them.
You really don't need Rolex, or even "Rolex trained" or "authorised" repairers, to service Rolex movements. You just need a competent watchmaker who you trust. They're no different to any other quality watch movement in that respect, other than the hype and restrictive supply chain which are designed to keep you paying their prices.
On the other hand, if parts are needed, then you usually have little choice but to use the Rolex system or accept "pattern" parts, although recently some genuine parts seem to have been made available. It's worth noting that, in most cases, even Rolex wouldn't know that this has been done with movement parts because the available pattern parts really are very good and they're hardly going to be carrying out metallurgical testing to check exact alloys as part of a normal service!
Case parts (including dials) are different - if these are needed then really it has to go back to Rolex because no legit manufacturer will apply Rolex trademarks without a licence, which they won't get. So, for example, I can get crowns and case tubes which are absolutely 100% the same quality, fit, appearance and finish as genuines but will NOT have the Rolex crown on them.
Variomatic said:
It depends to an extent what's been done to it.
You really don't need Rolex, or even "Rolex trained" or "authorised" repairers, to service Rolex movements. You just need a competent watchmaker who you trust. They're no different to any other quality watch movement in that respect, other than the hype and restrictive supply chain which are designed to keep you paying their prices.
On the other hand, if parts are needed, then you usually have little choice but to use the Rolex system or accept "pattern" parts, although recently some genuine parts seem to have been made available. It's worth noting that, in most cases, even Rolex wouldn't know that this has been done with movement parts because the available pattern parts really are very good and they're hardly going to be carrying out metallurgical testing to check exact alloys as part of a normal service!
Case parts (including dials) are different - if these are needed then really it has to go back to Rolex because no legit manufacturer will apply Rolex trademarks without a licence, which they won't get. So, for example, I can get crowns and case tubes which are absolutely 100% the same quality, fit, appearance and finish as genuines but will NOT have the Rolex crown on them.
The watch is a 2006 GMT II Pepsi so I would imagine the requirement for parts was limited.You really don't need Rolex, or even "Rolex trained" or "authorised" repairers, to service Rolex movements. You just need a competent watchmaker who you trust. They're no different to any other quality watch movement in that respect, other than the hype and restrictive supply chain which are designed to keep you paying their prices.
On the other hand, if parts are needed, then you usually have little choice but to use the Rolex system or accept "pattern" parts, although recently some genuine parts seem to have been made available. It's worth noting that, in most cases, even Rolex wouldn't know that this has been done with movement parts because the available pattern parts really are very good and they're hardly going to be carrying out metallurgical testing to check exact alloys as part of a normal service!
Case parts (including dials) are different - if these are needed then really it has to go back to Rolex because no legit manufacturer will apply Rolex trademarks without a licence, which they won't get. So, for example, I can get crowns and case tubes which are absolutely 100% the same quality, fit, appearance and finish as genuines but will NOT have the Rolex crown on them.
the difference between rolex approved and not is rolex will guarantee any approved workshops work.
if there became a major issue you have comeback through rolex, not just the workshop themselves.
i wouldnt be put off buying the watch having been serviced through an approved agent, however i wouldnt recommend buying one serviced by someone not approved.
if there became a major issue you have comeback through rolex, not just the workshop themselves.
i wouldnt be put off buying the watch having been serviced through an approved agent, however i wouldnt recommend buying one serviced by someone not approved.
Find a competent watchmaker. I've had my old ca 1987 Date serviced by Rolex. I wasn't impressed. I had a great local watchmaker service and repair it and its been fine ever since.
When I smashed my Sub all to hell in a motorcycle accident Rolex wanted well over $3,000 to repair it. An independent did the repairs for $900 and did use some aftermarket parts but its's been fine for years.
When I smashed my Sub all to hell in a motorcycle accident Rolex wanted well over $3,000 to repair it. An independent did the repairs for $900 and did use some aftermarket parts but its's been fine for years.
tickious said:
If you have after market parts fitted, Rolex will not service in future unless you have the parts replaced by genuine parts.
If I had a Porsche I wouldn't get it serviced by a back street garage. But that's just me.
If you need any parts while servicing a 7 year old watch then it wasn't worth buying in the first place! Assuming it's a routine service rather than repair due to damage, of course.If I had a Porsche I wouldn't get it serviced by a back street garage. But that's just me.
The whole point of routine servicing of a watch is to prevent wear and there really is no reason to find wear in a watch of that age unless it was made of Yak's cheeze in the old Soviet Union.
