Service/repairing a Rolex
Discussion
Hi all. I have a rolex which I bought 2nd hand around 10 years ago with some money I had left by my nana (£2k).
It's a Turnagraph like this one.
Problem is it's stopping every couple of weeks (normally winds up automatically when I move, but stops overnight when asleep). I've put up with it for a few months by just manually winding it when it stops.
Now everywhere I have visited about the problem won't work on it (as it's a rolex) and wants to send it off somewhere (I believe one place said Switzerland!) and charge me best part of £600. Now I simply don't have £600 to spend on a repair (as said earlier I wouldn't have a watch like this but bought it with an inheritance).
I see it that I can either:
1. Put up with it and hope it gets better not worse
2. Trade it in for a cheaper (equivalent priced) watch whilst it's still working
3. Save up say £10 a week for a year to get it done
4. Find a local watch repairer willing to have a stab at fixing it (I've been to 3 and none would even entertain looking at it).
What would the PH watch crew recommend??
It's a Turnagraph like this one.
Problem is it's stopping every couple of weeks (normally winds up automatically when I move, but stops overnight when asleep). I've put up with it for a few months by just manually winding it when it stops.
Now everywhere I have visited about the problem won't work on it (as it's a rolex) and wants to send it off somewhere (I believe one place said Switzerland!) and charge me best part of £600. Now I simply don't have £600 to spend on a repair (as said earlier I wouldn't have a watch like this but bought it with an inheritance).
I see it that I can either:
1. Put up with it and hope it gets better not worse
2. Trade it in for a cheaper (equivalent priced) watch whilst it's still working
3. Save up say £10 a week for a year to get it done
4. Find a local watch repairer willing to have a stab at fixing it (I've been to 3 and none would even entertain looking at it).
What would the PH watch crew recommend??
Edited by audi321 on Thursday 16th October 21:44
audi321 said:
Hi all. I have a rolex which I bought 2nd hand around 10 years ago with some money I had left by my nana (£2k).
It's a Turnagraph like this one.
Problem is it's stopping every couple of weeks (normally winds up automatically when I move). I've put up with it for a few months by just manually winding it when it stops.
Now everywhere I have visited about the problem won't work on it (as it's a rolex) and wants to send it off somewhere (I believe one place said Switzerland!) and charge me best part of £600. Now I simply don't have £600 to spend on a repair (as said earlier I wouldn't have a watch like this but bought it with an inheritance).
I see it that I can either:
1. Put up with it and hope it gets better not worse
2. Trade it in for a cheaper (equivalent priced) watch whilst it's still working
3. Save up say £10 a week for a year to get it done
4. Find a local watch repairer willing to have a stab at fixing it (I've been to 3 and none would even entertain looking at it).
What would the PH watch crew recommend??
Do a search for PH member Variomatic then send him an email. I believe he'd repair it for you at a fair price. Not used him myself but he seems knowledgeable and it's his line of work.It's a Turnagraph like this one.
Problem is it's stopping every couple of weeks (normally winds up automatically when I move). I've put up with it for a few months by just manually winding it when it stops.
Now everywhere I have visited about the problem won't work on it (as it's a rolex) and wants to send it off somewhere (I believe one place said Switzerland!) and charge me best part of £600. Now I simply don't have £600 to spend on a repair (as said earlier I wouldn't have a watch like this but bought it with an inheritance).
I see it that I can either:
1. Put up with it and hope it gets better not worse
2. Trade it in for a cheaper (equivalent priced) watch whilst it's still working
3. Save up say £10 a week for a year to get it done
4. Find a local watch repairer willing to have a stab at fixing it (I've been to 3 and none would even entertain looking at it).
What would the PH watch crew recommend??
Save a Tenner a week for a year, send it to Rolex, West Malling, Kent. Easy to do via any authorised dealer.
It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
Edited by DH01 on Friday 17th October 10:32
DH01 said:
Save a Tenner a week for a year, send it to Rolex, West Malling, Kent. Easy to do via any authorised dealer.
It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
Having recently bought two Rolexes that were just back from Rolex I would have to disagree wholeheartedly with this. Use a good independent would be my advice.It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
Edited by DH01 on Friday 17th October 10:32
audi321 said:
Problem is an independent won't touch it. They're scared to even take the back off!
I'll tell that to my mate whom sent his 40 year old Pepsi GMT to an independent for full overhaul and repair....
Came back 4 weeks later running perfectly....and the funny rattling noise from inside had disappeared....
audi321 said:
Eleven said:
Having recently bought two Rolexes that were just back from Rolex I would have to disagree wholeheartedly with this. Use a good independent would be my advice.
Problem is an independent won't touch it. They're scared to even take the back off!Rolex now operate a service cartel, forcing repairers to service at their prices and they have restricted parts supply in order to achieve this.
Any decent repairer can service a Rolex watch, but they wont be able to get parts should they be required.
This new 'policy' has greatly increased the prices charged by many repairers who have had to toe Rolex's line in order to maintain their supply of service parts. Repairer who elected to remain outside the cartel will still charge similar prices to before, but they will struggle to obtain some parts with any certainty.
DH01 said:
Save a Tenner a week for a year, send it to Rolex, West Malling, Kent. Easy to do via any authorised dealer.
It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
My experience too; wonderful service.It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
Edited by DH01 on Friday 17th October 10:32
rog007 said:
DH01 said:
Save a Tenner a week for a year, send it to Rolex, West Malling, Kent. Easy to do via any authorised dealer.
It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
My experience too; wonderful service.It will come back as new, yes AS NEW and fully guaranteed .
I have used The Rolex service dept and their work is superb. They will not compromise .
Edited by DH01 on Friday 17th October 10:32
My understanding is that they used to do a pretty good job. However they didn't on either of my watches. I wonder whether this coincides with them reducing their turn-around times significantly.
Hi all. I just wanted to finish this thread by saying a BIG THANK YOU to Joe from Anglesey Watches (Variomatic on here) for sorting my watch out. A fantastic service and much cheaper than the official route.
I can fully recommend his services and wouldn't hesitate to use again!
I can fully recommend his services and wouldn't hesitate to use again!
Edited by audi321 on Tuesday 4th November 22:42
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