Inherited my first Rolex
Discussion
Hi all,
my father passed away on Tuesday following a battle with Cancer, he had a Rolex for his 40th off my mum and a Rolex for his 50th off mum.
he left the first one to me and the second one to my sister in his will. I have been to John Pass jewelers (Crewe) today to have it adjusted to fit.
Unfortunately mine hasn't been serviced since 2002. The watch was purchased from John Pass Rolex dealer in Crewe and was actually a personal watch of John Pass himself. We have all the original documents and box of course as well, John Pass weren't the original selling dealer.
I want to wear the watch for my dad's funeral in 2 weeks time, as does my sister and then we are sending them off for servicing. The one my sister has is in immaculate condition but unfortunately it appears to be jumping ever so slightly. Mine on the other hand is in dire need of polishing and cleaning but mechanically is in perfect condition.

I have never actually worn a watch full time, but have been wearing a fitbit for nearly 4 years so have ditched the fitbit and feel I will carry on wearing a watch, this Rolex however won't be worn everyday by me despite the fact dad wore it everyday. I do have a collection of "cheap" watches but never wear them.
I know the watch itself isn't going to be worth major money but in sentimental value its priceless.
my father passed away on Tuesday following a battle with Cancer, he had a Rolex for his 40th off my mum and a Rolex for his 50th off mum.
he left the first one to me and the second one to my sister in his will. I have been to John Pass jewelers (Crewe) today to have it adjusted to fit.
Unfortunately mine hasn't been serviced since 2002. The watch was purchased from John Pass Rolex dealer in Crewe and was actually a personal watch of John Pass himself. We have all the original documents and box of course as well, John Pass weren't the original selling dealer.
I want to wear the watch for my dad's funeral in 2 weeks time, as does my sister and then we are sending them off for servicing. The one my sister has is in immaculate condition but unfortunately it appears to be jumping ever so slightly. Mine on the other hand is in dire need of polishing and cleaning but mechanically is in perfect condition.
I have never actually worn a watch full time, but have been wearing a fitbit for nearly 4 years so have ditched the fitbit and feel I will carry on wearing a watch, this Rolex however won't be worn everyday by me despite the fact dad wore it everyday. I do have a collection of "cheap" watches but never wear them.
I know the watch itself isn't going to be worth major money but in sentimental value its priceless.
Sorry about your father. My suggestion would be to get the watch serviced. You have two options, get it serviced by Rolex and get horribly ripped off, or get it serviced by an independent watch maker. Once done, wear it at weekends in memory of your father. If you want the scratches etc removed, ask the your local watch man for advice.
John Pass have quoted about £600 which includes polishing, a valuation and 2 year warranty.
They have also offered a £200-280 option than is servicing and 1 year warranty.
I don't know what to do, obviously the cheaper option sounds nicer. But I want to keep this 100% running and in top condition. Will a watch with genuine Rolex servicing be worth more? Not that I'm going to sell it.
They have also offered a £200-280 option than is servicing and 1 year warranty.
I don't know what to do, obviously the cheaper option sounds nicer. But I want to keep this 100% running and in top condition. Will a watch with genuine Rolex servicing be worth more? Not that I'm going to sell it.
Sorry for your loss.
I'd be tempted just to get the internals serviced by your local then wear it in good health. You're very unlikely to part with it so the resale value is a moot point really. In terms of polishing, IMHO I would avoid this purely for sentimental values. Every hairline scratch on there just adds to the story and the journey the watch had with your father. Wear in good health, add some of your own story and journey and pass to your sprog in many moons time.
I'd be tempted just to get the internals serviced by your local then wear it in good health. You're very unlikely to part with it so the resale value is a moot point really. In terms of polishing, IMHO I would avoid this purely for sentimental values. Every hairline scratch on there just adds to the story and the journey the watch had with your father. Wear in good health, add some of your own story and journey and pass to your sprog in many moons time.
Jayho said:
Sorry for your loss.
I'd be tempted just to get the internals serviced by your local then wear it in good health. You're very unlikely to part with it so the resale value is a moot point really. In terms of polishing, IMHO I would avoid this purely for sentimental values. Every hairline scratch on there just adds to the story and the journey the watch had with your father. Wear in good health, add some of your own story and journey and pass to your sprog in many moons time.
This.I'd be tempted just to get the internals serviced by your local then wear it in good health. You're very unlikely to part with it so the resale value is a moot point really. In terms of polishing, IMHO I would avoid this purely for sentimental values. Every hairline scratch on there just adds to the story and the journey the watch had with your father. Wear in good health, add some of your own story and journey and pass to your sprog in many moons time.
First and foremost, sincerely sorry for your loss.
As or the watches, at least for the first few years, do you want you need to keep it running, and do what little you need to keep it wearable in the condition it is in. You were left watch from his use, remember him by his signs of use. An immaculate one might remind you of his choice, but won't help you remember him any more of his life. The patina on the ones you have will directly remind you of him as a person, how he lived and how he wore and enjoyed the watches. An immaculate, polished example will only remind you of his choice in watches. Pick what you do based on what you want to remember, but above all, give it time to settle before you do anything irreversible to the watches the basically deletes him from their history.
harveys said:
Firstly so sorry for the loss of your father.
Secondly, wear the watch as he did. Rolex do some amazing work when it comes to servicing...
Great memories every time you wear the watch for sure.Secondly, wear the watch as he did. Rolex do some amazing work when it comes to servicing...
I only use Rolex for servicing and have never been disappointed; I’m mostly bowled over every time one comes back such is the outcome.
rog007 said:
Great memories every time you wear the watch for sure.
I only use Rolex for servicing and have never been disappointed; I’m mostly bowled over every time one comes back such is the outcome.
Do they do any other options than the £600+ option that includes polishing? I only use Rolex for servicing and have never been disappointed; I’m mostly bowled over every time one comes back such is the outcome.
Service and a quick clean would be ideal really rather than polishing haha
AJB88 said:
Do they do any other options than the £600+ option that includes polishing?
Service and a quick clean would be ideal really rather than polishing haha
You can specify that you want no cosmetic work done on the watch - but I am not sure about the price differential.Service and a quick clean would be ideal really rather than polishing haha
Personally I would use a decent local specialist and save a few hundred quid.
ashleyman said:
Careful if you send it off to Rolex for servicing.
They will fix whatever necessary to bring it back to brand new condition. Personally, I'd not be sending it off, have someone fix the movement issues and then leave it with its battle scars and memories intact.
My one has no issues at all, it works perfect. Just it needs a clean and hasn't been "serviced" since 2002.They will fix whatever necessary to bring it back to brand new condition. Personally, I'd not be sending it off, have someone fix the movement issues and then leave it with its battle scars and memories intact.
It's the one my sister has that needs the movement addressing as it jumps slightly. That was serviced in 2012.
Sorry to hear of your loss, OP.
A Rolex accredited watchmaker or repair centre will be your best bet for servicing or you could try Rolex themselves and be very specific about what you'd like done. I'll leave others to recommend someone/where as I have no first hand experience on this.
As for cleaning, I just use shower gel, water and an old toothbrush then dry off with a clean towel.
A Rolex accredited watchmaker or repair centre will be your best bet for servicing or you could try Rolex themselves and be very specific about what you'd like done. I'll leave others to recommend someone/where as I have no first hand experience on this.
As for cleaning, I just use shower gel, water and an old toothbrush then dry off with a clean towel.
Edited by CardShark on Sunday 15th April 21:21
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