The only ways for Rolex to know that another watchmaker has worked on it are (a) poor workmanship or (b) if they've taken the (traditional) step of leaving their mark on the inside back. Even then, if it's done using marking blue, it can be completely removed before the factory ever sees it anyway.
Of course, the "we won't touch it if...." line is very persuasive in convincing owners to part with the thick end of £500 for a couple or 3 hours of work
Variomatic said:
tickious said:
If you have after market parts fitted, Rolex will not service in future unless you have the parts replaced by genuine parts.
If I had a Porsche I wouldn't get it serviced by a back street garage. But that's just me.
If you need any parts while servicing a 7 year old watch then it wasn't worth buying in the first place! Assuming it's a routine service rather than repair due to damage, of course.If I had a Porsche I wouldn't get it serviced by a back street garage. But that's just me.
The whole point of routine servicing of a watch is to prevent wear and there really is no reason to find wear in a watch of that age unless it was made of Yak's cheeze in the old Soviet Union.
The only ways for Rolex to know that another watchmaker has worked on it are (a) poor workmanship or (b) if they've taken the (traditional) step of leaving their mark on the inside back. Even then, if it's done using marking blue, it can be completely removed before the factory ever sees it anyway.
Of course, the "we won't touch it if...." line is very persuasive in convincing owners to part with the thick end of £500 for a couple or 3 hours of work
If the watchmaker isn't accredited they will struggle to get hold of genuine parts. Also for a sports model a lapping machine is needed to refurbish the case properly. only a hand full of workshops have this equipment, so probably safer to get it done by Rolex.
In total it takes around 7.5 hours to do the job properly. For example All pivots are checked and if any are even slightly worn they are replaced. I can't see this happening if they are difficult to get hold of.
In short if you're buying a 7 year old sports Rolex, I'd advise making sure it comes with the green Rolex service guarantee card.
Edited by tickious on Saturday 21st December 19:46
tickious said:
On average a service will include £100 of genuine parts, including all seals, crown and tube, to also ensure water resistance. (seals should be replaced after 7 years)
If the watchmaker isn't accredited they will struggle to get hold of genuine parts. Also for a sports model a lapping machine is needed to refurbish the case properly. only a hand full of workshops have this equipment, so probably safer to get it done by Rolex.
In total it takes around 7.5 hours to do the job properly. For example All pivots are checked and if any are even slightly worn they are replaced. I can't see this happening if they are difficult to get hold of.
In short if you're buying a 7 year old sports Rolex, I'd advise making sure it comes with the green Rolex service guarantee card.
Crown generally only needs the seals replaced, and seals are not a problem at all - there's nothing magic about Rolex ones. I can guarantee you 200m + water resistance using generics without a problem (my tester only goes to 200m, so the "+" is open ended).If the watchmaker isn't accredited they will struggle to get hold of genuine parts. Also for a sports model a lapping machine is needed to refurbish the case properly. only a hand full of workshops have this equipment, so probably safer to get it done by Rolex.
In total it takes around 7.5 hours to do the job properly. For example All pivots are checked and if any are even slightly worn they are replaced. I can't see this happening if they are difficult to get hold of.
In short if you're buying a 7 year old sports Rolex, I'd advise making sure it comes with the green Rolex service guarantee card.
If the crown or case pipe threads have worn then there's a problem with the design or manufacture. They shouldn't be graunched up tight in use and, even if you find yourself setting it every week (which you shouldn't need to if it's accurate) they'll only have been gently undone about 350 times in 7 years. A steel thread that won't last for that is defective to start with.
Many people don't actually want the case of "their" watch being returned to as-new condition - actually, even Rolex can't do that because even the gentlest lapping inevitably removes metal.
Believe it or not, checking pivots for wear is a standard part of servicing any watch. As I've said before, if any are showing wear after 7 years then it was a shoddy watch to start with - I have several watches from the 1960s, and even earlier, that have no visible wear under 40x stereo magnification. Wear below that will have absolutely zero effect on the performance of a watch - replacing parts at that point would be like replacing the rings on your car at every service because they will have worn compared to new. Or do you consider that sensible too?
I can also take (most of) those watches and get them within COSC specifications if you really want, even if they weren't chronometer rated to start with. That's going to cost you though because that will take time.
Of course, it's your money, so if a bit of a case polish and a piece of green card is worth £300 or so to you, then who am I to argue?
eta: btw, you do realise that £100 (at retail) of parts you quote only costs them the cost of manufacture, which is pretty well pence, don't you?
Edited by Variomatic on Saturday 21st December 20:05
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