Rolex- service or sell?

[Motorrad]

I have a couple of Rolex watches that are both due for servicing on basis of time (they have hardly been worn but I appreciate oils etc deteriorate over time).

One is a 2008 16600 Sea-Dweller the other an Explorer 114270 from the same year. Both still keep good time on the rare occasions they are worn.

I have no particular attachment to either watch and keep toying with the idea of selling them since I found out that a service from Rolex will cost what I consider to be an extortionate amount.

The question is am I likely to do better by selling the watches serviced or accept the reduced price an unserviced watch will attract?

Both watches are in box with papers etc and I'm the original owner.

I reckon the SD has to be worth 5 grand these days and the Explorer 3 and a bit. Any comments on potential value and any recommendation of watch smiths that won't charge unreasonable sums for a service would be appreciated.

edit to add:

Also do people think that a Rolex serviced by a third party is of less value than an officially fettled watch?

[stuttgartmetal]

Just serviced my Sea Dweller at Rolex UK
£600
2year warranty

[Motorrad]

stuttgartmetal said:

Just serviced my Sea Dweller at Rolex UK
£600
2year warranty

Thanks for the info.

Better than the near 1000 euro I've been quoted for each. Will wait till I'm back in the UK I suppose.

Can't help thinking that the difference in sale price for a used watch without service history and one with won't be 600 quid though. Might just flog them and buy the Nautilus I've been hankering after!

[clockworks]

Surely a Seadweller is worth more than that? I have a 1998 14060 Sub no date. Never been serviced, working perfectly. My local jeweller wants to sell it on commission. He reckons he can get me close to £5k for it. He can't get enough Rolex sports models.

[Trev450]

Some will disagree, but personally I don't value a manufacturer serviced watch any higher than one that has been looked after by a reputable indy. With that said, I have used Joe at Anglesey Watches for a number of years for my GMT Master 11 and have every confidence in him.

[a1topdog]

Depending on the age of the watch, Rolex won't sell spare parts to indys. This was the case with my 2012 GMT. I had to send it to Rolex for a service. This made it easier to sell as it also provided the proof that it was a genuine item

[stuttgartmetal]

No papers.
The warranty card with the watch is proof.
The SeaDweller needed a couple of extras
The service is nearer £500
Give them a ring
They’re on St James’ Square.

[stuttgartmetal]

clockworks said:

Surely a Seadweller is worth more than that? I have a 1998 14060 Sub no date. Never been serviced, working perfectly. My local jeweller wants to sell it on commission. He reckons he can get me close to £5k for it. He can't get enough Rolex sports models.

Is it a four liner or two liner ?
I had a two liner for years.
Keep it
Money in the bank.

[FWIW]

stuttgartmetal said:

No papers.
The warranty card with the watch is proof.
The SeaDweller needed a couple of extras
The service is nearer £500
Give them a ring
They’re on St James’ Square.

Am i missing something here?

[clockworks]

stuttgartmetal said:

Is it a four liner or two liner ?
I had a two liner for years.
Keep it
Money in the bank.

Two liner

I needed some cash, but decided to keep it and search the loft for other stuff to sell instead. As you say, it's money in the bank.

[Moobs]

If a rolex keeps good time and you think money is better invested elsewhere. Theres little point in servicing your rolex

[rog007]

Official Servicing gains a fully checked and spruced up watch with a 2-year warranty; what’s not to like!?

May not improve value (but might, depending upon the exact watch and market conditions), but one would imagine it might sell quicker amongst those that are unserviced if that was important to either the vendor or the purchaser.

[harveys]

I think with a service from Rolex with a fresh 2 year warranty the seadweller will be worth over 6k. Maybe 6.5k

[Badda]

stuttgartmetal said:

Is it a four liner or two liner ?
I had a two liner for years.
Keep it
Money in the bank.

Is this one of those Japanese poems?

[andy355]

If selling worth considering that some collectors want never polished watches. If you give it to Rolex unless they are told otherwise they will polish it to new

[okenemem]

wow 500 quid for a service, my submariner has been gaining time so i was gonna service it . due a service had it plus 8 years. but i had no idea it was gonna be that expensive