Oyster Grenfell - Help
Discussion
Hi all,
I recently picked up an Oyster Grenfell and honestly, I think it’s a beautiful piece—I’m really pleased with it.
I’ve noticed a couple of issues though:
- The crown doesn’t seem to screw down properly. It just spins and won’t “catch,” almost like the threads inside the crown might be worn. Has anyone come across this before? Is it a straightforward fix or something more involved?
- It could also do with a new bit of glass, as the current one is quite worn.
Also, I’d love to learn a bit more about these watches. From what I understand, they were produced for the Canadian market—does anyone know more about their history or how collectible they are?
Would really appreciate any advice or insight. Thanks in advance!
I recently picked up an Oyster Grenfell and honestly, I think it’s a beautiful piece—I’m really pleased with it.
I’ve noticed a couple of issues though:
- The crown doesn’t seem to screw down properly. It just spins and won’t “catch,” almost like the threads inside the crown might be worn. Has anyone come across this before? Is it a straightforward fix or something more involved?
- It could also do with a new bit of glass, as the current one is quite worn.
Also, I’d love to learn a bit more about these watches. From what I understand, they were produced for the Canadian market—does anyone know more about their history or how collectible they are?
Would really appreciate any advice or insight. Thanks in advance!
Just been quoted this -
Following our inspection, your watch requires a full service along with a vintage crown replacement.
A full service includes complete disassembly of the movement, ultrasonic cleaning, inspection of all components, correct lubrication, reassembly, and regulation to ensure reliable timekeeping and long-term performance.
The vintage crown required for your watch is a specialised part, which is reflected in the cost.
Service Details:
- Full Service: £250 including VAT
- Vintage Crown: £350 including VAT
Total: £600 including VAT
Feels really heavy or am I being cheap ?
Warranty:
- 12 months warranty on the service carried out
Timeframe & Payment:
- Estimated turnaround time: approximately 5 weeks
- Deposit required: 50% upfront to proceed
Following our inspection, your watch requires a full service along with a vintage crown replacement.
A full service includes complete disassembly of the movement, ultrasonic cleaning, inspection of all components, correct lubrication, reassembly, and regulation to ensure reliable timekeeping and long-term performance.
The vintage crown required for your watch is a specialised part, which is reflected in the cost.
Service Details:
- Full Service: £250 including VAT
- Vintage Crown: £350 including VAT
Total: £600 including VAT
Feels really heavy or am I being cheap ?
Warranty:
- 12 months warranty on the service carried out
Timeframe & Payment:
- Estimated turnaround time: approximately 5 weeks
- Deposit required: 50% upfront to proceed
Edited by HarmeetJohal1 on Tuesday 12th May 18:58
HarmeetJohal1 said:
Service Details:
- Full Service: £250 including VAT
- Vintage Crown: £350 including VAT
Total: £600 including VAT
Feels really heavy or am I being cheap ?
Sounds reasonably priced to me. I pay £1k or over to have watches serviced by the manufacturers. £600 from an independent sounds about right.- Full Service: £250 including VAT
- Vintage Crown: £350 including VAT
Total: £600 including VAT
Feels really heavy or am I being cheap ?
HarmeetJohal1 said:
Just been quoted this -
Following our inspection, your watch requires a full service along with a vintage crown replacement.
A full service includes complete disassembly of the movement, ultrasonic cleaning, inspection of all components, correct lubrication, reassembly, and regulation to ensure reliable timekeeping and long-term performance.
The vintage crown required for your watch is a specialised part, which is reflected in the cost.
Service Details:
- Full Service: £250 including VAT
- Vintage Crown: £350 including VAT
Total: £600 including VAT
Feels really heavy or am I being cheap ?
Warranty:
- 12 months warranty on the service carried out
Timeframe & Payment:
- Estimated turnaround time: approximately 5 weeks
- Deposit required: 50% upfront to proceed
sounds reasonable. I just had a quote of nearly £3k from Rolex for a 2007 Yacht Master service where they wanted to replace a bunch of parts I don’t want replaced. Almost half the value of the watch! Following our inspection, your watch requires a full service along with a vintage crown replacement.
A full service includes complete disassembly of the movement, ultrasonic cleaning, inspection of all components, correct lubrication, reassembly, and regulation to ensure reliable timekeeping and long-term performance.
The vintage crown required for your watch is a specialised part, which is reflected in the cost.
Service Details:
- Full Service: £250 including VAT
- Vintage Crown: £350 including VAT
Total: £600 including VAT
Feels really heavy or am I being cheap ?
Warranty:
- 12 months warranty on the service carried out
Timeframe & Payment:
- Estimated turnaround time: approximately 5 weeks
- Deposit required: 50% upfront to proceed
Edited by HarmeetJohal1 on Tuesday 12th May 18:58
To be honest, that is a decent quote for an independent.
The Service is really cheap, as I charge more than that as a starting price for Rolex, so for a vintage model, they are way under-priced compared to the market.
That would easily be an £1100 service at least in most Rolex Workshops.
The crown price will be because of not having access to a Rolex agent that can sell them parts.
If you want an original Oyster branded/Brevet crown, with an original tube, then the cost goes up.
For a standard tube and a new Rolex branded crown, the cost would be about a third of that.
They are stunning watches , so well worth keeping them in good shape.
The Service is really cheap, as I charge more than that as a starting price for Rolex, so for a vintage model, they are way under-priced compared to the market.
That would easily be an £1100 service at least in most Rolex Workshops.
The crown price will be because of not having access to a Rolex agent that can sell them parts.
If you want an original Oyster branded/Brevet crown, with an original tube, then the cost goes up.
For a standard tube and a new Rolex branded crown, the cost would be about a third of that.
They are stunning watches , so well worth keeping them in good shape.
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