Where to get a 1968 Rolex serviced
Discussion
Need some advice from the watch aficionados please. I've recently acquired a 1967/8 Rolex Explorer through inheritance. It could do with a service, as it's showing the wrong time and I can't seem to move the crown to adjust anything - I certainly don't want to force it. Can anyone recommend a good service agent preferably in the South West (Wiltshire) or South East? What should a service cost on one of these or is it a case of how long is a piece of string?
First things first, are you aware that it has a screw-down crown on it? A surprising number of people get caught out by that!
Before pulling the crown out to set it you need to "unscrew" it from the case by turning it anti-clockwise until it runs free. It should then pull out to set the time without a problem. Once you've set it, press it in against slight spring pressure and turn it clockwise to lock it again. Don't over-tighten it, just snug finger pressure is fine.
If that isn't your problem then please don't force it - you'[ll end up breaking parts which may mean no choice but repair by Rolex, which will be eye-wateringly expensive - and may well come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!
Before pulling the crown out to set it you need to "unscrew" it from the case by turning it anti-clockwise until it runs free. It should then pull out to set the time without a problem. Once you've set it, press it in against slight spring pressure and turn it clockwise to lock it again. Don't over-tighten it, just snug finger pressure is fine.
If that isn't your problem then please don't force it - you'[ll end up breaking parts which may mean no choice but repair by Rolex, which will be eye-wateringly expensive - and may well come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!
Variomatic said:
If that isn't your problem then please don't force it - you'[ll end up breaking parts which may mean no choice but repair by Rolex, which will be eye-wateringly expensive - and may well come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!
Let me guess, he'd be better off with you?If you send it to Rolex, you can detail what work you want done and what you don't therefore it won't "come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!". They have the parts to do it right, most indies don't.
Plus it'll be done in a workshop where fakes aren't serviced, if you care about such things. I do, most here don't seem to mind.
yeti said:
Let me guess, he'd be better off with you?
If you send it to Rolex, you can detail what work you want done and what you don't therefore it won't "come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!". They have the parts to do it right, most indies don't.
Plus it'll be done in a workshop where fakes aren't serviced, if you care about such things. I do, most here don't seem to mind.
He doesn't know what work he wants done, so how can he tell Rolex? Vario gave a very helpful reply, he didn't say 'send it to me with a blank cheque'. Not everyone has your funds, and luckily not your arrogance or supercilious nature. If you send it to Rolex, you can detail what work you want done and what you don't therefore it won't "come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!". They have the parts to do it right, most indies don't.
Plus it'll be done in a workshop where fakes aren't serviced, if you care about such things. I do, most here don't seem to mind.
Well that escalated quickly. Actually I had no idea about the crown, being totally ignorant of how to set the time on a Rolex in fact, so thanks for advising on that score. I've got a common as muck Tag Carrera at the moment, which is obviously a different kettle of fish (and keeps awful time). I've not a clue about the Rolex's value, but I'm hoping not to be faced with a massive bill to service it.
I guess it needs (visually at least) a bit of a clean up and polish, new seals and a bit of fettling to ensure it's keeping time, but... I don't want it to look like a new watch, it needs to retain some patina. It has sentimental value having belonged to my late father who passed away recently, so I'd rather it was dealt with by someone reputable, although I imagine Rolex themselves would be eye-wateringly expensive.
I guess it needs (visually at least) a bit of a clean up and polish, new seals and a bit of fettling to ensure it's keeping time, but... I don't want it to look like a new watch, it needs to retain some patina. It has sentimental value having belonged to my late father who passed away recently, so I'd rather it was dealt with by someone reputable, although I imagine Rolex themselves would be eye-wateringly expensive.
Yeah, sorry to have derailed your thread so quickly. Initial post was intended as helpful and I should have just bitten my tongue when yeti appeared with his usual 
Can you give the screw-down crown a try and let us know how you get on? It can make quite a big difference to likely cost of any work seeing as a seized handset is usually a result of water getting in there. All the parts around the handset area are steel, and the crown is (by far) the most common point for leakage on any watch, so they tend to be the bits that rust first.
If it's all basically working ok (ticking, hands moving, and handset working) then tidying up / resealing / servicing becomes a lot more straightforward than if it's actually broken in some way!
Can you give the screw-down crown a try and let us know how you get on? It can make quite a big difference to likely cost of any work seeing as a seized handset is usually a result of water getting in there. All the parts around the handset area are steel, and the crown is (by far) the most common point for leakage on any watch, so they tend to be the bits that rust first.
If it's all basically working ok (ticking, hands moving, and handset working) then tidying up / resealing / servicing becomes a lot more straightforward than if it's actually broken in some way!
Send it to Duncan at Genesis. Yes he's in Cumbria, so it has to be posted but he does a fantastic job and he will tell you each and every thing he wants to do before he does it.
Full service to mine was £400 ish I think but if it's simpler problem then less.
Yes its a lot of money but it came back like (old) new.
Full service to mine was £400 ish I think but if it's simpler problem then less.
Yes its a lot of money but it came back like (old) new.
Hi
I use watch doctors to service all the watches I take in as a part exchange. Once serviced the watches look as new and they come with a 12 month warranty which we pass on to our customers.
I have had three customers who have recently sent their watches to WD and they were delighted.
They have Rolex trained technicians.
Just sent a Yachtmaster yesterday. Think it will be £300 for a service snd Polish and will take 7 working days which is a whole lot quicker and cheaper than Rolex
I use watch doctors to service all the watches I take in as a part exchange. Once serviced the watches look as new and they come with a 12 month warranty which we pass on to our customers.
I have had three customers who have recently sent their watches to WD and they were delighted.
They have Rolex trained technicians.
Just sent a Yachtmaster yesterday. Think it will be £300 for a service snd Polish and will take 7 working days which is a whole lot quicker and cheaper than Rolex
My '59 Explorer is currently being served here. Probably not the cheapest but were recommended & are Rolex accredited.
http://www.russelltalerman.com/services.php#price_...
http://www.russelltalerman.com/services.php#price_...
DKL said:
Send it to Duncan at Genesis. Yes he's in Cumbria, so it has to be posted but he does a fantastic job and he will tell you each and every thing he wants to do before he does it.
Full service to mine was £400 ish I think but if it's simpler problem then less.
Yes its a lot of money but it came back like (old) new.
Duncan did my 1972 sub. Brilliant job. Very very pleased and will use again. Full service to mine was £400 ish I think but if it's simpler problem then less.
Yes its a lot of money but it came back like (old) new.
Well after following the advice on this thread, I've adjusted the time without breaking it and it's working ok, which is a start.
I must admit the thought of putting it in the post for one of these mail order repair services concerns me. How do you package it up and insure it etc? I think I'd be terrified of never seeing it again.
I must admit the thought of putting it in the post for one of these mail order repair services concerns me. How do you package it up and insure it etc? I think I'd be terrified of never seeing it again.
As long as you send it to someone reputable and you have an email conversation trail or suchlike you'll be OK. Package it well - bubble wrap and a padded envelope will do - and send it on via Royal Mail's Special Delivery service stating the value of the watch when you're at the PO, the watch will be delivered the next day (if posted early enough) and can be insured up to £2500 for approx £10, though I guess that's kind of irrelevant being your late father's watch. Make sure that you use one of RM's silver plastic sealed bags as well for added tamperproof security, and ask the repairer how they intend on sending the watch back.
Edit to add that RM's SD service denotes that the reciever has to sign for the package and a tracking number is provided as well so you can keep tabs on where your watch is, including knowing when it has been recieved.
Edit to add that RM's SD service denotes that the reciever has to sign for the package and a tracking number is provided as well so you can keep tabs on where your watch is, including knowing when it has been recieved.
Edited by CardShark on Sunday 22 March 22:35
tjk123 said:
Well after following the advice on this thread, I've adjusted the time without breaking it and it's working ok, which is a start.
I must admit the thought of putting it in the post for one of these mail order repair services concerns me. How do you package it up and insure it etc? I think I'd be terrified of never seeing it again.
Glad it's working ok I must admit the thought of putting it in the post for one of these mail order repair services concerns me. How do you package it up and insure it etc? I think I'd be terrified of never seeing it again.
The next thing you really need to think about is how much you're likely to use it. I inherited my dad's watch about 18 months ago and it's become my daily wearer. For that I serviced it because it's getting a lot of use - I do have the benefit of not charging myself, obviously!
But you may be planning to keep this and only run it a couple of times a month (or less) in which case, honestly, a service would probably be a waste of time and money - it's not going to deteriorate in any important way while it's sitting not running!
yeti said:
Variomatic said:
If that isn't your problem then please don't force it - you'[ll end up breaking parts which may mean no choice but repair by Rolex, which will be eye-wateringly expensive - and may well come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!
Let me guess, he'd be better off with you?If you send it to Rolex, you can detail what work you want done and what you don't therefore it won't "come back with new dial, new hands, polished-like-new case, and bearing no similarity at all to the watch you inherited!". They have the parts to do it right, most indies don't.
Plus it'll be done in a workshop where fakes aren't serviced, if you care about such things. I do, most here don't seem to mind.
Edited by GC8 on Monday 23 March 19:25
GC8 said:
You are acting like a petulant child. Before your tantrum you used to recommend him, remember?
Ahh, but then he discovered that I wouldn't refuse work on someone's sentimental copy which, apparently, is tantamount to me murdering nuns in their beds.Edited by GC8 on Monday 23 March 19:25
Interestingly, had a few copies off here from people who certainly don't need to buy them judging by what else they own and generally express disapproval at the "passing fakes as real" market (as do I). But their copies were inherited / gifts from well meaning girlfriends / bought on holiday for a laugh and have enough nostalgia attached to warrant repair.
Oh, and don't worry guys - I won't be giving names. Far be it for me to reveal peoples' guilty little secrets to keep an abominable poster happy
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